Sachs Bikes News Alert


The Gadget Show
Stunt MadAss on Channel 5!

The show has been and gone now, and the environmentally green bike reviews were very short, most of them were only shown for about 15 / 20 seconds, but the stunts on the MadAss looked great! Craig Jones made it all look so easy, and with luck we will find a clip of it somewhere to show all you MadAss fans. The brief outline of the MadAss over on the Gadget show website was very positive, so here it is:

"Leave your gas guzzler in the garage and take to town on this nippy little scooter. Not only will its small engine and lightweight frame save fuel, it'll be much more fun too"

Well it seems that the gadget show get what the MadAss is all about. Nippy, efficient and most of all FUN!


Sachs Bikes are proud to be an official partner with the Department for Transport’s THINK! campaign.

Research shows that 65% of all motorcycle accidents involving a car happen at T-junctions. So THINK! has some top tips on riding and bike care to keep you safer on the road.

5 TOP RIDING TIPS
1 - Anticipation. It sounds simple, and it is. It’s easy to switch off while you’re riding, especially when the roads are a little quieter. Always keep an eye out for the unexpected.
2 - Watch your speed. We’re not talking about crawling along at 5 miles an hour, where would the fun be in that? Just make sure you ride at a speed that gives you enough time to react – especially when it’s wet, foggy or icy.
3 - Positioning. When you’re on the roads it’s crucial you’re seen at all times. So position yourself in the middle of the lane so cars can see you.
4 - Overtaking. It’s one of the most satisfying things you can do on your bike, especially in heavy traffic, but make sure you always look over your shoulder to see what people are doing behind you. Avoid overtaking on bends or near junctions, and obey the road markings.
5 - Be seen. Even in good light dipped headlights can help you get spotted. If your bike was built or sold after 2002 you’ll have dipped headlights. Check your bike does too.Think!

5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BIKE IN PERFECT NICK
1 - Clean. Giving your bike a spit and polish every weekend not only keeps it looking great, it also helps you spot any potential problems.
2 - Tyres. Keeping your tyres in good nick is absolutely vital because they seriously affect the handling of your bike. Make sure you check your tyre pressure on a regular basis, and be aware that your tyres will need adjusting if you’re carrying heavy luggage or even an extra passenger. In addition, check your tyres for wear – in the UK motorcycles over 50cc must have at least 1mm of tyre tread depth across three quarters of the width of the tread pattern and visible tread on the remaining quarter. Motorcycles under 50cc must have clearly visible groves across the original tread pattern.
3 - Chain. Keep your chain tension adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Keep it lubricated with the appropriate chain oil, and check wear and tear on the sprockets, they’ll give you a good indication if the chain has been adjusted correctly.
4 - Brake pads. By cleaning your wheels regularly you’ll see how much wear you have left on your brake pads. Never let them wear down to the minimum – if you do your discs will become scored and damaged which is expensive to repair. After a long ride, be sure to quickly strip and clean your pads and callipers so they perform to their best next time out.
5 - Security. There’s nothing more heart breaking than having a bike stolen, so always keep your bike locked to something solid and immovable. When you’re buying a lock, look for one that’s Thatcham Approved or Sold Secure. Also be aware that insurance companies may offer you a discount if you have evidence that your bike is locked up securely.

For more information visit www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk

News
UK Motorcycle industry backs fun European safety campaing

Cartoons covering 13 topics will be released on a monthly basis, each focusing on a specific issue or risk. As well as drawing attention to the risk, riders will be given tips and recommendations on how best to tackle various situations. The first cartoon covering road junctions can be downloaded from: www.acem.eu/cartoon.


Boris Backs Bikes in Bus Lanes

Bus LaneLondon Mayor Boris Johnson has announced that from 5th January 2009 motorcyclists will be able to share red route bus lanes with buses, cyclists and black taxis on an 18-month trial basis.

"One of the ways we can ease congestion is by encouraging more people to get on their bike, whether pedal or powered,” stated Johnson. “I believe they should be able to share our bus lanes successfully and safely"

The addition of London's bus lanes to those already existing is a major step forward in improving safety for riders and is expected to further fuel the rise in scooter sales that was sparked by escalating motoring costs earlier this year. First introduced in Bristol in 1996 there are now at least fourteen towns and cities throughout the UK providing bus lane access, while in Northern Ireland all of the bus lanes are open to motorcyclists. From big cities like Birmingham, Bristol and Plymouth through to towns like Reading and Richmond on Thames, bus lane use has aided safety and improved traffic flow.

Can you bike in a bus lane? Here’s the full list: Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Colchester, Derby, Hull, Newcastle on Tyne, Plymouth, London (Red Route bus lanes from 5th January 2009), Reading, Richmond on Thames, Sheffield, Swindon, Sunderland plus Belfast and other towns in Northern Ireland.


X-Road Price Drop!

XRoad Price DropSachs Bikes is pleased to announce that it has made the X-Road even more attractive with an amazing price reduction. A brand new X-Road can now be had for only £1,999, that's £500 less than previously! Can't believe your eyes? Then go visit one of the many dealers across the UK and test ride one today.



Sachs SX1 50cc Scooter Updated for Summer 2008

Scooters are bucking the credit crunch as people look for economical transport and Sachs have given their SX1 a facelift for Summer 2008 to make it even more attractive.

By the end of June sales on scooters in the UK had risen by 1.3% compared to the previous year, while overall motorcycle sales dipped by 3.6%. Launched in the UK in January, the SX1 from Sachs proved an agile contemporary scooter that creates sporty urban transport for riders aged 16 and over at an affordable price.

