The History of Motorcycles

Do you love motorcycles? If yes, how familiar are you with their history? Well, you don’t have to worry about that now as we are going to show you the true origins of motorcycles. Even more, you will get to know the changes they have undergone throughout the years.

Although their existence is traced back about 150 years now, motorcycles still have a lasting impression. They have cultivated a brotherhood that the other social groups haven’t been able to. Read on to see how they came to be and how they have undergone a change to become what they are today. 

The History of Motorcycles

1867

The first ever steam-powered motorcycle was created by Ernest, Pierre Michaux’s son. He installed a small steam engine on one of his bicycle designs.

1868

In 1867, Sylvester Howard Roper, an American, created a twin-cylinder steam-powered velocipede with a coal burn furnace.

1871

Louis Guillaume Perreaux, a French engineer, created a one-cylinder steam-powered motorcycle with an alcohol burner.

1881

An American, Lucius Copeland, created something similar to Roper’s. But his creation came with some modifications which were a smaller steam boiler and a higher speed of 12 mph, a great achievement for its era.

1885

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, both German, invented a gas-powered combustion engine in 1885, with the help of Nicolaus Otto. This then became an essential commodity in motorcycle history. It was then possible for one to use a gas-powered engine on a traditional bike.

1894

The first mass production of these vehicles started in 1894. This was done by Hildebrand & Wolfmuller, a German company. They named these vehicles “motorcycles.” Sadly, only some hundred units were produced.

1895

A Frenchman named Dedion-Buton introduced an innovative four-stroke engine. The innovation catapulted the production of motorcycles. An American, E. J. Pennington also demonstrated his motorcycle which had a speed of 58mph.

1899

The production of motorcycles began in America. Charles H. Metz was the person responsible.

1900

The first motorcycle patent was submitted by Werner Brothers.

1901