Motorcycles are two-wheeled motor vehicles designed for a variety of purposes, including long distance travel, cruising, sport (including racing), and off-road riding. They are among the least expensive and most widespread forms of motor transportation worldwide.
First Motorcycle: Daimler Reitwagen, 1885
The first internal combustion motorcycle was invented by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Bad Cannstatt, Germany, in 1885. It was a mash-up of a bicycle and the engine they had invented. The bike was also known as the Reitwagen or riding car.
Engine: It uses a single cylinder to produce power, containing a mixture of petrol and oil. The cylinders and crankcase are made of aluminium, with the pistons and camshafts of steel. The head is cast or forged from aluminium and the clutch, gearbox and shafts are all made of high-strength steel.
Safety: A motorcycle is not as enclosed as a car, so the rider must be alert to traffic and road conditions. Brakes, a headlight and taillight, turn signals, horn and crash bars are all important safety features on a motorcycle.
Gas Economy: The fuel efficiency of a motorcycle is much higher than that of an automobile. It can achieve fuel economies as high as 85 miles per gallon, providing an attractive alternative to gas-guzzling cars.
Riders: In the US, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of motorcycles since 1998. This is due to their low cost of ownership, their fuel efficiency, and the fact that they provide a unique and exciting experience.
