Derbi

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Derbi
Type Subsidiary
Industry Powersports
Founded 1922
Founder(s) Simón Rabasa i Singla
Headquarters Barcelona, Spain
Products motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, recreations vehicles
Parent Piaggio
Website www.derbi.com

Derbi is a manufacturer of motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and recreational all-terrain vehicles produced by Nacional Motor S.A.U., a Spanish subsidiary of Piaggio & Co. SpA.

History

Derbi's origins began with a little bicycle workshop in the village of Mollet near Barcelona, founded in 1922 by Simón Rabasa i Singla.[1] The focus remained the repair and hire of bicycles until May 1944 when Singla formed a limited liability company named Bicicletas Rabasa with the aim of moving into manufacturing bicycles.[1] The venture proved very successful and in 1946, supported by its profits, work began on a motorised version.[1] More moped than motorcycle, this first model, the 48cc SRS included plunger rear suspension, and a motorcycle type gas tank and exhaust system.[1] The SRS proved so successful it prompted a change in the companies direction, and on November 7, 1950, the company changed its name to the Nacional Motor SA.[1] Just prior to this, at that summer's Barcelona Trade Fair, the company unveiled its first real motorcycle, the Derbi 250.[1]

Derbi successfully competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, winning 50cc world championships in 1969, 1970 and 1972. When the 50cc class was increased to an 80cc displacement in 1984, Derbi would claim four consecutive world championships between 1986 and 1989, before the class was discontinued in Grand Prix competition. The firm also experienced racing success in 125cc Grand Prix competitions, winning world championships in 1971, 1972, 1988, 2008 and 2010. The Derbi RSA 125 earned 405 points in the constructor's championship in the 125cc class. The 405 points in 2010 are second only to Aprilia which earned 410 points in 2007.[citation needed]

Modern history

A 2005 model Derbi GP1 Scooter

Unlike Ossa, Bultaco, and Montesa, Derbi successfully met the challenges that followed the Spanish transition to democracy and Spain's entry into the European Community. Simeó Rabasa i Signla died in 1988 but the company remained independent until 2001, when it was bought out by the Piaggio group.

The Derbi name

The name Derbi is an acknowledgement of the company's history and is an acronym for DERivats de BIcicletes (derivatives of bicycles).[1]

Past Models

Pedal Mopeds

  • Derbi Variant SL
  • Derbi Variant SLE
  • Derbi Variant TT
  • Derbi Variant Sport
  • Derbi DS50
  • Derbi Diablo C5
  • Derbi RD50
  • Derbi Laguna
  • Derbi Laguna Sport

Road

Scooters

  • Derbi Manhattan
  • Derbi Hunter

Current Models

Sport moped Derbi GPR 50
Derbi Mulhacén 659

Road

Supermoto

  • Derbi Senda 50
  • Derbi Senda X-Race/X-Treme 50
  • Derbi Senda 125 4T SM
  • Derbi Mulhacén 659

Scrambler

  • Derbi Mulhacén 125
  • Derbi Mulhacén Café 125

Scooters

  • Atlantis
  • Boulevard
  • GP1
  • Bullet

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Walker, Mick (1986). Spanish Post-war Road and Racing Motorcycles. London: Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-85045-705-X. 

External links

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