HISTORY OF THE CREATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE
Both the first motorcycle and the first car came about in very similar ways. In both cases, the “very first” is considered to be a crew with an internal combustion engine; they try not to call the preceding designs with steam engines until the turning point of 1885, although after this date the term “motorcycle” or “motorcycle” is applied to such machines without a shadow of a doubt. automobile". These two cars have a common father - the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler, although again, almost every country names its “parents”. But the genealogical trees, although closely intertwined with crowns and roots, are still different: if the car counts in its ancestors almost all types of wheeled vehicles, then the ancestor of the motorcycle is the same - the bicycle.
Reputable monographs on the history of the automobile usually begin in the middle of the fourth millennium BC - the first wheels, the remains of which were discovered in the ruins of cities in Mesopotamia, date back to this time. The motorcycle does not claim the laurels of the patriarch and modestly traces the beginning of its prehistory to just the 17th century AD. The stained glass window in the English provincial church of St. Gilles shows a cherub sitting on a two-wheeled car with one wheel in front and one in the back. It is not known whether this carriage was a figment of the master’s imagination or whether he had some kind of sample in front of his eyes - perhaps a toy. One thing is known: the church (and stained glass) dates back to 1642 - 150 years before the first “celorifer” appeared on the streets of Paris!
This is exactly what Count Mede de Sivrac called his machine, who first presented his invention to the amazed Parisians in the garden of the Palais Royal in June 1791. The design of the new product was simple to the extreme: a horizontal wooden beam about a meter long, from which two vertical posts extended down in front and behind, and wheel axles were attached to the bottom of the posts. There was no attempt to make the wheel turnable, but the front of the device was decorated with a horse's head, the back with a tail, and the saddle was also borrowed from a horse.
To set the chain in motion, it was necessary to push off with the tips of the feet from the ground, change the direction of movement either by tilting the machine, or, having stopped, by rearranging the front wheel. But even in such an imperfect form, the car won many fans in France. Even the Great French Revolution did not hinder its success, as well as its spread: riders on two-wheeled “velocifers” (this was the name given to the new product by the beginning of the 19th century) were seen on the streets of Germany, Great Britain, and even Russia.
History of the motorcycle. Invention
The bicycle is the predecessor of the motorcycle. The similarity between a bicycle and a motorcycle is obvious to everyone, and it is also completely clear that the first preceded the second. But where did the bicycle come from? The original idea was a two-wheeled device that needed to be ridden, allowing relatively high speeds without the need for a horse or train. Karl von Dres invented the bicycle in 1817. However, other inventors copied and improved his design. Von Dres himself called his device a laufmachine (from German - a running machine), others also called it a Dres machine, a scooter, a pedestrian chair and a bicycle. Unfortunately, we don’t know who came up with the idea of installing pedals on a bicycle. One thing is certain: it took several decades. The first pedal bicycle was patented in 1866, although in some parts of the world it had been available for several years before that. The term "bicycle" was coined in the 1860s. It was during this time and subsequent decades that bicycles gained popularity.
running machine
First prerequisites
The first steps towards the invention of a new vehicle began to be taken back in the mid-1800s, or more precisely, in 1869. Then an American mechanic named Copeland tried to install the most modern steam installation on a bicycle, thereby obtaining the world's first two-wheeled self-propelled unit. Despite the fact that the steam engine was already quite compact at that time, its efficiency was only a few percent, and the power was simply not enough for the machine to move without losing balance. Here it is worth noting the general inconvenience of the design. Before taking a seat in the saddle, the owner would have to light a fire in the installation and wait until the steam pressure in the boiler reached the desired level.
Despite the failure of the idea, inquisitive inventors did not give up hope of creating a self-propelled bicycle. The next attempt to set a two-wheeled unit in motion using steam was made by the Frenchman Louis-Guillaume Perrault just a few years later - in 1873. He was unable to solve the problems that arose during the creation of the first prototype, so the invention also failed to “reach the people,” and the experience of its operation was limited to only numerous tests.
First motorcycle
There is no clear answer as to who invented the first motorcycle because there is no consensus on the definition of a motorcycle. Does it have to be equipped with an internal combustion engine? Is it necessary to have no pedals? Should the number of wheels be limited to two? But even if we omit the exact definition, it is clear to everyone that the first self-propelled bicycles were powered by steam. They appeared in the late 1860s. Mention of the first steam bicycles could be found in American newspapers in 1869.
