Balkan (Bulgarian: Балкан) was a brand of motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles manufactured in Lovech, Bulgaria in 1957–1975.

In 1954, a decision from Comecon ended aircraft production in Plant 14, which would result in many workers of the factory to lose their jobs.

Due to legislative changes in Bulgaria, motorcycles have been manufactured with turn signals from 1969 onwards.

The first prototype of a motorcycle called the Balkan M1 was presented at the 17th International Fair in Plovdiv in 1956 and was largely based on DKW RT 250.

However, obvious technical and structural similarities with the German motorcycle soon led to protests by DKW, and Bulgarian engineers were forced to change the appearance of the M1.

Numerous changes were made during the modernization of the motorcycle, most notably a chrome side cover of the tank was added, in which there was a new emblem of the Balkan company.

Compared to the standard models, they differed in the raised front fender[5] and exhaust, smaller front headlight cover, speedometer located on the left side of the tank, aluminum cylinder with enlarged cooling fins and side stand, instead of central stand.

Equipped with the Vitosha 250 engine, they could reach a top speed of 70 km/h and had a carrying capacity of up to 400 kg and two people.

Both mopeds had a frame made of pressed sheet steel, their engine with the designation MD 50 had a displacement of 48 cm3 and a power of 2.35 PS,[7] a rotary knob on the handlebars instead of a shifting foot lever[8] and starting with the pedals.

The transitional "intermediate type" from the MPM differed by the chrome side cover of the tank and the new MD 50S engine, which was later used on the MK 50–3.

A tool box was added under the seat and rear oil suspension instead of springs, the exhaust was located on the right.

The Balkan M 75, a motorcycle manufactured from 1971 to 1975, equipped with a two-stroke engine, which had a capacity of 74 cm3, coupled to a 4-speed transmission and achieved an output of 6 PS at 6600 rpm.