Road test of Mash400 TT40 Cafe Racer 2017 When the heart goes boom

it was in Zicavo, in the Corsican mountains, that the SIMA boss decided to present thethe 2017 Mash range, now fully equipped with fuel injection to meet Euro4 standards.

after unveiling the Black Seven, a direct competitor to the Orcal Astor, as well as the brand's other better-known models, Frédéric Fourgeaud lifted the veil on his "flagship", the Mash TT40. Even more than the others, it seems to have come straight out of the '70s, as SIMA has pushed the neo-retro envelope to bring out this café racer powered by a 400cc single-cylinder.

from the characteristically pretty fork head to the micro taillight and the seat ending in a hood, there's not a single flaw to catch the eye, allowing you to revel in the bike's pleasing lines. The slim tank at the rear, the retro tires created for the model and, above all, the very attractive, slim chrome exhausts underline this elaborate design. You can feel that the latest creation from the de Beaunes firm has been pampered: the finish is of good quality, only the front mudguard attachment is a little surprising, but that's a matter of taste.

as for the dashboard, it's a classic: two meters with backlit needles, with Km/h and mph for speed.

with less than an hour's riding time and a lack of road diversity, I can't give you a full review of this café racer. So these will be more impressions of first contact.

as soon as you get going, you realize that the exhaust isn't just for looks. The mono sound is really pleasant and adds to the machine's charm.

once I'd got on the machine, things got a bit tricky for my 85-meter frame. The position isn't as extreme as the design might suggest, but I'm having a bit of trouble getting my legs onto the recessed controls and finding my footing. Eventually, I'll move back until I can wedge my knees into the hollows of the tank. For longer use, the opening and inclination of the straps can be adjusted to suit individual tastes.

the route planned for the 400cc starts out on fairly narrow roads, where animals can be seen at any moment. The first few kilometers of discovering the machine are therefore spent at a cool pace, and the engine responds well. It allows you to wind up well without overplaying the gearbox, which has been fairly precise up to now. Vibrations are soon felt on the fork head, causing a noise that can become unpleasant over time. The mirrors at the end of the handlebars suffer a little, but their reading is in any case complicated by their position and requires a little gymnastics to carry out the controls. Very pretty, then, but with average ergonomics.

the first photo stops show that the turning radius is not the machine's main asset, half-turns are not easy and the selection is capricious when returning to neutral. This is apparently due to an incorrectly adjusted clutch guard.

i'm back on the second part of the track, with much wider roads that allow me to set a bit more pace. Cornering comes as no surprise, and those accustomed to the sport position will have a field day. As for braking, it has enough bite to contain the engine's power and the machine's weight. Note the disconnectable ABS.
Suspension is just right for a bike in this range.

in terms of comfort, however, the back is quickly put to the test, and an hour is enough to feel the first aches and pains, even if my size can't help it. The firm seat and position are clearly designed more for style than comfort.

in conclusion, with the Mash 400 TT40, we're at the heart of the currently booming segment of pleasure motorcycles, accessible to all. It's not about extreme performance, but about enjoying the machine on the road without the risk of losing your license in 3 months. Add to that a terrific look, and I think you've got a machine that will appeal to everyone, from the young licence-holder looking for an original model at a low price, to the mature man looking for a reasonable machine.

Romain Sibot