Waldmann MZ buyout confirmed

>> The cash is being put up by the Hong Leong Group

they wrecked MZ once already, what are they thinking of this time ?
Also, if the report is true they are rushing out a new road bike, which will compete in the toughest market segment. But what aer the plans for existing MZ bikes, the ones sold under the previous MZ incarnation ?
I think that unless they pledge full support for all current MZ owners, there will be preciuos little goodwill to greet the new bike, which will make selling it even harder than it's going to be.

I'm truly glad MZ seems able to kep going, and I like my 1000S a lot; but I think it will take a massive leap of faith for new punters to buy into a company that appears to have the habit of going bust once a decade.
I really wish them all the best.

Ride Safe,

Posted: 25/03/2009 at 08:58

I'm not sure that going bust on a regular basis necessarily puts punters off. Look at all the Italian marques that go bust/change hands get re-financed on an almost annual basis but people still buy them.

I think MZ's biggest problem is people still remember the 2stroke bikes made under the communist regeime. Difficult to shake off that sort of stigma.

Posted: 25/03/2009 at 10:00

Its a good time to go into bike manufacturing -steel and all the other inputs have fallen in price by 30%.As for the old two strokes they were tough and cheap to run and buy-and sold in the millions-whats wrong with that? 

Posted: 25/03/2009 at 11:41

Hello Ilprncipebrutto,

Have you thought about a review of your thoughts and experience with your bike?

I was seriously considering a 1000S a few years ago but was wary of my local bike shop selling precisely zero MZs! I don't think servicing would have been a problem as they are only 5 miles away but there was always an element of the Muz factory going tits up.

I think it's a pretty unique bike and the streetfighter version was also a little out of the ordinary.

All the same it's still a bike i'd consider given feedback and my local stockist not wanting me to pay to take it for a tests ride!

(Refundable if i buy the bike i might add!!!!)

Cheers.

Posted: 25/03/2009 at 17:29

Let's see what they punt out. I seriously doubt they have any thoughts of making commuter bikes, the asian manufacturers have pretty much claimed that as their own. (Although the new financiers may already own just such a company).

If the rumour is true about GP2, then we'll probably see two or three models based around a common engine configuration.

I hope they do well.

Posted: 25/03/2009 at 20:26