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During this early period of motorcycle history there were many manufacturers, since bicycle makers were adapting their designs for the new internal combustion engine. Diagram of 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller. In 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first series production motorcycle, and the first to be called a "motorcycle" (German: Motorrad).
One of the most successful trikes of its day was the De Dion-Bouton tricycle; from 1897 until the start of the 20th century about 15,000 licensed copies were sold, with De Dion Bouton usually supplying the engines, and it was overall the most popular motor vehicle in Europe. [1] [2]
In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first series production motorcycle. [4] [5] Globally, motorcycles are comparable numerically to cars as a method of transport: in 2021, approximately 58.6 million new motorcycles were sold around the world, [6] while 66.7 million cars were sold over the same period. [7]
The following is a list of motorcycle manufacturers worldwide, sorted by extant/extinct status and by country. These are producers whose motorcycles are available to the public, including both street legal as well as racetrack-only or off-road-only motorcycles .
The 1946 "Motoleggera", a 65 cc lightweight motorcycle originally—and still regularly—called the "Guzzino," became very popular in post-war Italy. It was produced until 1954. [ 12 ] One reason for its success was that, even though it had a somewhat bicycle-like appearance, it still looked and felt more like a motorcycle than other low-end ...
1940 Indian Chief. First sold in 1922, the Indian Chief had nearly two decades of history under its belt by the time 1940 rolled around — but two things happened that year that divides the ...
His motocycle dream, however, did not flourish and was realized by Ford and Olds instead. [11] [12] In 1898 "Modern machinery" magazine pointed out the merits of gasoline-, electric- and steam-propelled 4-wheeled motocycles (automobiles). [13]
In the 1950s and early 1960s Vespa and Lambretta scooters were raced competitively against motorcycles, often winning the races. In the mid-1960s, motorcycle engines became larger and faster, and a gap was created—along with varying cc classifications. Since the 1980s, Vespa and Lambretta racing has grown into a serious sport in the United ...