Slovenia's presence in the motorcycle world is not limited to Akrapovič and their premium exhaust systems.
Akrapovič is a familiar name to many motorcycle aficionados around the globe. After all, the roaring sound of the Ducati used by two time MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia comes from a mighty exhaust system developed by the Slovenian enterprise. Akrapovič produces systems for road and dirt bikes and has grown into a company with over 1,800 employees and 220 million euros of sales.
It is not however the only Slovenian firm dealing in motorcycles. After World War II the Tomos factory started producing motorbikes in Koper on the Slovenian coast. Mopeds made by the company were popular all over the world. In the sixties, Tomos opened a manufacturing plant in the Netherlands and even had a subsidiary in Ghana. Production stopped in the early 21st century. Tomos was taken over by Slovenian tech company Hidria - its location in Koper is now used to produce high-end motorcycle frames for some of the top European bike brands, including Ducati and BMW.
A young company called Strix eMotors recently introduced the world's first military grade electric enduro bike. The super quiet and very light bike has been tested by several NATO armies, including the US Navy. According to the company, it “outperforms combustion versions in every way”. Should the company thrive, Tomos could be getting a worthy successor.