First motorcycle (self-propelled bicycle)
The first copies of motorcycles are associated with the names of Sylvester Roper and Ernest Michaud. Although it is not possible to find out which of them was the first, it is absolutely certain that both of them, independently of each other, created the first motorcycle at approximately the same time (in 1867 or 1868). In 1885, the internal combustion engine was installed in the riding cart (prototype motorcycle) of Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. This vehicle went down in the history of motorcycle manufacturing as the first predecessor of modern motorcycles. But the inventors were interested not so much in the machine as such, but in the possibility of using and applicability of the engine.
Can Daimler's carriage be considered the first motorcycle? If you strictly rely on the definition, then no. Technically, it was not a two-wheeled vehicle because it was equipped with side assistance wheels. And yet, according to many definitions, it was the first motorcycle, because it combined two main conditions: a basic design and an internal combustion engine. No one had done this before; the internal combustion engine became an integral part of the motorcycle for the next hundred years.
This is what the distant ancestor of the motorcycle looked like.
The fixed front wheel was the main disadvantage of the velocifer, and it was this that became the first point of application for the inventors. In 1816, the chief forester of the Duchy of Baden, Karl Friedrich Christian Ludwig Dreyse von Sauerbronn (1785-1851), attached a swivel front wheel fork to the carriage.
Carl Draize
For his invention, he took out a patent from the Principality of Baden on January 12, 1818, and already in April of this year he demonstrated his carriage, to which he gave the name “bicycle,” in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. Needless to say, in Germany he is considered the inventor of the bicycle.
At the end of 1819, the English mechanic Knight built the first all-metal bicycle, however, due to the weight of the machine, the idea did not receive recognition then. An even more important invention was made by another Englishman, Lewis Comperz, in 1820: he used levers to manually drive the front wheel. But only in 1861, the Frenchman Pierre Michaud installed pedals on the front wheel and thereby ensured a rebirth for the bicycle. Michaud was also the first to mass produce bicycles: his workshop produced 162 bicycles in 1862 and more than 400 in 1863. Since then, the bicycle has been transformed from an exotic toy into an everyday means of transport.
Pierre Michaud (left)
The main disadvantage of direct drive to the front wheel is that the driver must move his feet too quickly in order to achieve a decent speed. Therefore, the front wheels began to quickly increase in diameter, resulting in the curious design of a spider bicycle: a huge front wheel - up to two meters in diameter - and a tiny rear one. The moments of starting and stopping led to remarkable difficulties on this carriage - remember the witty story of Mark Twain! But even in this still imperfect form, the bicycle gained many fans, and its production was put on an industrial basis.
In 1868, the French inventor Clement Ader first used rubberized rims on a bicycle; The 1869 Phantom bicycle already had a metal frame and wheels with wire spokes, and back in 1868, Parisian watchmaker Andre Julmet installed pedals in the center of the machine, connecting them with a chain to the rear wheel. The bike was now ready to install the engine.
It was up to the engine itself. The steam engine, generally accepted in the mid-19th century, was of little use for this role: a bulky boiler, an impressive cylinder and the need to have a supply of water and solid fuel on board interfered. But “difficult” does not mean “impossible”. Almost simultaneously, in 1869, such “bicycle steamers” were made by the American Sylvester Roper and the Frenchman L. Perrault (according to some sources, Roper built the first copy of his machine back in 1860).
Sylvester Roper based his bike on a Hanlon bicycle with an iron frame, wooden wheels reinforced with iron rims, and a forged front fork. Behind the driver's seat, a steam engine was suspended on spring-loaded hooks (to soften shocks). At the bottom of the impressive cylinder there was a firebox (the fuel was finely ground coal), above the firebox there was a boiler, above the boiler there were two cylinders that could swing with an amplitude of 6 cm, and this movement was transmitted to the rear wheel by long connecting rods - like in a steam locomotive. Already in this machine, rotating handles were used for control - or rather, the entire steering wheel rotated: when rotating forward, the steam supply to the cylinder was opened, and when rotating backward, the brake applied to the rear wheel. Roper claimed that his car was capable of taking on any slope and reaching a speed of 60 km/h on a straight line - however, evidence of such feats has not survived. The car itself has survived to this day and is now in the museum at the Smithsonian Institution in the USA.
Sylvester Roper's steam bicycle
with a smoke pipe sticking out behind the driver's seat.
Perrault's steam motorcycle gives the impression of a much more harmonious machine compared to Roper's steam engine. Perrault patented his machine in 1868 and built it the following year, based on Michaud's bicycle with an iron frame, pedals on the front wheel and a seat mounted on a long spring. The compact single-cylinder steam engine was mounted above the rear wheel and had a multi-tube boiler with alcohol burners. The engine speed was controlled by the air supply to the combustion chamber. Torque was transmitted to the rear wheel by a belt. Perrault tried to document the results of the tests, during which the car covered 15 km, reaching speeds of up to 15 km/h. It is now in the collection of Robert Gransen.