Updates for Summer '08 include a powerful and progressive 190mm wavy disc brake on the front alloy tri-spoke wheel. Meanwhile the addition of stylish and functional alloy footplates and the colour contrast painted spring on the rear shock absorber add to the sporting appearance of this machine. These features further emphasise the striking looks of the SX1, created by the imposing twin halogen headlights, with LED light stacks above, providing a clean spread of light in the darkness. The angular bodywork, close fitting sculpted front mudguard and LED rear light cluster mean that this modestly priced scooter withstands comparison with sports cars and motorcycles in the design stakes. Small capacity scooters can be exceptionally agile in the urban environment and the Sachs SX1 delivers responsive acceleration thanks to its excellent power-to-weight ratio (at only 87KG this is one of the lighter scooters on the market). Its modern 50cc air-cooled 2-stroke motor meets current European emissions requirements and is reliable and frugal too, making the SX1 as economic to run as it is to buy.

Sachs have added these extras to the SX1 at no extra cost to the customer and priced at £1,349, including a full 2-year manufacturer’s warranty, the SX1 is set to boost scooter sales even further this year. Affordable insurance is available through Sachs's approved insurance services, www.sachsinsurance.co.uk. For more information call 01202 823344.

See the SX1 model page for further information.



Buzz through the traffic on a new 50cc Sachs Bee

Sachs of Germany has introduced a 50cc version of their retro-styled Bee scooter that may be ridden on a moped licence by anyone aged 16 or over..

With the cost of fuel exceeding £5 per gallon in many areas and car tax rising to nearly £1,000 on some models, more and more people are considering scooters as an alternative to the car and when they are as attractive as the curvaceous Bee it can be hard to resist such a practical proposition.

Financial costs are not the only consideration for those thinking of switching to a scooter for daily transport, because these vehicles can also free up valuable time. Time lost in traffic jams, searching for parking spaces and waiting for public transport affects the work/life balance and scooters offer their owners freedom from these tedious time-wasters. The Bee does this with a dash of classic European style too.

Powered by a reliable and economical 50cc automatic 4-stroke engine, the Bee is learner legal for anyone age 16 or older and may also be ridden anyone with a provisional motorcycle entitlement on their car licence. At just 87KG it is one of the lighter scooters in its class and with a modest 770mm seat height it will be easy to manoeuvre and park too.

Sachs offer the Bee 50 in a choice of Orange/White, Red/White or Black colours priced at only £1,249 (including VAT) and it will appear in dealers’ showrooms from May 2008. A 2-year factory warranty is included in the price for peace of mind. Affordable insurance is available through Sachs's approved insurance services, www.sachsinsurance.co.uk.

See our Bee model page for further information.



MadAss gets more Bad Ass for 2008

The radically styled Sachs MadAss 125 has always stood out in a crowd. Designed to appeal to all those with a sense of fun, for 2008 the MadAss 125 continues with its minimalist styling but gets a new look with matt black alloy wheels and polished rims plus stainless steel exhaust system with brushed alloy silencer.

Although the MadAss falls into the 'learner-legal' category, it almost shrugs off such tags — this is a motorcycle all right, but not as we know it. Perfect for the city streets or race paddock and easy to transport on a motor-home, motor boat, etc. Designed by the well-established German company Sachs, minimalism gives the MadAss 125 its style, but it's certainly not short on features.

Aided by the neat trick of carrying its fuel in the main frame tube with its twin seat mounted on a single extension from the bike's spine, the MadAss is an incredibly light machine, weighing just 95kg - and that's despite having sophisticated monoshock rear suspension, hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, tri-spoke alloy wheels, under seat silencer, a digital speedo, LED tail lights, and, topping it off in style, mean looking, streetfighter-inspired, stacked twin projector headlights.

But MadAss doesn't necessarily mean bad-ass when it comes to the environment, because the MadAss is very compliant. A clean 4 stroke 125cc engine with catalytic converter exceeds the latest stringent European emissions requirements. Equipped with 12v electrics and an electric starter, the MadAss doesn't scrimp on creature comforts either.

As to be expected from Sachs, quality is a key word and this shines through at all angles. The MadAss comes in yellow, anthracite grey or black and can be ridden by most car drivers on L-plates or by provisional licence-holders aged 17 or over, selling for just £1,529 on the road. Affordable insurance is available through Sachs's approved insurance services, www.sachsinsurance.co.uk.



Buzz off on a brightly coloured Bee

Sachs have given their retro-styled 125cc Bee scooter a colourful makeover that is sure to create a buzz on the street. Now available with a choice of metallic orange-and-white or metallic red-and-white body panels, the chrome trim on the headlight and deeply valanced front mudguard give the classically styled Bee a timeless appearance.

Powered by a reliable and economical 125cc automatic 4-stroke engine, the Bee is learner legal for anyone age 17 or older. Its low weight of just 96 KG combined with a 770mm seat height ensure that the Bee is as easy to manoeuvre on the road as it is in the parking bay.

These head-turning new colour schemes cost no more than the standard silver and at only £1,349 the price is sure to create a buzz too. The Bee 125 is available from Sachs dealers nationwide with a 2-year factory warranty included in the price for peace of mind.

Sachs offers a very competitive insurance scheme through their long-term insurance partner MCE, try them by telephoning 0870 01 01 125.

The Bee got its name as a cheeky homage to the iconic Vespa, which means "wasp" in Italian.

Affordable insurance is available through Sachs's approved insurance services, www.sachsinsurance.co.uk.


SX1  Bee MadAss  X-Road