TheHistoryOf.net

The motorcycle of today carries with it an image of rebellion; of bucking the system and enjoying true freedom. While this image is an old one these days, it was not always so. At one time, the motorcycle was nothing more than an oddity. Let’s take a look at the history of the motorcycle, its ups and downs, and how it got to where it is today.

When you talk about the history of motorcycles, you have to look all the way back to the 1800s. First, there was a French bicycle (or“velocipede,” as they called their groundbreaking pedaled bikes) company that first fitted a small steam engine to one of their bikes. In the United States shortly after the Civil War, Sylvester Howard Roper created what is considered by most to be the first motorcycle. Like the trains of that time, this motorcycle harnessed the power and pressure of steam to propel it. It never caught on as more than a novelty at fairs, however. Yet work continued on motorcycles and by the late 1800s we had the gasoline-powered Daimler Reitwagen motorcycle and models from many different manufacturers as the trend spread throughout theworld.

In the early 1900s, there was an explosion of motorcycle manufacturers. The motorcycle had gone from being a bicycle with an engine to a unique vehicle in its own right. Companies like Triumph, Harley-Davidson, and Indian Motorcycles flourished as they all created their own designs based around the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. Motorcycles were produced in numbers never seen before and sales were high.

After World War II, many veterans returning home had seen motorcycles in action in war zones and were looking for some excitement to fill the void left by the end of the war. At this time, biker clubs began to spring up across the country. This was further emphasized by the popular 1954 movie “The Wild One” with Marlon Brando. The “outlaw biker” image was here to stay in the US, but elsewhere motorcycles were more concerned with functionality and economic viability.

The 1960s saw the rise of Japanese motorcycle companies. Companies like Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha transformed the motorcycle into a vehicle that could be quickly produced and appealed to a much larger market. During this time, many Western motorcycle manufacturers suffered or vanished altogether – though Harley-Davidson managed to survive.

These days, we’ve settled into a comfortable balance. Motorcycles are more popular than ever and there is a vast industry centered on the lifestyle. Gear like heated motorcycle clothing, helmets, logo t-shirts, logo bags, logo hats, and just about anything you can think of with a logo on it is sold everyday in shops across the world that cater to those that love their motorcycles. In fact, it is often easier to find a place that sells the gear and memorabilia than it is to find a motorcycle dealer! What can you say? We love our motorcycles!

About The Author

Mick Ellero lives in Peterborough, UK with his beautiful wife Val and their son Matthew. His favorite hobby is restoring old motorcycles, which is what got him started on his website. Mick’s goal is to highlight what things to watch for, particularly with respect to safety, when purchasing motorcycle leather clothing and motorcycle luggage. You will also find advice on choosing between leather and textile motorcycle clothing, and how to keep your leathers in tip-top condition.