Early Pioneers
Bicycles had reached an advanced stage of development by the 1880s, most of them closely resembling machines we still ride today. As soon as a small internal combustion engine had been invented, it was a logical step to attach it to a bicycle, creating the first motorcycles. Almost all early development took place in Europe and the brilliance of some designs—and impracticality of others—was breathtaking.
Daimler Reitwagen, 1885
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 264 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 7 mph (11 km/h) |
Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach were inspired pioneers, designing a high-revving (600 rpm), benzine-fuelled engine that they fitted to this “riding car” in 1885.
Hildebrand & Wolfmüller Motorrad, 1894
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 1,489 cc, in-line twin |
| Top speed | 28 mph (45 km/h) |
The world’s first production motorcycle used the rear wheel as its flywheel/crankshaft with a direct drive from the two connecting rods, and the rear mudguard to carry water.
Gaillardet Gaillardette, 1899
| Origin | France |
| Engine | 800 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 27 mph (43 km/h) |
Frédéric Gaillardet was involved with several pioneering French tricycles. His engine design was a side-valve with easily changeable valves, mounted behind the rear axle.
Perks Birch Motorwheel, 1900
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 222 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 22 mph (35 km/h) |
This brilliant design by Edwin Perks and Frank Birch incorporated an engine, fuel tank, carburettor, and magneto within a two-sided, cast alloy wheel.
Singer 200, 1901
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 208 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 28 mph (45 km/h) |
Singer purchased the rights to build the Perks Birch Motorwheel in 1901 and fitted it in both the rear of bicycles and front of tricycles until 1904.
Werner, 1901
| Origin | France |
| Engine | 262 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
Franco-Russian pioneers Michel and Eugene Werner patented this influential motorcycle layout in 1902, with the engine incorporated into the bottom of the frame.
Ormonde, 1901
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 220 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 28 mph (45 km/h) |
Ormonde used Belgian Kelecom engines in this well-designed motor bicycle layout, which was to become an ancestor of the Velocette marque.
Cyklon, 1901
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 300 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 22 mph (35 km/h) |
Cyklon used the French Werner engine, mounted on the front forks and driving the front wheel by a belt, placing the rider rather close to noise and fumes.
H. Collier & Sons Silent Matchless, 1902
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 160 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 25 mph (40 km/h) |
London bicycle-maker Henry Collier & Sons built its first motorcycle in 1899. They started production for bikes such as this one in 1901, using bought-in engines from MMC.
Bayliss Thomas Excelsior, 1902
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 160 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 25 mph (40 km/h) |
Generally considered the first British motorcycle, the Excelsior was made in Coventry from 1896 with Minerva, De Dion, MMC, or Werner engines slung under a bicycle-type frame.
Triumph Minerva 272 HP, 1902
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 239 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 30 mph (48 km/h) |
Siegfried Bettmann’s Triumph bicycle company had built this, its first motorcycle, by 1902, using a Belgian Minerva engine, which itself originated from a Swiss design.
MMC, 1903
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 216 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 30 mph (48 km/h) |
Entrepreneur Harry Lawson’s Motor Manufacturing Company of Coventry built this motorcycle powered by a close copy of the French-made De Dion engine.
Coventry-Eagle Motorized Bicycle, 1903
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 216 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 26 mph (42 km/h) |
This Victorian bicycle-maker built motorcycles from 1898. This model had an engine from MMC hung from the downtube, with a belt drive and a trailer to carry a passenger.
It is a quote. The Motorbike Book – The Definitive Visual History 2012
