Adler M 200 - Specifications & Review

Company History

Frankfurt’s Adlerwerke began in bicycles and typewriters before lending its precision to motorcycles. In the 1950s, Adler’s two-stroke twins—most famously the MB 250—earned a reputation for advanced engineering and surprisingly refined road manners. Unit construction, thoughtful porting, and quality suspension made them favorites among riders who wanted something livelier than a plodding single but less costly than exotic machines. Adler’s engineering DNA also influenced others; the architecture of its twins inspired later designs elsewhere in Europe and even in Japan, part of a cross-pollination era when ideas migrated as engineers moved and patents lapsed. Despite technical merit, motorcycles were only one line in a diversified firm. As Germany’s economy shifted and the auto industry consolidated, Adler wound down motorcycle production and focused on more profitable sectors. Enthusiasts today value the bikes for their balance: brisk two-stroke performance without the fragility associated with some contemporaries, tidy handling, and the subtle quality that comes from a factory used to making precision goods. Historically, Adler’s contribution is a reminder that mid-century Europe’s motorcycle golden age was built not just by headline brands but by serious industrial houses applying methodical engineering to small, affordable machines. Ride an MB 250 and you feel that heritage—clean revs, compact packaging, and confidence over rough tarmac.