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.
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
Changes to the 2022 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, and the bottom part looks like a modified one from the 2022 motocross motor. When we removed the valve cover from the 2022 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 2022 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.
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.
What's the difference between the 2017-18 TM 250-FI and the 2022 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
Motorcycles MV Agusta
Many motorcyclists consider MV Agusta products to be the standard of style in the field of naked bikes and streetfighters , and it is very difficult to argue with this statement. One look at any representative of the model range, for example, from the Brutale series, immediately dispels all doubts - the best designers in the world work for this company. But these Italian motorcycles not only look like perfection embodied in metal and plastic, they also ride in a way that few can keep up with. The company also owns the Cagiva brand, which specializes mainly in the production of off-road motorcycles aimed at professional athletes.
Generalscooter
Friends, autumn is a wonderful time and we are holding a promotion for Italian maxiscooters purchased at Japanese auctions!
The Italian maxiscooter is a transport characterized by mobility, dynamism and extravagance!!! It plays the role of both a worker and a transport for long-distance travel. A low frame, a variator, an engine attached to a metal pendulum arm, a 4-stroke engine - the maxiscooter took all this from a regular motorcycle and scooter.
Dear friends, despite the sharply increased dollar exchange rate and the increase in Japanese prices at auctions, we are returning to the previous exchange rate and selling equipment at 25-35%, CHEAPER than now ordering from Japan.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the range of available European scooters:
- It is for connoisseurs of vintage technology that we have models such as the Aprilia Scarabeo 250/400
It is equipped with modern liquid-cooled injection engines with four-valve cylinder heads. 16 wheels, handling, standard saddlebags, ground clearance, and of course, great design - this is the personification of this model. The device is one of the Piaggio concern and therefore is very similar to the legendary Vespa scooters, but at the same time much cheaper! For those who want to get to know this iconic model in more detail, see our review
- And for those who like a combination of styles, we offer Piaggio Beverly 250 .
Engine: 244 cm3 4-stroke 22 hp (16.18 kW) Max. speed: 125 km/h Weight: 149 kg. A stylish, well-thought-out scooter from the 2000s. Like real cognac, it only gets better with age.
- GILERA NEXUS 500 , GILERA GP 800 – these models represent speed and thrill.
Gilera Nexus 500 : engine displacement (cm3) – 460, maximum power – 40.12/7500, maximum torque – (Nm at rpm) 43/5500, number of cylinders – 1, number of valves per cylinder – 4, number of strokes – 4. Instrument panel with analogue and electronic instruments: includes an on-board computer with many interesting functions such as maximum speed and fuel consumption. Maneuverable maxi-scooter with graceful curves. By the way, at the moment we are selling an anniversary version with the last year of production, essentially a museum exhibit for motorcycle lovers in first-class condition.
Gilera Nexus 500 is the most compact and powerful urban maxi scooter in the world!
GILERA GP 800 : engine capacity - 798 cc, fuel tank capacity - 18.5 liters, maximum power (hp) - 75 hp (55.1 kW) / 7250 rpm. Has liquid cooling. The only maxi-scooter in the world that leaves behind not only any maxi-scooter, but powerful motorcycles with a large engine capacity. On the Giler GP800 you can not only move quickly and comfortably in the city, but also on the highway, because the device easily accelerates to 200 km/h
WANT A GEARLESS MOTORCYCLE WITH GREAT POWER?
Forget about Honda NC700 automatic!!! We present to your attention the world's first production motorcycle Aprilia Mana 850 with automatic transmission!!! The power unit is completely identical to the Gilera GP800, but there are more settings for gambling. Also, the device has a large trunk instead of a tank, which is located under the seat. The device is one of the undervalued motorcycles on the Russian market.
Also, we have in stock an excellent Gilera Runner ST200 - a legendary scooter with a large internal combustion engine for this class, it easily beats its Japanese competitors Honda PCX150 Yamaha N-max 150 , while being cheaper and made according to European quality standards of the 2000s
If you are interested in our offers, follow the link, carefully read our offers, and choose the right model for yourself.
I would like to note that we can bring maxi scooters from Japan, according to your special orders and requirements.
In addition, we also repair and maintain your Italian transport in proper condition. Large warehouse of consumables for this model
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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.
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.
Yamaha Vino
Vino was created in the same way as Giorno. This nineties scooter, modern in characteristics, has been endowed with a classic design. The round headlight, streamlined shapes, smooth lines and analog instruments did their job - the Yamaha Vino turned out to be beautiful and fast.
Its maximum speed can reach 80-85 km/h, and this has made the single-seater “baby”, similar to a scooter from the past, a real king of the roads.
Suzuki Verde
Suzuki Verde is a fairly inexpensive Japanese scooter that can be purchased for only 25-30 thousand rubles. It looks like a classic single-seater scooter. Lovers of everything vintage will certainly appreciate its laconic, classically finished design.
A round headlight in a chrome ring, classic turn signals and a flashlight, rounded fenders and a fairing - all this allows you to almost tangibly touch a bygone era. Scooter fans can enjoy not only riding the Verde, but also simply contemplating the model's elegant shape.
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- Author: Diman Petrov
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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)
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 2022, 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 were announced to release an electric scooter in 2022.
