MBP Morbidelli was an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded by Giancarlo Morbidelli in Pesaro . During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the company was particularly successful in Grand Prix motorcycle racing . The team won the 125 cc world championship in 1975 , 1976 and 1977 , and won the 250 cc championship in 1977.
25-730: In April 2024, the Morbidelli brand was acquired by MBP, a subsidiary of the Keeway Qianjiang Group. The firm began as a woodworking shop building furniture and wooden coach bodies for automobiles. After the second world war, Morbidelli evolved into a leading designer and manufacturer of precision woodworking machine tools. While Giancarlo Morbidelli's machine business grew to have 300+ employees, his personal passion lay in motorcycles and motorcycle racing. Morbidelli used woodworking machine tool business income to finance motorcycle design, development, and racing interests. In 1969 , he entered
50-544: A Hong Kong –based company linked to the Qianjiang Motorcycle group, trademarked the MBP name and logos – while simultaneously applying for rights to the same for "Morbidelli MBP" and "Morbidelli MBP Pesaro". In 2024, the historic Italian Morbidelli brand was acquired by Qiangjiang's Keeway Group, which made the acquisition through their MBP Moto subsidiary, which was subsequently renamed Morbidelli MBP. Initially targeting
75-436: A 600cc V-4 to power a new muscle-cruiser. A fourth four-cylinder motorcycle, the 1000RR "superbike", will be driven by an MV Agusta engine. In 2024, QJMotor announced development of its Supermono engine, a V-shaped two-cylinder arrangement with only one firing cylinder; the second cylinder and piston used only as a counterweight – borrowing the name from the famous Ducati Supermono engine (from 1990) made by cutting off
100-507: A partnership with Qianjiang Motorcycle Company to develop a 338cc "baby Harley" model motorcycle for Chinese and other Asian markets. The QJMotor brand entered the US market in 2023, distributing 11 models. Some of the more popular Qianjiang motorcycle and scooter models as of May 2023 are: Many of these models are rebadged under different brands. A mid-displacement cruiser called the C352LS under
125-603: A premium adventure-tourer, and the M502N roadster. The C1002V, with "muscle-cruiser styling" featuring styling cues inspired by the long-gone Harley-Davidson V-Rod , aims to compete with the new Harley-Davidson Sportster S in the "big-bore cruiser market". Other models introduced included the C650V cruiser and the SC300 maxi-scooter, both models designed for the European market. At the end of 2023,
150-840: A profit in the budget, we are here to stay, and believe in the company." The company announcement in late-2021 of the new TRK 800 adventure bike model stated it was "born in the Benelli Style Centre and developed by the R&;D department of the House of the Leoncino in Pesaro, where the headquarters and the heart of the company are located." In 2023 MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. announced a strategic partnership with QJMotor for distribution of its motorcycles in China. Dongshao Guo, general manager of Qianjiang Motor, said of
175-476: A team in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing Italian championships with a 50 cc machine. In 1971, he also commissioned the construction of a water-cooled disc valve 125 cc two-stroke of Ringhini design, inspired by the engine of an ex-works Suzuki 125cc. The team won two 125 cc Grand Prix races with Italian rider Gilberto Parlotti at the beginning of the 1972 season but tragedy struck when Parlotti
200-498: Is a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1985 and headquartered in Winling, Zhejiang Province. It is one of the largest two-wheeled vehicle manufacturers in China. Since September 2016, Chinese auto giant Geely has been Qianjiang's largest shareholder. QJMotor is used to market the entire range of Qianjiang products in China, including motorcycles and scooters. Since 1999, Qianjiang has marketed motorcycles outside China under
