There are four claimants vying for the right to be called the first motorcycle, all built in and around the late 1800's. All but one are steam powered, which at least gives it the right to say it was the first gasoline internal combustion motorcycle. Certainly it wasn't the most compact and practical of them all but it led the way in development of what we ride today.
The 'Roper 1869', the 'Michaux-Perreaux' and the 'Copeland Steam Cycle' were all created in the same time frame but because the official definition of a motorcycle is "a two wheeled vehicle powered by an internal combustion motor", the title is widely acknowledged to belong to the 'Daimler Reitwagen'. Of course, since there was no definition for a motorcycle at the time of their construction, the point is arguable. And, the 'Reitwagen' did have more than two wheels, though generally accepted as auxiliary stabilizers.
bottom line for all the 'motorcycles' is that someone had a cool idea that you could propel a bicycle by means other than manpower and took a try at making it a reality. You have to give them credit it for that and as awkward as some of them may have been, they worked. Personally, I'm glad that Daimler had his insights with the gas powered machine, though I certainly can't imagine what it would have been like, cruising around on cobblestone or gravel roads on a rigid framed bike with solid tires. There's a reason the early machines were called 'boneshakers".
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| Only 25¢ admission!! |
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| The 'Copeland Steam Cycle' |
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| The 'Roper 1869' didn't have much clearance |
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| Not sure why it has been tagged as 'Ropel', though this is just a replica. |
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| The 'Michaux-Perreaux'' was actually quite sleek and practical looking |
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| Does the 'Daimler Reitwagen' count as a motorcycle, since it actually has 4 wheels |
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