摩托车的发展史

Origin

In 1885, the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler mounted an engine onto a framed machine, creating the world’s first motorcycle. Motorcycle-related sports, which originated as military athletic activities, involve competitive use of motorcycles. These sports feature both two- and three-wheeled models, with each type classified by engine cylinder capacity. Competitions can take the form of off-road races, multi-day tours, road races, track races, and touring events, with rankings determined by speed or riding skill.

Development

The term “motorcycle” comes from combining “Motor” (internal combustion engine) and “Cycle.”

In 1884, British inventor Edward Butler attached a power unit to a bicycle, creating a three-wheeled vehicle powered by a kerosene engine. In 1885, the German “father of the automobile,” Gottlieb Daimler, built a three-wheeled motorcycle powered by a single-cylinder gasoline engine. On August 29 of the same year, he received a patent for his invention. Daimler is therefore widely recognized as the inventor of the motorcycle. His first motorcycle used a four-stroke internal combustion engine with a cylinder capacity of 264 cc, producing 0.5 horsepower at 700 rpm, and could reach speeds of up to 12 km/h. The vehicle had a wooden frame, belt-driven rear wheels, and small support wheels on each side. In recognition of Daimler’s historic contribution, the Stuttgart branch of the German Engineers Association erected a monument to him in Stadtplatz, the square where he rode his first motorcycle.

A Brief History of Motorcycles

Since Daimler’s invention of the first gasoline-powered motorcycle in 1885, motorcycles have undergone over 100 years of dramatic evolution.

 

The original motorcycle, preserved in its authentic form

The original motorcycle, preserved in its authentic form at the Munich Museum of Science and Technology, represents the world’s first motorcycle patented by Daimler on August 29, 1885. 

More than a century ago, gasoline engines were still in their infancy, and vehicle manufacturing relied heavily on carriage-making techniques. The original motorcycle differed greatly from modern motorcycles in design, structure, and performance. Its frame was wooden, crafted by carpenters, with wooden wheels covered by iron bands. The lower frame consisted of several square wooden sections holding the engine, with small support wheels on each side to prevent tipping when stationary, effectively making it a four-wheeled vehicle. A single-cylinder fan-cooled engine transmitted power to the rear wheel through a belt and gear reduction system. The saddle was leather-covered. The engine’s cylinder capacity was 264 mL, producing 0.37 kW at 700 rpm, roughly one-fifth of a modern basic motorcycle. With a top speed of 12 km/h and no suspension system, the bike was nicknamed the “bone-shaker.” Traveling on 19th-century cobblestone streets must have been excruciating. Despite its simplicity, this invention marked the start of continuous improvement, leading to hundreds of millions of modern motorcycles today.

In parallel with German motorcycles, American motorcycles also emerged, most notably Harley-Davidson. In 1903, the company produced its first commercially sold motorcycle, featuring a 409 mL engine producing 2.94 kW and mounted on a bicycle-style frame. Motorcycles reflect the technological level of their era; each generation carries the imprint of the scientific and engineering advancements of its time. The earliest motorcycles were not practically usable because contemporary technology could not yet provide the necessary components for normal operation.

From the 1890s to the early 20th century, motorcycles gained practical value as innovations such as pneumatic tires, ball bearings, clutches, gearboxes, front suspension, and sprung saddles were incorporated. This marked the second generation—the commercial era of motorcycles. For example, in 1912, Harley-Davidson produced the X-8A single-cylinder motorcycle, which still used belt-driven rear wheels and manual hand-brake systems. Early suspension was limited to a simple ring-on-fork front setup.

By the 1930s, motorcycles had advanced further with rear suspension systems, mechanical ignition, drum brakes, and chain drives, ushering in the third stage—the mature stage. Harley-Davidson, by 1936, could produce high-performance motorcycles with 1000 mL OHV V-twin engines producing 27.93 kW and achieving top speeds of 150 km/h.

Motorcycle development progressed step by step. The 1885 original motorcycle represents the first stage. The second stage was the first batch of production motorcycles, such as the 1894 German twin-cylinder four-stroke motorcycle, of which 1,000 units were produced. The third stage was the 1930s racing motorcycles, which had practical functionality. The fourth stage, beginning in the 1970s, saw the rise of modern luxury motorcycles, complete with streamlined designs and advanced technology.

Since the 1970s, motorcycles have incorporated electronic ignition, electric start, disc brakes, aerodynamic body panels, and, in the 1990s, emission control and ABS systems. Today, motorcycles are aesthetically appealing, high-performing, convenient, and highly maneuverable vehicles, representing an important symbol of modern civilization. Large-displacement luxury motorcycles, in particular, have adapted advanced automotive technologies, bringing motorcycles to a level of remarkable sophistication. This marks the fourth stage—the pinnacle of motorcycle development.