225-455: Is in a joint venture with Marzocchi to make motorcycle suspensions in China. The MBP brand enters the Indian market with the M502N naked bike and C1002V cruiser, marketed by Adishwar Auto Ride India Private Limited (AARIPL). The MBP models will be sold across India alongside Keeway and Benelli models. As part of its "More Roads to Harley-Davidson" strategy, Harley-Davidson announced June 2019
250-427: Is told in the documentary film Morbidelli - a story of men and fast motorcycles (2014), by directors Jeffrey Zani and Matthew Gonzales. The documentary features footage from the 1972 Tourist Trophy, the 1976 and 1977 racing seasons, races in the city of Pesaro in the 1950s, and more. It also features interviews with riders Eugenio Lazzarini , Alberto Ieva, Pier Paolo Bianchi , Mario Lega and Graziano Rossi . Today
275-449: The 1982 season . Giancarlo Morbidelli's son, Gianni Morbidelli became a successful racecar driver , reaching Formula One where he achieved a podium finish. In 1994, Morbidelli constructed an innovative shaft-drive, five-speed, 32-valve, liquid-cooled, 847 cc, 90° V8 , sport touring motorcycle, but its high price meant it would not be economically feasible to produce. The Guinness Book of World Records listed it in 2001 as
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#1732869954493300-458: The 2023 , season, QJmotor became the main sponsor of Gresini Racing in the Moto2 championship. Eugenio Lazzarini Eugenio Lazzarini (born 26 March 1945) is an Italian former Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion . Lazzarini began his Grand Prix career in 1969 in the 250 class on a Benelli . He won his first Grand Prix at the 1973 Dutch TT on a Maico . He captured
325-627: The Netherlands , and Switzerland. SIMA distributes other motorcycle brands in Europe, including Hyosung and Royal Enfield , while owning retro-maker Mash Motorcycles. In 2005, Qianjiang acquired Benelli. In 2009 they invested an added $ 26 million "to help revitalize the Italian brand." In recommitting to their investment in Benelli, Qianjang Motors general manager Haimei Yan said, "Although we have not yet turned
350-401: The 125 cc championship a year later . The 1977 Grand Prix season would mark the height of Morbidelli's accomplishments when the team won both the 125 and 250 classes. Mario Lega won the 250 crown and Pier Paolo Bianchi would take the 125 honors. Up until 1976 Morbidellis were not available for sale to private racers - only the team's own works riders could race on them. A new factory
375-568: The 5.5 and 9.5 (denoting engine size) – manufacture of the 5.5 was halted with the purchase of a 25.1% stake in the Italian company by the Pierer Mobility Group , owner of KTM and Husqvarna , which has as a long-standing partnership with CFMoto (a QJMotor competitor). MBP, short for " Moto Bologna Passione ", officially debuted as a brand at EICMA 2022 in Milan , Italy , showcasing the T1002V,
400-670: The Keeway brand. The company acquired the Benelli brand in 2005 and debuted the MBP Moto brand at the 2022 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy . With the purchase of the Morbidelli brand in 2024, MBP Moto became Morbidelli MBP. In 2024, QJ Motor arranged exclusive distribution of its models in Europe with SIMA (replacing DIP SAS in that role). The new agreement covers Belgium , France , Luxembourg ,
425-477: The US, European, and Chinese markets, the newly-renamed brand's range will comprise 125cc–500cc scooters and 125cc–1,000cc motorcycles, with an electric range to be revealed in 2025. The Centro Stile Morbidelli ( ' Centro Styling Center ' ) and a new research and development center will be built in Bologna. Prior to its purchase by Keeway Group, Morbidelli had not produced motorcycles for 40 years. Qianjiang
450-479: The arrangement, "We hope [...] we will be able to work together to import more high-performance motorcycles for Chinese customers, that are fashionable, easy to handle, and fun to ride." Qianjiang had an agreement to make the Lucky Explorer MV Agusta adventure bike (and use their large-capacity four-cylinder engine in future models). Of the two versions of this bike QJMotor was due to build for MV Agusta –
