Baghira Questions

[Earthpilot]

Forum newbie here, potential MZ owner with questions. First let me say I have 7 bikes in my garage, I don't NEED another one ( Duc's , Aprilia, BMW.Honda..) but I have a friend that bought a Baghira with 17' wheels and it's a hoot to ride. I am considering buying a Baghira (18/21" wheels) simply because a local dealer has made me an offer on one he has left that is a "good deal" (below 5K drive out)
My questions or observations are :
1. the seat SUCKS..does anyone have anything better ? I don't want to hear that it's "ok" for a hundred miles because thats just warming up for me. It's not the foam as much as the shape and width - it's almost as narrow as my Honda CRF450 MX'er.
2. Do the stock rims (18" / 21") hold up to moderate offroad use? I have a BMW F650 that had rims made of putty, I bent/destroyed them the first month I had the bike, and not from jumping over anything other than an occasional log,curb etc.
3. Does the "hardware" hold up decent (such as fasteners, connectors, etc?)
Last Question: Does anyone experience any overheating problems? The radiator appears small and living in Texas this is a concern.
Thanks for any advice or input, and thanks for hosting this forum.

[gedge]

I probably haven't owned mine long enough to comment as its only just 'run in'. However , so far it seems pretty robust and all the reports suggest that it stays that way. I agree 100 % about the seat.. I have just acquired a second hand seat unit which I am having reshaped etc...
The main problem is that it runs down to the tank too much and when you grab a handful of brake it slides you forward this adds to the pain of the foam... As you say 100 miles isn't really enough and if you ask me it is the bikes one failing....Still they are huge fun so go and get it!!

[Earthpilot]

I can see where shaving/working with the foam would help some and using some type of "gripper" material to help the "sliding forward" issue.
One other question I forgot to ask:
Does anyone here have experience with riding these bikes at higher altitudes? I go to Colorado several times a year and re-jetting twin carbs isn't very appealing, the F650 has fuel injection and doesn't miss a beat -
anyone care to comment?
Thanks again!

[DEmark]

Welcome Earthpilot, I have a 2003 Baghira Enduro and can comment on these issues. I got my bike last fall and have put 11,000k on it. The stock seat is real bad- here is a picture of the Russell Day long saddle I had built for my bike.

It's expensive, butt ugly, and takes a long time for them to make, however, now I can ride 500 miles a day, day after day, in comfort. In my opinion, it was well worth the money.

I have been unsucessful in denting the rims, however, I did manage to break four spokes in the rear wheel jumping it down at the local riding pit. I've had a spoke set on order for about three months now, I guess they are coming from Germany.

I haven't rode it at altitude yet, however I have rode my MZ Skorpion (same motor) at 10,000' in the Sierra Madre without any jetting changes. There was a significant loss of power but no fouling of sparkplugs.

One thing for sure, the Baghira is a far better bike than any of the BMW 650s, you couldn't give me one of them.....

[phlat65]

the seat debate goes on.. IMHO, the seat needs to flatter, it puts too much pressure on the tailbone, and crotch W/O support in the middle. I think I am going to add foam in the front, and cut the rear down to make it flatter without adding too much width. I have done 10hr days on my RM with out the same problems, and the seat on it is pretty flat. If I was touring, I would copy the BMW 650 seat, But I treat my bike like a supermoto, and need to move around on the seat alot....