MZ is a motorcycle manufacturer located in Zschopau (Germany). MZ an acronym, stands for Motorradwerk Zschopau (German for motorcycle factory at Zschopau) in the Erzgebirge region of Saxony; MuZ stands for Motorrad und Zweiradwerk (German for motorcycle and two-wheeler factory) for some years, today again MZ stands for MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk GmbH .
MZ currently manufactures a line of 125cc 4-stroke motorcycles using a new and powerful engine designed in-house. The current MZ 125 produces 15 crank-horsepower (11 kW) and almost 10 lbf·ft (14 N·m) of torque. It is a liquid-cooled pressure-lubricated dual-overhead-cam design with 4 valves, high-voltage electronic ignition and an 11000 rpm ignition cut-off. This is officially the most powerful 125cc 4-stroke engine mass-manufactured and has also proved highly reliable. This engine is used in 4 models of motorcycle, all of which share a common frame. The frame is a tube-steel backbone with the engine as a stressed bottom member. Changes in the suspension, facia, gearing, and equipment make the four models relatively distinct, despite the shared platform. All four bikes feature a 6-speed transmission and dual disc brakes.
All four 125s are capable of speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h), with the fastest being the RT and SM, both of which are capable of 75 mph (120 km/h) sustained speeds. This makes the MZ 125s amongst the fastest sub-250cc bikes available.MZ also continues to use a time-proven, robust, Yamaha-built 660cc single in the successful and well-received Baghira line of mid-displacement Enduro/DualPurpose/Motard bikes. Featuring lots of torque and legendary reliability, the Yamaha 660 lends the Baghira line the ability to be equally at home crawling through mud, pulling wheelies at the stop-light, and cruising comfortably at highway speeds.
The Newest MZ model is the 1000S featuring a novel 1000cc, DOHC parallel twin designed and built by MZ. The 1000S is a sport-tourer by design, but has received very good marks for handling. The 1000S' unique engine is exceptionally compact for its displacement; and rumors exist of a planed super-charged version, perhaps possessing 50 percent more power than the standard 1000S' already potent 110 horsepower (82 kW). The range includes a naked (unfaired) version and a full tourer with luggage, higher handlebars, and lower footpegs for comfort. Both of these are retuned, with less outright horsepower than the 'S', but with more torque. In addition for the 1000S, MZ also produced the naked version of the 1000S, known as the 1000SF, and the sports touring version known as MZ1000ST. MZ also produces its own lines of scooters known as MZ Moskito, powered by 4-stroke 125cc engine.
Besides scooters, MZ also produces its own line of underbone motorcycles, targeted for Southeast Asian market. Their debut underbone model is MZ Perintis 120, launched in 2002. The Perintis is later succeeded by MZ Mantizz series, launched in 2004 - which design is based on their flagship 1000S model. The Mantizz series have 2 displacement options - 125cc and 110cc. All MZ underbone models are powered by 4-stroke engines and are manufactured in MZ's Malaysian plant in Shah Alam. MZ also competed in the European GP-500 class with race-only models, and builds several scooter and ATV models ranging in displacement from 50 to 185cc, as well as the famous Charlie electric scooter, the fastest stand-up electric scooter produced.