Best MZ Skorpion 660 Review

The MZ Skorpion was stylishly designed (by acclaimed Brits Seymour-Powell) single using a Yamaha engine which proved a refreshingly able antidote to Japanese fours in the mid-to-late 90s. Light, lithe, affordable, generally reliable and reassuringly practical.
The MZ Skorpion is powered by the acclaimed five-valve unit from Yamaha’s XTZ660 trailie. Manages to at once deliver semi-respctable revs and top end performance (110mph certainly isn’t to be sniffed at from a 600-odd cc single) with traditional thumper virtues of easy torque and characterful flexibility. Generally solid and easy-going, too, at least once the stiff-ish Yamaha gearchange has slackened off.

On the whole pretty good – and far better than most cynics might expect from the MZ brand. Beautifully simple frame is bonded together and clever use of plastics and resins abound. Mechanicals, thanks in the main to the Yamaha supplied engine, are pretty solid too even if some components are a little on the cheap side.

MZ Skorpion Sport with low bars and half fairing led the range and in light, incicisve and nimble enough to be a blast through the twisties. Brakes and suspension aren’t exactly sophisticated, but they’re good enough. Generally compact riding position isn’t the best for longer distances, howevere so if you’re that way inclined chewck out the Traveller or Tour instead.

Although ‘only’ a single, the MZ Skorpion remains one of the best singles of modern times and if you’re into that sort of motorcycling, or simply yearn after a slimline, lightweight allrounder, it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed – good value, too.

With the sort of lightweight the MZ Skorpion is less is generally more, so don’t expect much in the way of frills of added baggage. That said, they’re much nicer ‘things’ than the name MZ traditionally conjures up and the Traveller and Tour are proper touring machines – albeit sli,line, slinky ones.

Best 2004-2007 MZ 1000

MZ is trying something different with its parallel twin 1000S and Streetfighter, but it lacks the X factor and doesn’t have the kind of dealer/distributor back-up you need when buying a slightly oddball motorbike. Decent to ride, and the Streetfighter version looks more appealing than the 80s style S model, but hasn’t really got anything novel or unique about it.
You have to admire MZ for building a parallel twin and making a good `un. The 1000S’s 999cc motor is punchy, not too vibey and makes adequate poke. It has a cassette type gearbox too, which is a bit of a novelty talking point. But as the Yamaha TRX850 demonstrated, many bikers aren’t especially keen on parallel twins and there are so many V-Twin, triple and four cylinder rivals in the 900-1200cc bracket, you have to wonder about the MZ 1000′s chances in a crowded marketplace.

The MZ 1000S looks well made and the German factory are obviously determined to make the bike reliable if nothing else. But motorcycles need more than reliability and the trouble with the MZ badge is that is still has a little bit of an image problem. The bike itself looks durable, but with no UK distributor, you would always wonder about sourcing spares and any warranty issues.

The MZ1000S and Streetfighter variant share the same chassis, with an Aprilia Falco-like steel tubular, twin spar type of frame, firm suspension and powerful brakes – though some road testers complain that they lack feel at the lever. It’s a bike which is designed to offer a sporty ride over A roads, when you feel like a weekend blast.

For eight grand new the MZ1000S waspoor value, no two ways about it. Resale values are likely to be low and the performance is hardly in the GSXR1000 league. The Streetfighter isn’t such a bad proposition at about £6500, but again, depreciation could cost you 40%-50% of the bike’s value in a couple of years if you’re unlucky.
There are some nice bits, but for a sportbike, the MZ 1000S doesn’t have cutting edge brakes, suspension or svelte bodywork. As a sports-tourer it has a good mix of power and handling, plus a comfortable seat – but would you be confident in getting your MZ fixed if it broke down in Spain? The fairly high end cans also limit the amount of luggage you can carry, so the MZ loses out in practical terms.