"Steam cycle" by the Frenchman Perrault. 1869
There were, of course, enough people who wanted to equip a bicycle with a steam engine even after Roper and Michaud, but usually three-wheeled cars were taken as a basis, and the result was something more related to the history of the car than the motorcycle. Among the two-wheeled creatures, we note the motorcycle of the American Lucius Copeland, built by him in 1884 (according to some sources - in 1881). Taking a Star spider bike, Copeland installed a cylindrical boiler over the front (or rear?) wheel, with an inverted cylinder above the boiler. The fuel tank held a liter of gasoline - according to the inventor, this amount of fuel should be enough for an hour of work. The engine developed a power of 0.25 liters. With. at 1000 rpm, while the entire cylinder-boiler assembly weighed only 9 kg - an excellent indicator for that time. From the engine, torque was transmitted by a belt to the rear wheel. Copeland was not only an inventor, but also a tireless promoter of a new method of transportation. He published brochures and traveled all over the United States himself, demonstrating his miraculous apparatus in action. Subsequently, he built several more two- and three-wheeled vehicles with engines of this type.
Motorcycle or motorcycle
The motorcycle became a practical vehicle thanks to many other inventions and devices. One of the most important components was the internal combustion engine, but mass production of serial motorcycles began only after the creation of pneumatic tires, chain drive and the invention of the modern form of the bicycle. Daimler and Maybach did not pursue the goal of practical use of their car, but others were able to consider this possibility. Various motor companies began selling kits with motors that could be mounted on bicycles. Soon, motorized bicycles ceased to be outlandish exhibits at fairs; people actively used them for transportation. And, of course, the term “motorized bicycle” was soon shortened to “motorcycle.” In some cases, the variant "motorcycle" was also used, then the version with the letter P began to be considered a spelling error.
If bikes and engine kits were in high demand, why not sell them together? It was this idea that the brothers Heinrich, Wilhelm Hildebrand and Alois Wolfmüller came to. They registered their patent in 1894, the same year the first retail motorcycle appeared on the market: Hildebrand & Wolfmüller.
First retail motorcycle: Hildebrand & Wolfmüller
Economical and cheap
Mopeds differ from light motorcycles mainly in the presence of a pedal drive and generally repeat the design of the very first motorcycles. Starting the engine is usually done like this: the driver depresses the clutch and starts off pedaling like a bicycle; after gaining speed, he releases the clutch and the engine shaft begins to rotate. After this, you can drive by motor. Since the moped does not have gear shifting, on steep climbs you need to “help” the engine by rotating the pedals.
Nowadays, many companies have abandoned the pedal drive, and instead the motors have received starters. At the same time, the machines themselves safely retained all the other features of a classic moped - a curved frame and an engine suspended from below, the working volume of which, as a rule, does not exceed 50 cm3. With such a motor, this vehicle, whose weight can reach 50 kg, reaches a maximum speed of no more than 50 km/h. The great popularity of mopeds is due to the fact that they are quite cheap and consume little gasoline.
Wave of the future
On December 7, 1895, an article in an American scientific journal predicted that motorcycles would occupy an important place in people's lives in the very near future.
Without a doubt, the motorcycle came into our lives to stay. Compared to a horse-drawn carriage, it has certain advantages. We think that this vehicle is destined to play an important role in urban traffic. Already today, the main transport arteries of large cities are heavily overloaded. Using motorcycles will help a lot in this. If thousands of horses are removed from city streets, sanitary conditions will improve significantly. And this, in turn, will have a positive impact on the health of all people.
For the young and energetic
In the 50-60s. XX century In developed countries, the car became available to a wide segment of the population, and the production of motorcycles was greatly reduced. But not for long - at the end of the century, motorcycles, and especially motor scooters and scooters, began to gain popularity again, but now as a means of overcoming traffic jams in big cities. In addition, the motorcycle came to be used as a symbol of a certain lifestyle, as it was associated with youth, energy and risk. Among amateur motorcyclists, even their own subcultures of bikers and rockers have appeared.
Early history of the motorcycle. Racing
At one time, bicycle racing was very popular. So it is not surprising that motorcycle racing has gained no less popularity. For example, Indian was founded by two bicycle racers. In no time at all, the company has made a name for itself for its commitment to racing. Other motorcycle manufacturers began to follow this formula.
