Kreidler
A historic German two-wheeler brand known for mopeds, motorcycles, bicycle products, and major success in 50 cc Grand Prix racing.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Kreidler is a German two-wheeler brand whose history began in 1903 with the establishment of Kreidlers Metall- und Drahtwerke by Anton Kreidler. The original business was based in Kornwestheim, between Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart, and initially operated as a metal and wire manufacturer before developing bicycle products and eventually entering powered two-wheelers. Kreidler began building motorcycles in 1951, establishing a presence in the expanding postwar German market for small motorcycles, mopeds, and lightweight personal transport. The company became particularly associated with compact, technically developed motorcycles and mopeds. Its products were aimed at practical everyday mobility, but the brand also cultivated a performance-oriented identity through competition. The Florett became one of its best-known model families and helped make Kreidler recognizable in Germany and other European markets. By 1959, Kreidler reportedly accounted for approximately one third of German motorcycle sales, illustrating the scale of its position during the high-growth period for small motorcycles. Racing was central to Kreidler's historical reputation. During the 1970s and early 1980s, Kreidler achieved extensive success in the 50 cc World Championship category. Riders associated with its championship record included Jan de Vries, Henk van Kessel, Ángel Nieto, Eugenio Lazzarini, and Stefan Dörflinger. Kreidler's seven listed 50 cc world titles came in 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, and 1982. The successes of Dutch riders Jan de Vries and Henk van Kessel were especially important in the Netherlands, where the brand had a strong following. The original manufacturer ceased operations in 1982. The Kreidler trademark rights were then sold to businessman Rudolf Scheidt, who arranged for the Italian manufacturer Garelli Motorcycles to produce mopeds carrying the Kreidler name until 1988. This marked a transition from Kreidler as an independent German manufacturer to Kreidler as a brand whose products could be made by external industrial partners. The trademark was later acquired by the bicycle manufacturer Prophete. In the contemporary structure described by reference material, the brand is used by Prophete subsidiary Cycle Union GmbH, based in Oldenburg, Germany. Modern Kreidler products are bicycles distributed mainly through dealers across Europe. Accordingly, the present-day brand has a broader bicycle-oriented role than the original company, while its historic motorcycle and moped identity remains important to collectors, enthusiasts, and accounts of German motorsport history. Kreidler therefore represents several successive phases of the European two-wheeler industry: early industrial manufacturing, postwar motorcycle and moped expansion, racing-led brand building, trademark licensing after the original company disappeared, and later repositioning within a bicycle manufacturing and distribution group. Its legacy rests both on the practical popularity of models such as the Florett and on its unusually strong record in small-displacement Grand Prix racing.
History
Kreidler's roots date to 1903, when Anton Kreidler founded Kreidlers Metall- und Drahtwerke in Kornwestheim, a town located between Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart. The original enterprise was associated with metal and wire manufacturing. It later developed bicycle products and, in the postwar period, moved into powered two-wheelers. Motorcycle production began in 1951, placing Kreidler in the rapidly expanding market for affordable, lightweight transport in West Germany. The company built its identity around small motorcycles and mopeds that combined practical utility with a sporting image. The Florett family became especially important to the brand's recognition, including sport-oriented versions such as the Florett RS. Kreidler's domestic position was substantial: reference material reports that in 1959 roughly one third of German motorcycles were Kreidler products. This performance made the company one of the notable German manufacturers in the small-displacement segment. Competition provided a second, highly visible dimension to Kreidler's history. The brand was active in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, particularly in the 50 cc class. Its racing program achieved seven listed world championship titles. Jan de Vries won in 1971 and 1973; Henk van Kessel won in 1974; Ángel Nieto won in 1975; Eugenio Lazzarini won in 1979 and 1980; and Stefan Dörflinger won in 1982. The achievements of de Vries and van Kessel were particularly significant in the Netherlands, where Kreidler enjoyed notable attention and support. The original company went out of business in 1982. Rather than disappearing entirely, the brand continued through changes in ownership and production arrangements. Businessman Rudolf Scheidt acquired the trademark rights, and Garelli Motorcycles, an Italian manufacturer, made mopeds under the Kreidler name until 1988. This arrangement separated the continued use of the name from the former German manufacturing company. The Kreidler trademark was subsequently acquired by bicycle manufacturer Prophete. The brand is now used by Prophete's subsidiary Cycle Union GmbH, which is based in Oldenburg, Germany. Contemporary Kreidler products are bicycles built and distributed through dealers mainly throughout Europe. The modern brand thus differs from the historical manufacturer in product emphasis: bicycles are central today, while motorcycles and mopeds define much of Kreidler's historical reputation. Kreidler's legacy combines German industrial history, mass-market small motorcycles, and international racing success. Its survival as a trademark after the original company's closure has allowed the name to remain present in the European two-wheeler market, while its classic motorcycles and championship record continue to support collector and enthusiast interest.
