| Motorcycles and Twowheelers: General two wheeler information - "Who Invented the Motorcycle?" Wednesday, 20 August, 2008 | Home | Suggest a Link |
Formula 1 Fantasy LeagueIf you know the answer to this, you are far more the historian than am I. I am betting a lot of people today would simply say that Harley-Davidson invented the motorcycle. Although they did not invent the motorcycle, they sure had a big part in mass producing bikes for the everyday commuting population.
The truth, as history states it, all depends on one's definition of what exactly is a motorcycle. By today's common definition, a motorcycle is a two-wheeled motorized vehicle. but what is the motor? Is it gas, electric, or... steam driven?
Here is the wikipedia definition for motorcycle:
A motorcycle - is a two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine. The wheels are in-line, and at higher speed the motorcycle remains upright and stable by virtue of gyroscopic forces; at lower speeds continual readjustment of the steering by the rider gives stability. The rider sits astride the vehicle on a seat, with hands on a set of handlebars which are used to steer the motorcycle, in conjunction with the rider shifting his weight through his feet, which are supported on a set of footpegs which stick out from the frame.
Yes, I said steam. The steam-engine motorcycle was invented in 1867. This coal-powered steam engine was invented by Sylvester Howard Roper, an American inventor. Rhe steam-engine motorcycle ran on two cylinders.
Now a few years later the first petroleum gas-powered engine motorcycle was invented, in 1885 by Gottlieb Daimler. This motorcycle used a four-stroke internal-combustion engine which was invented in 1876. This is a bookmark in history since it was the first real practical application of combining a gas engine with a bicycle. The four-stroke internal-combustion engine that Gottleib Daimler used was invented by Nicolaus August Otto.
Now this all leads us up to 1903 and the creation of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, a motorcycle company formed by William Harley with Arthur and Walter Davidson. At the turn of the century the demand for mass produced automobiles was increasing. Along with this was a demand for motorcycles. The pedal-powered bicycles were everywhere in everyday 1903 life. The public wanted more.
As with the auto industry, the race track was the place where technology flourished. Harley-Davidson built their first bike with a high-performance engine. They used this bike to win races. The race wins brought them brand name recognition. The next step was for Harley-Davidson to start mass producing motorcycles for the public.
Now fast forward 100 years later, and we now see motorcycles everywhere. Motorcycle build and enthusiast shows are everywhere on cable television. Everyone wants to own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This is mainly because of their incredible brand name recognition vice the actual quality of their product.
Motorcycling is growing more popular every year. There are motorcycle safety courses to teach new riders. of which, the majority are women. I think women have finally decided they want to ride their own bike and no longer want to be the passenger. It is all good, and the motorcycling industry is gearing their products towards this new market base.
With all this information, when you appear on Jeopardy and are asked, "Who invented the motorcycle?" hopefully you will have enough information to correctly answer Alex's question.
Ride safe.
There are an estimated 300,000 casualties from road accidents every year in the UK and knowing some First Aid could help save a life. Carrying a First Aid kit in a car or on a motorcycle is highly recommended, so that there is basic equipment available should there be an accident.
It must be stressed that there is no comparison to going on a First Aid training course, and that the following advice must be taken in that context. www.sja.org.uk is the St John's Ambulance website where more information about going on a First Aid course can be found.
These
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A very clever design: the Honda Super Cub was the combination of a moped and a scooter. It attracted many people due to its friendly and non intimidating look. People who before had felt threatened by bigger motorcycles, approached and adopted this model very quickly.
It was a versatile motorcycle and had enough power to carry two passengers or a passenger with luggage. Its large diameter tires and wide seats made the ride almost as comfortable as the touring bikes from that time.
There is a common misconception that towing a trailer by motorcycle is a self-defeating and pointless pursuit. After all, a motorcycle is not a "beast of burden," and how much can one really pull behind a two-wheeler? That may have been true in the past - in these days of aerodynamically and space-optimized trailers, motorcycle camping has become a popular diversion.
When properly chosen and attached, motorcycle trailers can be towed with the greatest of ease and few complications. Many people even tow small canoes all across the country with their motorcycles. The secret lies in lightweight, highly maneuverable, yet sturdy
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Traveling across the country on a motorcycle can be exhilarating. You have a greater sense of your environment and immediate surroundings on a motorcycle and can have a sense of freedom when riding. It's a wonderful way to explore the countryside. camping with your motorcycle, though it takes some planning and adjustments from other, more traditional forms of camping.
Because you won't have as much space on a motorcycle as with a car, you have to pack lightly and include only the essentials. This is easier then it sounds but will take some planning. Make sure you choose items to take
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Cleaning and preparing your motorcycle after Winter storage should be a passionate task. Yes, after the many months of waiting, doing anything to your motorcyle is a much anticipated task.
Sure it is not on the "hunny do list." But it is the number one to do item on your list. Whether you ride a BMW Tourer, ZZR1200 Sport Tourer, or Victory Kingpin, you should approach the task like a Zen master, learning about your bike again, fine tuning it up and preparing it for its first spring ride.
So, get out the cache of cleaning supplies, soap, polish and
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