| Todays motorcycles are everywhere and there are | | | | The most popular motorcycle company before World |
| lots of different classes or kinds of motorcycles as | | | | War 1 was Indian motorcycle. After the war, Harley |
| well. But the motorcycle, like the automobile, is a | | | | Davidson took over the number one spot until 1928 |
| relative newcomer to the world stage. | | | | when DKW became the leading motorcycle |
| The first motorcycle ever assembled was built by | | | | manufacturer in the world. For a few years after |
| the German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm | | | | World War 2 BSA took over as the largest |
| Maybach in 1885 in Bad Cannstatt in Germany. They | | | | motorcycle producer until 1955 when NSU |
| were actually focusing more on the motor that was | | | | Motorworks who had started out as a knitting |
| installed to power the two-wheeled contraption and | | | | machine company in 1884 became the dominant |
| not so much on creating a new kind of vehicle, but | | | | manufacturer for the next couple of decades. |
| the resulting impact on motorized travel would be | | | | Then in the 1970s the Japanese companies Honda, |
| tremendous. There were earlier versions of steam | | | | Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki made their entrance |
| powered bicycles, but this was the first petroleum | | | | into this field, changed the face of the industry, and |
| powered motorcycle. | | | | quickly became the dominant motorcycle suppliers to |
| Not long afterward in 1894 the very first production | | | | the world from then on. Since the 70s Honda has |
| motorcycle went on sale as the Hildebrand & | | | | held the title of the world's largest motorcycle maker. |
| Wolfmüller motorcycle. It wasn't long after that | | | | Today, the big four motorcycle makers have |
| before several of the bicycle companies of that time | | | | penetrated practically every motorcycle market in |
| got into the act and started selling versions of what | | | | the world, and they are highly regarded as makers of |
| was essentially motorized bicycles. However, as | | | | high quality motorcycle products. |
| horsepower increased, the engines started to | | | | In recent years some of the older motorcycle brands |
| outgrow the bicycle frames that were used as their | | | | like the Indian have regained popularity with Harley |
| carriage. | | | | Davidson being the most successful by far. |