Praga, the Czech Republic manufacturing and engineering company, has launched the Praga ZS 800 motorcycle. The model is a modern reimagining of the iconic 1928 Praga BD 500. Sadly I probably won't get to ride one or even see one in the flesh, but I can look admiringly.
Created by the same expert engineering team behind the acclaimed Praga Bohema hypercar, the new Praga ZS 800 combines a suite of advanced motor racing production processes and materials with the character and design details of its 1928 BD 500 ancestor.
Sporting a chrome molybdenum steel frame, titanium exhaust system, and unique woven carbon wheels, the ZS 800 weighs just 142kg dry (158kg wet) with its air-cooled, 773cc four-stroke parallel twin engine, delivers a riding experience sure to stir the soul.
Praga will produce just 28 of the ZS 800, now available to order, with deliveries starting mid-2023 and the first of these heading to a client in Dubai.
Modern vision with a 100-year heritage
In 1928, the first Praga BD 500 rolled out of the Breitfeld-Daněk factory in Prague. A modern motorcycle at the time, the design was initially conceived by the young aviation designer and passionate motorcyclist Jaroslav František Koch. Featuring one of the first-ever four-stroke DOHC engines designed by Koch, the BD 500 presented multiple innovative design features and earned its place in motorcycle history. Koch rode the bike from Rome to Prague, covering a distance of 1,480 kilometres in 35 hours and 40 minutes, setting a new endurance record.
The ZS 800 is the creation of Jan Žuži, an engineer working on the lightweight 700 hp luxury Praga Bohema hypercar. With fellow engineer Radek Šebesta, Jan developed the concept, combining engineering expertise and dedication with Praga's exceptional production capabilities and racing technology. The Praga ZS 800 was born, a modern reimagining that retains the character and design of its ancestral BD 500.
The Praga ZS 800 is a masterclass in craftsmanship, combining the latest production processes and ultra-lightweight materials to bring the motorcycle to life. A chrome molybdenum steel frame wraps around the air-cooled 773cc four-stroke parallel twin engine. The modern yet classical-styled unit is lightweight and marries perfectly with the aesthetic of the ZS 800. a beautiful architecture that resembles the original BD 500 engine structure, bevel gear cam drive, and fuel efficiency, and complies with Euro 5 standards.
The ZS 800's unique forged carbon wheels work harmoniously with its hydraulic drum brake system, chosen to complement the motorcycle's style and performance. The hand-woven carbon rims are a complex artistic pattern of overlapping carbon fibre with intricate carbon-tensioned spokes to emulate the look of the BD 500.
A sculpted front fork sits at the fore of the bike; a structure only made possible through five-axis machining and chrome molybdenum steel. Within the fork is an Öhlins suspension with a titanium spring that delivers a smooth and exclusive ride effortlessly.
The 11.5L fuel tank is embellished with a forged carbon cover, keeping weight down, so the Praga ZS 800 weighs 142kg dry. With 50:50 weight distribution between the wheels – all of which culminates in a notably poised ride.
The Praga ZS 800 is a product of skilled engineering and a proper understanding of complex, high-grade materials. Titanium features through the design, with almost every screw, axle, nut and bolt of the chassis and engine made from the lightweight, high-strength metal. The exhaust system is also fully titanium and weighs just 4.8kg, with select elements constructed using state-of-the-art 3D printing.
Chief Designer, Jan Žuži, said,
"Strong and extremely lightweight materials – such as carbon, titanium, chrome molybdenum steel and aviation duralumin – enabled us to reimagine the rigid rear wheel suspension, the front swingarm fork, and the hydraulic drum brakes. These futuristic materials and Praga sports division's latest production facilities have enabled us to transfer those elegant historical design elements to the present day, and to build a motorcycle with contemporary driving characteristics and a unique feel."
The premium price point of £75,550 (excl. tax) is a testament to the intricate and tireless engineering that goes into every Praga creation, including the limited run, £1.1m Bohema hypercar.