If you've been to Italy or just seen photos of city streets, you've probably noticed how much Italians love scooters. Two brands are responsible for this - Vespa and Lambretta. The first has existed from 1946 to the present day, and the second appeared in 1947 and ceased to exist in 1972. This did not stop him from remaining a cult for decades to come - among the star fans of “Lambretta” are Cameron Diaz, David Rockefeller, Claudia Schiffer, Paul Newman and others.
Lambretta V125 Special Blue Mint
Today, Lambretta production is being re-established, and related brands are also being launched, such as Lambretta Clothing. Let's tell you how it happened.
Ducati
The most successful Italian motorcycle company.
It began its history, like most companies, not with the production of motorcycles, but subsequently succeeded quite well in this. It all started in 1926. The Ducati brothers founded a company in the Italian city of Bologna for the creation and repair of various radio equipment. By 1939, the Ducati brothers' plant employed about 7 thousand workers. But with the beginning of the war, the company’s production was difficult. They produced radio equipment and sights for the army. The first thought about creating a motorcycle production arose in 1944, when the then famous engineer Farinelli created a motor for a bicycle. The crisis of the Ducati brothers' company made us think about new production. The failure of the idea prompted the company to redirect the organization to create auxiliary engines for bicycles. Thus, more than fifty years ago the company began producing motorcycles. Already in the 50th year, the Ducati-55 came off the assembly line. This was the first complete, full-fledged moped.
After that, the company went through a lot of trial and error, bringing something new to its units. Improvements in technology have brought the company to the global level. Equipment was exported to different parts of the world. On the world sports scene, Ducati motorcycles have occupied the highest places.
The bikes produced at the factory are designed exclusively for fast riding. Many athletes participate in various kinds of competitions even without modifying the basic systems and structural elements of motorcycles. Since 2001, the company has been actively involved in the production of off-road bikes.
The company's success, won for more than a decade, allows us to organize the sale of a new release even before leaving the assembly line. Beautiful design and high power ratings make Ducati motorcycles one of the most unique bikes in the world, like the Ferrari of cars. Italian motorcycles, all models of which can be found in most countries of the world, have long established themselves as the most beautiful and durable units that can withstand heavy engine load.
How did Lambretta scooters appear?
In 1922, Ferdinando Innocenti built a rolling mill in Rome, and in 1931 he moved his business to Milan, where he expanded and increased the number of employees to 6,000. During World War II, the plant was badly damaged, and Innocenti saw potential in transport that would help with the short-lived light transportation - as an alternative to a motorcycle. Inspired by the American Cushman scooters, Innocenti founded the Innocenti company and developed the Lambretta scooter. More precisely, at his request, it was done by the engineer Corradino d'Ascanio, who hated motorcycles and made many changes to the traditional design.
Lambretta 125 LC (1950)
MV Agusta
The second successful Italian company, which also did not originate from the production of motorcycles. Until 1943, the plant was actively engaged in the production of heavy metallurgy, until it suffered an economic downturn during wartime. Then, by the end of 1945, the owner of the company came up with the idea of parallel development of motorcycle production. The main goal was to create a lightweight motorcycle.
The first bike released by the company immediately made headlines. This moped with a 98 cc engine and a two-speed gearbox was called, oddly enough, Vespa. The owner of the company, Domenico, liked this word, which translated meant “wasp.”
After liberation from fascist tyranny, Italian love for motorcycle racing returned, and MV Agusta became an integral part of motorsport. Their fast and beautiful motorcycles were popular both on the track and in everyday life. Already in 1948, the first racing unit was created, which received the name of the city Veghera. The first factory for the production of motorcycles was created there. With its 126 cc. the engine produced 8 horsepower and accelerated to 115 km/h. For that time these were very significant figures.
At the moment, the company has become world famous and has won world-class sports competitions more than once. Many famous designers, including Daniele Peligra, take part in creating the appearance of motorcycles.
Success in Italy and abroad
The first model, Lambretta 125 M (A Model), was produced from October 1947 to October 1948. The volume is 125cc and three gears with a foot shift - the first and last time such a mechanism was used on a Lambretta scooter. Then came the 125 B, which corrected the shortcomings of the first, as well as the 125 C, a faster, sportier version. But the scooter came closer to its modern look in 1952 with the release of the Lambretta 125 LC - a more ergonomic design, reliable operation in cold weather, comfortable handles and much more. It began the mass distribution of Lambretta around the world.
Lambretta Innocenti Li125 Special Metallic Blue
In Brazil, Lambretta scooters have gained such popularity that they have become a household name - like a “copier” for office equipment in Russia. But from an economic point of view, India was the most important. Poor infrastructure, not ready for personal cars, needed fast and easy transport - and Innocenti took notice. Automobile Products of India (API) began producing Lambretta scooters under license.
