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Gilera was established in Arcore, Italy in 1909 by Giuseppe Gilera. In 1935, the company purchased the Rondine four-cylinder engine which was, at the time, the world’s most powerful engine (60hp). Their racer 1939 Gilera 500 Rondine was the first machine after this acquisition. It was built with double overhead camshafts and a forced-inducting supercharger. It was water-cooled and produced 80hp and roared at 230km/h/ 140mph at top speed. For close to 40 years, the company’s machines were well known.

The firm produced a range of four-stroke engine bikes with engines ranging from 100cc to 500cc in the mid-thirties. The most well-known of these was the Saturno. This one was designed by Giuseppe Salmaggi who was inspired by the Gilera VTEGS500cc Otto Bulloni which was developed before the war. However, Salmaggi’s machine was completely different owing to its unit design.

Gilera withdrew from competition in 1957 and decided to go in a completely different direction. Instead of continuing their four-stroke singles line which was doing quite well, they opted to pay more attention to motocross and off-road events jointly with Elmeca. Sales began to slip throughout the 60s and in 1968, the company went on the market.

It was acquired by Piaggio in 1969. Gilera returned to the Grand Prix in 1992. Piaggio still manufactures small-displacement motorcycles under the Gilera brand. The Arcore factory was however closed in 1993. Hence, the Gilera scooters are built by Piaggio in Pontedera.

In 1963, former world champion rider, Geoff Duke, decided to bring back the 1957 500 cc cycles that earned him a world championship. He brought together a team which he hoped would challenge Mike Hailwood’s domination and his wager worked out well. Derek Minter and Phil Read did well at Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Imola, Italy. Minter suffered serious injuries at Brands Hatch and Read took his place and finished in third place. In 1966, Minter decided to ride the Gileras at the brand of choice.

Gilera has a colorful racing history. It was the team to beat in Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing after WWII and it emerged victorious in the 500cc road racing Championship. It maintained its winning streak a total of six times in eight years. Its financial woes happened because automobiles surpassed the popularity of motorcycles after the war. Gilera had little choice but to bow to pressure and sell.