Prototype of the first Harley Davidson motorcycle
For example, the prototype of the first Harley Davidson motorcycle first took part in races, and only then went on mass sale. By the 1910s, many racers and manufacturers had become bitter enemies. The passion for racing became the catalyst for the development of the motorcycle industry, and it did not take long for the world of motorcycles and the world of bicycles to finally separate. Now motorcycles are no longer just bicycles with motors. They became machines in a unique class. To develop high speed, they began to create not only motorcycles, but also special tracks. This is how racing in a circle on wooden stages arose. Fortunately, other motorcycle disciplines soon emerged, but they all date back to the early days of motorcycle racing history.
When and who invented the first motorcycle
The “father” of the first motorcycle was the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler; the appearance of his brainchild dates back to 1885. The car resembled a pedalless bicycle. Daimler installed the single-cylinder gasoline engine on a frame made of wood, and the wheels were also made of wood. Torque was transmitted to the wheels from the motor using a belt. During testing, a machine weighing 70 kg showed the ability to reach a speed of 12 km per hour.
Engineer E. Butler creates a motorcycle in England in 1887, followed by the development of the first motorcycle by the French engineer F. Millet, and then in Italy by E. Bernardi. With the advent of this two-wheeled car, its fans began to passionately strive to set world speed records. Almost everything is known about the history of the invention of the motorcycle.
Starting from the mid-19th century, they began to work on creating a power plant in the form of a steam engine, which they wanted to later install on a two-wheeled carriage. But such engines were imperfect.
Motorcycle Society
The motorcycle community was growing and government agencies couldn't stay away. As a result, the International Motorcycle Organization FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) was organized. It all started in 1904 with a small club. A couple of decades later, in 1924, the American Motorcyclist Association AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) was founded.
By the 1910s, motorcycles were firmly established in people's daily lives. Companies that ten years ago produced only a few hundred motorcycles a year were now producing thousands. The intended buyers were young men. They were suitable for several reasons. Firstly, they are more courageous and desperate. Secondly, they could not afford expensive cars. And, finally, they did not have time to acquire families that would need to be transported somewhere. Motorcycles were used not only as a means of transportation, but also for entertainment. For over a century, recreational motorcycling has remained an important aspect of the industry.
Thanks to their low price, speed and practicality, motorcycles have penetrated many areas of people's daily lives. For example, motorcycles began to be used in delivery: mail, groceries, etc. Some motorcycles were even designed specifically for these purposes. At the same time, motorcycles with sidecars began to gain popularity. They allowed the motorcyclist to take a passenger with him and carry him on the side on a separate seat.
Modernization of the motorcycle in the 20th century.
“Generalized motorcycle” of the first decade of the 20th century. can be represented in the following form: an engine with a power of 1.5-3.5 hp. air-cooled, finally finding its place at the bottom of the middle part of the frame. The frame itself is reinforced with a second horizontal pipe, and a fuel tank is placed in the space between it and the top pipe. The evaporative carburetor was no longer used and was replaced by a spray carburetor, which greatly simplified the adjustment of the mixture. Battery ignition was still installed on some cars, but a number of companies were already using magnetos. Power transmission, as a rule, was carried out by a belt, but some designers used cardan or chain transmission in their models, not without success.
The motorcycle's bicycle pedals remained for quite some time. They were used to start the engine, to help it on inclines and finally when the engine failed. In addition, the pedals replaced the driver's footrests.
Some early motorcycle models had leaf-spring front forks, but this design was controversial and many experts found it to make the ride "unstable and dangerous." But in the 20s. XX century The spring front fork became an integral attribute of the motorcycle, which received a second important improvement during this period - the gearbox.
Motorcycles at war
With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, motorcycles gained another function. They were perfectly suited for conveying messages. But that was not all. Machine guns were installed on motorcycles. Very quickly, motorcycles became an important part of the war effort. Tens of thousands of motorcycles were used in World War I. Captain Louis Keane, an English officer, explained the role of motorcycles at a critical time:
Motorcycles in war are not a circus or a carnival, it’s a business, a bloody business.
Henry Wali motorcycle with air engine, 1894.
The two- and three-wheeled motorcycles created by the Frenchman Felix Millet had a very original design. He built his first machine in 1892, and its most remarkable feature was its star-shaped five-cylinder rotary (that is, the cylinders rotated, but the crankshaft remained stationary) engine. Such engines, very popular in aviation during the First World War (the famous “Gnome-Ron”), were patented by Millet back in 1887. The cylinders were connected to a special ring attached to the wheel rim with spring rings or braces. At 180 rpm the engine developed a power of 2 hp. With. The first car, in 1892, was three-wheeled, and the engine-wheel unit was installed at the front. On the two-wheeled version of 1893, the engine was located in the rear wheel.
