In the early 70s, the popularity of endurance racing grew and Italian 4-strokes found it increasingly difficult to compete with the more powerful 2-strokes coming from abroad.
To deal with this threat, two friends who shared a passion for off-roading decided to build their own motorcycles in 1971 and created SWM (short for Speedy Working Motors).
Three models with 50, 100 and 125cc Sachs engines were developed at the Rivolta d’Adda headquarters, and had already achieved good results in their competition debuts. The advanced technology and modern, original design of the bikes have also impressed the public.
From the very first races, SWM proved to be highly competitive, and for more than a decade the brand reaped numerous places of honor in off-road competitions.
The international debut took place in Spain in 1971, at a European Championship race in which Pierluigi Rottigni finished second in the 125cc class and Giuseppe Signorelli third in the 100cc class.
This was the start of a long list of achievements, including Afro Rustignoli's Italian 125cc Motocross title and Rottigni's bronze medal in the European 125cc endurance class.
These victories gave the Italian company a boost and led to further trophies: silver at the Six Days, European endurance and karting titles, the trials world title and several trials and motocross national titles.
Belgians have also contributed to the brand’s history. Bernard Cordonnier became Belgian trials champion in 1987, but also competed in world championships for several years. With SWM, he reached seventh place in 1983, his best ever ranking.
In 1984, SWM went into liquidation and production ceased. Today, there are still people riding SWMs in classic and twinshock trials events in the UK.
Parts for Rotax engines are still readily available and many other parts that have been taken out of production, such as Acerbis plastics, are produced and distributed by specialist companies such as MotoSWM in the UK and MidWest SWM in the US.
Engineer Ampelio Macchi, who has worked for Cagiva, Aprilia and Husqvarna, is the driving force behind the resurgence of the SWM brand. Six new models were presented at EICMA in 2014. And with, among other things, an Italian national title and third place in the World Supermoto Championship (and much more!) with the SM500R, the "new" SWM has already earned its stripes.
The company’s funding comes from China, via the Shineray Group entity. SWM is still based in Varese, Italy. Today, the Benelux range comprises 9 models, from the Outlaw 125 scrambler to the aggressive SM500R supermotard, including the Six Days 500 with its nod to the brand’s glorious past.
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