What can you say about the Peirspeed Madass 125? It’s a small motorcycle in a sort of scooterish style. It’s incredibly light. It’s funky. Minimalist. It's inspired. Weird. It’s loveable and for many people, it’s wanted. A company called Peirspeed imports this vehicle to the U.S. It was designed in Germany by a company called Sachs.
At Dealer Expo, I got a chance to speak with Bill Peirce, the President of Peirspeed, and Mason Orr, the Sales Manager for the company. Both of these guys were enthusiastic about the Madass and the other Peirspeed scooters on display in their booth. Sales are going well they said, especially of the Madass 125 (they also import a 50cc version). With a low MSRP of $2699, a more comfortable seat for 2010, the addition of “racing red” as a color choice and zero modifications of the Madass’ street-fighter attitude, they are assured of a good year.
The Madass 125 features a 124cc four-stroke engine coupled with a motorcycle-style four-speed manual transmission. With its clever, in-the-frame fuel tank (with manual tap/reserve), integrated seat/exhaust, bug-eye micro headlights and “almost” step-through Euro style, the scoot is irresistible. Add in that low acquisition cost, a 55+ mph speed and 85 miles per gallon, it’s no wonder that this unit is moving.
Phil Waters of Pride of Cleveland Scooters took a lightly modified Madass 125 across the freaking United States. He’s just recently able to walk again after that experience. I’m kidding about that, but the actual scoot that Phil and a friend took across the states was in the Peirspeed booth, in all its dusty, road-modified glory. For highway duty, the team upgraded the carb, air filter and sprocket, and added a small windshield and a series of road-mods to the seat to make the trip endurable. OK, they added a taxi driver-style beaded mat to the seat in order to increase comfort and make the potential for future offspring possible.
The only drawbacks to the Madass 125 are still a bit of a smallish engine (compensated for by the manual transmission), the seat (apparently improved for this year) and the lack of a gas gauge (reserve setting on the tap, but wow, that could come at a bad time). If you can get around those things, you will be choosing a fast, almost moped-styled, unique ride. There are quite a few aftermarket parts coming available now, with more in the pipeline, so in fine scooter tradition, buying the scoot might be just the first step.
I hope to ride the Madass 125 soon. It looks like one hell of a ride.
What's next: Dealer Expo 2010 - LaVita 150 EFI
Comments
Love the design! so cute! But, with a 4-speed manual transmission, is it really a scooter?
Oh yeah! Well, maybe! Remember that ALL Vespas and Lambrettas (and many other classic scoots) started with a three or four speed manual transmission and clutch on the left side of the handlebar. My Bajaj and 1981 Vespa P200 have a similar arrangement. Now days, that's an exception to the rule as most scooters are "twist 'n go" automatic using a CVT transmission. The Madass is different in that it has a left foot operated gear selector, and that is pretty much a motorcycle thing. It's not exactly a step-through frame either (like a scooter). The Madass is a mash-up for sure, and that's why I like it so much.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!