2024 Praga ZS 800 Review

[Hugh Janus]

Carbon fiber, a girder fork, no rear suspension, a Kawasaki engine, and drum brakes: It all comes together beautifully in the Praga ZS 800. (Too Fast/)

In 2024, the term “retro motorcycle” can mean many things but few, if any, manufacturers take the concept of reviving and rethinking past models to such extremes as Praga. While most mainstream, mass-market retros run on thoroughly modern chassis designs, for instance, the Czech company’s handcrafted ZS 800 rolls out of the factory as an unabashed hardtail, complete with a girder fork and even drum brakes.

Praga’s ZS 800 is a modern homage to the company’s 1928 BD 500. (Too Fast/)

There, that got your attention. Whatever you may think of motorcycles that lean on past glories to justify their existence, this one is impossible to ignore. The ZS 800, a loose reincarnation of Praga’s 1928 BD 500, is an oxymoron of contrary and daring engineering; blends ancient design concepts with exotic state-of-the-art materials; and weighs little more than a moped. Seemingly devoid of compromises or restraint, it also comes with a starting price of $98,500 (91,000 euros).

A cool $98,500 will put a Praga ZS 800 on your well-manicured lawn. (Too Fast/)

Just in case you missed it, Praga (for Prague) is primarily the producer of madly expensive road-legal hypercars such as the 700 bhp Bohema, but back in the 1920s, before World War II and then the subsequent rise of communism curtailed the fun, built cutting-edge bikes such as BD 500. The BD featured a four-stroke DOHC engine designed by young engineer Jaroslav František Koch, who in 1928 proved the bike’s speed, reliability, and innovative design by riding it 1,480 kilometers (920 miles) from Rome to Prague in under 36 hours.

The ZS 800 is an exquisitely detailed homage to both that machine and moment, and is the creation of Jan Zuzi, an engineer from the Bohema project. Jan and fellow engineer and bike enthusiast Radek Šebesta wanted to produce a replica of the 1928 bike, but using modern lightweight materials and technology. While the engine is an air-cooled parallel twin taken from the Kawasaki W800, the rest of the ZS is handmade and completely bespoke.

A handmade and welded frame gets a clear coat to show off the craftsmanship. (Too Fast/)

The chassis features a chrome molybdenum steel frame, forged carbon wheels with laced carbon spokes, as well as hydraulically operated drum brakes. While there’s the aforementioned Öhlins activated girder system up front, there’s only a (Öhlins) damped saddle on the hardtail rear. With carbon and titanium deployed throughout, the ZS’s weight is just 142 kilograms (313 pounds).

Forged carbon wheels feature laced carbon spokes. Every detail on the Praga ZS 800 is an eyeful. (Too Fast/)

Praga is limiting the ZS 800 production run to just 28, five of which will be $106,900 (98,800 euros) carbon specials. Our testbike was one of the five, and while a high-mile, in-depth road test was never on the table, Cycle World was nevertheless invited to give the ZS 800 a brisk spin in the English countryside.

On the Road

Zuzi and his design team could have chosen almost any mid-cube engine for their BD 500 tribute but opted for the air-cooled Kawasaki W800 power unit because of its simplicity, looks, and bevel gear-driven cam. The standard W800 makes just 47 hp at 6,000 rpm and 46.39 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. Praga claims the bike produces a fraction more than standard due to the ZS’s freer-flowing titanium exhaust and revised fueling, but 50 hp remains the quoted max.

A Kawasaki W800 engine powers the Praga ZS 800. (Too Fast/)

Jump on (carefully), ease into the beautifully formed single saddle, and the absence of bulk or mass is immediately apparent. The bars are wide like it’s 1928 again while the view of the ZS’s intricate carbon detailing and titanium componentry moves you into a future world of undiluted ideas and extravagance. One press of the carbon starter button and the usually muted long-stroke twin snarls into life. The twin exhausts—hand-made, obviously—don’t have a catalytic converter or any significant noise-canceling properties and are charismatically sharp as the throttle is blipped.

There’s no rev counter, just a perfectly judged analog speedo (in km/h) set into the headlight shell. Ease first gear home, open the throttle, and that lightness (142 kilograms/313 pounds, dry) translates to acceleration that is notably livelier than the W800. I was initially a little thrown by the ZS 800′s sheer strangeness but the W800 motor churns out a familiar spread of torque and pulls through the revs effortlessly, encouraging relaxed short-shifts. There are no rider aids or traction control, not even ABS, but that tangible and delightful lightness adds an edge that makes overtaking that little bit easier than on a W800. The ZS is not fast but it’s certainly not slow either, and will surprise road users lucky enough to encounter one at the lights.

A girder fork is fitted with an Öhlins shock. Rear “suspension” is also an Öhlins unit attached to the single seat. (Too Fast/)

Of course, all the time, there are eyes on you as you sit upright, arms spread, this near weightless jewel and sculpture below. As noted, the design team was inspired by Praga output of the 1920s, which explains the drum brakes (twin up front, single at the rear), while the front end is essentially a very old-school girder system. The drums are hydraulically activated, thank goodness, and that girder front end has a modern, fully adjustable Öhlins shock, complete with titanium spring, to manage the load. But the rear is an unadulterated hardtail. Any damping is done via the air in the rear Dunlop alone.

Beneath the seat sits a Öhilns damper to help minimize road shock to the rider. (Too Fast/)

Alongside all this rethought and updated old technology are some thoroughly modern touches, including lightweight 18-inch carbon wheels, complete with intricate carbon spokes, which save on unsprung weight, and a lightweight chrome molybdenum frame, which weighs about the same as the frame on a typical 125. The springer front end has little to no dive, and in this respect is similar to the BMW system, but it’s mesmerizing to watch the beautifully formed arms moving up and down as it controls road imperfections.

