Product brand
UnclaimedA Soviet and Russian motorcycle brand produced in Izhevsk from 1933 to 2008.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
IZh was a major Soviet motorcycle brand associated with motorcycle production in Izhevsk. Its industrial origins lay in the Soviet government's late-1920s effort to establish domestic motorcycle manufacturing as an inexpensive means of mass motorization. Engineers at the Izhevsk machine and arms works developed five experimental motorcycles in 1929, designated IZh-1 through IZh-5. These machines ranged from relatively light designs to large motorcycles with 1,200 cc V-twin engines, but none entered series production at that time. The experimental program nevertheless established the engineering foundation and industrial rationale for motorcycle manufacturing in the city. A dedicated motorcycle plant, generally known as IzhMZ, was established in the early 1930s. Series production began in 1933 with the IZh-7, an Izhevsk-developed improvement of the Leningrad L-300, itself derived from the German DKW Luxus 300. The IZh-8 and IZh-9 followed before the Second World War, while the four-stroke IZh-12 was introduced in 1941. Motorcycle manufacturing stopped later that year when the plant was redirected to arms production and evacuated to Irbit. The evacuated industrial assets contributed to the creation of the factory that became associated with the Ural motorcycle marque. After the war, motorcycle production returned to Izhevsk under the IzhMash organization. The IZh-350, based on the German DKW NZ 350 and developed with the benefit of postwar reparations equipment and documentation, entered production in 1946. It was followed by the highly successful IZh-49 and IZh-56. From the 1960s, the brand's principal product strategy centered on two related 346–347 cc families: the single-cylinder Planeta and the parallel-twin Jupiter. Planeta motorcycles emphasized mechanical simplicity, ease of maintenance, and suitability for rural roads, while Jupiter models offered greater power, smoother operation, and improved comfort. Sidecar versions were also available. IZh became one of the Soviet Union's most important motorcycle producers. Production passed one million units in 1960 and reached approximately 10.7 million motorcycles by 1999. At its peak, the Izhevsk operation was capable of producing roughly 300,000 motorcycles annually. In addition to standard road motorcycles, the enterprise developed and supplied cross-country and racing machines for Soviet motorcycle sport. The Planeta Sport 350, introduced in 1973, was a particularly performance-oriented model, although it was produced in smaller numbers and sold at a higher price than ordinary Planeta and Jupiter motorcycles. During the 1980s and 1990s, IZh continued updating the Planeta and Jupiter families, but most remained evolutionary developments of designs whose basic architecture dated back to the 1950s and 1960s. Attempts to modernize the range using Yamaha XT550-related technology produced prototypes such as the Orion and Marafon, but these projects did not lead to broad series production. Some modern components, including cast wheels, disc brakes, and revised suspension parts, were eventually applied to production motorcycles. The transition to a market economy exposed the brand's technological and commercial weaknesses. Domestic demand declined, foreign competition intensified, and the motorcycles became increasingly uncompetitive in quality and design. IZh retained some exports, especially to markets where inexpensive, straightforward motorcycles remained useful. The motorcycle division was separated into the Izhmash-Moto joint-stock subsidiary in 1996. Later products included the Kornet light motorcycle, several 249 cc four-stroke models, the water-cooled Jupiter-5 variant, and the chopper-styled Junkier, which was also acquired by Russian police forces. Production ended on 1 April 2008 amid financial problems at the IzhMash conglomerate and very low demand. IZh is therefore principally remembered as a mass-market Soviet motorcycle marque whose greatest historical importance lies in its extensive production volume, durable 350 cc platform, and role in Soviet transportation and motorcycle sport.
