Company messages

Rudolf Scheidt, a major Kreidler wholesaler (Kanonenberg) with a keen interest in keeping the brand alive so that he could continue to serve his dealer network, and Garelli entered into a cooperation agreement. The rights to the brand were purchased from Garelli's bankruptcy estate and sold through a distribution structure organized by Scheid in Germany.

However, it was not Garelli that took over the replacement stocks and tools, but largely the Dutchman John Bos.

Garelli acquires the rights to use the Kreidler name. Popular moped and motorbike names such as Flory, Flirt, etc. are particularly important for the Italians. Garelli mopeds and the Kreidler logo are used in an attempt to expand into the German market. Part of this production still takes place in rented production halls in Kornwestheim.
Production at HRD in Italy is largely discontinued. The naming rights are split up. HRD enjoys cult status in France in the 80cc segment. French importer Housset secures the rights to use the name for the French market.
After SWM was forced to close, GasGas began building its own models based on SWM designs.
Zündapp files for bankruptcy. In September, the entire factory in Munich-Anzing (machines, casting molds, design drawings) is sold to China for approximately 16 million DM. Over 100 railroad cars transport the factory to Tianjin.

Xunda Motor Co. is the company in Tianjin that continues production using this equipment.

Due to the severe crisis in the Italian motorcycle market, which is particularly affecting manufacturers of mopeds and small motorcycles, Cimatti is also forced to cease operations.
SWM had to cease production. An attempt to rescue the company under the name SVM (Società Veicoli Milanese) lasted only a few years before the brand disappeared completely from the market.


Motocross

Models in this year
fim_wc.png125ccm Cross WM
The 125cc World Championship was set to be a duel between two Italians, but Michele Rinaldi crashed at the opening GP in Vittorio Veneto and had to be taken to hospital with a shoulder injury. He underwent surgery and subsequently missed three GPs. He was back at the start of the fifth GP in Schefflenz, where he scored points and went on to win nine more races. However, Corrado Maddi remained equally alert and maintained his comfortable 30-point lead until the start of the final Grand Prix in Ettelbrück, Luxembourg. In a dramatic season finale, Michele was crowned world champion, Suzuki's tenth world championship title.
Corrado Maddi only needed to finish fifth in the last race to become world champion. The drama surrounding Corrado Maddi unfolded on Sunday morning during training. He collided with his Italian compatriot Michele Fanton and broke his left leg in three places.
fim_wc.png500ccm Cross WM
For the first time, all three world champions from last year will compete in the same class: Eric Geboers, Georges Jobe, and Hakan Carlquist.
Suzuki officially withdraws from the 500cc World Championship. The decision was based on a combination of economic and strategic considerations. Sales figures for off-road machines fell worldwide. Suzuki has to introduce drastic cost-cutting measures, and its extremely expensive involvement in the 500cc class, in which only expensive factory prototypes are used, is at odds with this. The company wants to concentrate its resources on the smaller classes.
italy.png125ccm Cross Campionato italiano
The first podium finish for Kawasaki in the Italian championship by Massimo Contini with 2nd place.
italy.png250ccm Cross Campionato italiano
Mauricio Dolce wins the title immediately with Honda's first placing in the Italian 250cc motocross championship.
World champions of the year
Europe and US champions
National champions

Other

Events
Suzuki ends its involvement in the premier class and Harry Everts signs with Husqvarna. But during his first test, he injures his leg so badly that he decides to quit the sport.