Motorcycles

The motorcycle mystique evokes feelings of power, speed, and freedom of the open road in people, whether or not they are cyclists themselves. Motorcycles evolved from simple, steam-powered bicycles to streamlined, powerful machines that have existed nearly as long as automobiles. Motorcyclists have developed a mystique and psychology of their own to go along with their machines.

Even in its early years, both athletes and spectators saw the motorcycle's potential for transportation as well as racing and sport, and they demanded more powerful, versatile, and comfortable machines. By the first decade of the 1900s, engineers for American motor cycle designers like Indian and Harley-Davidson experimented with twin cylinder engines that became standard on most motorcycles. By the start of World War I in 1914, the motorcycle had evolved from an experimental primitive machine to dependable, speedy, and inexpensive transportation.

By the end of World War I, motorized tanks and airplanes were common equipment and during the 1920s BMW, Moto Guzzi, and Triumph began producing their first motorcycles with great success especially in Europe. Despite competition from the automobile, American motorcycle sales remained relatively stable throughout the 1920s. The Depression of the 1930s forced several motorcycle companies out of business while others barely survived. After the Second World War, the motorcycle manufacturing industry enjoyed a boom in sales that lasted through the 1950s. Europeans wanted cheap transportation because of austere wartime economic conditions, and the more economically sound American consumers snapped up dirt bikes and larger capacity motorcycles, escalating motorcycle sales to peak highs for the decade of the 1950s. With European manufacturers dominating the market, only Harley-Davidson survived as an American manufacturer of motorcycles.

Motorcycle technology also improved during the 1940s and 1950s, including advances in suspension, dual seats and sidecars, and push button ignition, but aging motorcycle design and engineers encountered growing competition from the automobile industry. In the 1960s, Japanese companies increasingly challenged the Western motorcycle market with their sophisticated Hondas, Suzukis, and Yamahas. Initially, Japanese motorcycles made only small inroads in the Western market until consumers learned how to operate the Japanese machines that featured superior technology and strong performance. Soon Japanese motorcycles outmatched contemporary European and American manufacturers and by 1970, Honda had introduced its pioneering four-cylinder, four-stroke engine that introduced a generation of enhanced motorcycles. The growing sport of motorcycle racing also promoted motorcycle manufacturers to improve the two-wheeler motorcycle with more powerful engines and more reliable braking. During the 1980s and 1990s, manufacturers built more powerful and technologically sophisticated motorcycles and the motorcycle grew in importance as a symbol of speed and the magic and freedom of the road.

To 21st-century enthusiasts, motorcycles are much more than transportation; they symbolize status and freedom. Modern motorcycles have evolved from the early days of the two wheeler to computerized technology and custom bikes for different purposes. Cyclists can choose sport bikes, off-road bikes, scooters, and super and customized bikes. Future motorcycle designs such as new versions of leg protectors and air bags ensure continuing technological designs, but safely will remain an important consideration in motorcycle design.

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