ZPSPORT 449 ENDURO

The small German town of Zschopau is famous for its motorcycling heritage. It was home to DKW and MZ, marques whose luminosity has dimmed in recent decades. But there’s now a chance that Zschopau could return to its motorcycling glory days. This is a prototype from a new company calledZPmoto; it’s a vintage-styled enduro inspired by the 1960 MZ ES 250 Geländesport.

The ZPsport 449 is powered by a Gas Gas single which delivers around 45 hp at 6,200 rpm, feeding through a six-speed ‘box. The bike is light at 130 kg fully-fuelled, and the 860 mm seat height is rider-friendly.

The chassis is tubular steel, with a single downtube branching into twin engine supports. I haven’t heard of the fork brand MUPO before, but the adjustable rear shocks are Öhlins. The rest of the components are top-drawer: the brakes are from Brembo, and the rims from Excel—21” at the front, 18” at the back.

The prototype is finished in the classic DKW colors of black, green and white, but the production machines will be offered in other colors. The bike is essentially hand-made, and when small-scale production starts in October, customers will be able to personalize their bikes to their hearts’ content.

All this comes at a price, however. It’s been set at €22,430, which is around US$28,000. That’s even more than Ducati’s range-topping Panigale 1199 S Tricolore. But the ZPsport 449 seems to be an attractive, capable and exclusive machine. I’m hoping there are enough enduro buyers who value rarity and vintage aesthetics.

Thanks to Lars-Hendrik Schneider for the tip.