Laverda - Odds and sods from the WWW

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Laverda 1000 prototype wheels:

https://one-photo.laverdaparts.se/____gallery/images/7/574/d3e/2ed/f28/d6b/364/700/cb1/ca8/fab/b1b/ff8/852.jpg_l.jpg?progressive&_1

https://one-photo.laverdaparts.se/____gallery/images/d/a92/a03/11b/5dc/843/e60/3e6/705/a18/237/eec/109/c27.jpg_l.jpg?progressive&_1
 
Maybe in the era they were produced they would have been seen as pretty funky! And using that huge drum it must surely have been a very early era! Reminds me of a Munch Mammoth wheel.
 

Laverda e-Bestia (e-Beast)

I took the great Laverda name that was mothballed on purchasing by the Piaggio Group and produced an image of how it could be successfully resurrected after over 20 years of nothing. It is rumoured they may sell the brand to a couple of interested consortiums, one of which is Russian. WHoever...
www.coroflot.com www.coroflot.com
 
I don't understand why one would want to resurrect the Laverda marque, nothing conforming to modern restrictions could offer anything close to what a classic Laverda is renowned for. Why can't the marque be left to fade away in dignity? First the Zane debacle, then chinese-made scooters, now this. :rolleyes:

piet
 
Why not, Piet?

First of all: Guzzi has done it, Ducati has done it and Benelli also did it, MV - and many more, too, Piet. They all sell modern bikes. So - why not a modern Laverda? Even BMW was said to be dead if they ever stop producing the air-cooled boxers. They sell more bikes with other engine concepts today than the ever sold boxers.

Or think of Porsche. They only survived the 70's and 80's due to the 924, 944 (something a 911-fan will never accept, but which is true...). They were also said to be dead if they ever go away from the rear 6-cylinder, air-cooled boxer engine. Today they sell 5 times as many cars with water cooled front engines than with rear engines (see: https://de.statista.com/statistik/d...e/fahrzeugproduktion-von-porsche-nach-modell/).

Look at the success of the Mini - since BMW has taken over, they sold more modern Mini than British Lealand ever did!

It's not a question of the heritage, it's a question of meeting the taste of the broader customer base, proper marketing, deep pockets and the quality and design of the product that makes a brand successful. We wouldn't be the target customer anyway to any of these brands, they would try to access the "youngsters", as they most probably will purchase more than one bike in their live from now on. We most certainly won't...

So, again: why not? ;)
 
Laverdalothar said:
Why not, Piet?

First of all: Guzzi has done it, Ducati has done it and Benelli also did it, MV - and many more, too, Piet. They all sell modern bikes. So - why not a modern Laverda? Even BMW was said to be dead if they ever stop producing the air-cooled boxers. They sell more bikes with other engine concepts today than the ever sold boxers.

Or think of Porsche. They only survived the 70's and 80's due to the 924, 944 (something a 911-fan will never accept, but which is true...). They were also said to be dead if they ever go away from the rear 6-cylinder, air-cooled boxer engine. Today they sell 5 times as many cars with water cooled front engines than with rear engines (see: https://de.statista.com/statistik/d...e/fahrzeugproduktion-von-porsche-nach-modell/).

Look at the success of the Mini - since BMW has taken over, they sold more modern Mini than British Lealand ever did!

It's not a question of the heritage, it's a question of meeting the taste of the broader customer base, proper marketing, deep pockets and the quality and design of the product that makes a brand successful. We wouldn't be the target customer anyway to any of these brands, they would try to access the "youngsters", as they most probably will purchase more than one bike in their live from now on. We most certainly won't...

So, again: why not? ;)
Click to expand...
What is the typical Laverda engine layout that would be immediately identifiable?
Guzzi survived with a across the frame V twin, BMW with a very flat twin and Ducati with an inline V. But Laverda?
Any motorcyclist today knows Guzzi, Ducati, BMW but they've never even heard the name Laverda.

Laverda is a place, a certain number of people, and a time. All are gone or going.

Paul

Of course, some Eastern manufacturer can buy the name an make a product with Laverda on the side.
 
Well - easy: Laverda is most known for twins (750ccm) and tripples (1000/1200ccm). But this is absolutely not important. What made the bikes attractive to us was that there was a team of enthusiasts that made things slightly different and who put a lot of heart and soule into the bikes. Nevertheless, at the end it was a business, also for them.