475-620: The brand name MBP, or Moto Bologna Passione, was announced for the European market in May 2024, as were the MBP N250 and N300 (the latter destined for Asian markets). Recent QJMotor engine development includes launching a new 800cc machine in 2023 for the SRK 800RR model, the company’s third four-cylinder engine. Launched in 2020, SRK 600RR, China’s first four-cylinder bike, was based on an engine designed by Benelli. QJMotor "teased" new four-cylinder engine in 2023,
500-462: The company announced "two naked streetfighters", models N250 and N300, the former to be sold in Europe in accordance to A2 licensing standards, the latter headed for Asian markets. Media reports in January 2024 stated that MBP would be introducing to Europe the C352LS, "a stylish, retro-modern cruiser with styling cues borrowed from the likes of Indian and Harley-Davidson". In 2022, Powerlink Technology,
525-2177: The former Morbidelli factory in Pesaro houses a classic motorcycle museum that reminds visitors of the company's former glory. The complete world championship story is represented among the exhibits as well as many antique motorcycles. 1949 Mondial 1950 Mondial 1951 Mondial 1952 MV Agusta 1953 MV Agusta 1954 NSU * 1955 MV Agusta 1956 MV Agusta 1957 Mondial 1958 MV Agusta 1959 MV Agusta 1960 MV Agusta 1961 Honda 1962 Honda 1963 Suzuki 1964 Honda 1965 Suzuki 1966 Honda 1967 Yamaha 1968 Yamaha 1969 Kawasaki 1970 Suzuki 1971 Derbi 1972 Derbi 1973 Yamaha 1974 Yamaha 1975 Morbidelli 1976 Morbidelli 1977 Morbidelli 1978 Minarelli 1979 Minarelli 1980 Minarelli 1981 Minarelli 1982 Garelli 1983 MBA 1984 Garelli 1985 MBA 1986 Garelli 1987 Garelli 1988 Derbi 1989 Honda 1990 Honda 1991 Honda 1992 Honda 1993 Honda 1994 Honda 1995 Honda 1996 Aprilia 1997 Aprilia 1998 Honda 1999 Honda 2000 Honda 2001 Honda 2002 Aprilia 2003 Aprilia 2004 Aprilia 2005 KTM 2006 Aprilia 2007 Aprilia 2008 Aprilia 2009 Aprilia 2010 Derbi 2011 Aprilia 2012 KTM 2013 KTM 2014 KTM 2015 Honda 2016 KTM 2017 Honda 2018 Honda 2019 Honda 2020 Honda 2021 KTM 2022 Gas Gas 2023 KTM 2024 CFMoto Keeway Qianjiang Motorcycle Group , doing business as QJMotor ,
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#1732869954493550-473: The rear cylinder of its Desmoquattro two-cylinder engine. In 2022, a patent appeared for a new 900cc parallel-twin to be developed by QJMotor and used by Benelli in a new model motorcycle. Similarities to theKTM LC8c, licensed to CFMoto , were noted. In 2022 , QJMotor became the main sponsor of Avintia Esponsorama Racing in the Moto3 class with its two riders, Matteo Bertelle and Elia Bartolini . Then from
575-864: The world's most expensive motorcycle. Because of the bike's exotic design, it was displayed in The Art of the Motorcycle at the Guggenheim Museums in New York , Bilbao and Las Vegas . An example can also be seen at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama , United States. Another V8 is on display at the Morbidelli Museum in Pesaro, Italy . The story of the Morbidelli racing team
600-517: Was built with help from Benelli Armi in Pesaro, called the MBA factory (Morbidelli-Benelli-Armi), to produce Morbidelli motorcycles of 123 cc and 248 cc in quantity. These were raced successfully for several more years. The MBA team won the 125 cc World Championship in year 1978 with Eugenio Lazzarini and in 1980 with Pier Paolo Bianchi . Morbidelli continued in Grand Prix competition until
625-454: Was killed during the Isle of Man TT race. Despite Parlotti's death, Morbidelli persevered with his racing effort. Starting in 1974 Jörg Möller, previously the designer for Van Veen Kreidler , took over development. In 1975 , he was rewarded with his first World Championship when Paolo Pileri won the 125 cc crown. His Morbidelli teammate, Pier Paolo Bianchi finished in second. Bianchi won
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