Puch Motorcycles

Puch was founded in Graz, Austria, by Johann Puch, who began building bicycles there in 1889 before establishing "Erste Steiermarkische Fahrradfabrik AG" a decade later. Motorcycle production started in 1903 with a single-cylinder tricycle followed by true motorcycles, and Puch factory riders had early competitive success, including a 905cc V-twin that finished first and second in the 1906 European International Cup Race. Puch grew into Austria's leading motorcycle, and later moped, manufacturer for most of the 20th century, eventually operating as part of the Steyr-Daimler-Puch group. A prolonged motorcycle-industry recession in the 1980s ended Puch's run as an independent maker, and in 1987 the Graz firm merged with Italy's Piaggio, owner of Vespa; mopeds have continued to be sold under the Puch name since as part of the Piaggio Group.