The Italian SWM brand produces its first motorcycle since the early 1980s, a 2015 RS 650 R.
SWM Motorcycles celebrated its return to production with the completion of the its first new motorcycle, an RS 650 R dual sport, on the assembly line at SWM’s factory in Varese, Italy, July 8.
The RS 650 R is the first model in the line of SWM street and off-road motorcycles to be produced by the Italian company that is backed by the Shineray Group of China. MSRP for the new dual sport machine is 6400 Euros (approximately $7080).
Media and guests attended the SWM event, including many former SWM off-road factory riders, including Italian stars Gualtiero Brissoni, Pierluigi Rottigni, Pietro Gagni and Andrea Marinoni.
Ampelio Macchi, CEO SWM Motorcycles, said that he was happy to celebrate the production of the first new SWM motorcycle since the early 1980s.
“Once again a great achievement,” he said. “In just eight months we have been able to re-establish a company from scratch, thanks to Shineray Group, as well that supported us with big investments in the SWM models production, and thanks to the team winner of 51 titles that followed me in this great adventure. In SWM we don’t speak too much, but we work lots because we are used to demonstrating with facts the result of our work. The strength to do all this comes from the men that I meet every morning on the holding, very experienced people, who haave regained pride coming back to the job that they lost a while ago, very motivated by a revenge will.“
Shineray Group general director Zhong represented the Chinese group at the event.
“We believe in SWM brand that made the history of Italian and world off-road motorsport,” , Zhong said. “We believe in the know how of the people who work for the company, in the technology and style typical of Italian motorcycles and in the passion of the Italian staff. We have relied on Eng. Macchi because we are sure that his experience and his crew’s skills will give a significant contribute to the new history of this brand. Together we created a five years developing plan, and draw up a strategy to assault the market with high quality products and competitive prices. Today the first bike of a new era comes out of the assembly line. An era that we’re sure will be bright and will continue with the other six models ready to enter the international market by the end of the year“.
Behind the RS 650 R, SWM plans to begin producing the RS 300 R, RS 500 R and SM 500 R models in September, and production of the retro-syled Silver Vase 440 and Gran Milano 440 is scheduled to begin in October.
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