2001 Italian Made Vertemati 501 Motocross

Another look at a bike that came from the Italian Vertemati Motorcycle Company and this featured bike is a quite rare 2001 501 motocross model, although many of these Vertemati motorcycles were used for Super Motad racing so this is almost certainly an unusual example.

[@shavedape]

One of if not the most beautiful dirt bikes ever built.....I could look at it for hours and set it up in the living room. I always thought the original Cannondale was but this is better looking yet.

[@angelbernes740]

Thanks for the review on this 💎 gem. So much to learn about great motorcycles.

[@netwt42oz]

My grandfather owned a VOR 501 here in Canada for a number of years. From his photos it looks really tall!

[@martiniv8924]

2001 I raced in the UAE Marlboro Desert Challenge , I played safe running a Honda XR650, a guy entered a VOR Vertemati 501 in Rally spec, it lasted until day 2 or maybe 3 before it croaked, the rider was chilling under a space blanket when I passed him, it had run well up to that point, the multiple gear driven cam was OTT , but it was beautifully made 👌🏻

[@monticlassictv]

Hi Martini V8 Thanks for your comments and your absolutely right these Vertemati’s were very quick bikes to ride and probably vastly over engineered for a dirt bike although the Vertemati brothers did have a good engineering brain for building these kinds of motorcycles. Anyhow thanks for your comments and for watching my video.

[@jamesstanley9839]

Thanks Chris for sharing with us! This machine is unique to me! Looks well engineered!

[@monticlassictv]

Your welcome again James and thanks for watching.

[@overland_adventure_nz]

Great videos thanks. Vertemati is still going today with new bikes for sale and the history of the brothers is amazing

[@free-birdrocker8809]

Wow! What a work of art! I have never seen one, it looks impressive, I reckon it runs pretty good! Thanks Chris for sharing awesome bikes with us!

[@thinkandrepent3175]

Beautiful Italian classic, love it!

[@monticlassictv]

Yeah I have to agree if there’s one think the Italian’s have and that’s style when it comes to their motorcycles.

[@netwt42oz]

The 25 crmo 4 which is written on the headstock refers to the chromoly steel that the frame is made of.

[@monticlassictv]

Hi netwt42oz thanks for clearing that particular point up and thanks for taking the time to watch my content.

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! Chris

[@monticlassictv]

Hi Brent your more than welcome and thanks for taking the time to watch my video’s.

[@scottyd2262]

I love this bike.. the 99 model with the frame that was bolted together was very trick.. Unfortunately neutral was on the bottom on those models..

[@KN-lq4zv]

I got to ride when when it came out, pretty awesome. Just didn’t have the price point and volume

[@rickjacobs5764]

Looking at this awesome bike you can really see where the KTM designers used/borrowed/copied a lot of the same parts and ideas from the Vertematis. I still got a 2003 520sx KTM it is a 4speed and it has the same swing arm, no linkage rear WP suspension, WP forks, big Brembro breaks, Magura hydraulic clutch, narrow hard seat, and a kick starter. Kinda funny how a kick starter is obsolete and not even a option nowadays. The gas tank and airbox r different but more recently Yamaha must of got some inspiration from the Vertematis and used a similar set up of placing airbox where gas tank usually goes on YZf 450. I am curious to see what the 2022 or latest greatest Vertemati creation looks like. My guess is like a Gas Gas , KTM , or Husqvarna probaly

[@AntiPlatitude]

Ooooh lovely!

[@shavedape]

