Gilera
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| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle and Scooter |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Founder(s) | Giuseppe Gilera |
| Headquarters | Pontedera, Italy |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Parent | Piaggio |
| Website | Gilera.com |
Gilera is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded in Arcore in 1909 by Giuseppe Gilera. In 1969, the company was purchased by Piaggio.
History
In 1935, Gilera acquired rights to the Rondine four-cylinder engine. This formed the basis for Gilera' s racing machines for nearly forty years. From the mid-thirties, Gilera developed a range of four-stroke engine machines. The engines ranged from 100 to 500 cc, the most famous being the 1939 Saturno. Designed by Giuseppe Salmaggi, the Saturno was inspired by the pre-war Gilera VTEGS 500cc “Otto Bulloni” yet was quite different due to its unit construction.[1]
In 1969, Gilera became part of the Piaggio group.
In 1992, Gilera made a return to the Grand Prix arena and Piaggio continues to produce small-displacement motorcycles with the Gilera name. The famous factory of Arcore was closed in 1993 and now the motorcycles (only scooters) bearing the name Gilera are produced by Piaggio in Pontedera.
Racing history
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (December 2012) |
After World War II, Gilera dominated Grand Prix motorcycle racing, winning the 500 cc road racing world championship six times in eight years.[citation needed] Facing a downturn in motorcycle sales due to the increase in the popularity of automobiles after the war, Gilera made a gentleman's agreement with the other Italian motorcycle makers to quit Grand Prix racing after the 1957 season as a cost-cutting measure.
European championships
| Year | Class | Rider |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 500cc |  Dorino Serafini |
MotoGP World Championship
Gilera won the following World Titles:
| Year | Class | Rider |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 500cc |  Umberto Masetti |
| 1952 | 500cc | Umberto Masetti |
| 1953 | 500cc |  Geoff Duke |
| 1954 | 500cc | Geoff Duke |
| 1955 | 500cc | Geoff Duke |
| 1957 | 500cc | Libero Liberati |
| Year | Class | Rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 250cc | Marco Simoncelli |
| Year | Class | Rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 125cc |  Manuel Poggiali |
MotoGP World Constructors champions
- 500 cc class
- 1952, 1953, 1955, 1957
Isle of Man Tourist Trophy
- 350 cc class
| Year | Champion | Class | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 Isle of Man TT | Bob McIntyre |
Class 350 cc |
- 500 cc class
| Year | Champion | Class | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 Isle of Man TT | Geoff Duke |
Class 500 cc | |
| 1957 Isle of Man TT | Bob McIntyre |
Class 500 cc |
Motorcycle models
Historic product
- Saturno
Modern product
- Citta (moped)
- Cougar
- DNA
- Fuoco or MP3 (a revolutionary maxi-scooter with double front wheels and innovative suspension system.)
- GFR
- GP800
- Ice
- Nexus
- Nordwest
- Runner
- Saturno
- Stalker (also known as SKP)
- Storm
- RCR
- SMT
- CX
- MXR
Gilera SMT
The Gilera SMT is a cross moped "for the big city". It is a supermotard which means it is an offroad moped fit for the big city, but can also handle bumpy roads. It has 17-inch rims with broad tires, six gears and a 50 cc engine producing 8.5 hp (6.3 kW).
References
- ^ James Adam Bolton (February 2011). "The Gilera Saturno". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gilera motorcycles |
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