history
Patrick Barigault wanted to be a winner in motorcross racing but because the luck was not on his side he decided to express himself by creating motorcycles instead. In 1976 he managed to construct the first chassis, using the platform of a Bultaco 250. This was the first step. Being in love with four stroke engines, Barigault first created a chassis for this type of engine. Using the Honda XLS500 engine, the HB500 (Honda Barigo) was born.
Year after year, the Barigo motorcycles were starting to be appreciated in many international competitions, like the Tunis Rally Raid in 1981 and the Paris-Dakar the following year. In 1983, a new Barigo motorcycle was born, the 560 GRS, created for the Special Raid.
In the same year, Barigo was asked to create a motorcycle for the BMW team. This bike became the first Barigo engine with an aluminum frame, and it was supposed to participate at an enduro race. It never did. After these motorcycles, Barigo started a colaboration with engine manufacturer Rotax, thus creating the 500 RCB, 500RB and the Barigo 350 Military.
At the end of 1984, a new model made its debut: the 600 Baja, whichwas supposed to be an alternative for the RB and RCB models. In the meantime, Patrick created a very interesting prototype, the F1 Desert. Unfortunately, only two F1 units based on 650cc and 750cc Ducati engines were ever produced.
In 1986, a supermotard was created, called "La Magie Noire". Its name would be changed into Tanagra though, since "Magie Noire" was already a name for a Lancome perfume. Having 55HP and only 120Kgs, this bike could have been a real hit, if the company's financial problems hadn't been so serious.
A few years later, in 1993, despite the continuous money problem, Barigo managed to impress again with the 600 Onixa and the GT for police use. These two models didn't exactly sell in huge numbers though, so Barigo changed their plans and created a scooter called Barilec. After a while, in 1997, the company closed its doors permanently and the adventure was over.
expand