Motorcycles have a rich and varied history, evolving from rudimentary steam-powered engines to sophisticated machines that capture the hearts of millions. Here’s a look at the significant milestones in motorcycle development:
19th Century: The Early Years
1867: The First Motorcycle
Sylvester Roper: An American inventor, Roper built a steam-powered motorcycle. It was more a curiosity than a practical vehicle, featuring a coal-fired boiler.
1885: The Daimler Reitwagen
Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach: This German duo created what is widely considered the first true motorcycle. The Reitwagen (riding car) was powered by an internal combustion engine.
Early 20th Century: Establishing the Basics
1901: The First Production Motorcycle
Indian Motorcycle Company: The first American motorcycle company began production, marking the start of commercial motorcycle manufacturing.
1903: Harley-Davidson Founded
William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson: This iconic American company was established, soon becoming synonymous with motorcycles worldwide.
1920s-1930s: Technological Advancements
1923: BMW Enters the Scene
BMW R32: BMW introduced its first motorcycle, featuring a flat-twin boxer engine, which became a hallmark of the brand.
1937: Triumph Speed Twin
Edward Turner: Triumph’s new model set the standard for British motorcycles, introducing the parallel-twin engine that became immensely popular.
Mid-20th Century: War and Innovation
1941-1945: World War II
Military Use: Motorcycles like the Harley-Davidson WLA and the BMW R75 played crucial roles in the war, used for dispatch, reconnaissance, and transport.
1949: The Birth of Superbikes
Vincent Black Shadow: Often regarded as the world’s first superbike, it was the fastest production motorcycle of its time.
1960s-1970s: The Japanese Invasion
1969: Honda CB750
The Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM): Honda revolutionized the market with the CB750, featuring a transverse four-cylinder engine, electric start, and disc brakes.
1972: Kawasaki Z1
Performance and Speed: Kawasaki’s Z1 set new benchmarks for power and performance, cementing Japan’s dominance in the motorcycle industry.
1980s-1990s: The Rise of Sportbikes
1984: Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R
The Modern Sportbike: With liquid cooling and a 16-valve engine, the GPZ900R set the stage for the sportbike era.
1998: Yamaha YZF-R1
Revolutionizing Speed: Yamaha’s R1 was a game-changer with its power-to-weight ratio and handling, influencing sportbike design for years to come.
21st Century: Innovation and Sustainability
2000s: Advancements in Technology
Ducati, Suzuki, and BMW: These brands pushed boundaries with electronic aids like ABS, traction control, and ride modes.
2014: Harley-Davidson LiveWire
Electric Motorcycles: Harley-Davidson introduced its first electric motorcycle, signaling a shift towards sustainable transportation.
2020s: The Future of Motorcycling
Electric and Autonomous Bikes: Companies like Zero Motorcycles and Honda are exploring electric powertrains and autonomous technology, aiming for greener and smarter motorcycles.
From steam-powered curiosities to high-tech superbikes, the motorcycle industry has come a long way. Each era brought its innovations, challenges, and icons, contributing to the rich tapestry of motorcycling history. As technology advances, the future of motorcycles promises even more exciting developments.
See some more historical images of motorbikes
1912 Sears -The Sears and roebuck company has been in business since 1893. In the early 1910’s, the company commissioned a small number of motorcycles to be produced and sold under the Sears name. The companies twin cylinder models featured a rare Spacke Deluxe magneto ignition power plant and single-speed drivetrain. This motorcycle is preserved in original condition and was acquired from the Lee Hartung collection.1908 Indian – By late 1907, Indian had released a 7hp twin cylinder motorcycle to the public, becoming one of America’s first manufacturers to offer a “double”. This machine is preserved with original blue paint and features unique accessories such as a tandem seat. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel via primary and secondary chain, with no clutch.1922 Nera-Car – Built in Syracuse, NY in the late 1910s – early 1920’s, the Nera-Car featured a small displacement two-stroke engine, and other unique features like friction-drive, and center-hub steering. This example at Dale’s Wheels Through Time is preserved in original condition.1929 JDH – The Harley-Davidson JDH left the factory as the pinnacle performance street machine in the 1920s. Matt built this bike for friend of the museum Atsushi Yasui with maximum performance in mind. The displacement has been bumped up from 74ci to 96ci, and a second carburetor has been added. Leaner, lighter, and more powerful, this machine is the ultimate late 1920s hot-rod motorcycle.
“1912 Excelsior” The Excelsior Company produced motorcycles in Chicago, Illinois from 1907-1931. This 1912 was the last year for a belt drive option on all twin cylinder models. It could be purchased for $225 and features a 6hp engine. This machine is preserved in original condition at Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum.
“Firebreather” This 1915 Model D1 Indian board track racer on display at Dale’s Wheels Through Time features a 61 cubic inch racing engine and is equipped with a brake and clutch, unlike many other racers of the day. The odd exhaust pipes make for an interesting look and quite a sound.
This 1911 Indian 4hp battery ignition Single has competed in the Barber “Race of the Century” a couple times. It has taken the checkered flag once in the singles class in 2011.1913 Hedstrom Prototype – This 1913 Indian prototype is believed to be built by Oscar Hedstrom and the Indian tool room during his last months with the company. The machine features two ways to work many of its features including the clutch, brake and decompression. This machine is equipped with a rare two-speed transmission, dual exhaust and the best part—none of the components fit a standard Indian.
The Wagner Motorcycle – This 1911 Wagner owned by Cris & Pat Simmons sits on display in our America’s Rarest exhibit and was featured on the hit TV show American Restoration. The bike features a single-cylinder 29ci Wagner engine along with a flat belt drive and is preserved in original paint.
The Indian 741 – During WWII, Indian made roughly 40,000 model 741 motorcycles for US Military use. This motor example sits in its original crate and packaging and has never been touched.
This 1921 Harley Davidson SCA board track racer is one of the rarest at WTT. Serial. Number. ONE. Considered the deadliest form of racing in the history of motorsports, it’s easy to see why. The bikes had no brakes. They could reach speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. They incorporated a ‘total loss’ lubricating design – meaning oil lost from the engines spewed not only over the bikes and racers but also transformed the rickety board tracks into greasy wooden nightmares. Couple that with the fact that the racers had virtually no protection, it’s no wonder they called these motodromes “murderdromes.” This was absolute insanity.”
This Harley-Davidson board track racer is called the banjo two cam, named after its unique engine design. There are less than 10 of these engines known to exist, and this one calls home to the board track exhibit at Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum! The banjo engine would run speeds up to 100 mph. This bike is in 100 percent original condition!
