Derby (motorcycles)

Derbi (acronym of DERivated from BIcicleta) was the trademark of Nacional Motor S. A. and a Spanish motorcycle manufacturer since 1949, currently integrated into the Italian Piaggio group.

History

The origins of this brand date back to 1922, when Simeón Rabasa i Singla was dedicated to repairing bicycles, together with his brother Josep Rabasa Singla. After the civil war, production continues to increase. The first contacts are established with some of the most important bicycle factories in the country, which crystallize in the production of chassis for mopeds and small motorcycles.

In 1944 Simeón, together with his brother Josep, created the brand Bicicletas Rabasa. It was not until 1949 when Derbi decided to begin his journey in the world of mopeds, creating what would be his first motorcycle. It was the Derbi SRS moped, an acronym that corresponds to the creator of the brand. This bike had a 48cc, 1.5hp engine. The success of the SRS (initials of Simeón Rabasa i Singla) is indisputable and at the beginning of 1950 BICICLETAS RABASA becomes NACIONAL MOTOR S.A., which presents a new model at the Barcelona Trade Fair: a 250 cc, 9 hp motorcycle, inspired by on the Jawa 250, but with a good number of its own contributions, it was called DERBI, a contraction of the expression DERivated from BIcycle and would be manufactured for just over 10 years. years.

The factory was located in Martorellas (Barcelona). Derbi featured drivers such as Ángel Nieto, Jorge Martínez “Aspar”, Pol Espargaró and Marc Márquez. The last Derbi motorcycle left that factory in April 2013, Piaggio moved production to Venice.

The Derbi Senda R stands out among its models, which with only 49 cc developed the sum of 8'5CV. The complex architecture of this competition machine gave the chassis a center of gravity and symmetry, making it possible to perform risky maneuvers and tricks at high altitudes.

The 50s: growth

The 50s would be crucial for Derbi, since from producing 150 units with 30 workers in 1951 it would go on to produce 4,500 with 300 workers in 1958. Apart from the SRS and 250, the most important models of this period were:

• La 95 cc bicillinary of two times of 1953.
• La 98 cc of two times of 1953.
• La 125 Super 1955.
• La 350 of 1957, which reached 120 km/h with 16 hp
• The Girocarro or Transca, a vehicle with mobile traction and driving, front or rear depending on the user's needs.

There was also no shortage of boats, with the D-6 Canoe, equipped with a 6-cylinder V engine.

The 1960s and 70s

In 1961, after the launch of Seat 600 the sale of high-cylinder motorcycles falls into bit, so Derbi focuses on models with engines of 49-75 cc. One of the first creations in this regard will be 49 Sport and Great Sport, 48.7 cc motors, with 1,5 hp to 5000 rpm, 3 speeds, drum brakes, pedals and hydraulic gearbox.

This fast motorcycle, after some modifications, will be renamed in 1965 as Torch the world's tri-campaign and sell half a million units, only in Europe. In Spain that model had great acceptance and was popularly known as Derbi Paleta', Derbi Albañil and derbi currela.

Also in the 60s the models appeared:

• 125 Super (1963)
• 49 Junior (1964)
• 74 GS (1964), sport capable of exceeding 100 km/h and whose production would last until the end of the next decade
• 125 4V (1966), with 7 hp to 5500 rpm
• Trial Pyrenees 74 (1966) of 7 CV
• Derbimatic (1969), small citizen locomotive with automatic transmission and look of motor tourism
• Scootmatic (1969), a small driver to drive without license.

In the 1970s Derbi ventured into the field of enduro with the Coyote of 49 and 75 cc, the Correcaminos and the Cross 50, later presented in versions 74 and 74TT. The Derbi Diablo enduro range will end with the C4 in 1978.

Meanwhile, in those years the road sector was prioritized: in 1972 the Customer Racing 50 cc appeared, with 15.5 HP at 15,000 rpm, 6-speed air-cooled engine and a maximum speed of 165 km/h thanks to its lightness. Power was provided by a 24 mm IRZ rotary valve carburetor, Mahle piston and Motoplat electronic ignition. This small speed racing car sold for 35,000 pesetas at the time.

In 1975 the economical sports car 2002 GPX arrived, a 125-187.5 cc GT with 23-26 HP, 6 speeds, twin-cylinder and electronic ignition. In 1976, the version with double front disc brake, separate lubrication, directional front and rear oil/gas shock absorbers, with front fairing will appear: the motorcycle offered 26 HP at 8000 rpm and 150 km/h. There was even the water-cooled 125 4V.

As for mopeds, in 1977 the Variant and the innovative Spacetronic were released, a device that allowed it to be started by pressing a red button on the instrument panel, and which has become the standard for all scooters and almost all motorcycles.

During the last years of the decade and the beginning of the next, and unlike other Spanish manufacturers such as Bultaco, OSSA or Montesa, Derbi will be able to successfully overcome the macro-economic difficulties that will accompany the Spanish transition and the entry of Spain in the European Union.

The 1980s and 90s: the founder dies

The 1980s began with the new Diablo 80 CXS and the Variant Caballero, which will enjoy the excellent publicity of having traveled around the world (18,835 km on two wheels) driven by Marco Gardoqui in 76 days in 1980. Those years will highlight the Derbi 75TT, the C-6, the Sport Coppa 80, the 125 Cross, the 1001-74 Sport Coppa and the SC50 with 2, 5 HP at 8000 rpm. In 1981 the two new enduros CX Jumbo and the TT8 will arrive, as well as the SC125, the TTS9, the T-250 6V, the SC 74 (which will replace the 1001), and the RC-250 6V for tourism.

