Motori Minarelli
Italian manufacturer of motorcycle and scooter engines, now part of the Fantic Motor group.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Motori Minarelli is an Italian motorcycle-engine manufacturer whose origins date to Bologna in 1951. The company initially operated as a motorcycle maker, added moped production in 1954, and then concentrated on engine manufacturing. In the mid-1950s it moved decisively toward two-stroke engines, establishing a dedicated factory and selling power units to vehicle manufacturers in Italy, elsewhere in Europe, and South America. This specialization made Minarelli an important supplier in the lightweight motorcycle, moped, and scooter sectors. The business adopted the name Motori Minarelli in 1967 and opened a plant in Calderara di Reno near Bologna. During the 1970s, production expanded to approximately 250,000 engines annually, while the company also participated in motorcycle racing and achieved a number of racing titles. Its manufacturing scale and engineering capabilities continued to grow during the following decades. By 1995, the company employed approximately 350 people and was producing about 450,000 engines per year. A commercial relationship with Yamaha began in 1990. As the global motorcycle market changed, Minarelli became part of the Yamaha Group in 2002. Under Yamaha ownership, the company continued to serve the motorcycle industry as an engine producer. In 2020, Fantic Motor acquired all of Motori Minarelli's shares from Yamaha, bringing the manufacturer into the Fantic Motor group. Following the acquisition, Motori Minarelli's role broadened beyond supplying internal-combustion engines. Its activities became associated with the production of mopeds and scooters, including the Issimo and Issimo City models within the Fantic product sphere. In June 2023, Yamaha Motor Europe commissioned Minarelli to manufacture 10,000 Yamaha Booster electric bicycles, derived from the Fantic Issimo platform. This arrangement illustrated the company's continuing industrial relationship with Yamaha while also reflecting its connection to newer lightweight electric-mobility products. The company's documented engine portfolio includes both two-stroke and four-stroke internal-combustion units for motorcycle applications. Listed examples include the 460 cc MM 460 4T, the 300 cc MM 300 2T, the 125 cc MM 125 4T, and the 50 cc AM6 2T. Motori Minarelli is therefore positioned primarily as a motorcycle and scooter powertrain specialist, with a history spanning engine supply, vehicle manufacturing, racing activity, and more recent involvement in electric bicycle production.
History
Motori Minarelli was established in Bologna in 1951 and began as a motorcycle manufacturer. The company expanded into mopeds in 1954, but soon shifted its principal focus toward engines. Two years later, it concentrated exclusively on two-stroke engine production and built a new 2,000-square-metre factory for the activity. At that stage, the operation employed 20 technical staff and produced approximately 70 engines per day. Its customers included manufacturers in Italy, other European countries, and South America. In 1967, the company adopted the name Motori Minarelli and opened a new production facility in Calderara di Reno, in the Bologna area. The move supported a period of industrial expansion. By the 1970s, annual engine output had reached approximately 250,000 units. During the same decade, Minarelli entered motorcycle racing and won several titles, helping associate the company with performance as well as volume engine production. The company began a business relationship with Yamaha in 1990. Continued growth brought the workforce to approximately 350 employees by 1995, while annual engine production reached about 450,000 units. In 2002, against the background of changes in the international motorcycle market, Motori Minarelli became part of the Yamaha Group. Yamaha ownership lasted until 2020, when Fantic Motor acquired all of the company's shares. Motori Minarelli consequently became part of the Fantic Motor group. Under the new ownership, its activities were connected not only with motorcycle-engine production but also with mopeds and scooters, including the Issimo and Issimo City models. In June 2023, Yamaha Motor Europe commissioned Motori Minarelli to produce 10,000 Yamaha Booster electric bicycles. The bicycles were derived from Fantic Issimo models, linking Minarelli's manufacturing role to an electric-mobility product while preserving an industrial relationship with its former parent group. The documented product range includes two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycle engines, such as the 460 cc MM 460 4T, 300 cc MM 300 2T, 125 cc MM 125 4T, and 50 cc AM6 2T.
