MV Agusta Raid
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 1, 1945 |
| Headquarters | Cascina Costa , Italy |
| Products | Motorcycles |
Template:Infobox motorcycle The MV Agusta Raid series consisted of motorcycles with engine capacities of 250 and 300 cc, produced by the Italian manufacturer MV Agusta at their Cascina Costa facility between 1957 and 1961.[1] At the time these models were launched, the 250 cc segment was regarded as representing a high-capacity motorcycle.[1]
Overview
The debut of the 250 cc Raid took place at the 1956 Milan EICMA Motorcycle Exhibition,[2] where it attracted significant attention as a machine promoted for its capability to undertake extensive continental journeys.[1] The model’s name, meaning a lengthy, rapid, and adventurous trip in Italian, was selected based on feedback gathered from MV Agusta dealers.[3] Although production commenced in 1957, the initial sales figures for the 250 cc version fell short of expectations.[1]
To boost market appeal, MV Agusta introduced a larger displacement variant of 300 cc in 1959. Efforts were made to market a specialized police edition to the Guardia di Finanza, but these attempts achieved limited success. Meanwhile, the military forces of Italy acquired a modest quantity of the military version.[4]
At launch, the pricing was set at approximately 286,000 lira for the smaller displacement model and around 290,000 lire for the larger one.[3][5] Despite these efforts, the anticipated commercial success did not materialize; production numbers reached only about 544 units for the 250 cc model[3] and close to 500 units for the 300 cc version.[5]
250 Raid
The original 250 model featured a 247 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder OHV powerplant. Its bore and stroke measured 69 x 66 mm, with a compression ratio of 7.2:1. Equipped with a 24 mm Dell'Orto carburettor, the engine delivered 14 bhp (10.4 kW) at 5,600 rpm. Power was transmitted through a geared primary drive to a 4-speed gearbox.
The chassis employed MV’s standard double cradle design, constructed from tubular and pressed steel. At the front, it utilized telescopic forks, while the rear suspension consisted of a swinging arm paired with hydraulic shock absorbers. Both front and rear wheels were fitted with 200 mm drum brakes. The motorcycle sported a black paint scheme accented with red details. Its maximum speed reached 115 km/h (72 mph).
250 Raid Extra
Sharing the same mechanical specifications as the standard Raid, the Raid Extra variant offered an enhanced finish. It was distinguished by a red body complemented by white accents.
300 Raid
To address the underwhelming sales of the 250 model, a 300 cc version was launched in 1959. This upgrade increased the bore to 74 mm and stroke to 70 mm, resulting in a displacement of 301 cc and an output of 16 bhp (12 kW) at 5,000 rpm. To maintain fuel efficiency comparable to the 250 model, the carburettor size was reduced to 22 mm.
While new components such as the petrol tank, mudguards, and exhaust were introduced, the rest of the cycle parts remained consistent with those of the 250.
300 Raid Militaire
In 1961, a limited-run version called the 300 Raid Militaire was produced specifically for the Italian Armed Forces. This military edition featured two separate saddle seats and was finished in a subdued green color.
300 Raid Polizia
A police-specific version, the 300 Raid Polizia, was developed; however, this model was ultimately not adopted by law enforcement agencies.
Spanish production
In Spain, the 300 Raid was produced under licence by MV Avello in Gijón, located within the autonomous region of Asturias. This Spanish iteration was marketed as the 300 Nalón,[6] named after a nearby river.[7] Compared to the original Italian design, the Spanish version featured a distinct frame and noticeable stylistic differences. It represented the largest MV model manufactured in Spain. Production spanned from 1961 until 1966, with the latter year’s units being distributed from existing inventory.[8]
References
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