Other brands of Italian manufacturers
Italian motorcycles, whose brands have become famous throughout the world, are not limited only to the production of Ducati or MV Agusta. There are no less popular lines, such as Aprilia, Benelli, Morini and others. Yes, their popularity is not as widespread as that of the above models, but they are serious competitors even for the Japanese motorcycle industry.
For many motorcyclists, buying an Italian bike is a dream. Therefore, if you have the budget to purchase such a unit, feel free to choose Italian equipment. Such a bike will not only make you stand out on public roads, but will also leave only the most positive impressions during operation.
Cafe racers motorcycles
Aprilia began its history as a manufacturer of scooters, but is now better known as a manufacturer of racing motorcycles. Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer, one of the seven brands owned by Piaggio.
Decline, closure and rebirth
In the 60s, demand for scooters fell - people from wealthy European countries were able to afford their own cars, which affected Innocenti's financial status. As a result, the British automaker British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC) took advantage of the situation and helped the Italian company in exchange for production capacity, which was used for the cars. The license for Lambretta scooters was purchased by the state-owned Indian company Scooters India Ltd in 1972. (SIL).
The Indians effectively used the license in the early 80s, when about 35 thousand units of scooters were produced in 80-81. However, by 1987, production per year had dropped to 4.5 thousand, and was finally stopped in 1997. As of 2021 Scooters India Ltd. is engaged in the production of spare parts for a range of Lambretta scooters.
In recent years, the company that has been most involved with the brand is Innocenti SA, also known as Lambretta Consortium. It is based in Switzerland and owns the international brand Lambretta. It was thanks to her efforts that production of the Lambretta V-Special model was resumed in Italy, and plans to release an electric scooter were announced in 2021.
What's the difference between the 2017-18 TM 250-FI and the 2021 model?
Since TM Racing Italy does not publish information about technical changes to its new motorcycles, I had to do my own detective work. We know that former TM Racing 250 Grand Prix rider Samuele Bernardini raced and developed the TM MX250FI for three years. The engine in the 2019 MX250FI production motorcycle is an exact copy of the Bernardini engine. It's clear that TM Racing is in no rush to get the project into production, with insiders reporting that the research and development of the all-new twin-tube MX250FI has been the longest in TM's history.
TM MX250FI 2019
Ducati motorcycles
The most famous manufacturer in the country, whose products are successfully sold throughout the world. The bright red color has long been Ducati’s calling card, although all models have long been offered to customers in a wide range of colors. The company produces a wide variety of motorcycles, but its series of evil street fighters, the Monster series, brought it worldwide fame. Ducati bikes are equipped with non-standard L-shaped engines with desmodromic valve drive , and thanks to their noisy engines, they received the apt nickname “rattles” in Russia.
Changes to the 2021 MX250FI engine?
Visually, what is most striking is that TM Racing Motorcycles seems to have copied the engine from the MotoGP3 racing series. The top end of the MX250FI is very reminiscent of the MotoGP3 motors, while the bottom end looks like a modified one from the 2021 motocross motor. When we removed the valve cover from the 2021 TM MX250FI engine, we saw that the cams were completely different. The camshaft was mounted much lower in the cylinder head, providing a lower center of gravity and also strengthening the overall design.
The most amazing thing is that the camshafts are driven simultaneously by gears and a chain, which is shorter than usual. The chain rotates one gear, which in turn rotates the camshaft gears.
This design has two advantages:
- valve clearances are adjusted without removing the chain,
- the chain will not be able to jump, as happened on earlier models.
The only downside to this design is increased noise from the gears, but in the general cacophony of noise emanating from the disgusting air intake, this is not a problem.
It is not difficult to notice two exhaust pipes and two mufflers. It looks like TM Racing is copying the twin-tube engine idea of the 2021 Honda CRF250, but new engines aren't coming at the snap of a finger. It's obvious that TM has been working on this for several years, probably with MotoGP3 in mind. What are Honda and TM trying to achieve by complicating the design and increasing the weight of the motorcycle? Like the Honda CRF250, the TM pulls poorly at low and mid-range speeds and produces all its power at 14,000 rpm.
Pros and cons of Italian motorcycles
Advantages
- Unique style - this motorcycle immediately stands out in city traffic;
- High quality;
- Wide selection , from sportbikes and cruisers to naked bikes and touring enduros.
Flaws
- High cost of maintenance
- Difficulties finding spare parts and consumables
- There is little tuning , but it is expensive
- Selling a used Italian bike in Russia is very difficult
Motorcycles Moto Guzzi
The oldest manufacturer of motorcycle equipment in all of Europe, continuously operating since its inception. The company specializes in producing incredibly stylish bikes of various classes , mainly road bikes and cruisers. The most famous model of this brand can be called the California cruiser, produced in one form or another since 1971. The current generation California is equipped with a powerful 1400 cc transverse V-twin, and this model looks simply gorgeous. True, some Italian motorcycles produced under this brand are famous for oil leaks and other minor defects, but this no longer applies to modern models.
