Editing MZ / MuZ Skorpion 660 Tour

{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name             = [[MZ / MuZ]] Skorpion 660 Tour
|image            = [[File:MZ-Skorpion-660-Tour-94.jpg|frameless|MZ / MuZ Skorpion 660 Tour]]
|aka              = 
|manufacturer     = MZ / MuZ
|parent_company   =
|production       = 1994 -
|model_year       =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            =
|engine           = Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 5 valves
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      = 9.2:1
|top_speed        = 105 mph
|power            =
|torque           =
|fuel_system      =
|ignition         = CDI
|spark_plug       =
|battery          =
|transmission     = 5 Speed
|frame            =
|suspension       =Front: Telescopic forks, compression and damping adjustable. <br>
Rear: Gas-pressure-monoshock 4,adjustable positions
|brakes           =Front: Single 280mm disc 4 [[piston]] [[caliper]] <br>Rear: Single 240mm disc 2 piston caliper
|front_tire       = {{tire|120/60-17}} 
|rear_tire   	  = {{tire|160/60-17}} 
|rake_trail       =
|wheelbase        = 1420 mm / 55.9 in
|length           =
|width            =
|height           =
|seat_height      = 785 mm / 30.9 in
|dry_weight       = 173.0 kg / 381.4 lbs
|wet_weight       =
|fuel_capacity    = 18 Litres / 4.7 US gal
|oil_capacity     =
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius   =
|related          =
|competition      =
}}

It could reach a top speed of 105 mph.  

==Engine==
The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 5 valves. The engine featured a 9.2:1 [[compression ratio]].  

==Chassis==
It came with a 120/60-17 front [[tire]] and a 160/60-17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 280mm disc 4 piston caliper in the front and a Single 240mm disc 2 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a  Telescopic forks, compression and damping adjustable. while the rear was equipped with a Gas-pressure-monoshock 4,adjustable positions. The Skorpion 660 Tour was fitted with a 18 Litres / 4.7 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 173.0 kg / 381.4 lbs. The wheelbase was 1420 mm / 55.9 in long.  
== Photos ==
[[File:MZ-Skorpion-660-Tour-94.jpg|600px|MZ / MuZ Skorpion 660 Tour]]
[[File:MZ-Skorpion-660-Tour-94--1.jpg|600px|MZ / MuZ Skorpion 660 Tour]]

== Overview ==

MuZ Skorpion 660 Tour














The company has based its recent
history upon a variety of single-cylinder machinery -- from sidecar rigs to
sportbikes and dualsports, MZ has bet the Zschopau factory on the appeal of
thumpers.

In fact, the choice of a single-cylinder powerplant for the Skorpian Tour
represents commitment to a design philosophy of simplicity and light weight.
Weight saving measures are evidenced throughout: single front disc brake, small
rear disc brake, no cumbersome fairings or excess bracketry, and a single round
headlight to guide your way. At 416 pounds "ready to ride," as is claimed in the
owner's manual, the Skorpion Tour is a lithe, nimble machine.

The entire Skorpion line shares the same frame, a stunningly simple tubular
deltabox piece that was penned by London design house Seymour Powell. The
award-winning steel tube design is braced near the steering head, and mates to a
bolt-on plate that connects the motor, frame and swingarm pivot. The motor,
incidentally, is a stressed member of the chassis.

The engine -- outsourced from Yamaha -- may be stressed structurally, but with a
claimed 48 horsepower at 5250 RPM it's definitely not stressed in the horsepower
department. The carburetion on our test bike seemed off at lower revs, but
cleared up once the tach passed 4000; unfortunately, by the time you reach this
point you've already stumbled through the bottom and mid-range of the power
band. After all, the motor only winds out to 6800 RPM. Although the engine spins
up freely, it does not make much power near redline or beyond. Uncorking the
exhaust and rejetting the carburetor would no doubt improve the throttle
response of the bike, as well as provide more power. Racers using the related
Yamaha SRX 600 motor claim they can coax almost 70 hp out of their mills;
similar tuning tricks could be applied to the MZ's 660cc mill with equally good
results.

