1998
Minsk 12 - Specifications & Review
Article Complete Info
| Articleid | 108805 |
|---|---|
| Category | Naked bike |
| Make | Minsk |
| Model | 12 |
| Year | 1998 |
Engine & Transmission
| Coolingsystem | Air |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 123.00 ccm (7.51 cubic inches) |
| Enginedetails | Single cylinder, two-stroke |
| Gearbox | 4-speed |
| Power | 10.00 HP (7.3 kW)) |
| Transmissiontypefinaldrive | Chain |
Physical Measures & Capacities
| Dryweight | 105.0 kg (231.5 pounds) |
|---|---|
| Powerweightratio | 0.0952 HP/kg |
About Minsk
Country of Origin:
Belarus (historically Byelorussian SSR)
Founder:
Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant (MMVZ; later Motovelo)
Best Known For:
Rugged 125–250 cc two-strokes used across the USSR and export markets
Company History
Minsk built honest, repairable motorcycles that survived rough roads and harsh winters. MMVZ singles powered postal fleets, soldiers, and families, with simple carburetion, generous ground clearance, and frames that tolerated loads and sidecars. Parts interchangeability and a culture of home mechanics kept bikes running for decades. Post-Soviet transitions saw production shrink and diversify, but the badge endures in clubs and restorations from Eastern Europe to Vietnam, where Minsk bikes became icons of travel writing and backpacker adventures. Historically, Minsk represents transport as necessity: machines that must start daily and accept roadside fixes. Their charm today is utilitarian—the satisfaction of kicking over a thumper that has already seen generations through snow and mud.