Recommended Free Tools
There is no defensible, current sales-based ranking of ten Italian motorcycle manufacturers in the available evidence. This guide instead selects ten notable marques using two clear criteria: historic significance and documented current activity or presence. It distinguishes active manufacturers and brands within corporate groups from heritage names whose present-day production is not established.
How to read this list
The ten names below are a curated selection, not a ranking by sales, production volume, or market share. The evidence does not provide comparable figures for ten makers. Nor does Italian origin automatically mean Italian ownership or that every current model is manufactured in Italy. Where current production or manufacturing location is not established, the profiles say so rather than treating heritage as proof of present activity.
Piaggio Group is an umbrella company, not a peer marque in this list. It identifies seven two-wheeler marques—Vespa, Piaggio, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Derbi, and Scarabeo—and describes a group portfolio spanning scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds from 50 to 1,100 cc. That range applies to the group portfolio, not to every brand or motorcycles alone. Its profile identifies Immsi as its controlling shareholder. Piaggio Group profile
Ten notable Italian motorcycle makers and marques
1. Ducati
Status and origin: An active motorcycle maker founded in 1926. Ducati says it develops and manufactures motorcycles at its factory in Borgo Panigale, Bologna. Ducati company page
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Tamiya branded ready-to-assemble plastic precision static model kit. It is supplied unpainted and is ideal for model makers and painters!
- Required to complete: cement, paint and finishing supplies.
- This plastic model assembly kit depicts the Honda CB750F, a bike which showed immense popularity as soon as it was released. The model features a detailed depiction of the engine and its cooling fins, with vinyl tubing employed to recreate various lines and cables. Modellers will also be delighted to hear that the steering column features a metal screw for durability, while synthetic rubber tyres have realistic tread patterns. Decals are included for use with 3 different bodywork colours. Realistic rubber-like tyres with accurate tread pattern. Highly detailed DOHC 4-cylinder engine. Many plated parts included for added realism.
- Supplied in card box retail style packaging, it is an ideal model kit for the keen hobbyist to assemble and paint.
What it is known for: Ducati’s current model range includes sport, touring, adventure, naked, Scrambler, and off-road families, including Panigale, Multistrada, Monster, DesertX, Streetfighter, and Scrambler. Ducati model range
Racing context: Ducati reports that it won 19 of 20 MotoGP Grand Prix races in the 2024 season, as well as the constructors’ and teams’ titles. That is a company-reported result for 2024, not a measure of company size or a claim about later seasons. Ducati company page
2. Aprilia
Status and ownership: Aprilia is a Piaggio Group motorcycle marque. Piaggio says it bought Aprilia in December 2004. Piaggio Group profile
Focus: Aprilia is a natural choice for a list of Italian marques with a sport and racing identity. The available official material establishes the brand and group relationship, but does not provide enough detail here to describe its current model range comprehensively.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #2
- V4 Engine, Swing Arm, Front Fork, Side Cowlings And Fuel Tank Are Attached To Frame By Screws
- Side Cowlings And Fuel Tank Are Removable
- Chain Parts Are Split Into Right And Left
- Includes Metal Stickers To Render Mirrors Realistically
- Synthetic Rubber Tires Feature Tread Patterns And Pirelli Logos
3. Moto Guzzi
Status and ownership: Moto Guzzi is another Piaggio Group motorcycle marque; Piaggio says it purchased the brand in December 2004. Piaggio Group profile
Heritage: It is a notable heritage motorcycle maker, but the material cited here does not establish a detailed current lineup or the manufacturing location of each model.
4. Benelli
Origin: Benelli traces its beginnings to a workshop in Pesaro in 1911. Its official history says Teresa Benelli invested the family capital in the venture. Benelli history
Why it matters: The company’s history includes the Sei, which it describes as a six-cylinder production motorcycle. This is historical context, not evidence about where every present-day Benelli model is made. Benelli history
Rank #3
- Plastic model kit
- Scale: 1/9
- Completed size: approx. 23. 1cm
5. MV Agusta
Origin and continuity: MV Agusta dates its brand to 1945, when it created Meccaniche Verghera; its first branded motorcycle, the MV 98, was launched that autumn. The company history also records a 1977 halt to motorcycle activity and Cagiva’s acquisition of the dormant trademark in 1992. Those transitions matter: a long-lived marque’s history is not the same as uninterrupted production. MV Agusta history
6. Vespa
Status and ownership: Vespa is one of Piaggio Group’s two-wheeler marques, rather than an independent manufacturer on the same corporate level as Piaggio Group. The group describes its portfolio as including scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds across seven marques. Piaggio Group profile
Place in this list: Vespa is included as a major Italian two-wheeler marque, although it is chiefly associated with scooters. This article uses “motorcycle manufacturers” broadly enough to include the companies and marques that shape Italy’s powered two-wheeler industry.
