Italian motorcycles have a place in history – and many enthusiasts' hearts – out of all proportion to the numbers that have been built. From Moto Guzzi becoming the first non-British marque to win a TT through to Ducati's achievements in MotoGP, they have also been at the forefront of motorsport despite being far smaller than, at first, the British and later the Japanese manufacturers. If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories will surprise readers. Almost 600 marques were identified in researching this book, and there may have been thousands. This is partly because there were so many engines available off the shelf – many of them English – as well as a thriving accessory and component industry. A–Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers only deals briefly with the grand marques Ducati and Moto Guzzi because there have been many dedicated books about them. Instead this is a definitive guide to the factories that have been less widely covered or, in most cases, never before in the English language. Some, such as Bianchi and Garelli, might be familiar: others, remembered for their racing achievements or uniqueness, such as Morbidelli, and many you may have never heard of. But if it was possible to establish when and where the factories were active, and at least a little about the motorcycles they built, then there is an entry for them. An appendix lists the other manufacturers that are lesser known, making this the most complete reference book of Italian motorcycles available today. This book is a complete guide to Italian motorcycle manufacturers, and an essential reference for anyone with an interest in these fascinating vehicles. Italian motorcycles have a place in history – and many enthusiasts' hearts – out of all proportion to the numbers that have been built. From Moto Guzzi becoming the first non-British marque to win a TT through to Ducati's achievements in MotoGP, they have also been at the forefront of motorsport despite being far smaller than, at first, the British and later the Japanese manufacturers. If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories will surprise readers. Almost 600 marques were identified in researching this book, and there may have been thousands. This is partly because there were so many engines available off the shelf – many of them English – as well as a thriving accessory and component industry. A–Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers only deals briefly with the grand marques Ducati and Moto Guzzi because there have been many dedicated books about them. Instead this is a definitive guide to the factories that have been less widely covered or, in most cases, never before in the English language. Some, such as Bianchi and Garelli, might be familiar: others, remembered for their racing achievements or uniqueness, such as Morbidelli, and many you may have never heard of. But if it was possible to establish when and where the factories were active, and at least a little about the motorcycles they built, then there is an entry for them. An appendix lists the other manufacturers that are lesser known, making this the most complete reference book of Italian motorcycles available today. This book is a complete guide to Italian motorcycle manufacturers, and an essential reference for anyone with an interest in these fascinating vehicles.

Author: Mick Walker. Italy has a reputation for style in all things, not least in motorcycles. The first pure-bred Italian motorcycles made their appearance at the beginning of the 20th century and included Bianchi, Borgo, Prinetti & Stucchi and Ferrera. By the 1920s these companies had been joined or replaced by a number of newer concerns. Then came the period of the pentarchia, comprising Benelli, Bianchi, Garelli, Gilera and Guzzi, who fought tooth and nail for a share of the market. The golden age of Italian motorcycling lasted until 1957 when the three largest and most successful teams, FB Mondial, Gilera and Guzzi announced their retirement from the sport. This improved the chances of marques such as MV Agusta, Bianchi, Benelli, Morini and Ducati who continued to fly the red, white and green flag of Italy with considerable success. Italy not only produced a host of world-beating machinery, but also a number of top riders including Carlo Ubbiali, Umberto Masetti, Tarquinio Provini, Libero Liberati and most notably Giacomo Agostini. Contents: Aermacchi, Aprilia, Benelli, Bianchi, Bimota, Cagiva, Ducati, Garelli, Gilera, Laverda, FB Mondial, Morbidelli, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Parilla, Paton & Rumi. A total of 256 fully illustrated pages.

Many books have been published about Italian motorcycles, but none has focused exclusively on the Italian motorcycle-based chopper ... until now. Featuring stunning photography, this is a great book for Italian bike fans, and fans of the custom bike scene in general.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles, Fourth Edition, is the most complete book on motorcycles, covering everything from how to choose and maintain a motorcycle and how to buy appropriate gear, to how to ride safely, and how to make the most out of trips on the open road.

Covers everything from how to choose and maintain a motorcycle and how to buy appropriate gear to how to ride safely, and how to make the most out of trips on the open road. It also discusses motorcycle history and the timeless motorcycle mystique.

This book is the fifth in the Mick Walker Racing Motorcycle series. It covers the Grand Prix Motorcycles from Japan.

The Complete Book of Moto Guzzi: 100th Anniversary Edition, Every Model Since 1921, written by respected motorcycle expert Ian Falloon, offers enthusiasts a thorough review of Guzzi’s storied 100-year history via all of its production models. The oldest European motorcycle manufacturer in continuous production, Italy's Moto Guzzi has built some of the most iconic motorcycles ever produced. Established in 1921, the company is one of the most traditional motorcycle makers and also one of the most innovative. Carlo Guzzi's first engine design, a horizontal single, defined Moto Guzzi's road-going motorcycles for the company's first 45 years. In the 1950s, Moto Guzzi experienced tremendous success in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Today, Moto Guzzi has a higher profile than ever, thanks to its popularity among enthusiast celebrities like Ewan McGregor. This new edition of The Complete Book of Moto Guzzi includes a 100th anniversary introduction, new photography, and additional pages to cover the newest models from 2018 to 2020. All of Moto Guzzi’s production models are covered in detail, including the groundbreaking Falcone, the V-8 Grand Prix racers, the V7 Sport, the Ambassador, the Eldorado, the Le Mans, the Daytona, right up to today’s the complete range of modern bikes including the V7, Griso, Stelvio, and V9. Celebrate a century of iconic Moto Guzzi machines, model by stunning model.