History
The roots of IZh motorcycle production go back to the Soviet industrialization drive of the late 1920s. Authorities and the Avtodor motoring organization regarded motorcycles as an economical way to expand personal transport and selected Izhevsk, whose machine and arms factories had a strong reputation for manufacturing precision. Engineer Pyotr Mozharov led a design group that built five experimental motorcycles in 1929. The prototypes were tested during a long-distance All-Union motorcycle rally, but competing industrial priorities prevented their immediate production. In 1932, the Soviet authorities approved mass motorcycle manufacturing in Izhevsk and began constructing a specialized plant. The factory produced the IZh-7 from 1933, an improved local derivative of the L-300 design. The IZh-8 and IZh-9 developed the same basic concept, while the IZh-12 represented an attempt to introduce a four-stroke model shortly before the war. In November 1941, motorcycle production was suspended as the plant shifted to armaments. Equipment and personnel were evacuated to Irbit, helping form the industrial basis of the later Ural motorcycle operation. The Izhevsk program was revived in 1946 under IzhMash. The IZh-350 used the German DKW NZ 350 as its starting point, with design and production resources obtained through postwar reparations. The model was succeeded by the IZh-49, which introduced improved suspension and achieved production of more than half a million units. The IZh-56 then brought a revised frame, engine, and styling. A design bureau established in the mid-1950s enabled Izhevsk engineers to move progressively beyond direct foreign-derived designs. Sidecars were developed for the IZh-49 and later models, with the suffix K commonly identifying sidecar-equipped versions. From the early 1960s, the brand's identity was defined by the Planeta and Jupiter families. Planeta used a single-cylinder two-stroke engine and prioritized simplicity and serviceability. Jupiter used a parallel-twin engine and offered higher output and greater refinement. Both families were repeatedly revised through the Planeta-2, Planeta-3, Planeta-4, Planeta-5, Jupiter-2, Jupiter-3, Jupiter-4, and Jupiter-5 generations. Their 350 cc capacity and rugged construction made them suitable for Soviet urban, rural, utility, and recreational use. The plant also supported motorcycle competition through dedicated cross-country and racing designs. The Planeta Sport 350, introduced in 1973, was a limited and more expensive performance model. In the 1980s, IZh sought a more substantial technological renewal. Yamaha XT550-related technology informed prototypes including the Orion and Marafon, but these projects did not become major production lines. Instead, selected modern components were incorporated into existing motorcycles, leaving the core range dependent on older two-stroke architectures. The Soviet economic collapse and the transition to market competition severely damaged the brand. IZh retained substantial production experience and a large installed base, but its products faced declining domestic demand and competition from newer foreign motorcycles. The company continued limited exports to developing markets and introduced newer concepts, including 249 cc four-stroke models, the Kornet light motorcycle, a water-cooled Jupiter derivative, and the Junkier cruiser-style motorcycle. The motorcycle division became Izhmash-Moto in 1996, but restructuring did not resolve the underlying competitiveness problem. Production finally ceased in April 2008. The marque's historical scale remains notable: more than ten million motorcycles had been produced by the end of the 1990s, including approximately 10.7 million by 1999.
- 2008
Production ends
[1]IZh motorcycle manufacturing ceased on 1 April because of financial difficulties and weak competitiveness.
- 2001
The Junkier enters production
[1]IZh began producing the water-cooled, chopper-style Junkier motorcycle.
- 1996
Izhmash-Moto is established
[1]The motorcycle division was reorganized as a joint-stock subsidiary within the IzhMash structure.
- 1973
Planeta Sport 350 launches
[1]IZh introduced a higher-performance 340 cc sport motorcycle with limited production.
- 1961
The Jupiter family is introduced
[1]The two-cylinder Jupiter joined the single-cylinder Planeta as a principal IZh product line.
- 1951
The IZh-49 enters production
[1]The IZh-49 replaced the IZh-350 and became the first IZh model to exceed half a million units.
- 1946
Postwar production resumes with the IZh-350
[1]IzhMash restarted motorcycle manufacturing with a 346 cc model based on the DKW NZ 350.
- 1933
Series production of the IZh-7 begins
[1]The dedicated IzhMZ plant started manufacturing the 293 cc IZh-7.
