BMW

BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand of the German company BMW, part of the Corporate and Brand Development division. The current Director General of the unit is Hendrik von Kuenheim. BMW Motorrad motorcycles produced since 1923 and revenues for 2009 were € 1,069 million from the sale of 87 306 motorcycles, a drop in the figures for 2008 of € 1,230 million from the sale of 101,685 motorcycles. In May 2011, the 2,000,000 th motorcycle produced by BMW Motorrad was a R1200GS.

BMW History

The company began as an aircraft engine manufacturer in the early 20th Century and the First World War, BMW produced by his first motorcycle in 1923, the R32, which presented a boxer boxer engine. BMW Motorrad still with boxer boxer configuration, but now manufactures motorcycles with a variety of engine configurations.

BMW Current Production

All BMW Motorrad motorcycle production at its plant in Berlin, Germany instead, although some engines are manufactured in Austria, China and Taiwan. Most of the current motorcycles BMW Motorrad range were by David Robb, the chief designer of the company from 1993 until 2012, when he conceived replaced by Edgar Henry.

BMW Motorrad produced 82,631 motorcycles in 2009, compared with 104 220 in 2008, a decrease of 20.7% The most popular model is the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure its sibling, the 24 467 units sold-a share of 28% of the annual production of BMW. Current production includes a variety of shaft, chain and belt driven models with engines from 650 cc to 1649 cc, and models for off-road, multi-purpose sports and hiking activities. In 2008, the BMW HP2 Sport DOHC Boxer led, and entered the serious off-road competition motorcycle market with the release of the BMW G450X motorcycle.

BMW Racing

BMW Motorrad regularly enters its motorcycles in the Dakar Rally, an annual car, truck, motorcycle and racing that goes from Europe to Africa and has riders such as Simon Pavey and motorcycling celebrity Charley Boorman presented. BMW Motorrad motorcycles have won the Dakar rally six times.

BMW Logo

In 2007, BMW Motorrad announced its entry to the 2009 Superbike World Championship season, where it's the BMW S1000RR racing. The 2009 season became known as Team Alpha BMW works team and includes Spaniard Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser Australians. In the 2010 season, Xaus and Corser were on the track team riding car from the BMW driver Andrew Pitt and Roland Resch joined, also riding the S1000RR.

Benelli

Benelli  - Founded in 1911, Benelli is one of the oldest Italian manufacturer of motorcycles. It once manufactured shotguns, although this part of the business is now a separate company. Benelli was established in Pesaro, Italy in 1911, possibly making it the oldest of all European Motorradfabrikenin operation. (. Moto Guzzi-the oldest work of the European motorcycle in continuous operation-Established in 1921) After losing her husband, Teresa Benelli widow the whole family capital invested in the business in the hope that he would provide steady work for six children : Giuseppe, Giovanni, Francesco, Filippo, Domenico and Antonio (" Tonino "). He also sent Giuseppe and Giovanni study art in Switzerland. Originally, the company had six employees, plus 5 brothers working (Tonino did not work because he was too young.)

At first it was just the Benelli Garage, which repaired bicycles and motorcycles, but it was able to produce all the necessary parts for repair. During World War II Benelli Festbefestigungsteilefür Italian machine worked during the war and in 1919 the first motorcycle was presented to the public. In 1920, the company built its first complete engine in the company, a two-stroke single-cylinder 75 cc model, immediately adapted to a bicycle frame. A year later in 1921, Benelli built its first motorcycle to become a 98 cc model with its own engine, which was until then.

Two years later, designed with a version specially designed for competitions, Tonino " the terrible " took the title. Showed an extraordinary talent as a pilot and embarked on a highly successful career, confirmed the exceptional performance of the company for the development and production. Riding a Benelli 175, Tonino Benelli won four Italian championship titles in five years : 1927, 1928 and 1930 single shaft cam (SOHC), version, and in 1931 with the two trees version camshafts (DOHC). Unfortunately, a bad crash during a race in 1932 cut short his brilliant career and 27 September 1937 Tonino died following a "dumb" traffic accident.

As World War II loomed the company Benelli debuted his bike four- cylinder supercharged 250cc race. This was intended to compete in the 1940 season, based on the success of the Benelli 1939 Isle of Man TT Lightweight 250 cc race. With the beginning of the war the Benelli Four was limited Italian domestic races to compete in a handful.

Beyond the Second World War

Destruction the war caused Benelli to remain out of production until 1949. War motorcycles are sold to be used by the Italian army not be adapted in order to start civilian motorcycles and income operations. When production is resumed, the designs are still largely based on the pre-war period. In 1949, Giuseppe Benelli left the family business, the brand Motobi found.

By 1951 Benelli was offering a range consisting of 98cc and 125cc lightweights (the Leoncino or lion cub) and 350cc and 500cc singles. The Leoncino was both two-stroke and four-stroke available. The need for cheap transport in post-war Italy meant that these lightweight models has been very successful. Similar models were offered by Moto Guzzi, Ducati and Laverda, and the same economic conditions led to the growth in popularity of Vespa and Lambretta scooters. In 1962, when Motobi was not in good financial condition, which was acquired by Benelli, and the combined company produced about 300 motorcycles per day and had 550 employees. Motobi designs in production continued under the name Benelli.

