Fun facts about motorcycles.

If your soul is attached to your motorcycle and you think of yourself as a motorcycle freak, then you must know some fun facts about motorcycles that very few people know about. I was reading a blog post yesterday and suddenly I saw a blog post based on motorcycle fun facts. Then I went to some websites out of curiosity about what else is funny about motorcycles. I’m writing here about those things that I find more informative, surprising, and kind of funny and I’m expecting it will also be informative and enjoyable to you.

1. Origin of the term motorcycle

The term “motorcycle” was first created by a motorcycle manufacturer called Hildebrand and Wolfmuller in 1894. Before this name was coined, motorcycles were called by different names such as motor-velocipede, motor-bicycle, and motorbike. The company mainly named their motorcycle “motorrad” in German, which means motorcycle in English.

2. World’s first motorcycle

Do you know that the world’s first motorcycle was made of wood? I know it’s pretty surprising. The name of the motorcycle was Daimler Reitwagen. That is the first internal combustion motorcycle that runs on petroleum. Two German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach built the motorcycle on 10 November 1885. Wilhelm Maybach was an employee of Gottlieb Daimler. The 17-year-old son of Gottlieb Daimler drove it on the street for the first time and rode it for about 5-12 kilometers. The motorcycle was able to run at 11 kilometers per hour.

3. The first motorcycle helmet

The first motorcycle helmet originated at the race track in Brookland in early 1914. The medical officer at that time Dr. Eric Gardner noticed that every two weeks, there is a patient who is a motorcycle rider and they all come in with head injuries. To protect the rider’s head from severe injury he made canvas and shellac helmets with Mr. Moss of Bethnal Green that were tough enough to withstand heavy impacts and comfortable to wear. When he submitted the helmet design to the motorcycle union it was widely ridiculed. Later on, Dr. Eric Gardner managed the concept of wearing a motorcycle helmet at Isle of Man’s T.T. races in early 1914. From then on motorcycle helmets started to be worn. 

4. The oldest motorcycle brand

When the topic arises about the context of the world’s oldest motorcycle the name of Royal Enfield comes at the top position. Royal Enfield is the most classic motorcycle brand in the world. They started their journey as a bicycle company in early 1893 in Britain but after some years in early 1901, they built their first ever motorcycle Royal Enfield Bullet was the toughest motorcycle in terms of build quality and engine performance the first in history. They become famous for their powerful engine, design, and durable build quality. During the First and Second World Wars, the main motorcycle supplier was the Royal Enfield.

5. The first leather jacket

All the motorcycle protective gear was not invented in a day. They have been created in different ways at different times and have changed over time. Between 1900 to 1910 riders wore tweed suits and normal caps as protection gear. Between 1917 and 1925 Harly Davidson invented a woollen sweater for the race track riders. For the first time, a leather jacket was introduced to the world by Irving Schott in 1928.

6. Record-breaking speed

Glenn Curtiss is remembered for setting the first world record for the highest speed of a motorcycle. For the very first time in 1903 unofficially he set the world record by driving a motorcycle at the speed of 103 kilometres per hour. After that on 24 January 1907, he broke his record and created a new speed mile plaque at a speed of 219.31 kilometres per hour. In 2010 Rocky Robinson rode an Attack Steam Liner motorcycle at an incredible 605.697 kilometres per hour. Which is the highest speed record in motorcycle history so far in the world.

7. World’s most expensive motorcycle

Can you believe that a motorcycle can cost $11 million? I know it is insane. The Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Fighter known as the most expensive motorcycle in the world is. When the motorcycle was put up for auction in 2012 its price went beyond expectations.

8. The longest motorcycle journey

Emilio Scotto set the Guinness world record for the longest motorcycle ride with his 1980 Honda Goldwing GL1100 motorcycle. He was an Argentine Adventure rider as well as a photojournalist and writer. He started the journey on 17 January 1985 and ended up on 3 April 1995. It took him 10 years to cover 4,57,000 miles (7,35,000 km) in 214 countries to set the world record.

9. The Highest motorcycle jump

An American motorcycle racer and stunt performer Alex Harvill set the world record for the highest motorcycle jump. He set the Guinness world record on 12 May 2012 for the longest ramp to dirt motorcycle jump and the distance was 425 feet (129.54 m). The next year on 6 July 2013 he set another Guinness world record for the longest dirt to dirt motorcycle jump and the distance was 297.55 feet (90.69 m).    

10. Motorcycle companies that do not only manufacture motorcycles

Do you know that some motorcycle companies don’t just make motorcycles but there are many more things out there viz

> Suzuki- in 1909 Suzuki started as a loom company. In these modern days except for motorcycles, Suzuki also manufactures (ATVs) all-terrain vehicles, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs, and other small internal combustion engines.

> Yamaha- In the 1900s Yamaha introduced them as a piano manufacturer and still producing various types of musical instruments. Yamaha manufactures motorcycles, golf carts, industrial robots, car engines, Boats, wheelchairs, and other electronics.

> Kawasaki- In 1878 Kawasaki started its journey as a shipping company. Over time Kawasaki diversified its products and they started producing motorcycles, trains, space rockets, jet engines, helicopters, missiles, personal water crafts, simulators, nuclear power plant equipment, electronic equipment, submarines, and many more.> Harley-Davidson- Harley-Davidson started its journey as a motorcycle manufacturer in early 1903. Over the years they started producing three-wheeler vehicles called forecars, lawn mower engines, Utilicar, rocket engines, and tomahawk boats.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *