MZ reveals how its muscle bike will look

THIS is how MZ wants its planned 1000cc muscle bike to look. The image shown here is an official factory sketch.

It is due to go into production next year and cost under £7800.

The 1000N will use a detuned version of the fuel-injected parallel twin engine MZ is already planning to use in its proposed sports-tourer, the 1000S. It will also use the same twin-spar steel frame.

The two models will also share the same front forks, wheels, brakes and distinctive headlight design.

MZ testing chief Jurgen Zurn said: ” We’re aiming for the bikes to have as many common parts as possible, although the swingarm on the 1000N may be new. ”

Zurn, who spent seven years at Suzuki working on development of the Hayabusa and GSX-R, stressed that alterations may be made to the bike’s design before it goes into production.

It is likely to hit a top speed of 140mph-plus. MZ plans to use the same engine design and chassis to build a range of machines which will compete with everything from Suzuki’s SV650 to Honda’s SP-1.

After the 1000N, the firm plans to put a new bike into production every six months.

The first will be a 750cc budget naked bike, followed by a 1000cc supercharged production racer, a full-dress supercharged tourer, and eventually an enduro bike.

MZ is hoping these bikes will make it one of the top 10 manufacturers in the world by 2006.