Origin and evolution of the motorcycle

Since the first bicycles, scientists have sought ways to make transportation on public roads more automated and faster. It was for this purpose that during the mid-1800s, many inventors tried to make their own version of the motorcycle.

Today the motorcycle history lesson continues.

You like to ride. Correction: You practically live to ride. But despite your love and passion for all things motorcycle, how much do you know about its origins? In fact, I bet you would be surprised to learn the origin of the motorcycle and the changes it has undergone over the years.

When the motorcycle was first introduced, its creators could not have predicted its future popularity or the culture it would create. They could not have known that their invention would create a brotherhood, a sisterhood and a family that other social groups could not imitate!

It's been just over 150 years, and the motorcycle has made a lasting impression. Let's see how it all went. You might be surprised!

1867 - The first steam motorcycle was manufactured in the factory of the famous bicycle inventor Pierre Michaux. His son Ernest, who also invented bicycle pedals, attached a small steam engine to one of his bicycle designs.

Also 1867 - American Sylvester Howard Roper presents his two-cylinder steam velocipede with a coal-fired furnace, an early form of the motorcycle . He died in 1896 while demonstrating one of his steam motorcycles.

1871 - French engineer Louis-Guillaume Perreaux developed a one-cylinder steam motorcycle with an alcohol burner.

1881 - Lucius Copeland (Arizona) created something similar, but years later. He not only reduced the size of the steam boiler , but he also managed to make it operate at a speed of 19 km/h, which was a great achievement for its time.

1885 – German partners Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach produce the first diesel-powered motorcycle . They managed to equip a wooden bicycle with a small 264 cc engine. This machine paved the way for many future innovations and was the precursor to all other forms of transportation using a gasoline internal combustion engine.

*Interesting fact: Gottlieb Daimler later tried his hand at automobile manufacturing, and the company he created was called "Daimler Benz", which is today Mercedes-Benz.

1894 - "Hildebrand & Wolfmüller" was the first mass-produced motorcycle in the world. Unfortunately, only a few hundred units were produced. After that year, many other motorcycle manufacturers began building their models around the world.

1895 - American inventor Edwart Joel Pennington demonstrates his first version of a motorcycle which reaches a maximum speed of 93 km/h.

1900 – The Werner brothers file their first motorcycle patent .

1901-1903 - Several large manufacturing plants begin producing motorcycles, including the English Royal Enfield, Triumph, the American Harley-Davidson and the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company. It was around this time that the first organized motorcycle races began, increasing the demand for faster, more powerful engines and designs.

1928 - The German company DKW manages to become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world , surpassing other manufacturers.

1930s - Before the start of World War II, there were over 30 models of motorcycles in England.

1950s - After the end of World War II, American war veterans began to gather in motorcycle clubs. They became very famous after their portrayal in Marlon Brando's 1954 film "The Wild One."

1959 - The Japanese company Honda became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world .

1960s - British dominance of motorcycles faded during the 1960s with the emergence of several major Japanese manufacturers - Suzuki , Kawasaki and Yamaha .

1990s – Japan's supreme dominance lasted until the 1990s, when several American and Italian companies began expanding their markets.

Today - In addition to Japanese companies, several other manufacturers hold a significant share of the market. These include BMW , Ducati , Triumph , Victory and Harley-Davidson .

‎