Garelli Motorcycles is an Italian moped

Moped

Mopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...

, and motorcycle

Motorcycle

A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...

 manufacturer. It was founded in 1919 by Alberto Garelli.

At age 22, Adalberto Garelli received a degree in engineering and dedicated his work to developing and perfecting the 2-stroke engine for Fiat. Garelli quit in 1911 due to Fiat's lack of enthusiasm for the 2-stroke engine. He continued his own engine design between 1911 and 1914 which resulted in the 350 cc split-single. 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.

In 1919, Garelli constructed a 350 cc motorcycle which set a long distance record from Milan

Milan

Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...

 to Naples

Naples

Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...

. Rider Ettore Girardi covered the 840 kilometers with an average of 38.29 kilometre per hour. Many famous Italian racers such as Ernesto Gnesa, Tazio Nuvolari

Tazio Nuvolari

Tazio Giorgio Nuvolari was an Italian motorcycle and racecar driver, known as Il Mantovano Volante or Nivola. He was the 1932 European Champion in Grand Prix motor racing...

 and Achille Varzi

Achille Varzi

Achille Varzi , was an Italian Grand Prix driver.-Career:Born in Galliate, province of Novara , Achille Varzi was the son of a prosperous textile manufacturer...

 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.

In the early 1980s, Garelli dominated the 125 class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing

Grand Prix motorcycle racing

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...

 winning six consecutive world championships between 1982

1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season

The 1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 34th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Italian Franco Uncini on the Roberto Gallina backed Suzuki took a well-earned championship in the 500cc class. Yamaha introduced a new V4 bike for Kenny Roberts but suffered from...

 and 1987

1987 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season

The 1987 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 39th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Wayne Gardner became Australia's first-ever 500cc World Champion in a season that saw him score points in every Grand Prix. Randy Mamola would finish second yet again, one point...

.

Models

Tiger Cross/Tiger Cub (5 speed, capable of 58 mph)

Rekord (5 speed, capable of 58 mph)

These models could carry 2 people and with one person could reach a speed of 58 mi/h, unheard of before or since for a moped. However, continuous use at high speeds meant very limited engine life expectancy. They have been very popular in Europe, especially UK in the late 1960s and 70's, during the new motorcycle craze. Since it had pedal arms and pedals connected to a crank, it was classified as a moped and it could be legally ridden by a 16-year-old. These pedals, although operational, were functionally useless. It was just a loophole in the law for 16-year-olds to ride the next best thing to a motorcycle.

Also a few more models such as super sport xl was very popular model came with a noi 1 speed moter,as well as cobra,mk,and a ton of others

Garelli is one of the highest selling mopeds in the world due to superior quality and designs.

External links

• http://www.garelli.com/ (requires Flash Player to view)