En plena posguerra, Ricardo Soriano creó en Madrid la primera industria motociclista española, una verdadera fábrica que dejaba atrás la era artesanal. El planteamiento de sus motos era muy lógico: a menor tamaño menor necesidad de acero. Además, un chasis tan bajo y las ruedas de solo 8” ayudaban a que los conductores -generalmente inexpertos- circularan con más confianza. Lo que hoy pudiera parecer una moto infantil, era un vehículo “serio” y que no estaba al alcance de todos, pues su precio en 1951 de 14.245 ptas. (aprox. 6.900 € de hoy) era superior a un salario anual medio.
In the post-war period, Ricardo Soriano established Spain’s first motorcycle manufacturing industry in Madrid, marking the transition from artisanal production to full-scale industrialisation. The design philosophy behind his motorcycles was highly pragmatic: smaller dimensions meant lower steel requirements. Additionally, a low chassis and compact 8-inch wheels provided greater stability, making the bikes more manageable for inexperienced riders.
What might appear today as a child-sized motorcycle was, in fact, a serious vehicle that was far from affordable. In 1951, a Soriano motorcycle was priced at 14,245 pesetas (approximately €6,900 in today’s value), a sum that exceeded the average annual salary at the time.
