MZ Skorpion
Encyclopedia
The MZ Skorpion is a motorcycle
powered by a 48 bhp four-stroke five-valve 660 cc single-cylinder engine with liquid cooling
, made from 1994 to 2004 by MZ, (MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk
), in former East Germany. It was the result of an international collaboration, being conceived by British design firm Seymour Powell. The Skorpion's engine, electrics and switches came from the Yamaha XT660, with Italian Grimeca parts including brakes, forks and rear suspension. The strong tubular beam frame was unusual in using adhesives to save weight. Skorpions were well-specified as standard, with adjustable bars and footpegs, alloy wheels, stainless steel silencer, rear hugger fender, and braided brake lines.
The "MuZ" Skorpion was launched in 1994 in two versions, the café racer
Sport, with bikini fairing, and the standard Tour. Both had provision for a pillion passenger, the Tour having a more comfortable dual seat. In 2001, the bikes were rebadged as "MZ", and the "Traveller", a fully faired sport tourer with Hepco & Becker panniers, was added to the range. The Sport was discontinued in 2002, the others finishing in 2004.
There were two other specialist versions:
Skorpions are lightweight machines, noted for their agile handling and excellent braking, and they remain a popular mount for club racing and supermono racing. The Skorpion Cup got its own MuZ-Cup racing series in several countries at the end of the 1990s.
In their review of the Skorpion, MotorCycle News opined: "The MZ Skorpion ... proved a refreshingly able antidote to Japanese fours in the mid-to-late 90s. Light, lithe, affordable, generally reliable and reassuringly practical."
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
powered by a 48 bhp four-stroke five-valve 660 cc single-cylinder engine with liquid cooling
Liquid cooling
Liquid cooling may refer to:* The cooling of a liquid.* The cooling of machinery or devices by convection or circulation of coolants* Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, a garment worn by astronauts.* Liquid metal cooled reactor...
, made from 1994 to 2004 by MZ, (MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk
MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk
MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk GmbH is a motorcycle manufacturer located in Zschopau, Germany. MZ an acronym, stands for Motorradwerk Zschopau in the Erzgebirge region of Saxony...
), in former East Germany. It was the result of an international collaboration, being conceived by British design firm Seymour Powell. The Skorpion's engine, electrics and switches came from the Yamaha XT660, with Italian Grimeca parts including brakes, forks and rear suspension. The strong tubular beam frame was unusual in using adhesives to save weight. Skorpions were well-specified as standard, with adjustable bars and footpegs, alloy wheels, stainless steel silencer, rear hugger fender, and braided brake lines.
The "MuZ" Skorpion was launched in 1994 in two versions, the café racer
Café racer
A café racer is a type of motorcycle as well as a type of motorcyclist. Both meanings have their roots in the 1960s British counterculture group the Rockers, or the Ton-up boys, although they were also common in Italy, Germany, and other European countries...
Sport, with bikini fairing, and the standard Tour. Both had provision for a pillion passenger, the Tour having a more comfortable dual seat. In 2001, the bikes were rebadged as "MZ", and the "Traveller", a fully faired sport tourer with Hepco & Becker panniers, was added to the range. The Sport was discontinued in 2002, the others finishing in 2004.
There were two other specialist versions:
- "Skorpion Cup" — essentially a Sport stripped of road paraphernalia, equipped instead with clip-ons, full-fairing and a single seat. It was aimed at one-design MuZ-Cup clubman racing.
- "Skorpion Replica" — a rare version of the Cup, with a 50 bhp engine, upside down forksMotorcycle forkA motorcycle fork connects a motorcycle's front wheel and axle to its frame, typically via a pair of triple clamps. It typically incorporates the front suspension and front brake, and allows the bike to be steered via handlebars attached to the top clamp....
, upgraded brakes, new fairing and special frame.
Skorpions are lightweight machines, noted for their agile handling and excellent braking, and they remain a popular mount for club racing and supermono racing. The Skorpion Cup got its own MuZ-Cup racing series in several countries at the end of the 1990s.
In their review of the Skorpion, MotorCycle News opined: "The MZ Skorpion ... proved a refreshingly able antidote to Japanese fours in the mid-to-late 90s. Light, lithe, affordable, generally reliable and reassuringly practical."