7. Piaggio
Status and origin: Piaggio is both the name of a two-wheeler marque and the name used in Piaggio Group. The group says it was founded in 1884 and that its two-wheeler portfolio spans scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds from 50 to 1,100 cc. Piaggio Group profile
Rank #4
- Detailed model kit in 1:12 scale.
- The high-quality kit from TAMIYA must be assembled by yourself.
- The independent assembly is accompanied by step by step or illustrated assembly instructions (English language not guaranteed). The assembly instructions are included (English language not guaranteed).
- Based on the assembly instructions (English language not guaranteed), the precise individual parts must be assembled. The parts can be painted according to your own ideas.
- Tools, glue and paints are not included with the plastic kit. These must be purchased optionally.
How to distinguish it from the group: Piaggio the marque is one of the group’s brands; Piaggio Group is the corporate owner of several marques listed here. The group profile’s portfolio range should not be attributed to the Piaggio brand alone.
8. Betamotor
Status and focus: Betamotor’s official site describes it as an Italian off-road maker and uses the phrase “Italian off-road passion since 1905.” That supports its inclusion as a specialist with a long history, but the cited page does not provide further detail for a fuller account of its current production or model range. Betamotor official site
9. Bimota
Evidence and qualification: Bimota has an official Italian-language site, which supports treating it as a notable Italian marque. The available material does not establish a detailed history, current production status, ownership, or manufacturing geography, so none of those should be inferred from the site’s existence alone. Bimota official site
10. Gilera
Status and ownership: Gilera is a historic marque within Piaggio Group. Piaggio’s corporate history says it took control of Gilera of Arcore in 1969 and recounts the brand’s racing record. The cited history establishes its heritage and group relationship, but not current motorcycle production; it is therefore listed as a historic marque rather than presented as a confirmed active manufacturer. Piaggio Group history
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBest Value
- Revell Model Kit #17326, Skill Level 5, Contains 107-Parts, Recommended for ages 13 and up
- Classic California “chopper” styling. Rigid-style frame with a raked neck.
- Period-perfect details include stretched-out “springer” forks, wild chrome dual exhausts with custom “fishtail” tips, and a high-back contour seat backed by a chrome sissy bar.
- Molded in white and clear, with chrome plated parts and black vinyl tires.
- Illustrated assembly instructions. Requires paint and glue. (not included)
Which Italian motorcycle brands are still active?
The evidence supports clear statements about some brands’ current presence, but not a definitive current-production claim for all ten. Ducati says it develops and manufactures motorcycles, and Piaggio Group presents an active two-wheeler portfolio under its marques. Betamotor identifies itself as an off-road maker. For Aprilia and Moto Guzzi, the cited corporate profile confirms Piaggio ownership but does not detail current product availability. Bimota’s official site alone does not establish production status. Gilera should be treated as a historic marque unless current production is confirmed through up-to-date official product information.
Who owns Aprilia and Moto Guzzi?
Both are owned by Piaggio Group, which says it purchased the two brands in December 2004. The same group also includes Piaggio, Vespa, and Gilera among its two-wheeler marques. Its profile identifies Immsi as the group’s controlling shareholder. Piaggio Group profile
Italian origin, ownership, and manufacturing are different
A marque’s Italian history does not by itself show who owns it today or where its present models are built. The cited sources give a specific manufacturing location for Ducati’s motorcycles—Borgo Panigale, Bologna—but do not establish manufacturing locations for every model across the other brands. Piaggio Group’s headquarters, ownership, or broad portfolio should not be used as a substitute for model-specific manufacturing information.
Historical context
Italy’s two-wheeler industry has a longer history than the present corporate structures of its best-known marques. The World Intellectual Property Organization’s working paper compares the historical development of the two-wheeler industries in Italy, Japan, and India; it is useful background, not a current ranking of brands. WIPO two-wheeler industry working paper
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
