In 1971, a new Italian motorcycle manufacturer came onto the scene: SV.VM (Sironi Vergani Vimercate Milano), better known as SWM Motorcycles. Based out of Milan, the company produced trials, enduro, and motocross bikes, competing with brands such as Montesa, Bultaco, and Fantic — mainly utilizing Sachs and Rotax engines. In 1981, Gilles Burgat won the world trials championship on an SWM, and the company’s enduro models took home national championships as well.
In 1984, however, the company went out of business. The bikes are still popular in vintage trials, with several aftermarket companies making parts for the machines. What’s more, UK manufacturer Armstrong bought the rights to SWM’s Rotax-engined enduro, the XN Tornado, working with CCM to develop a military motorcycle based off the design, the Armstrong MT500. Later, none other than Harley-Davidson bought the rights to that bike, developing it into their MT350E.
But the story doesn’t end there. In 2014, Ampelio Macchi — a former engineer with Cagiva, Aprilia and Husqvarna — announced the resurrection of the SWM brand with funding from China’s Shineray Group. The company’s headquarters are in Lombardia, Italy, at Biandronno near Varese, in an old Husqvarna factory.
“Just a few miles from MV Agusta and with the Moto Guzzi factory over the next mountain, it’s in Italy’s motorcycle-making heartland. The SWM Classics are Italian-built from Italian, Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese-made parts and SWM are keen to emphasise their Italian heritage.” —Classic Bike Guide
The SWM Grand Turismo is a 445cc single that harks back to earlier, simpler days of motorcycling, long before traction control, ride modes, GPS, and more.
“Ever since the 1970s there have been regular calls from classic motorcycle buyers for a new, simple, straightforward motorcycle to use rather than a flood of whizzy hi-tech offerings… The SWM Gran Turismo could have been designed to fill that apparent gap.”
Enter the “extreme constructor,” Pepo Rosell of XTR Pepo — one of the world’s most prolific and highly-regarded builders. Sponsored by SWM Madrid (Heros 66), he set out to build a streamlined, lightweight single for his own use:
“My everyday bike for the Madrid Streets.”
The result is the “Sport 440” — a lovely, streamlined single that takes us back to the golden days of motorcycles. Below, we get the technical details, as well as more stunning shots from photographer David Perse Trazandofino.
SPORT 440 by XTR (2020)
TECHNICAL SCHEDULE
Donor Bike : SWM Gran Turismo (2017)
SWM six days fuel tank.
SWM six days seat.
MASH led rear light.
MASH TT40 footrests.
MASH front light.
XTR clip ons.
XTR front mudguard.
Derbi senda front and rear 17 inches aluminium rims.
Bridgestone soft compound tyres.
Wolfman 2-in-1 exhaust system with modified SWM megaphone.
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