The todays Benelli's have NOTHING to do with the original brand. The today's MV's neither. The todays most successful BMW's have absolutely nothing in common with what they produced in the 70's. etc. - time moved on, just many Laverdista seem to still live in that time. That's OK, we just should not think we are the target customers for ANY modern bike... So - who cares if the brand Laverda is used again to build up potentially a more modern and more advanced motorcycle-company? I know it will not be lead or influenced by anyone with the name Laverda on them. So what? BMW's, MV's, Benelli's founders all have died already, companyies belong to people that have nothing to do with the original company. Still, they are building nice bikes. Why not?

The only positive thing I could imagine to happen would be if they would f.e. re-produce parts, just like BMW, Porsche and other companies now do for the growing Oldtimer market. That at least would make it attractive to me if someone would re-birth Laverda. Won't happen, I know, but what if...? :love:
 
Laverdalothar said:
Well - easy: Laverda is most known for twins (750ccm) and tripples (1000/1200ccm). But this is absolutely not important. What made the bikes attractive to us was that there was a team of enthusiasts that made things slightly different and who put a lot of heart and soule into the bikes. Nevertheless, at the end it was a business, also for them.

The todays Benelli's have NOTHING to do with the original brand. The today's MV's neither. The todays most successful BMW's have absolutely nothing in common with what they produced in the 70's. etc. - time moved on, just many Laverdista seem to still live in that time. That's OK, we just should not think we are the target customers for ANY modern bike... So - who cares if the brand Laverda is used again to build up potentially a more modern and more advanced motorcycle-company? I know it will not be lead or influenced by anyone with the name Laverda on them. So what? BMW's, MV's, Benelli's founders all have died already, companyies belong to people that have nothing to do with the original company. Still, they are building nice bikes. Why not?

The only positive thing I could imagine to happen would be if they would f.e. re-produce parts, just like BMW, Porsche and other companies now do for the growing Oldtimer market. That at least would make it attractive to me if someone would re-birth Laverda. Won't happen, I know, but what if...? :love:
Click to expand...
All a question of age as you point out Lothar. For people who were adults in the 50s or early 60s, Laverda = single cylinder engines.
You are of course right, Benelli or MV have nothing to do with the brand products of the past which today's buyer's have never heard of and they don't give a shit any way.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

As for BMW and Porsche, it's a great pity that they haven't disappeared altogether.

Paul
 
Sorry Lothar, I don't buy into all this retro crap. Thinking a new product is desirable just because it carries a legendary name is stupid imho. "Retro" cars such as the Mini, Beetle or Fiat 500 have nought to do with what they are impostering, the companies may have just as well conjured up new names for them. But there's loads of suckers that consider themselves hip because they buy a product, be it a motor vehicle, pushbike or other high-priced appliance, that suggests to them they have exquisite taste, but in reality most have more money than taste, and the industries are more than happy to milk them. They'll happily throw the product away as soon as their taste changes, they're following fashion, nothing else. They have no taste of their own, they are acting as the advertising industry wishes in our era of over-abundance.

As for Porsche or BMW, I care for neither. I don't think the planet would stop revolving if they, along with dozens of other products and companies, disappeared. It didn't stop turning when Breganze closed the doors for the last time either...

piet
 
sfcpiet said:
Sorry Lothar, I don't buy into all this retro crap. Thinking a new product is desirable just because it carries a legendary name is stupid imho. "Retro" cars such as the Mini, Beetle or Fiat 500 have nought to do with what they are impostering, the companies may have just as well conjured up new names for them. But there's loads of suckers that consider themselves hip because they buy a product, be it a motor vehicle, pushbike or other high-priced appliance, that suggests to them they have exquisite taste, but in reality most have more money than taste, and the industries are more than happy to milk them. They'll happily throw the product away as soon as their taste changes, they're following fashion, nothing else. They have no taste of their own, they are acting as the advertising industry wishes in our era of over-abundance.

As for Porsche or BMW, I care for neither. I don't think the planet would stop revolving if they, along with dozens of other products and companies, disappeared. It didn't stop turning when Breganze closed the doors for the last time either...

piet
Click to expand...
To imagine that some people think I always see the dark side of things. I exercised a lot of restraint in my post.

Don't tempt me. 🤪

Paul
 
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