Minsk (motorcycle)
Minsk (Ru:Минск), also known as M1NSK, is a Belarusian brand of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and snowmobiles, produced by the Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant (MMVZ). The first M1A motorcycle was released in 1951. Since 2007, the company is a private enterprise. More than 6.5 million Minsk motorcycles have been sold worldwide.
 | |
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1951 |
| Headquarters | Belarus: Minsk |
| Products | Motorcycles Scooters ATVs Snowmobiles |
| Website | minsk-moto |
M1NSK built bicycles are branded as Aist.
The beginning
After World War II the documentation and equipment of the German DKW factory in Zschopau were taken to the USSR as war reparations. Production of the RT 125 model began in Moscow under the M1A brand.
By the Order No.494 of the Ministry of automotive industry of the USSR dated July 12, 1951 the production of M1A was transferred from Moscow to the Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant (MMVZ, then Motovelo).
M1A became the basis of simple and reliable classic Minsk models, the history of which continues to this day. This model was imported into Great Britain by Neval Motorcycles, marketed as Neval.
MMVZ
Minsk motorcycles rapidly gained popularity both in the USSR and in foreign markets. They have been delivered to and sold in 45 countries, and the total number has exceeded 6.5 million.
From the early years the Minsk brand has been actively involved in motor sports, especially in motocross and circuit racing. Minsk-Pamir (1969) and Brest-Vladivostok (1971) rallies became the Iconic milestone in the Minsk brand history.
The new models code name system was introduced in 1973 with the new Minsk MMVZ-3.111, which received the State Quality Mark of the USSR.
Codename system developed by the USSR Moto Industry Institute:
- MMVZ - factory;
- 3 - motorcycle class (up to 125 cm3);
- 1 - type (road bike);
- 11 - factory model code.
Reliability and simplicity made Minsk motorcycles a cult brand in Vietnam, which was the most extensive export market. Since 1988 Vietnamese Minsk motorcycles fan-club holds the meetings, which annually attracts more than a thousand people. A Minsk motorcycle was featured in Top Gear's Vietnam Special, ridden by Richard Hammond. Chris Hunt wrote about his experience in riding a Minsk motorcycle along the Ho Chi Minh trail after the Vietnam War in his book Sparring With Charlie: Motorbiking Down the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Minsk motorcycles were among the Soviet motorcycles that were distributed by SATRA, UK, under the Minsk Saturn 125 and Cossack brand names from 1973 to 1979. Satra was originally located in Surrey, later moving to Carnaby.
By the early 90s the Minsk motorcycle production was brought to 220,000 units per year. In 1999, the Minsk brand received the Arch of Europe award for the approval on the international market.
M1NSK
In 2007 Motovelo became the private company. New state-of-the-industry models of street and dual-purpose touring motorcycles, as well as scooters, ATVs and snowmobiles go into production.
In 2010 introduced new logo and M1NSK signature, echoes the name of the first motorcycle of the Minsk brand. Also the current models codename system has been introduced in addition with existing world standards and also easier to understand.
Current M1NSK codename system:
- C - the model code;
- 4 - four-stroke engine;
- 250 - engine capacity.
Today, the factory can boast a full production cycle and a modernly equipped R&D center.
Another milestone of the brand was the Brest-Dushanbe 10,000 km rally organized in cooperation with the CSTO and run in 2013 by three TRX 300 motorcycles.
In 2014 М1NSK received People's brand Award in Belarus.
M1NSK is the only mass motorcycle brand on the today's market which has the State quality mark of the USSR.
Key models
- 1951: Minsk М1А
- 1956: Minsk М1М
- 1973: Minsk MMVZ-3.111
- 1994: Minsk MMVZ-3.113
- 2010: M1NSK R
- 2013: M1NSK TRX
Models
Mopeds
- MMVZ-1.101 (1995-1998).
- MMVZ-1.102 (2003-2004).
- MMVZ-2.154 (2006-2010).
- M1NSK D 49
Scooters
- M1NSK TC 49
- M1NSK TM 49
- M1NSK TX 49
Electric scooters
- M1NSK Upa-Upa 500E
Road bikes
- Minsk M1A "Moscow" (1951)
- Minsk M1M (1956-1961).
- Minsk M-103 (1962-1964 biennium).
- Minsk M-104 (1964-1967 biennium).
- Minsk M-105 (1967-1971 biennium).
- Minsk M-106 (1971-1973 biennium).
- MMVZ-3.111 (1973-1976).
- MMVZ-3.115 (1976-1980).
- MMVZ-3.112 (1982-1995).
- MMVZ-3.113 (C 125)
- MMVZ-3.114 (C4 125)
- MMVZ-3.119 (M 125, F 125H)
- M1NSK C4 200
- M1NSK C4 250
- M1NSK R 250
- M1NSK CX 200
- M1NSK D4 125
Enduro
- M1NSK X 200
- M1NSK ERX 250
- M1NSK TRX 300i
- KTNS RS3 (Malaysia Market)
Quads
- M1NSK KD 500
- M1NSK KD 625
- M1NSK KD 625B
- M1NSK KD 500U
Snowmobiles
M1NSK NIX 390
Racing motorcycles
- Minsk M-201K (1956)
- Minsk M-201M (1956) - a multi-day event.
- Minsk SHK-125 (1961) - The road-racing circuit.
- Minsk M-205 - highway-ring races.
- Minsk M-213 (1969) - The multi-day event.
- Minsk M-211 (1971 YG)
- MMVZ-3.221 "Cross" - motocross.
- MMVZ-3.216 (1977)
- MMVZ-3.225 (1980) - motocross.
- MMVZ-3.227 (1987-1991.) - Highway-ring races.
- MMVZ-3.229
- MMVZ-3.232 (5.232) (1993) - trial.
- RX 250 - motocross.
- M1NSK RX 450 - motocross.
Small-scale and experimental
- Minsk M-101 (1961-1962 biennium).
- Minsk M-106 "Polaris"
- Minsk M-107 (1969 YG)
- MMVZ-3.1133 "Suite" (1987)
- MMVZ-2.601 "Cadet" (2002)
- MMVZ-2.153 "Grief" (2005)
- MMVZ-2.152 (2007)
- StreetFighter Shif Custom
- M1NSK M4 200 Shif Custom
- M1NSK M500 Shif Custom
- M1NSK KD 500U MOE
- M1NSK TRX300i Police
- KTNS RS3 (Malaysia Market)