News

After 10-year hiatus, motorcycle brand back with 320cc bike, assembly plant

News Release

Private equity company BelleStar Group Ventures, LLC, in collaboration with Edward L. Cain, Jr. announced today the reintroduction of Pagsta branded motorcycles, the opening of a Pagsta assembly plant in Virginia and the appointment of Michael E. Turber as president.

The Pagsta legacy began with the late Johnny Pagnini, Sr., a designer and craftsman of custom motorcycles for celebrity clientele such as ZZ Top and Bo Jackson. Pagnini launched Pagsta
49cc motorcycles in 2003, which were owned by celebrities that include William Shatner, Dennis Hopper, Mathew Broderick and Danny Bonaduce. The legendary Carroll Shelby even designed a Carroll Shelby Signature Series for Pagsta.

Pagsta, LLC (dba Pagsta Motors) is reintroducing the Pagsta brand into the market with three all-new classic models for 2016: the Z-Choppa, Z-Cruisa and Z-Warrior – each with best-of-breed 320cc engines, 5-speed transmissions, Delphi electronic fuel-injection systems, NAPA batteries and hoses, Kenda tires, and NGK spark plugs. Later in 2016 Pagsta will introduce the 49.5cc Z-Mini, the 169cc Z-Hammer, and the E-Ped electric bike.

“Pagsta’s mission is to bring unique style, quality and value to the small engine displacement space,” said Belle Barber, founder of Bellestar Group Ventures. “Our decision to assemble Pagsta motorcycles in Virginia rather than outsourcing overseas was an easy one for a couple of reasons. One, we want to bring new jobs to the US and help strengthen America’s economy, and two, we want to closely monitor the quality of each bike coming off the assembly line.”

The new 2016 Pagsta motorcycles received a thumbs up from two testing companies that have conducted compliance tests for the EPA and the DOT as far back as 1984. “The Pagsta 320cc engine is the best 320cc motorcycle CEE has ever tested,” said George Gemayal, the founder of California Environmental Engineering (CEE). Dale Gadbois of Safety Regulatory Testing Lab X-Test, Inc. said, “Pagsta makes quality motorcycles, and all three 320cc models meet or exceed DOT safety standards.”

Pagsta’s newly named president, Michael Turber, is a motorcycle enthusiast with 20+ years in the powersports industry having worked with multinational companies, including several he built. “Mike is a talented and passionate individual and a great fit for Pagsta,” said Cain, Pagsta’s Chief Eagle Officer. “We are confident he will execute Pagsta strategies to meet full production of quality bikes in the U.S. with goals going forward to expand abroad.”

“After seeing Ed and Belle’s absolute commitment to quality, integrity, and affordability, I realized Pagsta’s culture and vision was a match for my personal ethics,” said Turber. “And the bikes are exceptional. Each Pagsta will use technology not normally found in motorcycles at this price point.
We have everything in place for a successful launch, including great personnel, fantastic strategic partners, dealer/consumer financing, and assembly line capacities of up to 1000 bikes per month. I am truly looking forward to seeing the reaction of the dealers and media, as well as the public, at the AIMExpo,” he said.

Dealers and the public can view Pagsta’s 2016 lineup of motorcycles at the AIMExpo October 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Go to booth #1585. The expo will be open to dealers October 15-16, and open to the public October 17-18.

Related Articles

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button