Patrick Barigault wanted to be a winner in
motocross 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, which was 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.
.
Any corrections or more information on these motorcycles will be kindly appreciated.