Sachs MadAss 125 review

Motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes, but the radically styled Sachs MadAss 125 has always stood out in a crowd.

Designed to appeal to all those with a sense of fun, for 2008 the MadAss 125 continues with its minimalist styling but gets a new look with matt black alloy wheels and polished rims, plus a stainless steel exhaust system with brushed alloy silencer.

Although the MadAss falls into the learner-legal category, it almost shrugs off such tags – this is a motorcycle all right, but not as we know it. Designed by the well-established German company Sachs, minimalism gives the MadAss 125 its style, but it’s certainly not short on features.

Aided by the neat trick of carrying its fuel in the main frame tube, with its twin seat mounted on a single extension from the bike’s spine, the MadAss is an incredibly light machine, weighing just 95kg. And that’s despite having monoshock rear suspension, hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, tri-spoke alloy wheels, underseat silencer, a digital speedo, LED tail lights, and, topping it off in style, mean-looking, streetfighter-inspired, stacked twin projector headlights.

But MadAss doesn’t necessarily mean bad-ass when it comes to the environment, because the MadAss is very compliant. A clean four-stroke 125cc engine with catalytic converter exceeds the latest stringent European emissions requirements. Equipped with 12v electrics and an electric starter, the MadAss doesn’t scrimp on creature comforts either.

As to be expected from Sachs, quality is a key word and this shines through at all angles. The MadAss comes in yellow, anthracite grey or black.