Немецтік мотоцикл өндірушісі MZ

German motorcycle manufacturer

Motorenwerke Zschopau GmbH (formerly MZ Motorrad und Zweiradwerk GmbH) is a German motorcycle manufacturer located in Zschopau, Saxony. The acronym MZ since 1956 stands for Motorenwerke Zschopau GmbH (German for Zschopau engine factory). From 1992 to 1999 the company was called MuZ, an acronym for Motorrad und Zweiradwerk (German for motorcycle and two wheeler factory).

Activities started in 1927.

Winner of International Six Day Trial: 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1987.

In the early 1980s in the UK, MZ were regarded by the motorcycle press as producing ugly and old fashioned (if worthy) motorcycles. The then importer, Wilf Green, decided to try and update the image of the bikes by producing his own modified versions of the TS125, christened the “Pathfinder” and the “Sport”. Both bikes were, in essence, standard TS125 deluxe models with remodelled fuel tanks and a remodelled, shortened GRP rear mudguard. The Sport also had a re sculpted seat whereas the Pathfinder was transformed into a budget trial bike with the addition of knobbly tyres, high level front mudguard, motocross bars, high level exhaust and remodelled airbox. Neither bike was produced in great numbers. Wilf Green subsequently created the ETZ300 (as distinct from the later, factory produced ETZ301), which was essentially a standard ETZ250 with a re bored (and slightly restyled) engine, cockpit fairing and revised decals. Shortly after releasing this bike, however, Wilf Green lost the MZ import franchise meaning an end to importer modified special editions in the UK.

MZ manufactured a line of 125 cc four stroke motorcycles using an engine that was designed in house. The MZ 125 produces and nearly of torque. It is a liquid cooled, dual overhead cam design with four valves, high voltage electronic ignition and an 11,000 rpm ignition cut off. This engine was used in four models, all of which share a common frame. The frame is a tube steel backbone with the engine as a stressed bottom member. Differences in the suspension, fascia, gearing, and equipment make the four models relatively distinct, despite the shared platform. All four bikes feature a six speed transmission and dual disc brakes. The RT 125 is a mini naked sport bike introduced in 2000. It features a 125 cc liquid cooled DOHC single cylinder engine, developing 15 bhp. The 125 SM is a Supermotard style bike with taller street tuned suspension, tallish gearing, and reduced weight. The 125 SX features the same appearance as the SM but has a suspension tuned more for off road use, enduro style tires, and slightly lower gear ratios. The 125 FunX is a minimalist light duty motocross bike. All four 125s are capable of speeds over , with the fastest being the RT and SM, both of which are capable of sustained speeds. MZ also used a Yamaha built 660 cc single in the Baghira line of mid displacement Enduro/DualPurpose/Motard bikes. The last new MZ model was the 1000S which featured a novel 1000 cc, DOHC parallel twin designed and built by MZ. The 1000S is a sport tourer by design. The 1000S' unique engine is exceptionally compact for its displacement. The range includes a naked (unfaired) version and a full tourer with luggage, higher handlebars, and lower footpegs for comfort. Both of these are retuned, with less outright horsepower than the 'S', but with more torque. In addition to the 1000S, MZ also produced the naked version of the 1000S, known as the MZ1000SF, and the sports touring version called the MZ1000ST. MZ also produces its own lines of scooters called the MZ Moskito, powered by a 50 cc two stroke engine. Besides scooters, MZ also produced its own line of underbone motorcycles, targeted for the Southeast Asian market. Their debut underbone model was the MZ Perintis 120, launched in 2002. The Perintis was succeeded by the MZ Mantizz series, launched in 2004. The Mantizz series has two displacement options – 125 cc and 110 cc. All MZ underbone models are powered by four stroke engines and are manufactured in MZ's Malaysian plant in Shah Alam. MZ also competed in the European GP 500 class with race only models, and built several scooter and ATV models ranging in displacement from 50 cc to 185 cc, as well as the Charlie electric scooter, the fastest stand up electric scooter produced. As of January 2010 only the Charlie electric scooter is in production, and the company is under new owners.