Beta Motorcycles

This book covers the long history, from its origins through to the present day, of the historic Italian manufacturer Beta Motorcycles, active in the two-wheeled world for over 100 years, presenting previously unpublished material.

A particularly versatile firm, over the decades Beta Motorcycles has proved capable of diversifying its products - building all kinds of motorcycle - and satisfying the mutating demands of its clientele. The Florentine marque built its own two- and four-stroke engines in-house, but has always been open to joint ventures with other European or Japanese firms.

Founded as a bicycle manufacturer, Beta Motorcycles moved into the moped market in the 1960s, off-road motorcycles in the late 1970s, enduro models in the following decade and then scooters, for over 20 years, not to mentions the Trial sector in which it conquered eight World Championship titles. In more recent years the company has returned to the "classic" Motocross and Enduro categories and in 2016 collected a further two world titles, including the Constructors' Championship.

The book features a comprehensive catalogue of every model and every engine produced by Beta Motorcycles during the course of over a century.