Mash thinks big with the retro-inspired FR750 motorcycle

An advantageous option in the neo-retro segment in Europe.

The name Mash Motorcycles may be familiar to you as the French brand sells vintage-style scooters and sidecars across Europe. And indeed, we’ve talked a lot about the company’s products in the past, with notable models like the B-Side sidecar and the E-City electric scooter.

This time around, the brand is taking a more performance-oriented approach by launching a neo-retro style naked motorcycle called the FR750 Roadster.

Like many small brands proliferating in the European market, Mash is indeed headquartered in France, but its products mainly come from China, as the company has ties to manufacturer Shineray, imports bikes into the European market and sports them with the Mash brand.

In the case of the FR750 Roadster, it comes directly from the Shineray catalog and is known as the Jedi FR750 in China. It follows the formula of most midweight naked bikes on the market today, that is, a punchy twin, premium chainstays, and a nimble chassis.

Specifically, the FR750 features a 749cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, parallel-twin engine with approximately 75 ponies available. It rides on an adjustable inverted front fork and preload-adjustable rear monoshock, and stops with dual Brembo brakes up front. Mash claims a wet weight of 213 kilograms, or about 470 pounds.

The FR750 gets a color TFT gauge and adjustable suspension.

From the front, it looks like a mashup between a Suzuki Katana and a Honda CB650R.

Stylistically, the FR750 looks like a mix of design elements borrowed from many other bikes. The square headlight reminds me of the Suzuki Katana, while the bike’s bulky, retro-inspired stance evokes images of the Honda CB650R. Meanwhile, the bodywork at the rear of the bike gives it a flat-tracker feel.

So yes, you could say this bike has an identity crisis.

Still, at 6,999 euros, or about $7,530 USD, the FR750 makes a strong case, not least because Mash has established itself as a trusted brand in the region. For reference, a Yamaha

I’ve said this before about Chinese motorcycles, but many of them are actually well built and, based on my personal experience, tend to have reliable, reliable technology. But given their newness on the scene, buying a Chinese-made bike comes with a certain degree of risk, as no one really knows for sure how these bikes will stand the test of time.

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