Mash 125 Black / British Seven 2025 — Specifications

Playing with two identities on the same motorcycle is a bold gamble. Mash has nevertheless succeeded with the Seven, which is renamed Black or British depending on whether its paintwork leans towards black or English green. It's not just a marketing gimmick: the two versions share a genuine stylistic coherence, that of a 125 that openly claims its penchant for the outskirts of London. Spoked wheels, conical exhaust, steel front mudguard, long club seat, well-dosed chrome accents, small Union Jack on the airbox covers. The picture is complete, assumed, and frankly successful for a price of €2999.

This retro-British positioning, Mash has cultivated since its beginnings. The Seventy built the brand's reputation on this niche, and the Seven is a more muscular, darker iteration, one step above in the internal hierarchy. Comparison with the Orcal Astor naturally arises: same neo-cafe DNA, same target of young A1 license holders who want style without breaking the bank. But Mash holds its own thanks to technical evolution that really changes the game. The old engine that still equipped the Seventy has been abandoned in favor of a Hyosung liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine, 6-speed gearbox. The result is obvious: 15 horsepower at 9000 rpm against 11 for its range cousin. That's 36% more power, and you feel it as soon as you leave urban areas to seek a top speed of 110 km/h.

The downside is the weight. A modern liquid-cooled engine costs money and weighs kilos. The Seven comes in at 137 kg full, which remains reasonable in the category but doesn't make it the lightest of the retro 125s. For a beginner, handling is accessible thanks to the compact dimensions and upright ergonomics imposed by the Fat Bar handlebar. The 37 mm telescopic fork with protective gaiters is not inverted, but it does the job with aesthetics that perfectly match the overall style. 110/70-17 tires at the front and 130/70-17 at the rear offer a good starting base for mixed city-road use.

Active safety also progresses. ABS now supervises the front brake, a 2-piston caliper on a 300 mm disc, coupled with a 220 mm rear disc. This was not the case on the previous version, and it is a real advancement to reassure young drivers without compromising driving pleasure. The double needle instrument panel retains its vintage charm while gaining a digital window and a gear indicator, two practical additions that prove that Mash thinks of those who actually use their motorcycle every day. The center stand, the LED rear light, the removable stainless steel exhaust complete the picture of a motorcycle that is ultimately well-equipped for its price.

What distinguishes the Seven from many imported 125s is its coherence. Nothing is left to chance in the black ensemble that unifies the headlight, the fork legs, the calipers, the rim tape and the fork stem. The result is a motorcycle that seems to have been molded from a single piece, whereas some competitors too quickly reveal their origins in hastily assembled spare parts. With its Hyosung engine passed Euro5, the Seven clearly addresses A1 license holders looking for an engaged machine without the banality of generic roadsters. It doesn't claim to be a true British motorcycle, but it has enough character not to have to apologize for it.