Garelli Motorcycles

Garelli

Type	Joint-stock company
Industry	Motorcycle
Founded	1919
Founder	Adalberto Garelli
Headquarters	Italy
Key people	Sesto San Giovanni, CEO
Products	Motorcycles & Scooters
Website	www.garelli.com

Garelli Capri 1968

Garelli Motorcycles was an Italian moped and motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1919 by Alberto Garelli.

History

At age 22, Adalberto Garelli received a degree in engineering and dedicated his work to developing and perfecting the two-stroke engine for Fiat. Garelli quit in 1911 due to Fiat's lack of enthusiasm for the two-stroke engine. He continued his own engine design between 1911 and 1914 which resulted in the 350 cc split-single cylinder engine. Garelli worked for other motorcycle manufacturers from 1914 to 1918 during which time he won a competition organized by the Italian Army to design a motorcycle with which he used his 350 cc split-single engine.

Garelli Cross 1968

Garelli City Bike 1972.

In 1919, Garelli constructed a 350 cc motorcycle which set a long distance record from Milan to Naples. Rider Ettore Girardi covered the 840 km (520 mi) with an average of 38.29 km/h (24 mph). Many famous Italian racers such as Ernesto Gnesa, Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi began their racing careers on Garelli bikes. The Garelli 350 cc split-single stayed in production until 1926 and made a major impact in racing. The company also produced motorcycles for the Italian military. After World War II, Garelli concentrated on producing smaller bikes and mopeds for the European market.

Racing history

1968 Garelli Racer 01

In the early 1980s, Garelli dominated the 125 class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing winning six consecutive world championships between 1982 and 1987.

MotoGP World Championship

Garelli won the following World Titles:

• 125 cc class; :

Year	Champion	Motorcycle
1982	Ángel Nieto
1983	Ángel Nieto
1984	Ángel Nieto
1985	Fausto Gresini
1986	Luca Cadalora
1987	Fausto Gresini

MotoGP World Constructors champions

• 125 cc class
  • 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

See also

• List of Italian companies
• List of motorcycle manufacturers