A popular brand of motorcycles in the Union was “Minsk”. The assembly of motorcycles under this brand was carried out by specialists from the Moscow Helicopter Plant OJSC Motovelo. The first copy of the motorcycle was born back in 1951. Today it is a private enterprise that assembles motorcycles of various categories - classic models, cross-country, enduro, street. On the roads there are old copies produced several decades ago. Today it is already more of a rarity, they want on the secondary market there are offers to buy the legendary Minsk motorcycles, but basically, their technical condition leaves much to be desired.
Finding a truly “living” specimen is a rather difficult task. At one time, “Minsk” made a lot of noise due to its good performance qualities. In addition, the same “Minsk-125” was much easier to get than “Ural” or “Voskhod”, plus it was cheaper. Due to its technical characteristics, it was used as the main means of transportation on the roads of the Union, and sometimes as a “workhorse” in the village.
There would be no happiness, but misfortune would help
The history of the “Minsk resident”, in fact, dates back to the distant year 1945. Just as the last battles on the fields of Europe died down, the allies began to divide fascist goods among themselves. As reparations, part of Germany's technical, industrial, and material reserves was exported to the USSR. This part includes mechanisms and technologies from the German DKW plant in the city of Czopau, or Zschopau. Based on the advanced motorcycle of this concern, it was decided to make our own, domestic, model of a two-wheeled companion.
About the origins of the Minsk brand
Let's go back in time, namely to 1951. Only 6 years have passed since the war. Soviet industry has just begun to recover. Military actions seriously slowed down the development of technology in the country. Therefore, in order to somehow compensate for technological losses, they were partially replaced with captured ones.
At the end of the war, documents from the DKW plant (Germany) reached the USSR. Based on the data obtained, the first motorcycle model was created. It completely copied the DKW RT 125. The good old German classic gave birth to a whole galaxy of beautiful motorcycles.
The Soviet model was called M1A. Initially it was produced in Moscow, but a decision was made to transfer further developments to Minsk.
MMVZ actively used German technology, complementing and improving it. More than 6 million units of motorcycle equipment were collected. The creations of Minsk masters were actively exported and visited 45 countries around the world.
Minsk motorcycle, popular not only in our country. Like other Soviet equipment, it was supplied to the countries of the socialist camp and states that actively collaborated with the USSR.
Climbing
In the same year, 1945, the Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant also began. They built, or rather rebuilt, it on the site of an old haberdashery factory for the production of buttons.
Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant
Slowly they began to import equipment and documentation from the DKW plant. But it was still very early to talk about the production of serious equipment. We started with a simple thing - with a bicycle.
Did you have a Minsk motorcycle?
NOT REALLY
In 1946, the production of bicycle parts began, and two years later the workshops were producing seven thousand finished copies per year. Moscow noticed the growing pace of the enterprise, so in 1951 it was decided to give them the task of producing a motorcycle, which in the future would become the well-known “Minsk” model.
Expert opinion
Isaac Yakovich Zelder
Soviet astrophysicist, physical chemist, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, designer, engineer. Hero of Socialist Labor of the USSR.
In the same year, the first model was released - the elegant and compact “M1A”. It was single-seat, had three gears and ran on A-66 gasoline. The nine-liter tank made it possible to travel up to 400 kilometers without refueling, at an average speed of 40-50 km/h. The maximum acceleration was possible until the mark on the speedometer was 70.
The people quickly fell in love with him and even dubbed him “Macaque”. Probably out of great love. However, someone was dissatisfied with its relatively low speed, although at that time such indicators were very good. Some people didn’t like only one seat, for the driver, because you can’t put your young lady in the back and drive off somewhere towards romance and adventure. But, in general, most of those who used it liked it.
Sports motorcycles Minsk
Over the long years of its history, the plant has produced many interesting models of not only road, but also sports motorcycles of various classes.
After the company became private in 2007, active development of enduro, cross-country and sports motorcycles began.
The first sports motorcycle appeared in 1956. For that time it had advanced technology. And although, in many respects, borrowings from German technology were still preserved, the designers of the Minsk plant seriously modernized it. Changes affected the suspension, frame and other components. The model was called Minsk M-201K.
Nowadays sports and off-road motorcycle models are also produced. An interesting example is the M1NSK RX 450 cross-country motorcycle. The engine here is a single-cylinder, four-stroke, with a volume of 450 cubic meters. Liquid cooling, power 54 hp. Tank volume – 11.5 l. The gearbox is 6-speed. Disc brakes. Weight – 110 kg.
Minsk, a motorcycle manufactured in 2013-2014 costs an average of 125 thousand rubles.
Of the off-road motorcycles, the following models are worth noting:
- M1NSK X 200;
- M1NSK ERX 250;
- M1NSK TRX 300i.
X 200 is a classic enduro, designed for both regular roads and rough terrain. There is a 200cc engine with a power of 15 hp at 7500 rpm. Air cooling. With a “dry” weight of 128 kg, this machine can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h.
The model appeared on the Belarusian market in 2010. And over the 4 years that the motorcycle has been on sale, it has not only become popular in the country, but has also been actively exported to many countries.
These are fairly affordable new Minsk motorcycles whose prices suit most potential buyers. To save money, some people buy them with low mileage.