In 1969 introduced the Benelli Benelli Tornado 650, a vertical twin designed primarily for sale in the UK and the USA. The Tornado has a reputation for reliability and high performance despite its weight a bit strong at 480 pounds. Benelli claimed at the time of commissioning of the tornado was capable of 57 hp at 7400 rpm for a top speed of 117 miles per hour. The tornado (later Tornado S) was after 1974, when Benelli introduced a series of " multis " is set with Japanese triple and four compete.

Benelli Racing History

Tonino Benelli was the undisputed star of the early successes in the competition. With an exceptional talent for riding, he began a successful career that confirmed his exceptional technical expertise and innovation within the company. In the saddle of a Benelli 175, Tonino won the title of Italian Champion in 1927, 1928 and 1930 riding the SOHC version and in 1931 with the DOHC version. Numerous victories in the World Championship of Europe were the prelude to one of the most sought after successes of all motorcycle manufacturers Wanted: the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, at that time the most important race in the world.

In 1939, Ted Mellors was victorious, racing in the saddle of the Benelli 250th In 1950, Dario Ambrosini also won the 1950 Isle of Man TT, repeating Mellors success and dedicates his title by winning the World Cup and Italy. In the 1960s competed two exceptional riders in races : Tarquinio Provini, with the 250 in 1965, won the Italian championship and Renzo Pasolini who won the championship with the 250 and the 350 in 1968 and 1969. In 1969, the enormous effort has been invested in the competition with the 250 world title thanks to Kel Carruthers, who won in the same year again, the Tourist Trophy rewarded. Also mark the last World Cup for four- stroke motorcycle until the advent of the modern era of MotoGP in 2003. Many of the most famous drivers in the history of motorcycling went to Jarno Saarinen with Benelli bikes, from Mike Hailwood.

Benelli Renaissance

In 1989 there was the hope of a revival with the backing of Pesaro- producer Giancarlo Selci. But the time was not yet ripe for a real return. 1995 revival of the brand with the glorious history became a real possibility when Andrea Merloni took. The results were fast in coming with the launch of the Tornado 900 Tre super sport bike in 2002 and the current launch of the TNT, the roadster. The former World Superbike champions Australia Peter Goddard signed with Benelli in 2001 to accelerate the development of the Tornado Tre 900.

Benelli Logo

Benelli is now part of motor Group Qianjiang, which is a company in Wenling, Southeast China. Benelli Q.J. is in Pesaro where the previous owner on the basis of the facilities, keeping the whole workforce previously working at Benelli SpA.

Benelli

Aprilia

Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the brands Piaggio heard. Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has come to be known for its race -winning sport bikes. Twin Superbike, the RSV Mille and latest V4 -based RSV4-He is also known for its flagship 1000 cc V.

Aprilia was founded after the Second World War by Cavaliere Alberto Beggio, as a bicycle production factory in Noale, Italy, in the province of Venice. Alberto 's son, Ivano Beggio, took over the company in 1968 and built a " motorcycle " 50 cc with a dozen employees. The first production Aprilia mopeds were named Hummingbird, Daniela and packi. Aprilia later produced a motocross bike in 1970 called the Scarabeo. Produced by the end of the 1970s, the Scarabeo came in 50 and 125 cc versions.

1977 Ivan Alborghetti from Milan, Italy won the 125 and 250 cc Motocross World Championship Italian Aprilia. In 1978 Alborghetti closed the season with two third place finishes in the individual races and sixth place in the World Cup. In the 1980s Aprilia added enduro, trials and road bikes between 50 and 600 cc. In 1981, the Aprilia led TL320 trials machine. In 1983 started to Aprilia St 125 road bike. In 1984 Aprilia launched an improved model called STX and enduro, called the ET 50th

In 1985, Aprilia started outsourcing engines for some models to the Austrian company Rotax. In 1985 Aprilia launched a 125 STX and STX 350th In 1986 Aprilia launched the AF1, a small sports model, and the Tuareg, have a great bike for African rallies like the Dakar Rally. Philippe factory Aprilia Berlatier claims reach for world studies to fifth place, and Loris Reggiani rode an Aprilia GP 250 with Rotax engine to sixth place in the World Championship road race. Two seasons later, on 30 August 1987 at the Grand Prix of San Marino at Misano Loris Reggiani AF1 won the first World Cup speed.

In 1990 Aprilia launched the Pegaso 600, a road bike derived from the mechanical work. Later in 1992, Alessandro Gramigni Aprilia won the title of Straßenweltmeisterschaft125. Also in 1992, Tommy won Ahvala the World Cup Trials in Aprilia climber. Since then, Aprilia has 124 times won 125 Grand Prix and 250 cc class, 15 tracks Speed ??World Championships and 16 European speed titles. Many world champions started on Aprilia such as Biaggi, Capirossi, Gramigni, Locatelli, Sakata and Rossi.

