In addition to the immortal “vejtrakska”, the off-road truck V3S, the Czech car manufacturer Praga is known mainly for the production of sports cars and super sports, such as the R1R models or, more recently, the Bohema. However, in its many years of history, it also has a handful of motorcycles – and it is these that it is now returning to, at least for a while.
It introduced a retro “naked” called the ZS 800, which is a reference to the former BD 500 model from 1928. The new “eight-wheel” combines a number of demanding production processes with the use of top-quality materials, but at the same time, according to the company, it retains its character and, to a large extent, design details of its spiritual predecessor.
In terms of technology, the ZS 800 is modern to the core. It has a chrome-molybdenum steel frame, of which the fuel tank is a supporting part, and carbon wheels with hand-split carbon. It takes 75 hours of work to make one bike. Despite this, there are drum brakes, which according to the manufacturer should be sufficient.
The front swingarm hides an adjustable Öhlins suspension with a titanium spring, the exhaust is made of the same material. It weighs only 4.8 kg and some of its elements were created using 3D printing.
“Strong and maximally lightweight materials such as carbon, titanium, chrome-molybdenum steel and aviation duralumin allowed us to recreate the unsprung suspension of the rear wheel, front rocker fork, duralumin bearing tank and hydraulic drum brakes,” says chief designer Jan Žuži.
The machine has an operating weight with all fillings of only 158 kg and its weight is distributed in an ideal ratio of 50:50. The air-cooled four-stroke inline two-cylinder with a volume of 773 cc produces 50 hp and 65 Nm. Parameters such as acceleration, top speed or fuel consumption have not been published by Praga, but at least the latter is not very important for a machine for pleasure.
There will be only 28 pieces at a price of 86 thousand euros (2.05 million crowns) without taxes for one. It is possible to order now, the first pieces will reach customers in the second half of this year.
The Czech car manufacturer Praga presented the new Bohema sports car. It’s radical, but it’s allowed on the road
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