With everything from two-stroke racers to sidecars in their century-long repertoire, state-owned MZ ( Motorenwerke Zschopau ) went private in 1990 and was sold to Malaysian investors in 1996. These were their salad days, with lots of new smaller-displacement models and their first original four-stroke engine for the MZ1000S. This ST variant has the S frame and is tuned for more torque, but more importantly was dealer-owned and on display since new.
2005 MZ 1000ST for sale on eBay
Sometimes known as MuZ, the company designed a 998cc parallel twin for their new machine, in sport touring tune showing 117 hp and 71 ft.-lbs. torque. Components were up to date with Marzocchi forks, Sachs monoshock, and Nissin brakes. The twin spar frame is a double-tube design similar to the Aprilia Falco, but this time in chrome-moly steel. The angular fairing knifes through the air with a slightly bug-eyed expression up front.
A few thousand NOS parts flying in formation, this MZ has never been registered, and is seemingly undamaged by years of display and storage. It’s a bit monochromatic in silver, gray and black but in staggering condition. Luggage was part of the original package but is not pictured, either way it can stay on the shelf. From the eBay auction:
This bike is in essentially brand new condition. Being sold by a former MZ motorcycle dealer. This bike was kept as a show / display bike. It has been regularly maintained, washed and only ridden from the store to the owners home and around the dealership. It has approximately 16 miles on it. Its never been tagged and has been stored in a climate controlled environment. It was started recently and fired right up, the battery is still great, tires are excellent, seat is in like new condition. Shows very minimal sign of age considering it is 13 years old. There is some slight rust on the rear side of the exhaust, see pictures. This should come off with some elbow grease.
MZ was unconstrained by years in the liter-bike market and the 1000S reviewed as a fresh look at some issues, the twin compact if not underweight. The company battled the demons of international trade until 2009 and tried but never returned to motorcycle manufacture. For a fan of the brand or maybe Saxony, this rare example looks worth a shot…
-donn
this is the 3rd time this has been up on ebay price offers seem to go between mid 4 and 6.
Tempting with so few miles but not loving the style of this one. I get the surface rust on the rotors but the bolts are pretty rough too. I’d have to see what’s going on under the fairings and maybe under the tank before jumping on this one.
I did an Edelweiss tour with a guide from Munich. I asked him if MZs were any good. He furrowed his brow, shook his head, and just said “No.”