History of the motorcycle. Dominant brands
By the end of the war, the army's need for motorcycles had dropped, and demand among ordinary people had increased markedly... until the Great Depression began in 1929. Motorcycle manufacturers have had to make some tough decisions. When the motorcycle industry first began, there were dozens, if not hundreds, of companies that made motorcycles. In those days, when the only thing required was to install an engine on a bicycle, this was possible. However, after motorcycles have been around for decades, they have gained certain features and only a few brands have come to dominate the market. The Great Depression “ate” the rest; not even all the strong producers were able to survive. Harley Davidson, Indian and Excelsior became America's largest motorcycle manufacturers. Excelsior's owner, Ignaz Schwinn, stopped assembling Excelsior-Henderson motorcycles in 1931 to concentrate on bicycle production. This strategy was chosen in order to survive depression. Harley Davidson and Indian continued to produce motorcycles, although volumes had to be reduced significantly.
Despite all the difficulties, many motorcycle manufacturers with names that are still well known today continued to operate, including Excelsior (United Kingdom, not to be confused with the American company of the same name), Triumph (United Kingdom), Royal Enfield (United Kingdom), BMW (Germany). ), Husqvarna (Sweden), Ducati (Italy), Moto Guzzi (Italy). All of these manufacturers adhere to covenants that are still of great importance today. In addition, strong bonds have been formed within the motorcycle community.
Light, medium and heavy
At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. motorcycles began to be produced in other countries of the world. Among the pioneers of motorcycle manufacturing were (currently Skoda, Czech Republic), Norton (England), Peugeot (France), NSU (Germany), Leitner (Russia), Harley-Davidson (USA), Yamaha (Japan). The motorcycles produced by these companies were so structurally different that it was necessary to introduce a classification. Initially, it was based on the engine displacement. This is how three classes of motorcycles appeared: light, with an engine capacity of up to 300 cm3, medium - from 350 to 650 cm3, and heavy - more than 750 cm3.
History of the motorcycle. Rally
Many motorcyclists gathered to ride together and participate in races and stunt shows. Riders often gathered outside the city in tent camps or hotels. At first, such gatherings of motorcyclists were called “gypsy tours.” Today such meetings are called rallies or rallies. Some of today's most popular rallies have their roots in those difficult times, such as Daytona Beach Bike Week (1937) and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (1938). And some began even earlier, such as Laconia Motorcycle Week (1916).
A look into the future of motorsports.
As bikes become breakthrough, manufacturers plan to make riding even safer and more economical.
Tires without a hub.
Centers will soon be a distant memory! Rather, the wheels will necessarily use a rigid inner ring, which is the element of rotation of the wheels. This reduces anxiety on the bike, improves steering precision, and also reduces resonance.
Hybrid and electric bicycles.
As the need for eco-friendly bicycles increases, manufacturers are creating electric motorcycles as well as hybrid bicycles that combine combustion engines with electric motors. Currently only a few bikes are this green, but however quickly it will become more common.
Increased mobile connectivity.
Have you ever considered registering for a bike while sitting in the cafeteria or participating in your favorite bike ride before? Harley-Davidson is paving the way with its HD™ Attach product. It uses built-in cellular connectivity and GENERAL PRACTICE to keep you updated with bike status, notifications, and also informs.
Motorcycles during World War II
World War II began in 1939 and ended the Great Depression. This situation benefited the motorcycle industry, but it was not the only effect. Army demand for motorcycles increased production volumes significantly. Those companies that were able to survive the difficult times were now at full capacity. One such company is Harley Davidson, which produced about 100,000 military motorcycles during this time. Most of them belonged to the WLA line, where the letter A stood for Army. Even though Jeeps have taken on an important role as military vehicles, motorcycles have not given up their place. Motorcycles made it possible to move quickly, and they could also go where larger vehicles had difficulty. WLA motorcycles could be equipped with guns, but they were nevertheless used more for reconnaissance and the transmission of dispatches.
Motorcycles during World War II
By the end of the war, Harley Davidson was stronger than ever. The other major American company of the time, Indian, did not have such lucrative contracts. It was partly for this reason that the company ceased to exist in 1953 and sold the name to the English company Royal Enfield. The United States was far from the only country that actively used motorcycles during World War II. Each of the countries participating in the hostilities used their own production: Great Britain—Royal Enfield, Norton and BSA, Germany—BMW and Zündapp, CCCP—Ural, Italy—Moto Guzzi, Japan—Rikuo. And these are just a few examples. There were certain differences between motorcycles from different brands, but the technical staff did not keep the features of their machines a secret. For example, the Harley Davidson line had a shaft-drive prototype (HD XA) that resembled the design of the BMW R75.
