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First Steam-Powered motorcycle was made
Pierre Michaux was famously known as the inventor of the bicycle. In one of Michaux's factories, the first steam-powered motorcycle was made. -
The Daimler Reitwagen was created
Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach produced the first true motorcycle named the Daimler Reitwagen. The Daimler Reitwagen, in comparison to Pierre Michaux's steam-powered motorcycle, used a diesel-based engine. This kick-started a huge way of future innovation and was a precursor to all other transport devices that use gasoline internal combustion engines. -
First Production Motorcycle - 1894-1897
The Hildebrand and Wolfmuller was the first production motorcycle ever. Heinrich and Wilhelm Hildebrand were steam-engine engineers before they teamed up with Alois Wolfmüller to produce their internal combustion motor in Munich in 1894. This introduced all of Germany - And the world - To motorcycles. -
First motorcycle in the U.S.A. / E.J. Pennington
In 1895, the French Circus Group brought a motorcycle to the U.S.A. Until this point, no motorcycles were in the country. In the same year, E.J. Pennington showed his very first motorcycle, which had an astounding top speed of 58mph. This started a lot of other companies trying their hand at making a motorcycle - In 1903, Harley Davidson was founded, and Indian Motorcycles in 1895. -
Large Companies Enter The Scene
In 1901-1903, many large companies began the production of motorcycles. The most notable companies are Triumph, Royal Enfield, Harley-Davidson, and Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company. Not long after this period, the first motorcycle races were introduced. These races kickstarted motorcycles becoming faster with more powerful engines. -
Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race
The first motorcycle was sold in 1894, a product of Germany, while the first race—250 miles long—was held in France only a few years later. The first Isle of Man TT race was held on Tuesday 28 May 1907 and was called the International Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy- this had the motorsport scene blossoming throughout Central Europe in pre-war days. Everyone was trying to go faster and faster through the track, which led to companies trying to make their bikes as fast as possible. -
Influential Motorcycles - BMW R32
In the 20s/30s, BMW was literally pennies away from declaring bankruptcy. Max Friz, a prior aircraft engineer, had made designs for a Boxer Twin engine. Boxer engine means the pistons are laid flat. The BMW concept is now realized in high quality and with a robust and powerful technology that BMW has adopted from aircraft manufacturers for motorcycle production. The result of BMW's breakthrough in engine technology having them win every German Championship in the 500cm category from 1924-1929. -
DKW
DKW Two-stroke motorcycles were flying off the shelves during the early 1900s, mostly due to the World War situation. Various motorcycles from the 1940s and 1950s came with cloned two-stroke engines. These even included the likes of the first motorcycle from Moto Morini - the 125 Turismo, and the first MV Agusta - the 98 Turismo. This engine was a hit. The success of DKW's patented two-stroke motor made them the leading motorcycle manufacturer during the World War period. -
Honda Motor Company
In 1959, Honda Motor Company solidified itself as the new leading manufacturer of motorcycles. Honda had begun creating motorcycles in 1949, with their Honda D-Type (Model-D, or Dream.) Honda built an unassailable volume-based low-cost manufacturing position in the motorcycle market. Honda had set the mark for motorcycles, as theirs were cheap to make, very reliable, and comfortable. -
Influential Motorcycles: 1960 Triumph Bonneville T120
In the 1950s and up to the 1960s, the British were dominant in the motorcycle world. An incredibly iconic motorcycle was born during this time: The Bonneville traces its roots back to 1956 when John Allen set a world speed record of 214.40 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats riding on a Triumph-engined streamliner. To honor Allen's efforts, Triumph Motorcycles introduced the Bonneville (named after the salt flats) in 1958. The model was based on their successful T110 Tiger. -
Japan's Big Three Enter The Playing Field
Up until the 1960's, British motorcycles were largely dominant. However, this started to fade. During the 1960s, three large companies emerged from Japan - Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. Suzuki is one of the most well-known motorcycle manufacturers in the world. One reason for this is that the bikes are so affordable. For Yamaha, Owners enjoy fewer trips to the service department, more affordable repair bills, and more years out of the given model. -
Influential Motorcycles: Honda CB750
With the British becoming lazy and overly complacent with their dominance over the motorcycle world, they thought nothing could challenge them. Until Honda created the CB750, the motorcycle that would begin the term 'Superbike'. Honda had challenged that dominance in the smaller capacities but, in 1969, it again staggered the world with the four-cylinder CB750. It had a smooth, non-vibrating engine that was reliable, didn’t leak oil, and had an electric start! -
Honda CBR900RR Fireblade
Honda created the CBR900RR after a lot of research. While the engine displacement was ‘only’ 893cc, it was significantly lighter than its rivals and the twin-spar aluminum frame offered new levels of stiffness, allowing the suspension to work much more effectively. Both these attributes enabled the Fireblade to run rings around the opposition and it wasn’t long before rivals were copying the design lead set by Honda. Honda set the template for sports bikes that exists to this day.