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Motosacoche type-a
Motosacoche type-a
November 06, 2025
Photo credit: MOTOSACOCHE
I recently learned that Motosacoche went into liquidation on October 27th.
I am paying tribute to them by publishing this page, sharing these two unique, magnificent models, and the history of the Motosacoche brand, founded by the Dufaux brothers in 1901.
Mini-J
motosacoche
motosacoche
The TYPE-A model is inspired by the first Motosacoche from 1901. The innovation, born at that time in Geneva, Switzerland, was the invention of a small four-stroke engine slipped into a "sacoche" (bag) and integrated into the frame. Its top speed of 21 km/h (approx. 13 mph) was a feat for this first removable propulsion unit.
The inventor brothers, Henri and Armand Dufaux, patented this brilliant concept in many countries. Watchmaking mechanics were the basis for their engine design.
Their genius also extended to aviation, building an engine for the first biplanes starting in 1910.
The first public ascent by the Dufaux brothers on their Motosacoche took place on June 25, 1904, on Mont Salève, which peaks at 1,379 m (4,524 ft) in the Jura massif, near the Swiss border close to Geneva
The First World War enabled the mass production of the first motorcycles and sidecars for the Swiss army. When peace returned, the M.A.G (Motosacoche Acacias Genève) engine equipped successful post-war motorcycle brands across Europe.
Likely inspired by the first wood track races of the 1910s and 1920s, known in the USA as Board Track Racing (where the Indian Motorcycle brand majestically took flight), it was during the 1920s and 1930s that the Motosacoche brand was at the forefront of early motorcycle competitions (Bol d'Or, Six Days Enduro...). The prowess of its engine placed it at the top, breaking speed records in Europe (with 42 Grand Prix wins) and as far away as Australia.
Motorcycles left its factory until 1956; its engineering would extend to designing engines for industry and aeronautics, among others. The brand disappeared in 1984.
In 2021, Paul Merz revived the Motosacoche brand with a high-end speed bike: the TYPE-A. After three years of prototype work, a fundraising round of over 1 million euros was allocated to produce the first TYPE-A Dufaux models and the "Le Mans Classic" and "Bauhaus" limited editions (around twenty units each). The first models were delivered in December 2024.
Perfect engineering, a striking design, a philosophy committed to respecting the environment, people, and high-end materials and components—it was truly an remarkable speed bike.
Unfortunately, for reasons I could not identify while writing this article, the Motosacoche brand, despite its intelligent revival, seems to have disappeared for good as of October 27th, taking its one-of-a-kind technology with it.
type-a' s smart features & onboard technologies
type-a' s smart features & onboard technologies
Watchmaking at the Heart of the Design
Watchmaking at the Heart of the Design
Compared to a Swiss watch, which has an average of 130 components, the TYPE-A has 189, 98 of which were custom-designed for this model. It is made of steel, aluminum, sapphire glass, copper, magnets, carbon fiber, rubber, and cotton—materials manufactured and assembled by 15 trades from 7 countries, including designers, engineers, upholsterers, frame builders-welders, and painters. In total, 42 artisans and suppliers located in Europe, with the goal of reducing the carbon footprint of this fabulous smart e-bike.
Photo credit: MOTOSACOCHE
TYPE−A is propelled at 45km/h (28mph) thanks to the 1000W MAG Outrunner mid-drive motor, with 80Nm of torque, is visible through a glass window, just like a watch dial revealing its mechanisms.
The 845 Wh smart battery allows for the replacement of a single defective cell thanks to CellSwap technology. Its BMS (Battery Management System) integrates predictive FailSafe fault functionality. Finally, the six-hour slow charge helps maintain the battery in excellent working condition. The range is between 60 km and 120 km (approx. 37-75 miles) depending on riding speed.
Photo credit: MOTOSACOCHE
The 1.3-inch integrated high-readability screen features a 250 ppi resolution and 250 cd/m2 brightness.
Connectivity is established via Bluetooth and an integrated GPS with customizable settings.
Photo credit: MOTOSACOCHE
The dual-belt transmission system, inspired by the 1901 model, provides a 10X gear multiplication. The Motosacoche Type-A operates using a dual-belt drive system.
On the left, a herringbone belt connects the electric motor's output sprocket to a large ring on the rear wheel.
On the right, the "muscle" (pedal) transmission connects the crankset to the rear wheel hub. The Enviolo gear-shifting system is integrated into the rear hub.
The unique Truss-type fork offers several advantages, including increased rigidity and weight savings. It is highly suitable for disc brakes.
The brakes are Magura MT5E 4-piston hydraulic brakes.
Supernova M99 front headlight.
A historic collaboration between Motosacoche and the saddle-maker Brooks, dating back to 1920, for the saddle and grips.
TYPE-A Le Mans Classic
TYPE-A Le Mans Classic
The "Le Mans Classic" limited edition (24 units) pays homage to the 42 world records held by the antique Motosacoche. "Le Mans Classic" is a biennial retrospective of vintage sports cars, featuring races on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit in France.
Photo credit: MOTOSACOCHE
It features a steel frame and an integrated carbon fiber "sacoche," all covered with a CORDURA fabric featuring a woven "houndstooth" pattern.
Type-A Bauhaus design by Alain Silberstein
Type-A Bauhaus design by Alain Silberstein
Photo credit: MOTOSACOCHE
The "Bauhaus" limited edition (15 units) is a tribute to the Bauhaus artistic movement, a pre-WWII avant-garde movement in architecture and applied arts. Alain Silberstein is the watch designer who brought this colorful dimension of perpetual motion to the Motosacoche.
Additionally, custom orders for textile and leather coverings were available, again from supplier Brooks, with full-grain cowhide leather matching the grips, and the "sacoche" upholstered in Alcantara with colored lambskin trim.
Still inspired by authentic watchmaking, Motosacoche used the Super-LumiNova brand to illuminate the steel chainring.
Photo credit: MOTOSACOCHE
My thanks to MOTOSACOCHE for their courtesy in allowing me to use their photos.
For more information, visit the official MOTOSACOCHE website.
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