- 1929
Five experimental IZh motorcycles are built
[1]Izhevsk engineers produced the IZh-1 through IZh-5 prototypes and entered them in an All-Union motorcycle rally.
Products and positioning
Mass-market, durable, relatively simple Soviet and Russian motorcycles, particularly in the middleweight 350 cc class.
Prewar middleweight motorcycles · 1933
IZh-7, IZh-8 and IZh-9
These single-cylinder two-stroke motorcycles formed the first sustained IZh production family. The IZh-7 entered series production in 1933 as an improved version of the L-300, while the IZh-8 and IZh-9 added engine and reliability improvements. They established Izhevsk as a major Soviet motorcycle manufacturing center before wartime production was suspended.
Postwar middleweight motorcycles · 1946
IZh-350 and IZh-49
The IZh-350 was the first major postwar model and used the DKW NZ 350 as its technical starting point. The IZh-49 followed in 1951 with improved suspension and became one of the brand's most important volume products. Both used single-cylinder, 346 cc two-stroke engines and helped re-establish IZh after the wartime interruption.
Single-cylinder road motorcycles · 1962
IZh Planeta
Planeta was the simpler of IZh's two principal postwar families. Its single-cylinder two-stroke engine, straightforward construction, and practical road manners made it suitable for rural users and riders who valued easy maintenance over maximum performance. The line continued through several numbered generations, including Planeta-2, Planeta-3, Planeta-4, Planeta-5, and Planeta-7.
Parallel-twin road motorcycles · 1961
IZh Jupiter
Jupiter was the more powerful and refined companion to Planeta. Its approximately 347 cc parallel-twin two-stroke engine delivered greater output and smoother operation, while later generations added styling, engine, braking, and equipment revisions. Jupiter motorcycles were also sold with sidecars and remained among IZh's most recognizable products through the late Soviet and early Russian periods.
Sport motorcycle · 1973
IZh Planeta Sport 350
Introduced in 1973, the Planeta Sport 350 was a higher-performance single-cylinder two-stroke motorcycle. It offered substantially stronger performance than ordinary Planeta models but was more expensive and produced in smaller quantities. The model reflected IZh's interest in combining its practical middleweight platform with a sport-oriented specification.
Light motorcycle or moped · 2000
IZh Kornet
The Kornet was a light motorcycle presented around 2000 with a 50 cc two-stroke engine. Its engine was produced by the Vyatskiye Polyany Machine-Building Plant. It represented IZh's attempt to address the lower-capacity segment as the traditional 350 cc range lost competitiveness.
Cruiser-style motorcycle · 2001
IZh Junkier
The Junkier was a chopper-styled motorcycle introduced in the early 2000s. It used a water-cooled 347.6 cc two-cylinder two-stroke engine and was among the brand's most visible attempts to create a more contemporary product. Some units were purchased for use by Russian police organizations.
Brand decisions
1996
Motorcycle operations are separated into Izhmash-MotoStrategyBackground
The post-Soviet industrial structure required the motorcycle business to be managed separately from the broader IzhMash conglomerate.
Action taken
The motorcycle division was reorganized as a joint-stock subsidiary.
Aftermath
The subsidiary introduced newer models but could not reverse the brand's declining competitiveness, and production ended in 2008.
1946
IzhMash chooses a 350 cc postwar platformProduct launchBackground
The plant initially considered a lightweight DKW-derived design, but similar motorcycles were already being produced elsewhere in the Soviet Union.
Action taken
Management selected the larger DKW NZ 350 as the basis for the IZh-350.
Aftermath
IZh became strongly associated with durable middleweight motorcycles and retained that focus for decades.
1932
Soviet authorities approve motorcycle manufacturing in IzhevskStrategyBackground
The Soviet government sought an inexpensive domestic means of motorization and selected Izhevsk because of its established machine-production capabilities.
Action taken
A specialized motorcycle plant was constructed and assigned to produce motorcycles under the IZh marque.
Aftermath
The decision created one of the Soviet Union's largest motorcycle manufacturing operations.
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