This page lists brands for which we currently have only an historical precis.
For a more information see the List of Swiss Motorcycles.
Acabion 2006
ADM
Designed by Charles Auf der Maur and developed over a period of five years, it had its debut at the 1983 French Grand Prix, ridden by Andreas Hofmann. Powered by a flat-four two-stroke engine aligned fore-and-aft, in Douglas fashion, power was transmitted through a six-speed Yamaha-based gearbox via chain to the rear wheel.
The wheels were 16" front and rear in order to keep the C of G as low as possible. The wheel size proved problematical as suitable tyres were scarce - though of course they became commonplace just a few years hence.
The ADM proved an expensive exercise and only the one was built. Auf der Maur went on to build engines for sidecar racing.
Source: François-Marie Dumas
Alpa
Manufactured by Alpa-Werke AG, Sirnach.
Alpa mopeds included the Bobby of 1976 along with Turbo, Enduro, Mini, Cross, Chopper and M1.
They also produced mopeds under the Staco brand. An example of the Staco has a Sachs 50cc engine, a drum front brake and no suspension front or rear.
Sources: mop-ed.se Sweden, mofaclub-oberwallis.ch
Armec
Aregger Mechanik, Lorensäge, Emmenbrücke
Brothers Kurt and Markus Aregger have experience in aircraft manufacturing. Sidecar combinations are built in conventional and swinger styles. Sidecar construction began in 1986.
Models include Bullet, Gipsy, Tremola I & II, Tremo Leaner, Cruiser, Zero and Sidewinder.
Sources:
Source: Sidecar Club Praha, et al
Automat
Manufactured in the 1960s by Adolf Bühler of Willisau.
A Sachs-powered moped was offered in 1967
Source: mop-ed.se
Berliette
A. Berlier built 500cc motorcycles in Geneva, 1917 [1]
Source: morger.net
Bleidorn
In 1896 Karl Bleidorn of Maschinenfabrik Arbon 1896 built Switzerland's first motorcycle. Three pages state much the same, without further detail.
Sources: morger.net, tagblatt.ch, nike-kulturerbe.ch.
BPR
Buratti, Ponte & Roch of Acacias, near Geneva, built motorcycles from 1929 to 1932
Sources: morger.net; moto-collection.org
Butikofer 1896~1906
Cilo 1950s~1960s
Comodo
These were 48cc single speed horizontal two-stroke bicycle attachment engines, displayed at the Salon de Paris in 1950. They were single-speed and drove the rear wheel by roller. Perrenoud of Paris built them under licence to Comodo in the mid 1950s.
Sources: mo-ped.se, VELO Moteurs No 9 Octobre 1950 (Belgium).
Cosmos
Schild & Co AG of Madretsch, Biel, 1904 - 1913
Built motorcycles using Zedel and Fafnir engines, and also built bicyclettes.
Cree 2002-2003
Darling
Friedrich Lochner Motorradbau, Sumiswald, Bern 1924-1926
Constructed motorcycles powered by 246cc two-stroke engines of their own manufacture.
Source: Wikipedia
Doranio
Doranie & Cie., Geneva, built motorcycles from 1906.[1]
Source: morger.net
Dufaux
Henri and Armand Dufaux of Geneva built their first powered bicycle in 1895, forming the company H&A Dufaux & Co in 1899. Their primary passion was aviation, and they sold motorcycles to finance this, forming the Motosacoche company in 1903.
Duss Evolution GmbH
Entlebuch, near Lucerne.
Developed between 2004 and 2007, the Duss 1000cc 90º V-twin supermotard was in style somewhat like the KTM. It was claimed to produce 120 hp weighed only 145 kilos, and had componentry by Öhlins, Wilbers and Marchesini. It does not appear to have reached production. More recently the firm designed a straight six motorcycle engine.
In 2024 there was no longer any mention of motorcycles on their website.
Source: duss.ch
E-Choppers
Peter Fässler, developer of e-choppers
Website: e-choppers.ch
Eff-Eff
Furrer & Fröhlicher of Solothurn in 1904 built a 3hp single-cylinder motorcycle
Further details have proved elusive.
Source: morger.net
Egg & Egli 1893-1899
Egloff
Sidecar manufacturer, established 1994.
Egloff GFK-Technik
Messenriet 10, 8500 Frauenfeld, Switzerland
"Our core competence lies in the development and optimization of sidecar shapes. We produce various models of our own as well as a wide variety of types on customer orders."
