Derbi Motorcycles: Pennsylvania Accident Attorneys / PA Biker Injury Lawyers. Collisions, Driver Negligence, Litigation/Lawsuits

Derbi Motorcycles

DERBI
The Spanish motorcycle marquee known worldwide today by its championship winning race program in MotoGP 125, and for its consumer line of mopeds and small motorcycles, was born from humble beginnings as a bicycle shop in 1922 by Simeon Rabasa Singla. Production of bicycles and service work grew progressively over the next decade and the small DERBI shop added larger facilities. By early of 1939, DERBI had expanded to the manufacturing of chassis for small motorcycles and mopeds. The pivotal year of 1944 comes with the decision that Simeon would focus his DERBI company soley on the manufacturing of small motorcycles. With that decision, Simeon sells to his brother Josep and a group of investors, the bicycle company division which is named RABASA. The breakaway group continues building the RABASA bicycles till well into the 1990s.

In 1949 at the of World War II, with Europe ravaged from war, a number of small manufacturers increase production on a variety of inexpensive and economical transportation products ~ namely mopeds, which look like bulkier bicycles with traditional wheels, a small tank perched on the top tube, an engine in the mid frame area, and includes pedals to get it started. In this year, DERBI begins mass producing the 48cc SRS (so named for the initials of the owner, Simeon Rabasa Singla). This model of moped becomes the first to be built entirely by DERBI and includes a 1.5hp motor that spins up to 4,500rpm, telescopic forks for front suspension, and has a two speed manual gearbox. By 1950, the SRS is a winning product, gaining home marketshare faster than other marques for the size of moped. Also, Bicycles RABASA ("bicicletas rabasa") now has its name changed to National Motors S.A. ("nacional motors s.a."). The decade of the 1950s proves to be a pivotal time for DERBI for both consumer products as well as racing. To start it off, the year of 1951 is an important year as by its close, the DERBI group now has 30 employees in one manufacturing plant, producing the widely successful SRS moped and has begun building another model. The new model is the 250, which is now a full on motorcycle, that saw 150 units hitting the streets of Spain. In 1952, the company grow to 110 employees and now manufacturers over 800 of the SRS model, with the 250 model climbing to 200. The year of 1952 saw DERBI launch a new model with a 95cc motor. At the same time, a new market and product is launched ~ that of the delivery vehicle with three wheels that uses the well developed 250cc motor. DERBI by this time has climbed to 135 employees and is now producing 1,050 motorcycles in total. In 1953, DERBI explodes with the production of 2,700 units, with only a marginal increase in employees to 170. DERBI at the same time undertakes the manufacture of sidecars that are bolted to the 250 model. The year of 1955 is no exception to the explosive growth of the company. DERBI introduces the 125 Super model, and increases its production to just north of 3,500 units with an increase to 245 employees. 1956 weighs in with another new model, that of the 350, which packs in 16hp of motoring capability that can propel it to 120km/h. Production has now increased to 4,200 units in total with 280 employees. By 1959 while continuing to increase the production of motorcycles, DERBI delves into the manufacture of a "transcar" or "girocarro" with three wheels and a carrying case on the back for deliveries. These transcars are propelled by a 6hp motor, that is also used on a small boat of 3.8 meters in length, and 1.4m in width.

During the decade of the 1950's, while the consumer products continue to grow, the profits derived thereof are plowed into developing new models as well as the burgeoning racing program, which in turn, fuel the consumer to purchase this rapid brand of motorcycle.

By the 1960s, DERBI continued down the path of producing a wide range of small engined motorcycles, but in this decade, they will also focus energy and get smart results on winning racing world championships, more so than in the 1950s. On the consumer side, 1961 brings in two new models ~ that of the 600, and as well the future of Derbi with their two versions of the 49 Gran Sport and 49 Sport motorcycles that both have the 49cc engines. The 125 Super was then added to the lineup in 1963. This bike in particular brought to the consumers an inexpensive model with a low maintenance cost.

Derbi as of 2006 is a manufacturer of motorcycles, scooters, and recreational ATVs (quads) produced by Nacional Motor S.A.U., a Spanish subsidiary of Piaggio.