Modern Vespa

It was the Woody thread and its moped direction that got me courious. Any one ridden these 4-stroke, four speed units? What do they cost? Ect.? The web site is pretty limited. R

From what I hear they are a little on the slow side.
I love the fuel tank in the frame though, my Tomos had a frame tank that got rusty. A real B to clean..
Again check with [url]www.mopedarmy.com[/url]
They have all the insights..

The 125 is not available yet, as far as I know. Contact Pierspeed, the importer, for updated info.

They look cool but are really tall with a non confidence inspiring high center of gravity. You'd think they'd be light weight from looking at their spartan design. But even the 50cc madass is very heavy. I've done an engine conversion on a 50cc model and with additional power they are kinda fun. I wouldn't want one without plans for a custom ergonomic redesign. The only other significant complaint I had was with the electronics. The CDI and the digital speedometer both failed. The owner of the one I did the conversion on was very happy with his madass, but just wanted to go more than 30 mph on the flat and climb hills faster than 20 mph. That's about all the madass does in stock, derestricted form.

they had a 125 at ameravespa, the engine looks just like the honda 125 singles from the 70s. Probably a near exact copy. seemed peppy, probably chinese made. Someone told me they use a lot of Japanese components, don't know about that though

also they might be a little tall but really folks were talking 125 here, anyone can man handle those things

The fact that it'd be a 125 has nothing to do with how it's height affects handling.

I'm sure they have samples here. But last I heard they are not EPA/CARB approved yet. Not sure if there's been an update to that sitation.

Its a 125, it will handle way better then a heavier cycle regardless of height.

Cant argue with that sentence........????????
Please explain.....


I am curious, what does displacement have anything to do with handling?
Gotta love misinformation.

Brooke,
I had initially thought these could be cool bikes to beat the shit out of but after hearing so much negative....Is there anything salvageable &/or useful from the chassis?

Worth shoving a built pit bike motor into?

Or just cool looking junk.

Ya, clearly someone who has never ridden the bike in question.

I think there is plenty to be taken from a madass. It's that seat tube position that's difficult to work around. The rolling chassis seemed very solid. One can buy a 70 to 140cc motor that will just about bolt in the motor mounts. I'm not sure how much room for clearance to the front wheel is on some of the largest options. It's the same pattern as many of the honda-type pit bikes available on ebay. The engines you can get are also of questionable quality but can be had for cheap enough and with enough prep can probably do OK. I'd probably try to rebuild a seat perch and then rework the bar heights and start completely over with electronics. Even with a 107 motor it had plenty of power to the point where it really needed some re-gearing at the sprockets. Playing with making exhausts would be fun as well. I'd like to make up my own manual exup type valve.

The seating is high, but the overall centre of gravity is lower than you would expect. Not as low as a scooter, but then you don't sit on these like a scooter. It's more like a motorbike experience (trailbikes are "high" bikes, yet they handle quite well) than a scooter experience.

Also, they have larger and heavier wheels (16in), so more vertical stability is given from the wheels spinning than on a scooter (think of spinning a bicycle wheel in your hands and tipping it from vertical - it resists being shifted from the axis of spin)

The 125's are full manual too, not auto. For the 125 version, the weight (100kg) is about right. For the 50cc version (which is auto), you'd probably be better off with a scooter. But I haven't riden a 50cc version so I can't comment from experience.

These bikes are an absolute gem to ride. The handling is superb and very predictable. You can really put them on their side when going into a corner. You will hug sharper corners in these than on the average scooter.

A LOT of fun to ride. The 125's are also pretty quick, able to easily keep up with city traffic up to 85kmh, and able to cruise at 90kmh on the freeway once run in.

Nice to see a new visitor! Glad to know that you are loving your new MadAss 125. While I like their look, I'll stick to my Vespa.

Enjoy the site, and post an introduction about yourself (with a photo of your MadAss).

Thanks for the nice welcome

Ilove my Madass, but I'm also developing a thing for the Vespa and sidecar combios of the 60's. I haven't riden one yet, but they just look so cool and the idea of having a bike to ride when I need a bit of storage appeals.

The retro looks is really appealing also.