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The 200 can be praised, but it can also be criticized. Especially in the latter, motorcyclists distinguished themselves, considering the production of Chinese motorcycles under the Belarusian brand unacceptable.
And they say this for a reason. In fact, the X200 is a redesign of the Loncin JL 200 GY-2C l (aka Zongshen LZX200 GY-2). Experts recommend immediately changing the air filter, chain and pendulum, and installing crankcase protection. If you like this Minsk motorcycle, you can buy a new one in excellent condition, with all documents, for about 2-3 thousand US dollars.
At first glance at the M1nsk r250 model, it’s hard to believe that this beauty was produced in Belarus. This is not surprising, because the author of the project belongs to the Megelli company. In Minsk it is produced “as is”, without simplifications and cheap spare parts.
The engine capacity of this motorcycle is 249 cm3. Power – 26 “horses” at 8500 rpm. Speed 145 km/h. Water cooling.
This modern and high-tech motorcycle Minsk price is 45 million Belarusian rubles (approximately 4500 US dollars).
An era of stability
Next model
In 1956, the Minsk plant produced a modernized version of the M1A - M1M. It had a softer ride than its predecessor, which is why in areas with many holes and potholes it could lose stability, which sometimes led to a fall.
Motorcycle M1A
This is one of the shortcomings. The advantages include an increased maximum load and speed, allowing the speedometer to approach the mark of 75 km/h. Also, electrical equipment was used on this motorcycle for the first time in the series. In general, that's all.
Model “M103”
The production of “M1M” lasted five years - from 1956 to 1961. The shift arrived in 1962. It became a generalization of many years of experience of the Minsk plant. The suspension was made stiffer so that riders would no longer fall on bad or simply uneven sections of the road. We changed the filters in the engine to more modern ones, which significantly increased its lifespan.
Motorcycle Minsk M-103
Load capacity and speed were left, in general, unchanged. Fans of the motorcycle were upset that the single-seater design of the device was also left unchanged. However, for this model it was supposed to be possible to purchase an additional seat for a passenger for an additional fee. But who needs it? It would be better if everything was equipped right away, at the factory, as it should be,” Soviet users were indignant.
Model “Minsk”
The next generation change occurred in 1964. Actually, this particular motorcycle had the word “Minsk” in its name; previous versions were called that by the people, for the sake of clarity and simplicity. Compared to its predecessors, it turned out to be more stylish, or something. When designing it, considerable attention was paid to appearance. Engine power also increased to 5.5 hp. And, lo and behold, for the first time on this model there was also room for a passenger.
New word. "M105".
This particular motorcycle can be considered an evolution in the development of this series. A four-speed gearbox was used for the first time. Engine power increased to a respectable 7 hp, which made it possible to reach a speed of 80 km/h. Also, for the first time, a brake light was installed to increase road safety, and a light bulb was attached to the speedometer for illumination. Production lasted until 1971.
Now also with a trunk. “M106”
In addition to the rear trailer for payloads, the tank volume has also increased - 12 liters. And the engine power had now increased to 9 hp, and now the motorcycle could accelerate to a speed of 85 km per hour. The weight of the car was now exactly a hundredweight.
Hipster. “MMVZ-3.111”
Having replaced the previous model in 1973, MMVZ-3.111 stood out for its modern and fashionable appearance. The speed increased to a respectable 95 km/h. A light switch for high and low beams, as well as a direction indicator, appeared.
Motorcycle Minsk MMVZ 3.111
This motorcycle received the “USSR Quality Mark”. A “Sport” model was also released, which had a 12 hp engine.
Cosmetic changes. “MMVZ-3.115”
As the name suggests, no special innovations were introduced. Only the speedometer and switch were moved into separate housings, and a new muffler and headlights were installed. Year of manufacture: from 1976 to 1980.
Logical progress. “MMVZ-3.112”
Expert opinion
Isaac Yakovich Zelder
Soviet astrophysicist, physical chemist, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, designer, engineer. Hero of Socialist Labor of the USSR.
Yes, this is not a mistake, the next model had a smaller number in its name than the previous one. Some factory marking features.
This motorcycle was externally similar to its predecessor, but was superior to it in a number of parameters. He “lost” the weight by 7 kg, while increasing the load capacity by 10. He became more comfortable to ride. The speed remained the same, but the engine power was now a confident 12 hp. Produced from 1980 to 1995. A number of modifications were made, which were mainly intended for rural areas.
Motorcycles Minsk 125 cm3
The class up to 125 cm3 is still popular. For both road and sports models. The Minsk plant was no exception.
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MMVZ-3.112 is one of the brightest representatives. It was modernized many times until the 90s.
Of the more modern models, we can recall the relatively new motorcycle Minsk MMVZ-3.113. The first models rolled off the assembly line in 1995. There were several modernizations, the last one in 2006. After another update and rebranding of the company, the motorcycle became known as M1NSK C 125.
Motorcycle Minsk characteristics (for C125):
- Engine – 125 cm3, single-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled.
- Gearbox – 4-speed.
- Brakes - drum.
- Maximum speed – 90 km/h.
- Weight – 120 kg.
- Tank volume – 11 l.
- Fuel consumption is 3.5 liters per 100 km.
If you have already decided to buy a Minsk C125 motorcycle, then it is better for you to thoroughly study its capabilities.
