MZ Skorpion

The MZ Skorpion is a motorcycle made from 1994 to 2004 by MZ, (MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk), in former East Germany.[2] The Scorpion is powered by a 48 brake horsepower (36 kW) four-stroke five-valve 660 cc single-cylinder engine with liquid cooling.

MZ Skorpion
Skorpion Tour
ManufacturerMZ
Production1994–2004
ClassSport bike (Sport Cup), sport touring (Traveller), standard (Tour)[1]
Engine656 cc (40.0 cu in) 5-valve SOHC liquid-cooled 4-stroke single dry sump
Bore / stroke100 mm × 84 mm (3.9 in × 3.3 in)
Top speed116 mph (187 km/h)[2]
Power48 bhp (36 kW)[2]
Transmission5 speed, wet multi-plate clutch
Weight173 kg (381 lb)[2] (dry)
189 kg (416 lb)[3] (wet)
Fuel capacity18 L (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal)
MZ Replica

Skorpions are lightweight motorcycles, 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."[2]

Development history

The Skorpion 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 SZR660, with Italian Grimeca parts including brakes, forks and rear suspension. The strong tubular beam frame was unusual in using aircraft adhesives to save weight but production versions came with a welded frame. Skorpions were well-specified as standard, with adjustable bars and footpegs, alloy wheels, stainless steel silencer, rear hugger fender, and braided brake lines. Some early Skorpions were fitted with an Austrian Rotax engine.

Model range

The "MuZ" Skorpion was launched in 1994 in two versions, the café racer Sport , with bikini fairing, and the standard Tour.[1] 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[1] with Hepco & Becker panniers, was added to the range. The Sport was discontinued in 2002, the others finishing in 2004.[2]

There were two other specialist versions:

  • Skorpion Cup — essentially a Skorpion stripped of road paraphernalia, equipped with clip-ons, full-fairing and a single seat. It was aimed at one-design MuZ-Cup clubman racing.
  • Skorpion Replica — a rare and much more expensive version of the Cup, with a 50 bhp (37 kW) engine, upside down forks, upgraded brakes, new fairing and special frame.[4][5][6]

Notes
  1. Holmstrom, Darwin (2001). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles (2nd ed.). Penguin. pp. 349–350. ISBN 978-0-02-864258-1. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  2. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/MZ/MZ-Skorpion-660-1994-03/
  3. Canavan, Todd (23 March 1996), "First Impression: MuZ Skorpion Tour Singled Out", Motorcycle.com
  4. Replica review
  5. "Essential Superbike" data file 19 section 1
  6. Canavan, Todd (March 23, 1996). "First Impression: 1996 MuZ Skorpion Replica". Verticalscope. Archived from the original on 2008-12-09. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
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