2008 MZ 1000SF Review

Introduction

2008 MZ 1000SF

Even though it bases its creation on the 1000S the 1000SF managed in a really short time to individualize itself as the German manufacturer’s (and we’re not talking about BMW) alternative to the streetfighter offering.

Having a unique 999cc water-cooled four-stroke in-line twin, the naked proved able to make a lot of people curious and this is why we’re witnessing the introduction of the 2008 model year.

Competition

2008 Triumph Speed Triple

The bike which the MZ is practically built against is the Triumph Speed Triple. Known for creating incomparable Urban Sports that are fitted with three-cylinder engines and a lot of character, the English manufacturer clearly shows having everything sorted out by now. Even more, 2008 refinements such as a new LED rear light, a redesigned radiator, black anodized front forks and new tapered anodized aluminum handlebars set it even further from the MZ. All that power (131 HP) coming from the 1050cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line three-cylinder engine is being harnessed by the new Brembo radial front brakes.

2008 Ducati S2R 1000

Ducati also enters the scene with a pretty powerful (95 HP), but very stylish Monster called the S2R 1000. It is the biggest ever made and it is characterized best through the 1000 Dual Spark engine and Trellis frame. This one is a V-Twin packed with fuel injection and computer engine control so technology wasn’t an issue while developing it. It is the least powerful in this battle, but we should never underestimate a Ducati.

2008 BMW R 1200 R

But this fight would have been great even without the English or the Italians. We would have seen the Germans ride their bikes to exhaustion and then draw the conclusions. The second participant would have been the BMW R 1200 R, a sporty and very maneuverable motorcycle fitted with a boxer engine producing 109 HP (the closest numbers to the ones of the MZ)

Exterior

2008 MZ 1000SF

To be honest with you, I didn’t saw anyone that would recognize this MZ out on the streets and although the Germans feel well at home when it comes to bulletproof mechanics, the bike’s appearance isn’t as sexy as you would expect from a bike in its category.

Not only the engine, chassis and virtually any bolt on it can also be found on the 1000S, but the headlights and the fairing surrounding it also reminds me of MZ’s supersport motorcycle. It looks more like a stripped-down racer than a streetfighter as it has a simple gas tank and sporty rear end, nothing too short or anything that would stand out on the streets.

I’ve always liked the way a two-pipe exhaust looks on virtually any kind of motorcycle and the MZ 1000SF makes no exception, but what I don’t like on it is the fact that the engine, frame, tranny don’t create the impression of a toy rather than a perfectly working motorcycle and that tends to disappoint me.

Although not ugly, this bike won’t stand out with anything in particularly at all, but the colors. It is available painted Pirate Black, matt, SF Orange, Green Hell, MZ Red, Schleizer Yellow and Speedway White. Personally, I’ve never heard of such color options for one bike so I guess it does have a good point when it comes to its look too.

 

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