In 1982, various 50-80 cc scooters with 4, 5 or 6 speeds will be released. In commemoration of the 60 years of the brand, the Variant Start and the Jumbo Super-FD appear. The decade will close with the presentation of the GPR 75, with double beam chassis, liquid cooling, 6 speeds, telehydraulic fork, 3 brake discs. This bike would be the mother of the SPORT 75 in 1991.

Simeó Rabasa died in 1988, a year after reaching an agreement by which Derbi became an importer of Kawasaki for the Spanish market. The company that he had founded more than six decades ago would remain independent until 2001, when it was purchased by the Italian group Piaggio.

In the 1990s, in addition to the GPR, the Country RD and the Bi 3, an enduro and a trail, would see production.. As for the scooters, the classic fairing Vamos and the Fenix will appear, with the aesthetics of a touring motorcycle. In view of the renewal of the range for the new millennium, the Hunter and the Paddock were produced in 1997, which were added to the Predator sports scooter. i>, signed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1998. The decade closed with the Atlantis.

The 2000s: purchase by Piaggio and closure of Derbi

In 2001, the Italian group Piaggio bought 100% of Derbi.

Derbi faces the new millennium with the Derbi Senda crosser, one of the best-selling models in Europe in its category, in 50 and 125 cc two-stroke versions. This bike was the first with a USD (inverted) fork and incorporated interesting technical solutions for the chassis and suspension. In 2001 the GP1 scooter and the GPR moped arrived, a 50 cc sports model derived from the world of racing.

2003 was a key year with the introduction of a new range and two highly awarded motorcycles: the Senda Black Edition, a limited series that would be sold out before production even began, while the new < i>50 Nude Lookwould win the MDA design award.

The following year (2004) the GPR range would be completed with four versions, Nude (without fairing, as the name indicates) and Racing (fairing) available in 50 cc and 125 cc with a two-stroke engine of Minarelli-Yamaha origin (being replaced in 2009 by a new model with a four-stroke engine of Piaggio origin). As for scooters, the GP1 will be equipped with a motorcycle chassis, with a 50 cc central engine or a 125 and 250 cc side engine. These products are distinguished by their young line and innovative and sophisticated technological solutions, such as the GPR radial brake caliper.

The presentation in 2006 of the Mulhacén 659 has taken the new Derbi owned by Piaggio to the field of medium-high displacement, with a scrambler in the purest style of the 1970s, equipped with a Yamaha 600cc engine. Another recent creation is the new 125cc four-stroke engine, developed entirely in Spain.

In 2011 the Piaggio brand announced the closure of the Martorellas factory to move all Derbi production to other factories outside Spain (specifically to Italy, where it has several factories). In February 2013, the Italian company announced that it was presenting an ERE to dismiss the 150 employees of the Martorellas factory after its sale to the Swiss company Giba failed. On March 22, 2013, Derbi manufactured the last motorcycle from the historic Martorelles factory, a 50 cc Derbi Senda DRD with the frame signed by all employees.

Production

Table of current models

Competition

Until 2006, Derbi has won 11 drivers' titles in the Motorcycle World Championship (5 of them with the legendary pilot Ángel Nieto) and 8 constructors' titles, in addition to having achieved 85 grand prix victories in the Championship. motorcycling world championship in the different categories. In the paddock they are known as the red bullets.

His first world championship for drivers and brands came in 1969 with Ángel Nieto in the 50 cc category. Derbi and Nieto repeated their victory in 1970 and 1971 in the 125 cc category. In 1972 Derbi won his second world championship in 125 cc. In 1984 the red bullets returned to the World Speed Championship with Ricardo Tormo and Jorge Martínez "Aspar" and in 1986 they won their first 80 cc championship with Aspar champion and "Champi" Herreros runner-up. In 1987 Aspar won its second world championship in 80 cc with Derbi and Derbi also won the world championship for brands. In 1988 the double was achieved, third world championship in 80 cc and third world championship in 125 cc, in 1989 Derbi repeated the title for the fourth consecutive time in 80 cc with the help of Herreros. In 2008, 20 years after its last 125cc title, Derbi won the world title again with French rider Mike Di Meglio.

On July 18, 2010, Marc Márquez achieved Derbi's 100th victory in the motorcycle world championship at the Sachsenring circuit.

Palmarés

In total, Derbi has won 9 constructors' titles (2 in 50 cc, 3 in 80 cc and 4 in 125 cc) and 12 drivers' titles (3 in 50 cc, 4 in 80 cc and 5 in 125 cc).

• 50 cc world titles:

Year	Champion	Country
1969	Angel Nieto
1970	Angel Nieto
1972	Angel Nieto

• 80 cc world titles:

Year	Champion	Country
1986	Jorge Martínez «Aspar»
1987	Jorge Martínez «Aspar»
1988	Jorge Martínez «Aspar»
1989	Manuel Herreros «Champi»

• 125 cc world titles:

Year	Champion	Country
1971	Angel Nieto
1972	Angel Nieto
1988	Jorge Martínez «Aspar»
2008	Mike Di Meglio
2010	Marc Marquez

Curiosities

In 1988 Derbi sponsored the participation of Francesc Bofarull Casas in the Dakar with a 49 cc FDS model, thus obtaining the record in the Guinness Book of Records of 1989, chapter 10 (Human exploits), Crossing the Sahara in 49cc moped.

In 2010, the "Tuenti" Social Network sponsored the Spanish motorcycle team ("Derbi") in 125 cc competitions.