* In 1867, German inventor Eugen Langen created a two-wheeled vehicle powered by a stationary steam engine.
* In 1869, Frenchman Pierre Michaux invented a pedal-powered velocipede with a steam-powered front wheel.
* In 1885, German engineer Gottlieb Daimler invented a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine.
* In 1886, German inventor Wilhelm Maybach developed a prototype motorcycle powered by a Daimler engine.
The First Motorcycles
* In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller of Munich produced the first mass-produced motorcycle, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller.
* The Hildebrand & Wolfmüller was powered by a 1.496 cc four-stroke engine.
* It could reach a speed of 27 mph (43 km/h).
* It had a top speed of 18 mph (29 km/h).
* The Hildebrand & Wolfmüller was not a commercial success, but it inspired other inventors to create their own motorcycles.
Development in the 20th Century
* In the early 20th century, motorcycles became more popular as they were used for transportation, racing, and military applications.
* The first American motorcycle was built by the Indian Motocycle Company in 1901.
* The first Japanese motorcycle was built by the Rikuo Motorcycle Company in 1915.
* Motorcycles were used extensively in World War I and World War II.
Modern Motorcycles
* After World War II, motorcycles continued to develop rapidly.
* In the 1960s, Japanese manufacturers began to dominate the motorcycle market.
* In the 1970s, motocross racing became popular and off-road motorcycles became more popular.
* In the 1980s, sportbikes became popular, with the first true superbike being the Honda CBR900RR.
Motorcycles Today
* Today, motorcycles are used for a variety of purposes including commuting, recreation, racing, and off-roading.
* There are many different types of motorcycles to choose from, including street bikes, sportbikes, cruisers, touring bikes, and off-road bikes.
* Motorcycles are an efficient and affordable way to get around, and they can also be a lot of fun to ride.
