Mash Five Hundred Tracker by XTR Pepo

Mash Motorcycles is a French marque founded in 2014, which currently offers scooters and motorcycles in the 50cc, 125cc, 250cc, and 400cc class. The Mash Five Hundred is a fuel-injected, 400cc single that offers 28 horsepower, retro styling, and a price point of less than $5000. As you might have guessed, given the pricing, the bikes are made in China. However, reviews have been largely positive. Says Dave Humphreys of Buzz.ie:

“Some aspects of the bike might look not quite as polished as what you see on a Japanese machine, but overall its build quality isn’t all that far behind…the Mash provides a pleasant surprise and comes in a package that has plenty of charm without breaking the bank.”

If there’s anyone to transform that charm into pure flat track porn, it’s the “master constructor” Pepo Rosell of XTR Pepo. Pepo has aptly renamed the bike “Di Traverso” — an Italian meaning crosswise, sideways, or going aside. Says Pepo:

“Di Traverso is Italian and means ‘going aside’… In dirt track, you don’t go straight on, you go sliding to the side.

So this bike will go into the dirt track races ‘aside’… Di Traverso.”

Pepo modified the original frame with a new rear subframe. A custom XTR cantilever swingarm holds a Yamaha SR500 rear hub and drum brake laced to Derbi supermoto rim.

Suspension comes from a Betor gas monoshock in the rear and Yamaha XJ600 forks up front, matched with another SR500 rim and Derbi supermoto rim. The fork protectors are more custom-fab XTR parts.

Given that this is a flat track machine, there is no front brake, but the bike has Gonelli clutch and rear brake levers. Gonelli also makes the rubber grips and quick-open throttle, perched on a set of Domino handlebars.

The bulbous, striking fuel tank is a Ducati 160 sport unit with Monza gas cap. The dirt track tail and seat are both XTR units, as are the number plates.

Footrests are from a Yamaha R1, and the bike is running a LIPO battery, DNA race air filter, and Supermario2-into-1 exhaust.

Paint is by Pintumoto, and photos by Cesar Godoy.