MZ's (which ones to look for)

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Hi guys.

I'm on the lookout for something to ride through the worst of the winter, obvious choices on my list so far are the CG125 and the RSX100 however I have been having a gander through ebay and I spotted this.

MZ ts250

Is this the right sort of MZ to be looking at? I have seen much older and much newer MZ's and I'm not sure which are the good ones.

Quirky 250 is greater than Run of the mill 125, so if that is the sort of thing I should be on the look out for I will be happy Very Happy

Thanks

c_dug
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

Face. · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Karma :

Those sorts of MZ'S look mint.All I know from speaking to an MZ owner that her 125cc is ultra reliable but really slow.Having read about about the old MZ's the 250cc is almost as slow as the 125cc.

If you want a reliable, simple bike then the MZ is for you.
If you want something with good speed and acceleration for it's size it's not for you.

Don't know anything on the new models.

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

I've got the ZZR for speed and fun, I just need a cheap and easy to maintain work horse. Something I can still ride when its -6 outside without worrying too much about coming off on ice Thumbs Up

Insurance seems cheap too, not sure what it would cost to add it to my current policy but a new policy tpft is just over £100 for the year.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

27cows · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Karma :

The Supa 5 and ETZ are the best. So yes, that's what you should be looking at. Having said that, all of the original (east German built) MZs are tough as buggery and perfect for winter commuting. Spares are becoming a problem these days, but most owners seem to get by.
____________________
The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

I found out to my cost that MZ's don't really make the best winter hacks.

They are not that reliable and need quite a bit of attention to keep going. I've sort of fallen in love with mine though. The TS 250 is more of a classic and really shouldn't be used as a winter hack. Parts are scarce and it has drum brakes which are frankly scary these days.

My bike is an ETZ model which has a disk brake and electronic ignition. The older boxier ETZ's have points ignition which can be a faff to get working. ETZ parts are available, but they have to be ordered from Germany from people who don't speak very good english. I can get by as I speak a little German, but don't expect it to be easy. Some parts are cheap as parts get though, with a head gasket costing pennies for example.

Mine probably needs a bit of a rebuild, but I can't be arsed to do that with a winter hack. I really wish for winter hack purposes that I had bought a 250cc four stroke or something. It would be far more reliable than my MZ. So far the battery has gone flat, the gearbox has stuck in 5th gear, the kickstart lever retaining pin has worn meaning you can't kick the bike, the gearbox oil has leaked all over the rear tyre (courtesy of the chain gaiter) and the head gasket has leaked. The carburettor can only be called such under the loosest of definitions, the needle is notched and I'm certain the mixture is way off. It starts with no choke for example.

You can make them good with Japanese carbs and various little mods, but for a winter hack its not worth it. I think you'd be better off with the GPX250 advertised on here. It'll be more powerful, more reliable and less hassle.

Oh yeah and pre Saxon bikes run on pre-mix which is also a faff. I've got a rare ETZ 301 Saxon Fun which has cast wheels, oil injection, electronic ignition, a huge plastic fuel tank, a half fairing and stuff like that.

Dammit you've got me wanting to get it MOT'd now! Shocked

____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

I have never owned one myself, but a couple of my good friends have had a series of them.
they have both had TS250`s, TS125`s, and TS150`s.
the fact that they have both had more than one, says something about the bikes?.
I have ridden them Shocked

and have to say, it was`nt that bad Thumbs Up

and better than the CZ125 I had many moons ago Smile

True they were not the fastest bikes I have ever ridden, but got me from A-to-B without to much hassle

Both of my mates who owned MZ`s managed to keep them on the road without to much cost or super-techincal know-how.
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

The problem with things like the GPX is the amount of plastic and the price, I need to ride all through the winter, including days when a snowmobile or a pair of ski's would be far more appropriate, I want something that I can ride without worrying too much about hitting ice, and it needs to be cheap, im talking less than £500 cheap.

My NTV600 cost me £300 and did 20,000 miles in less than 6 months and probably spent less than £100 on it in that time, and it still runs now, just. Thats the kind of thing I need. Maybe an MZ wouldn't be as reliable but the ease of maintenance is a big perk.

