MZ ETZ 301

[_Iain_]

Whats to know?? Swear someone on here had a lot of experience with em.

Seen one up for sale as a project for cheaps. Two smoke, so simple to work on, however reliability issues. Are the engines particularily highly strung or am i likely to get more than a few thousand miles out of a top end??

Was thinking about using it on the odd days that the GS is out of action. Other halfs due to be taking a CBT & using the YBR to get to work. Insurance is bugger all, its got a half fairing. Something a bit quirky, and i've fancied a two stroke scince i started riding.

Bike in question is a 1992-1993 model.
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[temeluchus]

Provided it has been looked after they are pretty good.

As far as two strokes go, MZs are very low strung (23 horsepower ish) and will cover surprising mileages before needing any attention. I put 20k on my turkish made kanuni 301 (licence copy of the etz301) without needing to touch the motor.

The gearbox is a bit agricultural and the motor vibey. They dont like part throttle at low revs. not fast, but handle very well with good brakes. Finish is a little rough.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[MarJay]

Ha.

The top and bottom ends of the motor will be the last things you'll need to touch. They were so over engineered and understressed that the thing could probably be detonated along by running on cheap Schnapps or something.


However, with mine there was always something wrong with it. The kickstarter came adrift and the kickstart spring broke. The Gearbox locked itself in top and only a swift kick to the engine case freed it off. The battery randomly died one day and the bike I had had electronic ignition so you needed some charge in the battery to start it.

I never trusted it but it was a right laugh to ride. Handled well enough, weaved above 70mph and was supremely comfortable.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Zen Dog]

Upsides -
Handling is good. Comfort is good. Parts are very cheap. Initially hilarious to ride.

Downsides -
Engine is rubbish (I was going to say lacks character, but it has character, its just that of a stroppy asthmatic), gearbox requires violence. Standard footpeg position is downright stupid, I ended up resting my feet on the pillion pegs most of the time, till I got rearsets.

Its an involving ride, in the sense that it takes a bit of effort to get the best out of it. But unlike most 2-strokes, it doesn't really reward that effort. If you've never had a 2-stroke, and want to try one, don't start with this. It really doesnt have the addictive power delivery that makes me love 2-strokes.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[stinkwheel]

It's a commuter bike built to get cold war era, East German factory workers to and from work in the cheapest, most efficient way possible.

As long as you keep that in mind, you wont be disappointed.

They are reliably unreliable. As in there is a constant, ground-level of basic spannering required to keep them running nicely but they invariably get you there.

They are low-revving, torquey motors rather than high-revving powerful ones. They were very sucessfully used as competition trials bikes in the late 1950's but remember that the engine has not changed much since then.

So, you're getting a Communist era commuter bike with the same performance as a de-tuned late 1950's trials bike. Simple but effective. Utterly horriffic by todays standards but with bags of character.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.