Also in the 1990s in the Aprilia scooter market starting in 1990 with the first all-plastic scooter Italy, Amico. In 1992, the Aprilia Amico LK and twice Pegaso 125, both with catalytic converters. In 1993 Aprilia launched a large diameter wheel scooter reusing the name Scarabeo with a four-stroke, four-valve engine. Later Aprilia scooter launched more than Leonardo, the SR and the Gulliver.

In 1995, commissioned Philippe Starck Aprilia, Moto, design shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Also in 1995, the Aprilia RS 125 two-stroke and RS 250 sports bikes launched. In 1998 Aprilia launched what is its current flagship model the RSV Mille, a 1000cc V-twin Superbike, and the Falco, a 1000cc V-Twin Sporttourermit emphasis on sports. Both bikes used a variant of the 1000 cc engine Rotax.

In 1999 Aprilia entered World Superbike Championship racing with its RSV Mille, and acquired in 2000, Aprilia Moto-Guzzi and Laverda, both historic heritage Italian brands. In 2000, the 50cc Aprilia DiTech started (direct injection) two-stroke engine for scooters, high mileage and low emissions offers, and also the RST Futura a sports tourer and the ETV 1000 Caponord ; Tour Bicycle Adventures. Both the last two motorcycles used a variation of the Rotax 1000cc V Twin.

More recently, in 2003, launched Aprilia RSV Mille Tuono which essentially with motocross style high handlebars and only a small dome was an RSV Mille. Most of the major motorcycle magazines picked it for the best bike of the year. In 2004 Aprilia was acquired by Piaggio & C. SpA, motorcycle group, form the world's fourth largest with 1.5 million euros in sales, an annual production capacity of over 600,000 vehicles and a presence in 50 countries. With the acquisition by Piaggio, the newly appointed President of Aprilia is Roberto Colaninno (President of Piaggio & C) and the Managing Director is Rocco Sabelli. The founder, Ivano Beggio, is the honorary president. On 15 August 2010 Aprilia became the most successful motorcycle racing brand in history, surpassing Lands Italian MV Agusta 276 with a record victory

Aprilia Racing History

Despite the global comparison, a relatively small motorcycle company Aprilia is very active in the sport of motorcycle. Rejects many formulas road racing, including the FIM 125cc World Championship FIM 250cc World Championship, and the now-defunct FIM 500 cc World Championship. Between 2002 and 2004 took part in the FIM World Championship, and from 1999 to 2003 participated in the FIM Superbike World Championship. Aprilia World Superbike Championship for the 2009 season with Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano as a factory driver ride back the RSV4.

Aprilia MotoGP World Championship

Aprilia Racing has seen varying levels of success. They were successful in the smaller displacement categories, winning numerous races and championships in the 125 cc Grand Prix and 250 cc Grand Prix classes. But his 500cc motorcycle Grand Prix was less competitive, and their MotoGP effort, called RS Cube, was technically advanced but difficult to ride and performed poorly in the championship. The Cube has, however, have either not seen many advanced technologies, or are just now in other MotoGP bikes-technologies including walk in the throttle cable and drive systems pneumatic valves.
In the Superbike World Championship they were third in the championship in the 2,000 pilots with pilot Troy Corser, and third in manufacturers points and fourth in rider points both in season 2001 with Troy Corser and in 2002 with Noriyuki Haga. These were the highest water marks for that series. They used a homologation special version of their road bike the RSVR Mille. The motorcycle racing engine has been specially built by Cosworth.

In 2006 and 2007, partially, partly dominated the class of MotoGP 250, due to the ability of Jorge Lorenzo on the excellent quality of 250 motorcycles. Aprilia belong to the world of off-road racing with its 450 cc V-2 motocrosser producing respectable results (including race wins) in both off-road (Motocross) and (Supermoto) Categories highway.

The company has stressed somewhat atypical by the choice of engine configurations. For example, they preceded the development of a V-2 500 cc Grand Prix bike when other teams were moving to V-4 positions, some believed was better and more usable power outputs. Aprilia continued this trend, taking advantage of lighter minimum weights with the introduction of the RS Cube MotoGP motorcycle-with three inline triple layout, the bike had the least number of cylinders in the Grand Prix paddock. Yamaha had previously gone with a four- cylinder in-line design, while Suzuki and Ducati went (with different configurations) V-Four designs. Honda took the idea even further, producing the RC211V, won the championship, powered by a V-5th

The Aprilia RSA 125 also set the record for most points by a manufacturer in a single season earned in the 125cc class with 410 points in 2007.It was also the highest by a constructor in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing point earned, until 2011, when 420 points bikes were obtained with 16 of the 17 races of the same profit.

Aprilia

Aprilia Superbike World Championship (SBK)

In February 2008, he debuted an Aprilia Superbike V-4 RSV4 for the season Superbike World Championship 2009. The 26th September 2010, Aprilia won with Max Biaggi 2010 SBK World Championship. Max wins the WSBK bike is now for business drivers.