[3] In the Communist era, the East German firm MZ Motorrad produced only single-cylinder, small-displacement motorcycles.

[4] After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, MZ had access to Western designers and resources, and they hoped to move into a more sophisticated market.

Compared to the "S", the ST is modified for touring comfort, with higher handlebars and lower footrests to provide a roomier seating position for long-distance riding.

Krauser [de] hard luggage may be fitted, and a steering damper keeps the bike stable when fully loaded.

The SF "SuperFighter" is a naked streetfighter, using the same engine as the ST.[8] The MZ 1000 was quite well received, although MCN journalists thought it rather expensive and "poor value".

"[2] However, in a four-bike comparison test in 2005 between the Honda Firestorm, Ducati 1000SS, Suzuki SV1000, Fast Bikes magazine declared the MZ 1000S the clear winner, saying: "It combines the uniqueness and style of the Italian, with the usability and build quality of the Japanese, and to top it all off is far more fun to ride than any of them.