NGC: MZ Skorpian on CL in Reading PA only 4,400 miles

[jas67]

I know that there are some MZ fans here, so, I thought I'd share:
http://reading.craigslist.org/mcy/5329089482.html
EDIT: relisted: http://reading.craigslist.org/mcy/5454960573.html

Standard disclaimer, I not my bike, and I have no association with the seller.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Not a bad price. It would be welcome in my garage anytime. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Kool bike, for sure. It's *not* a Raptor engine, though.. It's the Tenere euro only engine, and quite a bit different. Don't ask me how I know. I thought, "Yamaha.. parts will be a cinch.." Wrong. I managed to find a carb kit in Poland.  It has the weird 2 carb 5 valve 2 exhaust stuff, though. Makes good power, boring as a BMW.
If you want the best handling bike you've ever ridden, though.. give it a thought.

[Arizona Wayne]

I have  2000 MZ Tour and just rode it today.  This Traveler model is very rare in US and is the real touring version of the series.  I've ridden my Tour from norCal to so/Utah and put 800 mi./day ride on the stock seat w/gel pad under cover.  You can go 200+ mi. per tankful, runs on 87, and will cruise @ 75 mph no problem.  This series of MZs has improvements over the 1st series and I have had no issues w/mine whatsoever @38K miles.  The piston/rings/sleeve are good for 100K miles. Best handling/braking bike I've ever owned.   Even comfortable for 2up riding for us. If I could only have 1 bike, this would be it. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Oh, forgot.. that plastic, including the tank.. is unobtainium. Don't crash it. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Chuck covers all of the reasons I chose the Silver Star over the Skorpion. But, I'd still like to have one eventually, just for the experience.

[fotoguzzi]

Kool bike, for sure. It's *not* a Raptor engine, though.. It's the Tenere euro only engine, and quite a bit different. Don't ask me how I know. I thought, "Yamaha.. parts will be a cinch.." Wrong. I managed to find a carb kit in Poland.  It has the weird 2 carb 5 valve 2 exhaust stuff, though. Makes good power, boring as a BMW.
If you want the best handling bike you've ever ridden, though.. get a Ulysses.

[Arizona Wayne]

Chuck covers all of the reasons I chose the Silver Star over the Skorpion. But, I'd still like to have one eventually, just for the experience.

There were plastic body parts available just before MZ shut down.  I'm sure someone has them.  1 would just have to find out who that is.  OTOH, the bike is still operable say if the fairing could not be replaced.  Mine doesn't have the fairing.  I just added a small windshield and hand guards.  Mine has bar end weight/protection.  If I ever go down body damage will be minimal.  ABS plastic can also be repaired on the inside.  If  there's a better handling bike I'll have to ride it to believe it.

[jas67]

Chuck covers all of the reasons I chose the Silver Star over the Skorpion. But, I'd still like to have one eventually, just for the experience.

Here's your chance!   I'll go put eyes on it for you if you want.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Here's your chance!   I'll go put eyes on it for you if you want.

There are things I need/want far more. Maybe if I didn't have the Morini and didn't just buy an Eldorado. Would it be any more fun than the Morini? Impossible! 

[jas67]

There are things I need/want far more. Maybe if I didn't have the Morini and didn't just buy an Eldorado. Would it be any more fun than the Morini? Impossible! 

I wouldn't know for sure, as I haven't ridden either, but, I''ll bet that the Morini sure is fun.

[Chuck in Indiana]

There were plastic body parts available just before MZ shut down. I'm sure someone has them. 1 would just have to find out who that is.  OTOH, the bike is still operable say if the fairing could not be replaced.  Mine doesn't have the fairing.  I just added a small windshield and hand guards.  Mine has bar end weight/protection.  If I ever go down body damage will be minimal.  ABS plastic can also be repaired on the inside.  If  there's a better handling bike I'll have to ride it to believe it.

You might be mistaken.  Graham's in the U.K. bought up all the MZ inventory.. it's where I found some almost unobtainium pieces.
Since the Skorpion is such a fantastic handling bike, many, if not most of them have been turned into track bikes with the results being all the plastic is used up.
Fortunately, that twin spar frame protects the tank pretty well. Mine's been down on both sides.

[Chuck in Indiana]

get a Ulysses.

  Tell you what, Brad.. I'll have it at the nationals this year, and you're welcome to take it out in the twistys. Ever ridden one?

[sign216]

I had a green Sport Cup before my V7. The bike was good, put the engine braking of the large single cylinder was a pain. Ironically, the engine was designed in Italy, by the Yamaha division there. As a Euro only product.

Galen Miller, formerly of Maynard, Ma, was an MZ dealer and is the best US guy for them, east of the Mississippi. Galen moved his shop up to Lowell area, or something like that.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I had a green Sport Cup before my V7. The bike was good, put the engine braking of the large single cylinder was a pain. Ironically, the engine was designed in Italy, by the Yamaha division there. As a Euro only product.

Galen Burke, formerly of Maynard, Ma, was an MZ dealer and is the best US guy for them, east of the Mississippi. Galen move his shop up to Lowell area, or something like that.

I think the engine braking is a "feature.." The Grimeca brakes (cheap copy of Brembos) are fair at best.. :)

[fotoguzzi]

Tell you what, Brad.. I'll have it at the nationals this year, and you're welcome to take it out in the twistys. Ever ridden one?