Any other suggestions? It needs to do 30 miles of motorways each day which is why i'm reluctant to look at RSX's and CG's.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

mz's are ace, ive got a 500 but have owned a 250 as well,
it would be a shame to put that through a winter, with all that shiny chrome, but engine wise she won't let you down,
being 6v lights are shit,
the drum brake's arnt fabulous but they are maintenance free,
i'd buy it, but i'd buy a second rusty exhaust to use over the winter,
ones as clean as that arn't kicking about much anymore
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

27cows · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Karma :

I've inflicted massive abuse on MZs without a problem. I guess there are some bad ones and people have bad experiences with even the best bikes.

RXS100 would be fine for motorway use, so long as you're not a big bugger (I weigh about 11 stone and get 70+ fairly easily, with an engine not on its last legs). MZ250s can manage about 85, if you can live with the filling-loosening vibes. RXS is more reliable, simpler, easier to work on, much better on fuel than the assorted MZs, but the build quality is nowhere near as good. An RXS motor in an MZ125 chassis would make an interesting project lol

CGs are just not up to the job of hard winter work without endless grief, largely related the the shocking speed at which they rot away when exposed to road salt.
____________________
The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

radical · Spanner Monkey Joined: 02 Jul 2010 Karma :

Another option would be the 4 stroke rt125 moon zoomer, very well made with a powerful water cooled twin cam engine with excellent lights and brakes, not that common but can be picked up cheaply and miles better than jap 125 4 strokes like the CG.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

If you're going to go for big tyres, go the whole hog and do it properly Razz

.

https://motorcycle-specs.com/general/Yamaha-BW350_Big_Wheel-1987.jpg

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

i would love to put studs in the ZZR tyres and see how it coped, could be fun!
Surely the fat tyres on a VanVan and the like would be much worse in the snow?
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Just decided againts the eulogy to MZ, walter Kaaden and the Degner / Suzuki 'conspiracy'..... but I'm another 'closset' MZ fan.

Wonderful bikes with a lot of pedigree and a unique err.. 'identity'?!

As a low cost winter hack.... as good as anything else out there, and I guess JUST for the sake of it, its got to be worth it JUST to experience what it is about these bikes that despite having EVERYTHING superficially against them, JUST make people smile!

HOWEVER; as said, one linked on e-bay, would not be my first choice. Loverly bike, great price. Obviousely had a lot of loving attension to be presented in that condition, BUT drum-brakes, 6v electrics and THAT nice a condition for an 'older' bike.... I think thats one to leave for a true MZ fanatic to add to thier collection as thier summer pride, not something to be hacked through the winter.

Having got me thinking MZ though..... was looking at that one and it has seperate kick-start and gear-lever.

Was it one of the MZ's that had the unique 'combined' Gear-Kickstart lever, or was that on a CZ?
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Out of interest what is that bike you posted?
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

radical · Spanner Monkey Joined: 02 Jul 2010 Karma :

radical · Spanner Monkey Joined: 02 Jul 2010 Karma :

The M.Z to have is the old ISDT 250cc enduro model but you will pay a few grand for one nowadays.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

Late model ETZ251/301s are good to have.

I had a 301 and it never gave me any gip.

Early TS250s are ok and about the only 6v bike with decent lights. MZ-B do an excellent generator and electronic ignition kit that is brilliant.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

radical · Spanner Monkey Joined: 02 Jul 2010 Karma :

An option could be the Tula 200.These bikes are fine for winter use and very cheap to buy though rather roughly put together, they use a sachs 200cc dynastart engine and are fan cooled and were originally destined for border patrol along the Russian border in the snow, I bought mine ten years ago for 499 quid brand new and has been reasonably reliable though I had to replace the main bearings @ 9000 miles. they have kickstart and also start in the same way as a car by turning and holding the key. They are well strange devices but great fun for 500 quid.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

radical · Spanner Monkey Joined: 02 Jul 2010 Karma :

For those who like to ride in the snow theres front wheel drive and 2 wheel drive motorcycles, the later Rokon ranger is still in production. The first pic is of the 1936 Killinger Freund with weighted only 135kg fully fuelled and had a 3 cylinder 2 stroke engine @600cc. Strange devices indeed but the Ranger is a very practical and usable machine. I remember watching a Dot two wheel drive drive trials machine in the 1970s at a local trial, the front wheel was driven via a large flexible drive like a speedo cable from the engine and the front wheel turned 21 times wereas the back wheel turned 20 times which meant the bike was pulled rather than pushed along.