BMW R75
Colonel Holden's 1896 four-cylinder motorcycle.
The motorcycle, branded “Hildebrand und Wolfmüller,” had a horizontal two-cylinder four-stroke engine located in the lower part of a special frame made of metal pipes. The intake valves were automatic, the exhaust valves were driven by cams located directly on the rear wheel. The drive to the rear wheel was direct - the connecting rods were attached to the wheel. Thus, the wheel also served as a flywheel, and in order for the piston to more confidently overcome dead spots, rubber rods were introduced into the design. The gas tank also served as an evaporative carburetor, the cooling was liquid, and the coolant reservoir was again the rear wheel. Ignition is by a glow plug in the cylinder head. The engine displacement was 1490 cm3, the maximum power was 2.5 liters. s, at 240 rpm. A motorcycle weighing 60 kg could be accelerated by such an engine to a speed of 40 km/h.
History of the motorcycle. At the peak of popularity
After the war, veterans returned home and were surprised to find that the country had changed a lot, both economically and socially. It was not easy for them to adapt to civilian life. For some, it was too monotonous after the fury of war. It was difficult for some to have serious relationships with people outside the same military community. Some had to cope with post-traumatic disorder. But regardless of the real reasons, many of these veterans have found solace and a solution to their problems in motorcycles. As a result, there are more people riding motorcycles than ever before. Modern biker culture grew from here. A new generation of motorcyclists emerged who were strikingly different from their predecessors. Organizations that were called outlaw motorcycle clubs grew like mushrooms after rain. The word "outlaw" means that these clubs are not approved by the AMA; there is no criminal element to the term. Bikers from different clubs were distinguished from each other by stripes with different logos, colors and slogans. These distinctive signs originate in military culture. Many outlaw motorcycle clubs used them, but they did not mean anything criminal. However, some motorcycle clubs were not so innocent, on the contrary: they created a reputation for themselves as rebels. They called themselves one percenters (as opposed to the 99% of motorcyclists who belonged to legitimate clubs). This is how criminal biker gangs began to emerge. Many of these terms and principles, outlaw motorcycle clubs, stripes, one percenters, are still used today.
Motor scooters
The scooter is designed in such a way that when the driver sits on it, he does not need to climb over the frame. In addition, the scooter’s engine is moved back, under the saddle, which creates room for the driver’s legs in the front. The second feature of such a car is the presence of a body consisting of a lining that completely covers the engine, mechanisms, and a flooring that protects the driver’s feet, which turns into a front shield.
Motor scooters are equipped with engines whose working volume can reach 250 cm3. But, unlike motorcycles, the maximum speed of scooters is lower and their weight is greater.
Motor scooters are often called scooters. This is not entirely correct, since technically a scooter is a machine that occupies a transitional position from a moped to a motor scooter.
Hollister Riot
People began to react negatively to the growing biker culture after a traditional motorcycle rally in Hollister, California in 1947. The population of the small town almost doubled during the rally. The city was simply not ready to accept such a large flow of people. Many bikers drove while intoxicated. Despite all the unrest, there was very little destruction. Although it is reported that after the rally the city streets were littered with thousands of beer bottles. This whole situation was very unpleasant for some. But the media presented everything as rampant lawlessness. This event even became known as the “Hollister Riot.”
The Hollister Riot was the basis for the film The Savage. In the story, two rival biker gangs arrive in a small town and cause chaos. The film was such a resounding success that countless imitations were made. Thus, a special genre emerged: a film about outlaw bikers. Many motorcycle clubs were founded without any criminal background. However, there were others. But the image portrayed by the media fueled the idea that motorcyclists were going against the grain of society. It is difficult to judge the extent to which the Hollister Riot influenced both the public's perception of biker culture and the involvement of bikers in crime in the 50s and 60s. The only thing we can be sure of is that bikers became carriers of a negative image, and also that real biker gangs really existed. The Hollister Riot was an important milestone in motorcycle history.
The most versatile urban transport
Scooters are especially popular these days. Such cars are characterized by developed linings and an engine with a single horizontal cylinder located between the driver’s legs. A scooter is perhaps the most versatile form of urban transport.
Of course, it will not help in transporting large or heavy loads and it is not as representative and comfortable as a car, but the advantages of a scooter are much greater than the disadvantages. You won’t have to sit in traffic jams, it is very maneuverable, easy to operate, very economical (both in terms of fuel consumption and maintenance and repair) and does not require state registration, technical inspections and compulsory insurance, and you do not need a driver’s license to drive it. certificates. True, the latter applies only to scooters with engines up to 50 cm3.
