Motorcycle specifications MZ / MuZ1000 S 2004 Welcome to the big yard

introduced 3 years ago, the MZ 1,000 S finally puts its wheels down on asphalt, and not just in living rooms. A daring gamble for the German brand, since this is its first large 4T engine - and before that, MZ had never gone beyond 300 cm3 for its mills. The engine powering the 1000 S is a parallel twin, similar to the Yamaha 850 TDM or TRX. It delivers 117 bhp - enough power, but not enough to upset the class leaders.

but where does this MZ fit in? First of all, weight: 210 kg dry weight, nothing to do with the drastic diet of the Japanese. Secondly, the on-board position isn't radical, and some elements are even adjustable for greater comfort - wrists don't suffer too much and, something that's lost on modern sports cars, the protection is there for the taking.

a certain amount of confusion remains in the German's philosophy: while we've just seen that the 1000 S plays more in the "touring" sports category, certain details, such as the pull-out gearbox, assert a more "racing" orientation. The engine has its own personal touch. Vigorous, it delivers its power with sensations but without brutality, like a big muscle in action, with a beautiful sound... which will surely disappear in France (the pots won't be the same in our country).

the engine's operating range (approx. 3,500 rpm) is a little tight for this type of motorization, so the gearbox will be regularly called upon. The gearbox (pre-production machine) needs fine-tuning, as the first 3 gears are a bit tough. Engine management, on the other hand, is beyond reproach. Injection has been well programmed, and you can feel it. Vibrations, too, can be felt - to the point where we might need to think about toning them down a little.

The chassis features a chrome-molybdenum tubular frame, a big Marzocchi inverted fork and a reinforced swingarm. The bike's geometry remains conventional, yet it handles well enough to make you forget its "little" stoutness. The machine is also very stable, and its handling is efficient. While the braking is more than adequate - the engine brake is a little "temperamental". The MZ 1000 S is a good bike, which suffers only from an image deficit and a somewhat "in-between" position. It's not the machine to melt the stopwatch, but more to enjoy in the manner of Ducati's SS. The clear-cut design will convince those who are undecided, one way or the other.

M.B
(inspired by A. Cathcart - Moto-journal n° 1 583
manufacturer's photos)