The MZ 1000S and the Going of an Appealing Eastern European

Prior to the Iron Curtain getting scrapped, East German firm MZ was a Grand Prix racing pioneer and ISDT winner, as well as being known throughout Europe for producing simple, single-cylinder, two-stroke commuter motorcycles. The latter were as attractive and effective as a well-worn leather mallet.

After German reunification, MZ had to come to terms with losing its government-supported status and actually start competing in an open market. Malaysian investment followed a mid-1990s false dawn, but now, in Germany, only Honda sells more four-stroke 125s (and that's a popular sector in Germany).

Apparently buoyed by this success, MZ set its sights. Much higher. The fully-faired 1000S was first shown in about 9 years ago and delayed when MZ decided to part company with its engine-development partner and bring engine R&D in-house. Finally on the market in late 2004, the MZ 1000S's edgy styling that initially set it apart had become a well-established trend.

The "Super Fighter" shown is basically a naked version of the MZ 1000S, sharing many major components but possessing a totally different character. Housed in the tubular-steel frame is MZ's own 998cc parallel-Twin. MZ admits it developed this engine because it was the only configuration not closely associated with another manufacturer's high-performance offerings.

The 270-degree firing order lends the eight-valve MZ a measure of V-Twin character and sound, while the fuel-injection, though not as glitch-free as that of say, a Suzuki GSX-R1000, isn't annoying or distracting. The claimed output is for the MZ 1000SF identical to the MZ 1000S at 115 horsepower.

Like the majority of current big-bore naked motorcycles, the in-command upright riding position immediately makes you feel comfortable - and also like being a hooligan.

It is a pity that the MZ factory closed it's doors for the last time on 12th December 2008. The MZ factory at Zschopau works was one of the oldest motorcycle factories in the world, producing motorcycles since 1922. It all started in 1906 when Jürgen Skafte Rasmussen bough an factory in Zschopau.