After the discovery of bicycles in France in the 1860s, inventors around the world began to develop their designs for automatic versions of this vehicle. With the help of the available means at the time, they created several motorcycle prototypes, paving the way for all future models.
Historical development of motorcycles
Like many inventions, motorcycles are gradually developing and no particular inventor can claim this title. The first version of the motorcycle was launched by many inventors in the 19th century, mainly in Europe.
The first known steam engine was built in the factory of the famous bicycle inventor Pierre Mishaw. His son Ernest managed to connect a small steam engine to his first bike. In the following years, several inventors managed to replicate similar successes using steam engines, all of which had different combustion chambers (solid, liquid or gas). Motorcycles with steam engines run well, but have several serious disadvantages (mainly low power output and the need to keep fueling).
modern motorcycle
1885, two German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and William Maybach managed to create the first modern motorcycle model. They managed to connect a small petroleum-based internal combustion engine to the bike's wooden frame. Named "Daimler Reitwagen", this motorcycle is considered today as the first real motorcycle and has become the starting point for future innovation and development. The development of Reitwagen began in 1882 when the Daimler and Maybach began to produce three experimental high-speed single-cylinder engines . Their initial plan was to build a small car, but they decided to test the engine's design on the bike frame. A miniature single-cylinder engine with a capacity of 0.5 horsepower and a volume of 264 cubic centimeters accelerates the motorcycle to a speed of 7 miles per hour. In an initial test, the motorcycle's seat caught fire due to heat from nearby engines. Daimler and Maybach were patented in August 1885, and the final version of Reitwagen was opened to the public in 1886.
The original Daimler Reitwagen model broke out in 1903 at a factory in Kantarte, Germany. Some specimens are collected by museums in Germany, the United States, Australia and Japan.
Diamler is a great innovator and continues to try gasoline engines for ships and is also a pioneer in commercial vehicle production. The company named after him eventually became the Daimler Benz , which later evolved into what we know as Mercedes-Benz.
First factory
1894, Germany's Hildebrand Wolf Miller Company took the lead in establishing a production line production factory, producing the so-called "motorcycle" for the first time. The first production motorcycle in the United States was assembled at the Charles Mays plant in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
Discussions about motorcycle history cannot help but mention the most famous American manufacturer Harley-Davidson.
Many nineteenth-century inventors who worked in the first motorcycles often turned to other inventions. Daimler and Roper, for example, continue to develop cars and other vehicles. However, some inventors, including William Harley and the Davidson brothers, just continued to develop motorcycles. Business competitors include other startups such as Excelsior, India, Pierce, , Merkel, , Hickel and Thor.
In 1903, William Harley and his friends Arthur and Walter Davidson founded the Harley-Davidson Automotive Company. The motorcycle has a high-quality engine, so it can prove itself in the race, although initially the company plans to produce and sell it as a means of transportation. CH Lange sold the first Harley-Davidson officially released in Chicago.
