Morbidelli is a historic Italian motorcycle brand, founded in 1968 in Pesaro by Giancarlo Morbidelli, a motorcycle enthusiast and businessman in the woodworking machinery sector. Although initially his company was dedicated to the manufacture of industrial machinery, Giancarlo channeled his passion for motorcycles into competition, building high-performance racing motorcycles.
Successes in Competition
Morbidelli stood out in the Motorcycle World Championship during the 1970s, obtaining several titles in the 125 cc and 250 cc categories. Riders such as Paolo Pileri, Pier Paolo Bianchi, Eugenio Lazzarini, and Mario Lega took the brand to the top of world motorcycling. In 1977, the brand achieved a milestone by winning both the 125 cc and 250 cc championships in the same season.
The Morbidelli V8
In 1994, Giancarlo Morbidelli presented the Morbidelli V8, a sport touring motorcycle equipped with an 847 cc V8 engine, 32 valves, and shaft drive. Despite its advanced engineering and design, its high cost prevented mass production. However, this model became a collector’s item and was exhibited in museums such as the Guggenheim in New York and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Alabama, USA.
Rebirth under MBP
In 2024, the Morbidelli brand was acquired by MBP (Moto Bologna Passione), a subsidiary of the Chinese group Qianjiang, which also owns brands like Benelli and Keeway. This rebirth seeks to combine Morbidelli’s sporting and artisanal legacy with modern innovation and technology. The new range of motorcycles includes trail, naked, and custom models, such as the T1002VX and the C1002V, aimed at offering a riding experience that fuses tradition and modernity.