History of the motorcycle. From Japan
You meet the nicest people while driving a Honda.
Several influential companies began producing motorcycles after World War II. The Italian company Aprilia released its motorcycle in 1945. The Austrian manufacturer Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, better known as KTM, created its first prototype in 1951. At this time, the most influential manufacturers were not from Europe, where the motorcycle industry began, but from Japan. Suzuki began producing motorcycles in 1952, while Yamaha and Honda began producing motorcycles in 1955. The first Kawasaki motorcycle was released in 1960. When Honda motorcycles began to be sold around the world, the company entered into an agreement with the advertising agency Gray Advertising in the United States. Thus began the famous advertising campaign.
You meet the nicest people while driving a Honda
This advertising campaign helped separate Honda motorcycles from the negative biker culture that was prevalent at the time. In some ways, motorcycles have become just a hobby in the American mind. Ultimately, Honda's advertising campaign was not just promoting a particular motorcycle model (Super Cub) or brand (Honda), but a new lifestyle. People now looked at motorcycles as a practical and convenient means of transportation for everyday use. This meant that motorcycles could spread much more widely.
Motorcycle sales were growing. But this was influenced not only by new perceptions. People born after the war were old enough to buy motorcycles, and sales soared. This especially affected Honda. This company has become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. In a very short time, Japanese motorcycles have taken a dominant role on the roads. The old European brands could not keep up with them.
Further development
The relatively successful start of mass production prompted the opening of similar enterprises by manufacturers not only from Germany, but also from other countries, which later became pioneers of motorcycle manufacturing and even individual disciplines of motorcycle sports. We are, of course, talking about England, Italy and the USA, and almost each of them had their own basic principles and technological solutions. Thus, American models gradually began to be based on the famous V-shaped engines, and, for example, in Germany, boxer engines are the most widespread.
One way or another, absolutely all manufacturers followed the same course: they tried to turn a “bicycle with a motor” into a powerful, fast and, most importantly, comfortable machine for the average consumer. They did not succeed immediately, and the most serious obstacle that significantly slowed down further development was the First World War. But after the war ended, there was a real flourishing in the production of motorcycles, which ultimately led to what we are used to seeing on the roads now.
As for sports motorcycles, their development was greatly influenced not only by general technical achievements, but also by the sports disciplines themselves, since the design of the machines participating in them had to comply as closely as possible with the rules of the competition and the features of the tracks. And practically the only common features in their development were the inevitable increase in engine power and efficiency and a general reduction in structural weight, sometimes even to the detriment of comfort.
Motorcycle classification
Custom motorcycles
Motorcyclists have been modifying their motorcycles since their earliest days. One could even argue that the very invention of the motorcycle, like several major brands, was the result of customizing existing motorcycles. Nevertheless, the 50s were marked by increased interest in custom motorcycles. Perhaps the reason for this is that veterans who became interested in motorcycles after World War II acquired technical skills while serving in the military.
In the 1960s, custom motorcycles gained incredible popularity. Some have dedicated their entire lives to creating custom motorcycles or modifying existing motorcycles. There were many different styles, with sometimes the main changes being the bikes receiving custom components or special color schemes. Those who resort to customization usually want to change the style or functionality, or both.
Over time, the evolution of motorcycle designs has resulted in several different types of motorcycles. Perhaps this process was helped by an interest in custom motorcycles. There was still a "standard" motorcycle classification based on traditional motorcycle design plus modern modifications. But many new designs appeared precisely thanks to the standard approach.
Cruisers
So, cruisers appeared in this era. Although modern cruisers are just a variation of the traditional motorcycles of the 1930s-1960s. This is the period in which motorcycles became a separate means of transport. Today's cruisers emulate these traditional designs, but add the best of engineering to their design.
Sports motorcycles
Along with technological progress, the ability to increase the stock speed of a motorcycle and improve handling has also increased incredibly. The result was sports motorcycles. Sports motorcycles are designed to give the rider a more aggressive, forward-facing riding position.
Touring motorcycles
Touring motorcycles are large, they are designed to make the rider feel comfortable during long trips, they allow you to carry equipment or luggage.
Of course, all classifications are not precise enough, and some modern motorcycles combine elements of different categories.
