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Imme R100

Lightweight motorcycle made by Riedel AG

The Imme R100 was a lightweight motorcycle produced by Riedel AG between 1948 and 1951. It became known for its simple yet innovative design, incorporating a number of advanced technical features. Thanks to its low cost and engineering novelty, the R100 achieved strong sales.2 It ceased to exist in 1953.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

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Imme R100 motorcycle
Photo: Robert Kimberly from Houston, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons4

The Imme R100 was a lightweight motorcycle produced by Riedel AG between 1948 and 1951. It became known for its simple yet innovative design, incorporating a number of advanced technical features. Thanks to its low cost and engineering novelty, the R100 achieved strong sales. However, reliability problems and low profit margins resulted in warranty costs driving Riedel AG into bankruptcy.2

Products and brands

Norbert Riedel registered Riedel AG in 1948. He moved his facilities from Muggendorf to Immenstadt and began production there in June 1948. It is widely believed that the name "Imme" came from an abbreviation of this location, and that the Imme's "bee on wheels" logo came from "Imme" being a dialect word meaning "bee". However, it has also been suggested that the name came from the motorcycle itself resembling a bee, or from the engine sounding like a buzzing bee.

The Imme R100's light weight, relatively powerful engine, and long travel suspension made it popular in motorsport; this, along with good marketing and low pricing, led to strong sales. The management of Riedel AG expected high sales volume to offset the low profit margin. A basic Imme sold for 775 Deutschmark without battery, tachometer, or centre stand. Passenger accommodation was an optional extra, as was a spare wheel. Initially, Immes were all painted oxide red.

In 1950, a better-equipped "Export" version became available for 850 Deutschmark with a battery, an electric horn, a centre stand, a speedometer, a more comfortable seat, chrome plating, pinstriping, and a choice of colours including lime green and gloss black. Production of the Imme R100 had gone up to 1,000 per month and, by the autumn of 1950, more than 10,000 had been sold.

Imme engines were also sold to Fritz Fend, to power his Fend Flitzer invalid carriages. These replaced the Fichtel & Sachs engines used in earlier versions of the Flitzer.

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However, the Imme began to develop problems, especially with the single-sided crankshaft bearings and the freewheel for the kick starter. Riedel corrected the problem beginning with the Model D version, which had a conventional crankshaft with two bearings. However, the profit from sales was not enough to cover the warranty expenses, and, by the end of 1950, Riedel AG went bankrupt with debts of 1.25 million Deutschmark.

From Wikipedia’s article on Imme R100, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Timeline

  1. 1953Dissolved Dissolved1

Sources

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