Laverda Motorcycles History

The history of Laverda motorcycles is an impressive example of Italian design and engineering, and it begins in the middle of the 20th century. Laverda S.A.S was founded in 1949 by Francesco Laverda and his two sons Massimo and Piero in Breganze, Italy. The company originally manufactured agricultural machinery, in particular combine harvesters and tractors.

Laverda's first motorcycle, the 75cc, was introduced in 1950 to meet the needs of post-war Italians for inexpensive transportation. Over the years, however, the company quickly evolved from the lightweight, economical models to the high-performance, sporty models for which it is known today.

The 1960s marked a turning point for Laverda with the introduction of the 650cc in 1966, a robust and reliable motorcycle that soon evolved into a 750cc model. These models were quickly recognized for their high quality, speed and reliability and put the company on the international stage.

This was followed in the 1970s by the legendary 1000cc three-cylinder models, which consolidated Laverda's dominance in the world of sports motorcycles. Models such as the 3C and the Jota achieved cult status and are still highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Laverda motorcycles were also successful in racing, especially in endurance races.

However, the 1980s were a difficult time for Laverda, marked by financial problems and changes in ownership. Production was halted in the meantime and only resumed in 1993 under the management of Francesco Tognon, an Italian entrepreneur.

This revival period saw the creation of new models such as the Ghost, Strike and the 750S Formula. These models represented a return to Laverda's core values - the production of high-performance, high-quality motorcycles.

But despite the efforts, Laverda could not overcome the financial difficulties and was bought by Aprilia in 1998. This led to another interruption in production and another change of ownership when Aprilia was taken over by Piaggio in 2004.

Since then, the Laverda factories in Breganze were closed and the production of Laverda motorcycles ceased. However, the Laverda brand continues to live in the hearts of many motorcycle enthusiasts around the world. The classic models are still popular and highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts.

Although there are no new Laverda motorcycles today, the spirit of the brand lives on in the many existing motorcycles and in the companies like the Orange Cycle Team that are dedicated to the preservation and restoration of these iconic Italian machines.

Laverda's history is one of innovation, passion and perseverance. Although the company has experienced many ups and downs, its legacy in the motorcycle world remains undisputed. From its humble beginnings as a manufacturer of agricultural machinery to the production of some of the world's most coveted sport bikes, Laverda remains an iconic name in the history of motorcycle manufacturing.