The first motocross motorcycles
Over the course of history, the speed of motorcycle racing has only increased. But another type of motorcycle competition also emerged: trials. Speed was not valued here as much as accuracy and technicality, and the track was replete with obstacles. Trial gained popularity in Europe in the early 1900s. At first, motorcycles intended for riding on public roads and for competitions differed little. But it immediately became clear that the motorcycles needed certain modifications to participate in the trial. So gradually ordinary motorcycles became the first cross-country motorcycles designed for riding on rough terrain. The motorcycle trial still exists. And modern athletes do tricks that the first motorcycle trialists never dreamed of. Additionally, a new type of motorcycle trials competition emerged in the 1920s. You could still see obstacles on the track, but the ultimate goal had changed: speed, rather than accuracy, became important. In other words, whoever crossed the finish line first won. Initially, this type of competition was called scrambles (from the English. Climb, climb). But in the end, this name was replaced by the term motocross, and accordingly this determined the appearance of motocross motorcycles.
The word motocross is a combination of two words moto and cross country. Motocross grew in popularity until it reached its zenith in the United States in the 1960s. Off-road riding has continued to change and evolve, resulting in more than five new disciplines and styles. Some, such as rally raids, were carried out over long distances. Others, like Supercross, were motocross competitions in confined spaces in stadiums. And, of course, not all off-road competitions valued speed. In trials, enduro and freestyle, a point system was used, here it was not necessarily the fastest who became the winner. Enduro later became a separate type of motorcycle (despite its external resemblance to cross-country motorcycles).
The many faces of a motorcycle
Modern motorcycles, depending on their purpose, are divided into road , sports and special . In addition, they can also be classified according to the engine displacement, the number of its cylinders, etc.
Road motorcycle
Road motorcycles are mass produced, and they are intended for a wide range of consumers, as they have a relatively low cost, run on motor gasoline with a low octane number and do not require special care. They reach speeds sufficient for normal use on various roads.
Sports motorcycles have better dynamic qualities than road motorcycles, i.e. higher maximum speed and acceleration, easier to climb. To reduce air resistance, they are partially covered with plastic sheathing. However, "sportsmen" are designed to use gasoline with a higher octane number and have a higher cost.
Sport bike
These motorcycles are often produced on the basis of road ones by increasing engine power, changing gearbox ratios, and increasing the reliability of the power train and chassis. To do this, they use special equipment required for various types of competitions - circuit motorcycle racing, rally, trophy. Such motorcycles are not suitable for normal use and are used only within the stadium or track.
Motorcycles made in a single or limited quantity are called “custom”. It is derived from the English words “custom motorcycle”, which can be translated as “tailor-made, individual motorcycle”. Typically, these bikes are differently designed or completely redesigned production machines.
Exclusive motorcycle
Nowadays, exclusive and expensive custom models are produced in specialized workshops, but some motorcycle enthusiasts believe that a real custom should be made with their own hands. Nowadays, such large motorcycle manufacturers as, for example, Honda, Suzuki and Harley Davidson often provide the client with the opportunity to change the external and internal configuration of the motorcycle, which actually makes such custom machines industrially manufactured.
Varieties of the motorcycle also include its “younger brothers” - mopeds, scooters, mokicks, minibikes, scooters, motorbikes, etc.
Modern era
Decline. By 1975, more than five million motorcycles were registered in the United States alone. Over the course of several decades, the industry grew exponentially. Motorcycles have become widespread in the public consciousness. But good things can't last forever. First, the post-war generation contributed to the growth of motorcycle sales, and then these same people caused the decline. They grew older, started families, and their interest in motorcycles waned. Yes, there is always a next generation, but the population explosion has passed. But there remained a vast industry that produced too many motorcycles. The 1980s were very difficult. Of course, not a single phenomenon can be explained by one factor; other factors also played a role. The public's understanding of motorcycles has shifted. Motorcycles required more frequent maintenance than four-wheeled cars, and their prices were higher than scooters and mopeds.
What were the significant innovations in the past (1916-1980s)?
Most of the features we think of as modern bikes date back much earlier than you might think, while others are quite modern.
Brakes.
When bicycles originally came to market in the early 20th century, brakes were only located on the rear wheels. The very first front wheel brakes were added in 1928 by Harley-Davidson, driven by the increasing speed and power of motorcycles.
Standardized controls.
In 1972, federal laws began dictating where bicycle controls should go, making it easier for people to switch from bicycle to bicycle, regardless of their manufacturer. Until this year, clutches, brakes, and turn signals could be shipped anywhere manufacturers wanted them.
Fuel injection systems
In the 1980s, stricter regulations, thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency, forced manufacturers to start using sensors to make sure gas was being consumed at a more efficient price.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
So the brakes stopped working after hard braking, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) became standard in the late 80s. In 2014, BMW began installing "Curning ABS" which prevented wheel locking when used in rounding applications.