Titanium hardware abounds on the Praga ZS 800. (Too Fast/)

Rider comfort is obviously heavily compromised by the absence of rear suspension but the Praga isn’t as punishing on poor surfaces as many hardtails I’ve ridden because under, and connected to, the seat is an adjustable Öhlins shock that smooths the jolts transmitted into the bike by bumps in the road. If you move forward on the sculpted seat, there is less cushioning, but if you sit farther back there’s more leverage through the shock, and the ride is softer. And you don’t get propelled out of the seat on the rebound as you do on hardtails with crude bed springs under the seat to supposedly soften the blow.

Road imperfections are not fully canceled out by the rear seat suspension. (Too Fast/)

This isn’t suspension, of course, as it has no effect on the rear tire’s ability to find grip and traction, and at times I could feel the rear tire skip when I got a little carried away, quickly followed by a nervous twitch in my bank account.

Just 50 hp and drums brakes keep the antics fairly reserved on this nearly $100K machine. (Too Fast/)

This is, however, a bike with a level of craftsmanship like no other on the market. The hand-woven carbon rims and delicate carbon spokes are works of art. The construction and welding on the frame must have taken days, if not weeks. Almost every screw, nut, and bolt is titanium, and the 3-gallon tank is an integral part of the frame. The “tank” you can see is simply a carbon cover that hides most of the electrics and modern parts never thought of in 1928. Walking around the ZS, feasting on its contrary blend of obsolete ideas and radical new thinking, its execution and finish is as good as going for a ride.

Every inch of the ZS 800 showcases the craftsmanship and effort put forth by Praga. (Too Fast/)

Verdict

The ZS 800 is eye-wateringly expensive but not entirely alone in this sector. Californian bike builders Arch, fronted by Keanu Reeves, produce the hand-built KRGT-1 which, while not a retro, is priced at $91,000. And Brough produces hand-built retro exotica in France, with prices at $77,000 and above. That said, there are those who are simply going to look at the price of the Praga ZS 800 and write it off as a crazy indulgence.

I understand but don’t agree. For the few who are going to be lucky enough to afford the ZS 800, this Czech masterpiece is not just a work of art but a motorcycle that works well for what it is. Skilled engineering and craftsmanship have been given the opportunity to shine. Archaic concepts such as drum brakes and hardtail chassis are rethought, updated, and given a welcome outing in 2024.

Despite the drum brakes and hardtail, the Praga ZS 800 is a joy to ride. (Too Fast/)

Above all, Praga’s enthusiastic and clever engineers have paid homage to the original BD 500 with an unparalleled level of individuality and pride. Merely spotting one on the highway will be a miracle and actually owning one a near impossibility. But we are very glad this superb Czech retro exists.

Will you ever see a Praga ZS 800 in the wild? Probably not. But if you do, let us know! (Too Fast/)

2024 Praga ZS800 Specs

Starting MSRP:	$98,500
Engine:	SOHC, air-cooled parallel twin; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	733cc
Bore x Stroke:	77.0 x 83.0mm
Compression Ratio:	8.4:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower:	52.3 hp @ N/A rpm
Claimed Torque:	47.9 lb.-ft. @ N/A rpm
Fuel System:	Electronic fuel injection
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; cable actuation
Frame:	Chrome molybdenum steel
Front Suspension:	Girder front fork w/ Öhlins TTX 22, fully adjustable
Rear Suspension:	N/A
Front Brake:	Dual drums, 200mm
Rear Brake:	Single drum, 200mm
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Forged carbon wheel w/ carbon tensioned spokes; 18 x 2.15 in. / 18 x 3.5 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	100/90 x 18 / 130/90-18
Rake/Trail:	27.0°/3.9 in.
Wheelbase:	56.5 in.
Seat Height:	31.3 in.
Fuel Capacity:	3.0 gal.
Claimed Dry Weight:	313 lb.
Contact:	pragaglobal.com

2024 Praga ZS 800 on the road. (Too Fast/)
From a distance you could be fooled into thinking the Praga is a vintage machine. But step closer…. (Too Fast/)
Wide bars put you out in the wind on the Praga ZS 800. (Too Fast/)
Every angle is stunning on the Praga ZS 800. (Too Fast/)
The Praga ZS 800 is a joy to ride with a much better ride than would be expected from a hardtail. (Too Fast/)
Even the switch gear is carbon fiber. (Too Fast/)
The tank cover is carbon fiber as well. (Too Fast/)
A single speedo is the only gauge on the Praga ZS 800. (Too Fast/)
You could spend all day Saturday riding the Praga ZS 800 and all day Sunday staring at it. (Too Fast/)

Source

[Pedro]

What a piece of shit!

Bring in the 125cc chinese bike from the other thread, at least it’s honest.

[Catteeclan]

I kind of like it but it's stupidly over priced.

[Buckster]

Bargain, @Slowlycatchymonkey should get one, it will do wonders for her credibility.

[JustaPor]

90k for a bike with this "a girder fork, no rear suspension, a Kawasaki engine, and drum brakes" is just insane.

[Six30]

98k ... fuck right off

[Pedro]

Hey @Saul, I can bet which youtuber will love this ...

[Sir Fallsalot]

13 minutes ago, Pedro said:

Hey @Saul, I can bet which youtuber will love this ...

Probably already owns one

[Buckster]

Has it got a 270 degree crank though?

[Saul]

3 hours ago, Pedro said:

Hey @Saul, I can bet which youtuber will love this ...

I can't imagine they will let Freddie anywhere near that.