The 2003 MZ range

MZ unveiled a final version of the 1000S, its 1000cc in-line twin today (Monday) and promised: ” This time the bike will happen! ”

The firm’s Carl Schmidt said at the bike’s launch in Munich on Monday: ” Problems with the engineering design meant it would have been too expensive to mass produce at the right price. So we had to totally redesign the manufacturing process for the engine.

” We had hoped to have the bike on sale this year, but we wanted to get everything right.

” Now we will have the bike in UK dealers by the summer. Next we can look at making a naked version of the bike – probably for 2004. ”

The 1000S has changed quite a lot since MCN last saw it with a new, sharper front end and an angular tailpiece. It also now has upside-down forks and Nissin brakes.

MZ sees the 115bhp bike as a sports tourer and expects the price tag to be around £8500. MZ unveiled a black and a silver version of the bike and says customers will have the choice of black, silver, blue or yellow.