The History of Motorcycles
Motorcycles create an exhilarating sense of adventure and freedom. Whether you’re zipping to work on the highway, enjoying the camaraderie of a group ride on the weekend or exploring the vistas of an off-pavement excursion, motorcycling engages your senses and makes every journey memorable.
Generally, motorcycles have more power than bicycles, so they can accelerate and brake faster. This makes it important to only ride bikes that are appropriate for your experience level. You also need to pay close attention to your surroundings and always wear a helmet, gloves, and protective gear.
The first internal combustion, petroleum fueled motorcycle was created by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Germany in 1885. Although it looked more like a boneshaker bicycle than modern motorcycles, it was a pioneering vehicle that set the stage for the motorcycle industry to develop.
After World War II, the motorcycle industry boomed in Europe and the US. Factory workers who had once fought in the war now bought their own personal transport, opening up new vistas of travel and adventure. Many of them attached sidecars to their motorcycles to bring along their wives and children on family trips.
The development of more sophisticated engineering and manufacturing processes in the post-war years made motorcycles more affordable. This allowed Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki to quickly overtake British firms in the production of high-performance motorcycles.