Source: egloff-gfk.ch
Eicher Sidecars
Eugen Eicher and his colleague Paul Nideröst of Eicher Motors imported Dnepr sidecars from Ukraine from 1984 to 1996. In 1999 Nideröst and his wife Karin formed Dnepr–Ural GmbH, which took over the rights from Eicher Motors. In 2005 the workshops moved to Oberägeri.
Source: dnepr-ural.ch
N.B. There is also an Eicher Motors in India which makes tractors and other automotive products. That company began in Forstern, Germany, as a tractor manufacturer.
Etrix
Swiss company based in Regensdorf
Elektroroller | Elektro-Motorrad | Elektroauto
Website: etrix.ch
Feline Motorcycles
Created by designer and motorcycle journalist Yacouba Galle, the machines had a claimed output of over 150 h.p. and were priced at $US280,000. There is no evidence that any were produced.
Website: feline-motorcycles.com ✝
FB: fb.com/felinemotorcycles (Last post 2015)
Feru Mopeds
Built in Zurich-Seebach, Switzerland, early 1960s, by Ferdinand Ruppnig who began a bicycle workshop in 1941.
Fiducia
1902-1905
Giesserei Weber of Uster constructed motorcycles powered by 450cc engines of their own manufacture.
Sources: morger.net; pantheonbasel.ch.
GG 1994~2015
Helvetia
1905-1906
G.A. Saurer & Cie., Arbon built a motorcycle with a Z-L engine
Source: morger.net
Helvetia (Willisau)
Motorcycles built in 1928 by Dr. Antonio Vedova using 170cc Praillet & Antoine engines. The firm then produced Universal
motorcycles.
Over the years there were several companies which used the Helvetia name.
Source: Wikipedia
Henriod
A steam-powered tricycle built by Fritz Henriod, Biel 1896-1903
Source: morger.net
HMO Sidecars
Hegetschweiler Motos Ottenbach, near Zurich, opened in 1975. Hegetschweiler had been building BMW-based combinations since 1964.
HMO constructed some 220 single-seater sidecar combinations which had leading link forks with the fuel tank below the luggage compartment.
Sources: Gespann-Lexikon; Hal Kendall; morger.net.
Horlacher
Manufactured by Horlacher AG, Switzerland
The firm has built a variety of electric vehicles including a 3-wheeler, the Horlacher GL88 "Egg" of 1988. The Egg could achieve 80 km/h, with a range of 100km.
Horlacher vehicles have won many races and rallies including the Tour-de-Sol and have been very successful in their class.
Website: horlacher.com
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, Wikipedia, et al
Imholz
Imholz Fahrradwerke AG, St. Gallen 1924-1927
Built motorcycles using Moser two-stroke and four-stroke engines.
Source: Wikipedia
Jenny
Jean Jenny of Chàtelaine, Geneva, built a two-stroke motorcycle in 1926. [1]
Source: morger.net
La Chaine
Walther Schmid of Geneva built a motorcycle with rear suspension in 1906. [1]
Source: morger.net
La Colombe
Louis Ischy of Payerne built motorcycles beginning in 1905. A 1908 newspaper advertisement mentions Colombe bicycles and Motocyclettes Zedel of 1¾ HP à 5½.
Sources: morger.net; doc.rero.ch
La Genevoise
Alfred Morgenegg of Geneva built a 750cc motorcycle in 1917. [1]
Source: morger.net
La Routier
Bonnet & Jaquard of Romainmötier built several motorcycles 1904-1906. [1]
Source: morger.net
Landi
AG J. Zehnder & Söhne of Gränichen built a 750cc motorcycle in 1939. That same year, Condor built a sidecar machine named Landi, and Motoscoche released a 500cc single-cylinder Landi model.
Source: morger.net
Le Side-Motor
Motosport AG of Moutier built an unusual tricar with a 495cc V-twin MAG engine from 1923 to 1925.
Source: moto-collection.org
Lista
Lightweights built 1955-1960.
An advertisement gives the company name as Industrie Kontor Zurich AG. Talacker 35, Zurich.
MADC
1901-1905, built motorcycles with 215cc engines. The firm was the forerunner of Motosacoche.
Source: Wikipedia
Mako
Manufactured small numbers of scooters around 1953 to 1955 powered by JLO 125cc engines. The scooters bore an unmistakeable resemblance to the Lambretta LC.