While power wheelies may not be reality, the Skorpion's low weight and agile
handling can provide plenty of excitement when the going gets twisty. Our test
mount came shod with Pirelli Dragons, 110/70/ZR17 front and 150/60/ZR17 rear,
which impressed us with their level of stick and durability underneath the
Skorpion. The front suspension is non-adjustable but proved to be remarkably
stable and compliant. It was plush enough to travel with, yet firm enough to
complement the handling. The rear shock has four spring preload possibilities:
we stayed on the second softest setting, which provided good balance with the
front set-up. MZ recommends positions one through three as standard, and two
through four for heavy riders and/or passengers.

The Skorpion's whoa-power comes from a gigantic 316mm front rotor coupled with a
Grimeca four piston caliper and master cylinder. The front brakes had very good
initial bite, and if pulled hard with two fingers, result in an occasional
stoppie. Out back you'll find a race-inspired miniature two-piston Grimeca
caliper squeezing a 240mm rotor. Both calipers are adorned with premium
steel-braided lines, offering better feel and performance than standard rubber
units.

The ergonomics of the Skorpion can be easily altered to better suit your size or
riding style. The clip-on handlebars are adjustable in three planes, and can be
moved to a variety of positions. Whether you are sport riding, commuting, or
touring there is an excellent chance you can find a setting that'll be right for
you. The footpegs are also adjustable, although moving them will require a
different shift linkage rod, obtainable from the dealer. The seat is fairly
comfortable, but its squarish shape continues a bit too far forward, feeling too
wide near the tank. For a single cylinder bike thumping along the freeway, MZ
did a good job controlling vibrations, as little is felt through the bars, and
only slight vibration through the footpegs, allowing a rider to continue for
several hundred miles without being disturbed by numbness.

The Skorpion's simple approach yields a complete package that was enjoyable to
ride. The lack of power (our test bike's poor carburetion certainly not helping)
can be remedied to a point of satisfaction, and to a point that would surprise
some sportbike owners in the canyons. The MZ's attention to smaller details make
it a great choice for those seeking an alternative mount, or for newer riders
looking for a bike they can handle that retains a high fun factor.

Overall, the Skorpion Tour is an enjoyable, competent machine whose simple
approach often yields smiling results. For as many good points as our bike had,
it could be a very strong competitor to motorcycles like the GS500, EX500 and
Seca II. Unfortunately it's priced into a much higher realm with its $6,895 MSRP.
Can an almost-exotic bike persuade buyers to spend the same amount of money as
they would for a four cylinder 600cc supersport machine? We fear the Skorpion
faces a fate akin to the Honda Hawk GT -- a bike that sold poorly until Honda
dealers discounted its price, finally creating a cult-like following. The
Skorpion Tour will be lucky if it gets such a chance, but we bet MZ could stir
up interest if they offered pricing closer to the Tour's Japanese competition.


Source Motorcyce.com{|  class="wikitable"
|- 
!Year
|1994 -
|- 
!Engine Type
|Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 5 valves
|- 
!Displacement
|660 cc / 40.2 cu-in
|- 
!Bore X Stroke
|100 x 84 mm
|- 
!Cooling System
|Liquid cooled
|- 
!Compression
|9.2:1
|- 
!Induction
|26mm Teikei carburetors
|- 
!Ignition
|CDI
|- 
!Starting
|Electric
|- 
!Max Power
|58 hp / 42.3 kW @ 6500 rpm
|- 
!Max Torque
|58 Nm / 35.0 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
|- 
!Transmission
|5 Speed
|- 
!Final Drive
|Chain
|- 
!Front Suspension
|Telescopic forks, compression and damping adjustable.
|- 
!Front Wheel Travel
|120 mm / 4.7 in
|- 
!Rear Suspension
|Gas-pressure-monoshock 4,adjustable positions
|- 
!Rear Wheel Travel
|130 mm / 5.1 in
|- 
!Front Brakes
|Single 280mm disc 4 piston caliper
|- 
!Rear Brakes
|Single 240mm disc 2 piston caliper
|- 
!Front Tire
|120/60-17
|- 
!Rear Tire
|160/60-17
|- 
!Wheelbase
|1420 mm / 55.9 in
|- 
!Seat Height
|785 mm / 30.9 in
|- 
!Dry Weight
|173.0 kg / 381.4 lbs
|- 
!Fuel Capacity
|18 Litres / 4.7 US gal
|- 
!Consumption Average
|40 mpg
|- 
!Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0
|- / 107 ft
|- 
!Standing ¼ Mile
|13.5 sec
|- 
!Top Speed
|105 mph

|}

[[Category:MZ / MuZ motorcycles]]