- 1988
Garelli's Kreidler moped production ends
[1]The period of Garelli-produced mopeds sold under the Kreidler name concluded.
- 1982
Original Kreidler business closes
[1]The original manufacturer went out of business. Stefan Dörflinger also won Kreidler's seventh listed 50 cc world championship in the same year.
- 1980
Eugenio Lazzarini wins a second 50 cc world championship
[1]Lazzarini secured another 50 cc world title for Kreidler.
- 1979
Eugenio Lazzarini wins the 50 cc world championship
[1]Lazzarini won the first of his two listed Kreidler-associated 50 cc titles.
- 1975
Ángel Nieto wins the 50 cc world championship
[1]Ángel Nieto delivered another 50 cc world championship associated with Kreidler.
- 1974
Henk van Kessel wins the 50 cc world championship
[1]Henk van Kessel won the 50 cc title for Kreidler, reinforcing the brand's importance in Dutch motorcycle racing.
- 1973
Jan de Vries wins a second 50 cc world championship
[1]De Vries added another 50 cc world title to Kreidler's racing record.
- 1971
Jan de Vries wins the 50 cc world championship
[1]Jan de Vries secured the first of his listed Kreidler-associated 50 cc world titles.
- 1959
Kreidler reaches a leading domestic market position
[1]Reference material reports that about one third of German motorcycles were Kreidler products.
- 1951
Motorcycle production begins
[1]Kreidler entered motorcycle manufacturing after its earlier industrial and bicycle activities.
Products and positioning
A German two-wheeler brand historically positioned around accessible everyday mobility and small-displacement performance, with a strong racing heritage and a contemporary bicycle focus.
Motorcycle and moped
Kreidler Florett
The Florett is Kreidler's best-known historical model family. It represented the brand's focus on compact, lightweight two-wheelers for the German and broader European market. The family included practical and sport-oriented variants, and its name remains closely associated with Kreidler's classic motorcycle and moped identity.
Sport moped or lightweight motorcycle
Kreidler Florett RS
The Florett RS was a sport-oriented member of the Florett line. It is commonly identified with the performance and enthusiast side of Kreidler's product history, complementing the brand's practical transport models and its racing-derived image.
Grand Prix racing motorcycle
Kreidler 50 cc racing motorcycles
Kreidler's 50 cc Grand Prix machines formed the basis of seven listed world championship victories between 1971 and 1982. They were competition motorcycles rather than ordinary consumer models, but their results strongly shaped the brand's reputation for small-displacement engineering and performance.
Bicycle
Kreidler bicycles
Under the later Prophete and Cycle Union structure, Kreidler is used as a bicycle brand. These products represent the contemporary continuation of the name, with bicycles built and distributed through dealers mainly across Europe.
Brand decisions
1982
Continue the Kreidler name through trademark ownership and external productionStrategyBackground
The original Kreidler manufacturer went out of business, creating a need to determine whether and how the established brand name would continue.
Action taken
Trademark rights were sold to Rudolf Scheidt, after which Garelli Motorcycles produced mopeds under the Kreidler name.
Aftermath
Kreidler continued as a licensed or externally produced brand until the Garelli period ended in 1988, and the trademark later moved to Prophete.
- Kreidler trademark is acquired by PropheteM&A
Background
After the original manufacturer closed and the Garelli production arrangement ended, the brand continued through later trademark ownership.
Action taken
Bicycle manufacturer Prophete acquired the Kreidler brand rights and used the name through subsidiary Cycle Union GmbH.
Aftermath
The brand's contemporary emphasis shifted toward bicycles, which are distributed mainly through European dealers.
Recent events
- 1988
Kreidler trademark use by Garelli ends[1]
Product generation
The period during which Garelli manufactured mopeds carrying the Kreidler name ended.
- 1982
Kreidler exits independent manufacturing[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The original Kreidler business went out of business. The year also marked the brand's final listed 50 cc world championship title, won by Stefan Dörflinger.
- 1982
Garelli produces mopeds under the Kreidler name[1]
M&A · Product generation
Following the sale of the trademark rights to Rudolf Scheidt, Italian manufacturer Garelli Motorcycles produced Kreidler-branded mopeds.
- 1959
Kreidler reaches a major position in the German motorcycle market[1]
Other
Reference material states that Kreidler represented about one third of all German motorcycles in this year, reflecting the brand's strong domestic market position.
- 1951
Kreidler begins motorcycle production[1]
Product launch
Kreidler expanded beyond its earlier industrial and bicycle activities and began building motorcycles.
Sources1 sources
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