At the 10:38 mark you're unsure what the markings mean, but they indicate some grade of chromoly steel, very expensive and high tensile strength material that can therefore be very thin walled. ATK used 4130 chromoly in their very expensive frames and swingarms in their early 1985-1993 years. The chromoly steel swingarms were smaller in section and likely in wall thickness than aluminum ones so were lighter for the same or greater strength. Similarly for the frames and is likely why KTM to this day still uses chromoly steel in their frames instead of the trendier aluminum. Those early ATK's were only 245-247 lb dry (only 15 or so lb less than a 500 cc 2 stroke with similar power compared to 55-60 hp ATK 604 MX) with kick start which is much lighter than other big 600 class 4 strokes of the day other than the Husaberg 500's which were probably lighter yet and also likely used chromoly frames vs 'high tensile' steel used by others back then. An aluminum frame or the ones you see on the Japanese bikes are much larger so aren't as light as you'd expect. Compare a KTM chromoly frame or for that matter a 1990ish ATK frame size to an aluminum one for member sizes and though the chromoly steel is denser so heavier per unit volume......the overall frame may be lighter. Anyway, that's what the CrMo part of that means and bet the wall thickness is relatively thin so this frame may not be heavy just because it's not aluminum. Ahh yes here's 25 CrMo 4 material and it is 4130 like the ATK and KTM (from KTM website - FRAME DESIGN Central double-cradle-type 25CrMo4 steel): www.astmsteel.com/product/4130-steel-aisi-25crmo4-7218-scm430/ Application of 4130 Steel AISI 4130 steel alloy is used primarily in the construction of commercial and military aircraft and ground support systems. Alloy steel 4130 is an intermediate strength material. Lighter gauges offer lighter weight but still maintain great strength, making it excellent for auto racing and aerospace. This low alloy 4130 steel is widely used in many applications, and some typical application areas are as follows: Commercial aircraft, aircraft engine mounts Military aircraft Automotive Machine tools Hydraulic tools Auto racing Aerospace Oil and gas industries - as forged valve bodies and pumps Agricultural and defense industries etc.

[@monticlassictv]

Hi Brad Thanks for that very informative information it would have been nice to be forearmed with this detail before I made the video. But as you say a beautiful looking and we’ll engineered machine without a doubt . . . and I also liked the look of the Cannondale although unfortunately as your aware they were not as successful as the were innovative. But again thanks for your comments and for taking the time to watch my content.

[@shavedape]

​@@monticlassictv well you review so many bikes and know so much about each one, you can't know everything, I only know about that one thing because I own a 1991 ATK and have read on them for decades. It's easy to sit here learning 300 things from you about the Vertimati, in this case, and point out the one and only thing you weren't sure of. I didn't like the second generation Cannondale's plastics, the ones ATK continued using when they bought the brand out, but the original prototypes and initial models were gorgeous. The plastics and seat made the huge difference obviously. The later ones still had the beautiful frame and top quality components but they screwed up the look of the seat, side panels and radiator/tank shrouds, and I don't know why they felt the need after only a year or two. You don't need bold new graphics and plastics on such an exotic bike after such a short period.....not like a DR650 or KLR650 that's looked the same for say a decade needing a facelift. Anyway, I wish the VOR/Vertimati was less rare so one day I could find one even as a showpiece given the likely unobtainable or super expensive spare parts.

[@davidwilliamson9162]

530lbs please 🙏 in uk kg I remember seeing theses supermotos fantastic good videos

[@lucianoferrara173]

Hello beautiful presentation for a great bike, unfortunately I have to give you bad news, today Alvaro Vertemati engine designer has left us😥, but I'm sure he liked this video. Thanks Luciano

[@monticlassictv]

Hi Luciano Thank you for your kind comments and quite sad to hear of the passing of the great man but his legacy will live on in his motorcycle engineering. But thanks again for watching my content.

[@lucianoferrara173]

@@monticlassictv 👍🙏

[@claudeperea2957]

Joel Smets kicked ass on this no link rear suspension thoroughbred racer

[@icanseeyouallfromuphere]

its ~ beautiful ~ i bet she goes a tad too ! bit of a concept reality bike, really like that !

[@monticlassictv]

These Vertemati 501’s as I am told were very quick bikes although if I was an owner I’d be crapping myself in case that superbly engineered motor failed because it looks expensive to repair. But thanks again for your comments and for watching my video’s.

[@icanseeyouallfromuphere]

@@monticlassictv i won't ride big bikes, well, I've got a custom build '92 GSXR 400 but it's for long distance, I've got bikes suited to my needs with just the right power output, a 2015 Duke 200 my first bike I've owned out of abusive scenarios and I love it, a chap that just had a moto x accident you've covered his bike/s just rebuilt my '83 XR200R engine, brilliant chap ! I've got several projects, two are Armed Forces tribute, one is a era correct aftermarket White helmets XR200R, I can't find any of the videos of them using them now 😢the other is a rat rod hardtail Allied Forces / peace campaign #SOscifi style (it's my thing lol)....I don't post video cause I had a breakdown that worsened my brain injury and I can't talk properly and stuff, not very nice......I loved bikes as a child and dragged through real life nightmare for thirty years I got rescued into sheltered housing doing quite well and actually have a home now 😬 ✌🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@atinyhydan4517]

You're welcome

[@adamlongmore2377]

Does anyone own a Husaberg that they can start???

[@andya857]

Italian Stallions..