From the Archives: Now over 1 million Kreidlers

"Die Technik der Weltmeister" was the title of the brochure for Kreidler RMC in 1978, and not without reason, because in the 1970s Kreidler took a number of first places in road racing in the 50cc class. Kreidler was not among the largest manufacturers of mopeds and lightweights, but the quality was beyond reproach.

Big words from the factory that was founded in 1903, and that made its first moped in 1951, specifically Kreidler K50. In 1957 they introduced the Florett, a moped that would become very popular. Kreidler had its heyday in Norway in the 1960s and 1970s, but sold in smaller volumes than its European competitors such as Puch and Zundapp . Kreidler was known for high quality and strong engines. The best-selling models in Norway were Kreidler Florett K54, Kreidler Florett RM/RMC and Kreidler RS.

To prove to customers that Kreidler maintained high quality, a 50cc motorcycle was subjected to a 3000 km test ride in the Alps. This was in 1950, and the ride went through deep valleys and high mountains. With a total of 31 mountain passes, the highest at 2761 m above sea level, it literally had to drive itself. Although Kreidler's mopeds were known for their reliability, the competition from Japanese mopeds in particular became too tough, and in 1982 production was ended.

Kreidler never became a big brand in the Norwegian market for mopeds and lightweights, and the 50cc Kreidler Florett RMC and the lightweight Kreidler RS-GS were and are, a rather rare sight in Norway. As an ever so small curiosity, we can mention that Kreidler RS-GS was not 100cc as was the usual displacement in the lightweight class, but only 49cc. The power, however, was a full 6.5 hp, and thus it had to be registered as a light motorcycle.