Mallmallwallon-DMT
Built in Geneva by Pierre Dunant, 1903. [1]
Source: morger.net
Maltry 1960s
Moto Geneve
Séchehaye & Cie of Geneva produced Zedel-powered machines from 1910 for a short period. Yesterdays sold a 1910 2½ HP 275cc single cylinder AIV model.
Source: morger.net; Yesterdays.
Mobilec
Sytrel International Sàrl
Rue Basse 27
CH-2013 Colombier NE
Electric scooter, top speed 36 km/h.
Website: mobilec.ch
Motoclette
Frizt Haag & co, Geneva. Built 1904-1915 using Zedel, Moser and other engines.
Sources: Wikipedia, La Moto Francaise, Tragatsch p217
MV
Müller-Vogel & Cie of St. Aubin built aeroplane engines and high-performance engines for cars and motorcycles. They produced the 737cc V-Twin used in the aptly named Quick of 1917.
Sources: morger.net, moto-collection.org, et al.
Nomo
Manufactured by Nomo AG., Bern.
Built mopeds powered by 50cc 2-speed Sachs engines. Models included Nomo Luxe with 21" wheels and Nomo Super de Luxe with 23" wheels, both restricted to 30 km/h.
Source: mop-ed.se Sweden
Oris
Built by Oris-Velofabrik of Liestal in 1903 using a Zedel engine. [1]
Source: morger.net
Piot Moto
Gilbert Piot built performance engines and specialised in carbon fibre components in the 1990s.
Source: Wikipedia
Pony
Lightweights built by Amsler & Co. AG of Feuerthalen from 1961
Source: amsler-feuerthalen.ch
Quooda
Qooder S.A. P.IVA CHE
Electric tricycles and quads. Hydraulic Tilting System.
Website: qooder.com
FB: fb.com/QooderOfficial
Quantya
Manufactured by Quantya SA, Lugarno
Founded in 2005 by Claudio Dick, the company produces electric sports motorcycles.
Models include the Quantya EVO1 Track for motocross and the Quantya EVO1 Strada road machine.
2024 models include the Storm Bee MX and ECO1 scooter.
Sources: motorencyclopedie.nl, quantya.com
Reima
Werner Maltry built high-performance 490cc twins for racing purposes during the early 1960s.
Source: Wikipedia
Rex
Motorcycles built by Maschinenfabrik Gränichen AG (MAFAG) of Gränichen 1932~1950. The firm is closely related to the Tigra and Zehnder marques.
Sources: morger.net; mofakult.ch.
Rico 1950s (Mopeds)
Riva
Solec AG of Bern was founded on September 8th, 1988 in Zollikon by Michael Brand, Marianne Brand-Friedli and Peter Bume. The Riva Solec was built around 1992, an electric four-wheel microcar. There is no evidence to suggest they built motorcycles.
Sources: morger.net; als.m.wikipedia.org.
Roger Barbier
Known also as R.B., during the 1920s the Geneva firm built 250cc four-stroke motorcycles and later oil-cooled OHC 500s. [1]
Sources: morger.net, et al.
Royal
Helvetia-Fahrradfabrik, founded by Philipp Zucker in Basel, built motorcycles 1900-1902 (or possibly 1912) fitted with Zedel engines.
A court document from May 1913 mentions "Philipp Zucker, a bicycle dealer in Basel".
Source: morger.net; nl.wikipedia.org; entscheide.weblaw.ch
SAM
SA de Construction Mécanique of Geneva built motorcycles with engines from external suppliers from 1904. [1]
Source: morger.net
Schwalbe (Uster)
One of two Swiss marques of this name, this one was built by Ruegg & Co of Uster, Zürich from 1901 - 1905 using a 2¾ hp Zedel engine.
The other Schwalbe was built in Aalen, and was also fitted with Zedel engines.
Source: Wikipedia
Schmid
Built in Geneva by Carl Schmid in 1923 as a project to display his comprehension of engineering and aerodynamic design, the futuristic machine featured a monocoque chassis and hydraulic brakes. Powered by a 175cc OHV engine it was believed to be capable of 70 kph.
Some fifty years later, many of his concepts were becoming commonplace.
Senn Moto-Spezial
Georg and Walter Senn built custom Harley-Davidsons in the 1970s and 80s. It was a large firm for a custom builder, having over 40 employees.
Source: Wikipedia
Seymaz
Erich Vaugnat built sidecar combinations for road-racing.