Actually I'm thinking of downsizing to a smaller bike in the spring, maybe a DRZ400.
never rode one so for me the best handling bike has been the Uly.  but I had a Silver Star for a short time.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Actually I'm thinking of downsizing to a smaller bike in the spring, maybe a DRZ400.
never rode one so for me the best handling bike has been the Uly.  but I had a Silver Star for a short time.

That's kind of like the difference between a loop and a spiney. 

[fotoguzzi]

That's kind of like the difference between a loop and a spiney. 

Those are both heavier than a Buell (and way longer wheel base), I want something lighter..
found a DR650 that would take my Madass on trade but don't have the cash (now) to make the deal.. If I do I can keep the Uly too.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Those are both heavier than a Buell (and way longer wheel base), I want something lighter..
found a DR650 that would take my Madass on trade but don't have the cash (now) to make the deal.. If I do I can keep the Uly too.

I meant the Silver Star compared to the Skorpion.. is like a loop compared to a spine. MZ used to build plodders for the masses, and with the fall of the wall, decided to go high tech. The chassis was designed in England, and is wonderful, with a monoshock and Yamaha SRX race bike swing arm. Big Paioli forks with Tarozzi clip ons. When first introduced, the wheels were race items, but some suit  decided the bike had to be capable of hauling a sidecar.. so they're too heavy. Replace the wheels and brakes, and you have a race bike. Light, and *very* flickable. Even stock, it'll surprise you. The engine, although it's a big single..*isn't* a thumper, like I'd hoped. It's happiest right at the rev limiter.
It's *not* a Guzzi, though, and doesn't give me the same grin by any means. It'll be fine out in the California canyons, where it's going to live out it's retirement. 

[sign216]

Chuck,
You are right, as a big single it didn't have a lot of torque down low, and the engine didn't sing unless in the hi rpm band. Just made it something of a disappointment for me , but overall the bike was still a joy.
Joe

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck,
You are right, as a big single it didn't have a lot of torque down low, and the engine didn't sing unless in the hi rpm band. Just made it something of a disappointment for me , but overall the bike was still a joy.
Joe

True, that is my biggest disappointment with it, too. The engine is competent enough, just kind of boring unless it's really boiling. 
gratuitous Skorpion picture.. you can see where the frame saved the tank on the left side. The right side is the same.
 

[blackcat]

I always thought these were the coolest bikes. I knew someone who bought one new and converted it to a super moto machine.

[Chuck in Indiana]

There is probably a lesson here for those that want Guzzi to build fast bikes . How long did MZ last after going after that market ?

  Dusty

Actually, Dusty.. MZ were doing quite well. They went out of business because of a German bank swindle..

[Chuck in Indiana]

That's not quite accurate . The bank swindle came after the company had failed and its Malaysian owners shut the operation down . Ralf Waldman , the motorbike racer , and some German heavy hitters tried to revive the MZ name , that is when the swindle occurred , WAY after the marque had failed .

  Dusty

Aaaahh, I stand corrected. Thanks for that.

[canuguzzi]

There is probably a lesson here for those that want Guzzi to build fast bikes . How long did MZ last after going after that market ?

  Dusty

But do you think fewer people would buy Guzzis if they had more power?

A V9 with about 65-75 horsepower, would that out anyone off?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

True, that is my biggest disappointment with it, too. The engine is competent enough, just kind of boring unless it's really boiling. 

This where the Morini really shines. Very torquey for a 350, much more than the Rotax in my Silver Star. Where the MZ would be "chattering" when in too high of a gear for the speed, the Morini will just pull without drama. Once over 5000 it really starts to pull. All the while making wonderful mechanical noises with v-twin burble backup.

[pikipiki]

Shame they are no longer made, the Turkish company who bought rights to the ETZ now make this....
 http://www.autoevolution.com/moto/kanuni-rabbit-50-2005.html

....surprising what sells?

[Arizona Wayne]

That's not quite accurate . The bank swindle came after the company had failed and its Malaysian owners shut the operation down . Ralf Waldman , the motorbike racer , and some German heavy hitters tried to revive the MZ name , that is when the swindle occurred , WAY after the marque had failed .

  Dusty

The way I see it, in the `90s the general US MC public was still enamored more so with speed and the MZs were a bit overpriced for that compared to crotch rockets, etc.  The Skorpion was a really fantastic corner carver/utility/long distance bike all in one, minus rocket speed.   Plus you could get it with just about any body configuration  you wanted.  The chassis was designed in UK, motor in Japan, assembled in Germany.     A friend of mine refers to it as the other German MC.    The  latter 1000 twin came at a time when there was no demand for 1.  During East Germany MZ made all the 2 stroke MCs available there.


I can see when racing you care about the high revving, but for the street you care about the high torque from right off idle.  No need to wind out the big piston for acceleration in the curves.     You can haul ass w/o straining the motor. Use the piston braking when slowing down.  I prefer that.       

[Rox]

I would love a Skorpion Replika or Sport Cup.  These were great bikes. My first road bike was an SRX-600. I still crave another road thumper.

[dxhall]

Has anyone here gone to see this bike?  I'm really tempted, even though I'd have to eat some shipping costs.