Russia's motorcycle industry has a long and fascinating history, marked by innovation, adaptation, and resilience. From pioneering manufacturers in the Russian Empire to Soviet-era giants and modern-day producers, Russian motorcycle brands have left their mark on the world of two-wheeled transportation.
Early Pioneers: Alexander Leutner & Co.
- Alexander Leutner & Co., based in Riga, was a pioneer in both bicycle and motorcycle manufacturing in the Russian Empire, according to WebBikeWorld.
- The company produced bicycles under the brand name "Rossiya" and motorized bicycles/motorcycles under the name "Rossiya/Fafnir."
IMZ-Ural: Sidecar Specialists
- IMZ-Ural is perhaps the most well-known Russian motorcycle brand, specializing in heavy-duty sidecar motorcycles.
- According to WebBikeWorld, Ural motorcycles are known for their two-wheel-drive models designed for challenging terrain, as well as the cT model suited for urban commuting and touring on paved roads.
- Ural motorcycles remain essential for transportation in areas of Russia with poor or nonexistent roads.
IZh (Lada Izhevsk): From Motorcycles to Automobiles
- IZh, now known as Lada Izhevsk, is a subsidiary of the car manufacturer AvtoVAZ.
- The first IZh motorcycle, the IZh 1, was a 1200cc V-twin with shaft drive, designed by Pyotr Vladimirovich Mokharov.
- In the 1970s and 1980s, IZh motorcycles were sold in Britain under the Cossack and Neval brands.
- WebBikeWorld reports that IZh was the largest Soviet motorcycle manufacturer. Motorcycle production ceased in 2008.
Moscow Motorcycle Plant: A History of Adaptation
- The Moscow Motorcycle Plant was established in 1941 to produce the M-72, a Soviet copy of the BMW R71.
- During the German invasion, the plant was relocated to Irbit in the Ural region, becoming the Irbit Motorcycle Factory.
- After the war, the Moscow plant was re-established to manufacture the M-1A Moskva, based on the DKW RT 125.
- In 1951, the plant was moved to Minsk, Byelorussia, and renamed Minsk Motovelo Zavod.
NATI and Podolsk Mechanical Plant
- NATI manufactured motorcycles from 1931 to 1933, including the NATI-A-750 designed by Pyotr Mozharov.
- Production was later transferred to the Podolsk Mechanical Plant.
- The Podolsk factory, originally a Singer sewing machine factory, began producing motorcycles in 1934.
- In 1935, the plant started series production of the PMZ-A-750, designed by Mozharov for the Soviet Army.
TIZ and TMZ: Wartime Relocation
- TIZ was another motorcycle manufacturer in the Soviet Union.
- During the German invasion, the plant was moved to Tyumen in the Ural region and renamed TMZ.
Velomotors: Modern-Day Manufacturer
- Velomotors, founded in 1996, is a Russian manufacturer of bicycles, motor scooters, and ATVs.
- The company produces the Stels brand of bicycles and scooters.
- Velomotors has a manufacturing agreement with Asian companies Buyang, Kazuma, and Dinli.
- In 2007, the company produced 987,000 units, including Stels bikes and scooters, generating 2.8 billion rubles in revenue.
Voskhod: A Popular Choice
- Voskhod motorcycles were produced at the Degtyarev plant in Kovrov starting in 1965.
- All Voskhod motorcycles had a displacement of 175 cm³.
- In the UK, Voskhod motorcycles were marketed under the Cossack brand.
The history of Russian motorcycle manufacturing reflects the country's industrial development and its people's need for reliable transportation. While some brands are no longer in production, others continue to evolve and serve the needs of riders both in Russia and around the world.
