MZ

MZ (Motorcyclewerk Zschopau) was a significant East German motorcycle manufacturer with a history spanning much of the 20th century. Producing a range of robust and reliable motorcycles, MZ earned a reputation for practicality and affordability, particularly within the Eastern Bloc. Their designs, while often less flashy than their Western counterparts, demonstrated impressive engineering for their time, employing two-stroke engines known for their torque and simplicity. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, MZ struggled to compete in the newly opened global market against established Japanese and European brands, eventually ceasing production in the early 2000s. However, their legacy lives on through the many MZ motorcycles still on the road, representing a significant piece of East German industrial history and providing a testament to their durable engineering. The brand has experienced some recent attempts at revival, though without achieving the same scale as its heyday.