All Tests – A 125 in the snow – Pre-Owned MZ

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A 125 in the snow

All Tests - A 125 in the snow - Pre-Owned MZ

Appeared in 2000, the small MZ RT 125 cc, yet worthy of the line of MZ 2-stroke with a brilliant and playful engine, did not meet the expected success. What if we took him to the Alps, on the occasion of the Marmottes de St Veran? Test.

A 2-stroke specialist, MZ had made a specialty of small-displacement road cars which, under a dilapidated appearance, hid engines of character with astonishing capacities.. They are still found in the four corners of the planet..

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the MZ brand, which became MuZ, attempted a complete change by launching into the big sports mono with the MuZ 660 Skorpion powered by Yamaha. The idea was attractive but a little too daring: lack of image, success did not follow. After these mistakes, MuZ became MZ again, decided to reconnect with the brand’s tradition by creating a modern 125.

There is no longer any question of a 2-stroke engine, soon condemned by anti-pollution laws. But the takeover of the brand by the Taiwanese group Hong Leong provided the necessary capital to design an original 4-stroke engine rather than borrowing an existing Japanese engine. The objective was to immediately offer an engine developing the maximum power authorized by the license B equivalence, ie 15 horsepower. To get there, the Germans did not do things by halves: the small, super square single-cylinder is fitted with chain-driven, 4-valve, and liquid-cooled dual overhead camshafts. On paper, it is therefore the most efficient 125 engine on the market..

MZ installed this engine in a cycle part worthy of the name, which is not the case with all 125: backbone frame and suspended engine, single-shock rear suspension directly attacking the swingarm, double brake calipers pistons at the front and rear, it’s classic but serious. With a contained weight of 130 kg, this bodes well for interesting performance for a 125.

Aesthetically, we are far from traditional MZs. The latest one is rather inspired by the elegance of its pre-war namesake: the DKW RT125. The engine with its imposing twin-shaft cylinder head and stainless steel exhaust is certainly the most rewarding element of the bike. Although proportioned, its profile can however surprise. In particular the reservoir, the shape of which follows the backbone of the frame, forming a kind of spout which goes up towards the handlebars. Finally you get used to it and the roadster identity is clearly asserted: you really have the impression of dealing with a motorcycle, not some kind of big moped..

The sympathetic dashboard offers two large chrome counters that surround the battery of indicator lights. Unfortunately, the finish is not quite up to the task: the indicator light block is incorrectly centered, the neutral indicator is already out of service after 2000 km and the mirror seals are poorly adjusted. These are details but it’s a bit of a shame on a machine aiming for the top of the category: it is indeed displayed at 3,849 euros.

The classic biker, unaccustomed to the 125s, will have more the impression of riding a bike than a motorcycle: The narrow handlebars and low saddle make maneuvering extremely easy for this featherweight engine cut. For once, we have no difficulty parking in the ridiculous motorcycle parking lots in the city of Paris !

To start, the choke control is kind of recalcitrant. Still the finishing problems. It’s a shame because the engine always starts with a quarter of a turn in a nice sound. First, I shift around 4000 rev / min: what a disappointment! The engine is so soft that I almost stall! Obviously we must not forget that it is only a 125 but the engine is particularly hollow below 6000 rpm. This is the price of the important specific power: do not hesitate to use tricks to obtain results. Fortunately, this little bundle asks only that and we quickly get a taste.

In town, in low-speed evolutions, it is not always ideal to have to restart the bike with big gas shots. But on expressways, if you take the trouble to stay above 8000 rpm, you can easily follow the flow of cars and overtaking can be expected without too much fear..

Side cycle part, handling is at the rendezvous. With such a narrow machine, you slip easily between cars. As for the turning radius, it is so short that you never get stuck between two cars. Ultimately more suburban than purely city-dweller, the MZ RT125 is up to its business in an urban environment.

It might only be a 125, but it’s still a motorcycle. So we’re not just going to test it around the block! What better than a winter to test the capabilities of the machine? In conditions of precarious grip, we have what to do with power and a featherweight is a decisive argument not to remain stuck! So here we are on our way to the Marmots, the biannual meeting organized for five years by Pierre Vedel, a former Motorcycle Journal. The rule is simple: you have to go to Saint-Veran, the highest village in Europe, perched at 2,054 m, whatever the weather conditions. In the middle of January, it is not necessarily a very simple matter !

Starting from Paris, it’s more than 1,500 km to cover with our light horse, equipped with sleeves to face the cold. The large saddle easily accommodates a good-sized bag, no tie-down hooks but you can easily get by with the imposing passenger grab handle. However, we regret that the saddle is fixed and does not allow the storage of tools or an anti-theft device..

It is time to attack the A6 motorway, swept by a strong south-westerly wind which is not really favorable … In fifth gear, the bike quickly reaches the red zone placed at 10,000 rpm, which corresponds to a speed of almost 110 km / h. In sixth gear, the revs drop by nearly 1,500 rpm and the needle climbs very painfully above the fateful 110 km / h … No matter how much I try all kinds of aerodynamic positions, we cannot sustainably maintain a speed of more than 110 km / h. A screen, not tested, would perhaps nibble a few km / h and gain a little comfort. But the most tiring is that at the slightest gust of wind or false flat, you have to go back to fifth to restart the machine. At this moment, the transmission seems to be pulling a long hair.

The good surprise is the stability of the bike: given its lightness, it is obvious that it shakes a lot when you pass the trucks, but the reactions are not vicious. The bike responds to corrections to the handlebars without oscillations or suspicious handlebars. Once you understand the limited ability to overtake, which is not easy if you are used to a large displacement, you never scare yourself.

