Private company

Garelli

Logo: Armony S.R.L., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

Italian motorcycle company

Garelli Motorcycles is an Italian moped and motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1919 by Adalberto Garelli (10 July 1886 – 13 January 1968).2 It ceased to exist in 2012.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1919Founded1
  • Industryautomotive industry1
  • HeadquartersLacchiarella1
  • Founded inSesto San Giovanni1
  • Websitewww.garelli.com
  • Legal formsocietà per azioni1

Garelli Motorcycles is an Italian moped and motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1919 by Adalberto Garelli (10 July 1886 – 13 January 1968).2

The story

Founded by Adalberto Garelli in 1919, in Sesto San Giovanni.1

History

At age 22, Adalberto Garelli received a degree in engineering and dedicated his work to developing and perfecting the two-stroke engine for Fiat. Garelli quit in 1911 due to Fiat's lack of enthusiasm for the two-stroke engine. He continued his own engine design between 1911 and 1914 which resulted in the 350 cc split-single cylinder engine. Garelli worked for other motorcycle manufacturers from 1914 to 1918 during which time he won a competition organized by the Royal Italian Army to design a motorcycle with which he used his 350 cc split-single engine.

In 1919, Garelli constructed a 350 cc motorcycle which set a long-distance record from Milan to Naples. Rider Ettore Girardi covered the 840 km (520 mi) with an average of 38.29 km/h (24 mph). Many famous Italian racers, such as Ernesto Gnesa, Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi, began their racing careers on Garelli bikes. The Garelli 350 cc split-single stayed in production until 1926 and made a major impact in racing. The company also produced motorcycles for the Royal Italian Army. After World War II, Garelli concentrated on producing smaller bikes and mopeds for the European market.

In the 1970s Garelli produced the Tiger Cross MK 1 which was an off-road 2 stroke enduro motorcycle. The Tiger Cross was produced in 1976. The motorcycle was painted black and yellow.

In 2019, in the centenary year of the foundation, the brand returned to the market with fully electric products: Ciclone Sic58 and E-Bike Ciclone Sic58.

In collaboration with the Marco Simoncelli Foundation.

Racing and endurance history

Garelli set eight world long-distance records on November 3, 1963, with 2 50 cm3 motorcycles.

In the early 1980s, Garelli dominated the 125 class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing winning six consecutive world championships between 1982 and 1987.

MotoGP World Championship

Garelli won the following World Titles in the 125 cc class:

Read the full text

MotoGP World Constructors champions

50 cc class

1983

125 cc class

1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

From Wikipedia’s article on Garelli Motorcycles, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Leadership

Who has led Garelli, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Products and brands

  • electric bicycle
  • electric motorcycle
  • motorcycle

Listed on Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 2012Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1919Founded Founded in Sesto San Giovanni1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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