Prag(a)matic return!

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While it’s most likely that you have heard of a manufacturer reviving one of its earlier moniker in an EV avatar, Praga is going a different way. A welcome change, almost. The Czech manufacturer behind the Bohema hypercar (a track focused supercar that weighs 982kg and makes 700bhp) has revealed the ZS 800, which is a modern interpretation of the BD 500.

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See the ZS 500 and BD 800 side by side and you will see that Praga has made a tribute to the ZS 500 which was introduced back in 1928. The silhouette harks back to the pre-WWII bobber styled motorcycles. Let’s get the stats out of the way first – powering the ZS 800 is a 743cc parallel twin air cooled engine borrowed from the Kawasaki W800, that develops 49.3bhp and 65Nm, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The company claims a 50:50 weight distribution and it weighs just 158kg with all juices and fluids. Another interesting fact is that the 11.5L fuel tank forms a structural member of the chassis, thereby contributing to weight reduction.

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A glimpse at the images and you will see that the front and rear suspension resemble that of a bicycle. Look closely and you will find the girder suspension doing its duty on the front and back. What are girder suspension systems, you ask? They belong to the parallelogram type suspension which consists of front braces connected to triple clamps. The coil springs are positioned behind them, connected by linkage systems. These were the earliest suspension systems used in the pre-WWII era and were popular for offering a smooth ride while absorbing bumps and giving the bike a stable geometry.

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The Praga ZS 800 has a girder suspension system with modern tech – like the fully-adjustable Ohlins TTX22 damper and titanium springs setup at the front. The rear is hard tail with a Ohlins TTX air suspension under the seat for suspension duties. The motorcycle has a seat height of 795mm and a wheelbase of 1435mm, apt for comfortable touring. Braking duties are taken care by hydraulic drum brakes integrated to the forged carbon alloy wheels on both ends adding to the visual drama of the motorcycle.

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Part of the motorcycle’s charm lies in the very expensive materials used – like carbon forged alloy wheels, titanium, duralumin and chrome-moly. The engine is made using titanium. The exhaust system itself weights just 4.8kg, thanks to the use of 3D printing elements and titanium. The round LED headlamp unit with its indicators complete the look of the motorcycle. The best view of the motorcycle is the front three quarters and the rear three quarters angle. This is a visually stunning motorcycle and manages to create goosebumps reminding you of your favourite 70’s rock album.

Expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2023, the ZS 800 is priced at GBP 75000. What do you think of the Praga ZS 800 and what is your favorite bit of the motorcycle? Let us know in the comments!