MZ / MuZ 125RT Striker
MZ / MuZ 125RT Striker | |
Manufacturer | |
---|---|
Production | 2008 - |
Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve |
Ignition | Digital CDI |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Suspension | Front: Marzocchi Upside-down fork Rear: White Power, mono shock, adjustment possible spring |
Brakes | Front: Single 280mm disc Rear: Single 220mm disc |
Front Tire | 110/70-17 |
Rear Tire | 130/70-17 |
Wheelbase | 1355 mm / 53.3 in |
Seat Height | 770 mm / 30.3 in |
Weight | 133 kg / 293.2 lbs (dry), |
Fuel Capacity | 13.5 Liters / 3.5 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 110/70-17 front tire and a 130/70-17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 280mm disc in the front and a Single 220mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a Marzocchi Upside-down fork while the rear was equipped with a White Power, mono shock, adjustment possible spring. The 125RT Striker was fitted with a 13.5 Liters / 3.5 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 133 kg / 293.2 lbs. The wheelbase was 1355 mm / 53.3 in long.
Overview[edit | edit source]
MZ 125RT Striker
The highly modern four-valves, four-stroke engine and DOHC for more than 60mph develops a full 15 horsepower (11 kW) and MZ claims to have pulled the lucky card with this model as it is addressed to inexperienced riders in search for a docile and yet fun bike. Suspensions were highly tested and tuned in order for the bike to handle perfectly and to provide the much needed feetback.
But when it comes to appearance, the MZ RT definitely stands out as one of the best looking small naked bikes out there. Lets get rolling!
I dont thing Ive ever wrote something about
a bike that is such filled with heritage as the MZ RT 125, because that is
the base motorcycle from which the RT-Striker ended up.
In the early 1930s a company named Das Kleine Wunder (The Little Wonder) in Zschopau, Germany started producing a 125cc two-stroke motorcycle named the RT. In the 1950s and 1960s, MZ took over the production of this model which was to be revived starting with 2000 model year. The bike was entirely new and featured a modern four-stroke engine, as well as design. It didnt suffer any notable change ever since, except the introduction of the RT-Striker.
Competition It is kind of hard to find 125cc naked bikes these days, not to mention a competitor for MZs highly acclaimed RT-Striker so I was thinking that it would be best to compare it with the Honda Nighthawk.
Even though the Honda features a 234cc air-cooled vertical twin-cylinder engine, the powerplant has SOHC; two valves per cylinder valve train and a five speed tranny, compared to MZs DOHC system with four valves per cylinder and the six-speed gearbox, the Honda ends up being one similar performing bike, despite its displacement.
After all, both of these models are meant to help riders gain experience and by completing this goal, they are being set one against the other.
With a base MSRP of only $3,699, but not featuring the performance brakes of the MZ and the sporty looks (it is supposed to be a cruiser), the Honda Nighthawk manages to make a good figure.
Exterior For 2008 MZ introduces the refined RT-Striker, a bike which relies on its design features to make a difference and many people reckon this recipe is successful.
You will notice the same naked look and features which characterize the simple RT 125 only that covered in an orange/black color scheme which makes the exterior lines stand out even more.
The front end is characterized by the typical round headlight and chromed instrumentation, but this baby is far from being a cruiser. Rims are black and the fender looks worthy of a Honda Hornet, as well as pretty much all of the bikes front end.
Gas tank was and remains stylish only that the orange paintjob makes it even better. On this piece, the makers name, logo and model are attached because the seat dominates the rear end, leaving no room for plastics on which at least the models name would be written.
MZ blacked-out virtually everything it could (rims, sliding tube, flat handlebars) except the engine which remains anthracite.
Immediately after you swing a leg over it, the MZ RT-Striker manages to pull out the heavy artillery and have you amazed in an instant. It is a truly impressive small bike because it combines lightness with power and reliability. Comfort no questions asked, simply wonderful!
I first got a feel of it in the city, the environment for which it was practically created. The 15 horsepower four-stroke single-cylinder motor enjoys revving and delivers the power effectively to the rear wheel, managing to transmit no vibrations through the seat, handlebars and pegs even when the throttle was widely opened in order to lose the cars when leaving from a stop light.
Handling becomes the sweetest thing when you have the handlebars of an MZ RT-Striker in your hands. This combined with the comfortable riding position and seat would soon have you wishing for this versatile motorcycle in your garage to take you to and from work every five days of the week and also through the surroundings of the city when slipping though cars.
At its great efficiency also contributes the suspension equipment and the strong disc brakes. A rider would feel more than secure on it and confident with applying the commands. Everything on this bike is where it is supposed to be and, of course, at quick reach so I felt well at home on it. Even though it doesnt have the lowest seat, the average-sized riders and even shorties wont have a hard time flat footing the ground.
But once you do feel properly accommodated and pleased with the way a bike performs between city blocks and red lights, the open road screams for you and the answer is easy predictable. Now, lets be honest you dont buy this kind of bike to ride daily on the highway, but it will perform and, as I said before, the vibrations wont become a problem.
Also outside town and at every ride you will be charmed by the smooth-shifting gearbox which has the benefit of a sixth gear. This allows the engine to prove its point even further and have the MZ going with its 67 mph top speed at any incursion on the open road that you will have.
Having spent a good two days on the RT-Striker and going 800 miles, I can say that the riding conditions are more than satisfying, the engine pulls strong enough not to let you down when in need and the looks of it are never disappointing. Nice beginners ride!
Conclusion This sweet MZ is a real charmer by its nature, but now that it has received a new appearance, it will definitely stand out as a bigger bore bike and there will be nothing that would make you happier concerning your bike. Source Top Speed{| class="wikitable" |- !Year |2008 - |- !Engine Type |Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve |- !Displacement |124 cc / 7.6 cu-in |- !Cooling System |Liquid cooled |- !Bore X Stroke |60 x 44 mm |- !Lubrication |Wet sump |- !Induction |24 mm Carburetor |- !Ignition |Digital CDI |- !Starting |Kick |- !Max Power |14.7 hp / 10.9 kW @ 9000 rpm |- !Max Torque |11.2 Nm / 8.6 lb-ft @ 8500 rpm |- !Transmission |5 Speed |- !Final Drive |Chain |- !Front Suspension |Marzocchi Upside-down fork |- !Rear Suspension |White Power, mono shock, adjustment possible spring |- !Front Brakes |Single 280mm disc |- !Rear Brakes |Single 220mm disc |- !Front Tire |110/70-17 |- !Rear Tire |130/70-17 |- !Wheelbase |1355 mm / 53.3 in |- !Seat Height |770 mm / 30.3 in |- !Dry Weight |133 kg / 293.2 lbs |- !Fuel Capacity |13.5 Liters / 3.5 US gal
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