- 2023
Yamaha Booster e-bike production commission
[1]Yamaha Motor Europe commissioned Minarelli to produce 10,000 Yamaha Booster electric bicycles derived from Fantic Issimo models.
- 2020
Acquired by Fantic Motor
[1]Fantic Motor acquired 100% of Motori Minarelli from Yamaha.
- 2002
Joins the Yamaha Group
[1]Motori Minarelli became a member of the Yamaha Group amid changes in the global motorcycle market.
- 1995
Production reaches approximately 450,000 engines
[1]The company employed approximately 350 people and annual engine production reached about 450,000 units.
- 1990
Business relationship with Yamaha begins
[1]Motori Minarelli began a business relationship with Yamaha.
- 1970
Expansion of engine production and racing activity
[1]During the 1970s, annual engine production reached approximately 250,000 units, and the company entered motorcycle racing.
- 1967
Name change and Calderara di Reno plant
[1]The company became Motori Minarelli and opened a new plant in Calderara di Reno.
- 1956
Shift to dedicated two-stroke engine production
[1]Minarelli moved exclusively into two-stroke engine manufacture and constructed a dedicated 2,000-square-metre factory.
- 1954
Moped production begins
[1]The company expanded its activities by beginning to build mopeds.
- 1951
Company founded in Bologna
[1]Motori Minarelli was founded in Bologna as a motorcycle manufacturer.
Products and positioning
A specialist Italian motorcycle and scooter powertrain manufacturer combining long-standing two-stroke and four-stroke engineering expertise with production capabilities within the Fantic Motor group.
Four-stroke motorcycle engine
Minarelli MM 460 4T
A 460 cc four-stroke engine listed among Motori Minarelli's motorcycle powertrain products.
Two-stroke motorcycle engine
Minarelli MM 300 2T
A 300 cc two-stroke engine in the company's documented motorcycle-engine range.
Four-stroke motorcycle engine
Minarelli MM 125 4T
A 125 cc four-stroke engine designed for motorcycle applications and included in the listed Minarelli portfolio.
Two-stroke moped or lightweight motorcycle engine
Minarelli AM6 50 2T
A 50 cc two-stroke engine associated with lightweight motorcycle and moped applications.
Moped
Issimo
A moped model produced within the Fantic Motor ecosystem after Fantic acquired Motori Minarelli. The Issimo platform also served as the basis for the Yamaha Booster electric bicycle commissioned from Minarelli.
Moped
Issimo City
A city-oriented moped model associated with Motori Minarelli's post-2020 activities under Fantic Motor ownership.
Brand decisions
2023
Produce Yamaha Booster electric bicyclesProduct launchBackground
Yamaha Motor Europe sought production capacity for an electric bicycle derived from the Fantic Issimo platform.
Action taken
Yamaha Motor Europe commissioned Motori Minarelli to produce 10,000 Yamaha Booster e-bikes.
Aftermath
The commission extended Minarelli's manufacturing activities into electric bicycle production.
2020
Fantic Motor acquires Motori MinarelliM&ABackground
Yamaha decided to transfer ownership of its Italian motorcycle-engine subsidiary.
Action taken
Fantic Motor acquired 100% of Motori Minarelli's shares from Yamaha.
Aftermath
Motori Minarelli became part of the Fantic Motor group and was associated with moped, scooter, and related mobility production.
2002
Join the Yamaha GroupM&ABackground
Changes in the international motorcycle market led to a change in Motori Minarelli's ownership structure.
Action taken
Motori Minarelli became a member of the Yamaha Group.
Aftermath
The company continued operating as part of Yamaha until its sale to Fantic Motor in 2020.
1956
Concentrate on two-stroke engine manufacturingStrategyBackground
After beginning as a motorcycle and moped manufacturer, Minarelli moved toward specialized engine production.
Action taken
The company switched exclusively to two-stroke engine manufacture and built a dedicated factory.
Aftermath
The decision established the company's long-term identity as an engine supplier to motorcycle and moped manufacturers.
Sources1 sources
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