Obviously, under these conditions, time still seems long on the highway … I am therefore playing the game of aspirations. Not so easy, because with a speed of 110 km / h you are exactly between the pace of trucks and that of cars. So you have to find a not too powerful van that spins at the right speed, around 115 or 120 km / h. Finally I dig up one and there, it’s magic: here I am suddenly propelled to more than 120 km / h and I can even slightly release the throttle! Except that in favor of a descent, the van accelerates and exceeds 130 km / h … I hang on, the engine enters the red zone and I reach the switch at 10,500 rpm. Suddenly slowed down, I can only watch my pilot fish escape in the distance. What frustration! But fortunately the sixth takes a bit long otherwise we would be even more limited in speed. And a pity that the breaker intervenes so early, a Varadero 125 can climb much higher.

These modest speeds are unlikely to endanger your license! No need to watch the radars anymore: the 125 could pass for the ideal citizen‘s motorcycle … In reality, driving this kind of machine comes down to the relentless pursuit of maximum speed: handle in the corner, we track down the slightest kilometer per hour, which turns out to be politically very incorrect! In any case, with a little patience we cut down great distances, especially since the ridiculous consumption allows a good autonomy. Absolutely, the engine drinks 4.5 liters per 100 km! With a 13-liter tank we can therefore do more than 270 km. Few big cars can say the same…

After this motorway session, the lack of power seems obvious and it is not without apprehension that I approach the foothills of the Alps the next day … And there, surprise! Instead of dragging me miserably in the climb of the passes, the lightness and the handling of the bike work wonders as soon as the turns follow one another. We can keep a lot of speed in the curves and go around really early without any fear. If the rear wheel slips, it can be easily controlled due to the very moderate torque. By braking little and accelerating very quickly, we really do not drag ourselves. Especially since we rarely reach the 110 km / h limit in the stretches, as long as we maintain the engine well in the revs, the times are amazing. On the handlebars of the featherweight, I quickly get caught up in the game of following motorcycles with much larger displacement, which is quite a jubilant pleasure: overtaking a Ducati 916 at the end of a hairpin, in the howl of the 10,000 laps of the small mono , it’s still something !

The 125 is really a great school of motorcycling: never lose speed, take care of the trajectories, always keep the handle in the corner: we take good habits. The limits of the machine quickly appear quite clearly, which makes it possible to steer it exactly as you wish. It is therefore the man who dominates the machine and not the reverse, as is too often the case on large-displacement motorcycles..

The weather is fine in the Alps, the roads are almost completely dry … Everything is therefore much easier than expected and it’s a bit of a shame, after 500 km on the motorway to come and have a picnic in the snow and slush … In fact, it might not be worse, as it quickly becomes apparent that the original Heidenau tires are unworthy of the MZ chassis. As soon as the grip decreases, it is better to be careful because you have the impression of rolling on real soap bars.

The descents allow to appreciate the qualities of braking, powerful and adjustable at the front as at the rear. The latter even appears largely oversized. Again, it’s the limited grip of the front tire that sets the limits of the bike. A slight fall in a hairpin in the shade on the descent from Saint-Veran quickly calls me to order.

Question comfort, the suspensions are rather dry but the saddle is spacious and well designed. It even easily accommodates a passenger, but except for short trips in town, we can not say that the duo is the vocation of this bike. I am still amazed by its ability to travel, once the instructions have been assimilated. At nightfall, I discovered efficient lighting and on the way back I cut down 750 km in a single day without excessive fatigue, which never ceases to amaze! You should have seen the face of the guy at the tollgate, who looks alternately at the ticket and the motorbike: "you really come from there with that ?"Well yes, it is possible and it is even very doable, a kind of return to the roots of the motorcycle…

Appeared in 2000, this small MZ RT125 did not meet with the expected success. It is nevertheless worthy of the line of MZ 2-stroke with a small bright and playful engine, and even brings a touch of fun with its modern look and an efficient cycle part. Above all, it really gives the impression of driving a real motorcycle! Too bad the balance sheet is tarnished by really mediocre original tires. Likewise, in view of the dynamic qualities, the price would not be excessive if the finish was more up to par..

The most important thing is that you can have fun with a 125, rediscovering the simple pleasure of driving without apprehension: you can put on heavy gas without fear of radars or poorly controlled power. And without trying to mimic the big-powered cars following the disastrous trend of recent years, this MZ RT125 plays on the qualities specific to its category: lightness and handling. And it is with machines like these that we can convince young people or holders of the B license to take the step towards the motorcycle license..

Technical sheet (manufacturer data)

Engine 4-stroke single cylinder
Distribution 4 valves, 2 overhead camshafts
Cooling Liquid
Displacement 124 cm3
Bore x stroke 60 mm x 44 mm
Compression ratio 11.2 / 1
Food carburetor
Power 15 DIN horsepower (11 kW) at 9000 rpm
Couple 11.7 Nm at 8,500 rpm
Starter Electric
Gearbox 6 reports
Secondary transmission By chain
Frame Tubular, backbone, suspended motor
Caster angle 62.5 °
Rear suspension Mono-shock absorber
Front / rear travel 130 mm / 130 mm
Front brake 280 mm disc, double piston caliper
Rear brake 220 mm disc, double piston caliper
Front tire 110/70 – 17
Rear tire 130/70 – 17
Wheelbase 1355 mm
Dry weight 133 kg
Gross weight 320 kg
Tank capacity 13.5 liters
Max speed 118 km / h (manufacturer)
Price 3,849 euros

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