Source: Wikipedia
Souverain
A. Souverain et Cie, 41, Avenue des Abattoirs, Geneva, exhibit a well-designed motor-bicycle, fitted with magneto electric ignition. The motor develops 2¼ b.h.p., and is placed in an inclined position in a neatly designed loop frame. The drive is by a twisted hide belt, and a jockey pulley is used for tensioning, this being worked by a lever front the horizontal tube. A simple form of spray carburetter is used, this being fitted close to the inlet valve. The petrol tank and lubricator pump are fixed behind the back forks. The magneto is driven by a piece of cased-in gearing from the two to one shaft, and the ignition can be advanced or restarted to control the speed. A powerful back rim brake is fitted. The weight of the machine is about 90lbs., and the price £ 34. The general finish and workmanship are good.
Paris Salon 1902 in Motor Cycling, December 17th, 1902. Page 346
STAS
Built by Fritz Moser who had previously worked with Zedel. He had established a company building engines under his own name in 1906, but during WWI changed the name of the firm and the brand name to S.T.A.S. (St. Aubin Schweitz) as he felt the German-sounding name would affect sales. After the war the name reverted to Moser.
Strübi
The Strubi was a motorcycle with a fully enclosed cabin and a door. It had a JLO 250cc two-stroke twin located at the front of the cabin directly below the steering column, between the rider's knees. The steering was conventional. Nothing else was.
Source: ig-jlo-twin.eu
Sur-Ron
Builds the electric Storm Bee
Related to Quantya
Website: sur-ron.ch
FB: fb.com/SurRonEurope
Swissauto
Based in Burgdorf, the firm has supplied V4 engines for ELF, MuZ and Pulse 500cc Grand Prix motorcycles and World Championship sidecars.
Development of the new compact and lightweight V4 2-stroke 500 cc engine for World Motorcycle GP; 29 wins, 41 Poles and 3 World champion titles were the remarkable results with this engine.
It also has developed one of the most efficient (35%) internal combustion engines to extend the range of plug in hybrid electric vehicles.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org; swissauto.com
Swiss Boy 1951
Taddeoli
Pierre Émile Taddéoli of Geneva built motorcycles between 1901 and 1906. [1] Emile died on 24 May 1920 in an aeroplane accident.
Geneva streetmaps commemorate his name: Chemin Émile Taddéoli.
Source: morger.net, et al.
Tebag
Manufactured by Tebag AG., Zürich
A 1963 moped was fitted with a Flandria engine.
Source: mop-ed.se
Tigra
Manufactured by Maschinenfabrik Gränichen AG
Using engines from Puch and Sachs, in the 1960s the Swiss firm produced mopeds named Tigra Caravelle Pionier*, Mustang S30 E, S40 R and S40 RA.
The MAFAG company had considerable experience in the motorcycle industry, having built both Zehnder and Standard machines since the early 1930s. They bought the Tigra concern from Eric Griesshaber and Eduard Piguet, who had established it as a bicycle manufacturer in the late 1940s. MAFAG entered bankruptcy in the mid-1980s and sold the Tigra name to another Swiss bicycle firm.
Sources: mop-ed.se, et al
N.B. Pionier is the correct spelling.
Tourist
Desplands & Cie. of Lausanne built a number of different of motorcycles from 1903. [1]
Source: morger.net
Tribelhorn 1918-c.1940
Vaucher
Motorcycles built by E. Vaucher of Geneva from 1910. [1]
Source: morger.net
Velosolex H-S
The Vélosolex Type 330 was built entirely in Switzerland, in the famed Hispano-Suisse factory, from 1952
See also Velosolex
Source: moto-collection.org
Volksroller
Mowag Fahrzeugbau of Kreuzlingen produced 50cc scooters in 1958. Established in 1950, the large Swiss firm is well known for its range of military equipment, which includes tanks. It now belongs to the US group General Dynamics.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mowag was contacted by German arms companies.
Volksroller by Mowag, 1958
Sources: morger.net; wikipedia.org/wiki/Mowag
Walco
Walco of Biel built mopeds with Sachs engines around 1967. A forum post mentions a "Walco 2100 with a manual Sachs 504 engine". The firm also produced bicycles, and these may have been supplied to Schwinn in the USA.
Source: morger.net
Zedel (ZL)
Zürcher, Lüthi & Cie of Saint-Aubin-Sauges built motorcycle engines between 1897 and 1908. See
Zurcher for more information.
Notes. 1. No other source for this marque has been discovered.
If you have a query or information about these classic Swiss machines please please contact us
