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History of the Motorcycle
- , by Eagle Leather
- 2 min reading time
History of the Motorcycle
August 03, 2013
History of the Motorcycle
Summer riding season is in full swing, but do you know how the iconic image of the motorcycle came to be?
Let’s take a brief look at the history of the motorcycle:
1867 (approximately)
A 2-wheeled contraption looking like a bicycle called the “Steam Velocipede” is unveiled. This design did not catch on with the public.
1885
The
first “true” motorcycle is introduced, consisting of a single-cylinder
internal combustion engine mounted on a wooden frame with iron and
wooden wheels.
1889
The first air-inflated, pressurized tire is invented.
1895
A
French automobile manufacturer introduces a lightweight, 4-stroke
engine that makes mass-production of the motorcycle possible.
1899
Bicycle
maker Charles Metz creates the first production motorcycle. Metz is
also given credit for coining the word “motorcycle.”
1901
Indian Motorcycle Company begins production of their motorcycle, becoming the world’s best-seller up until WWI.
1903
The Harley-Davidson brand is launched and starts producing bikes with their signature V-Twin engine.
1914
The US military relies on motorbikes to gather reconnaissance and deliver messages during World War I.
1920s-1930s
Americans
and Europeans embrace the motorcycle, creating a boom in the 1920s;
however the Great Depression forces many manufacturers out of business.
1953
The motorcycle becomes a symbol of rebellion due to the motorcycle gang in the classic biker movie “The Wild One.”
1958
Yamaha begins selling bikes in America.
1960s-70s
Baby boomers take up motorcycling, creating the biggest sales boom in motorcycle history.
1968
The first full-face motorcycle helmet is introduced.
1969
Honda unveils a revolutionary 4-cylinder, single overhead cam engine, and is considered the first “superbike.”
1998
EMB, Inc. introduces the world’s first commercial electric motorbike, the Lectra.
2009
The world’s first production hybrid motorcycle, the Eko ET-120, goes on sale in India.
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