25+ Mesmerising Facts About Motorbikes in 2024

Motorbikes have been a popular mode of transportation for years. Whether used recreationally or professionally, motorbikes are much beloved by their owners, as confirmed by the following facts on motorbikes.

Intriguing Motorbike Facts

• The first motorbike was designed in 1885.
• Harley Davidson was established in 1903.
• The world’s fastest motorcycle is the Dodge Tomahawk at 420 mph.
• Panzerbike, the world’s heaviest motorbike, weighs 4,740 kg.
• Commercial motorbikes have a speed limit of 186 mph.
• Motorcyclists are 40 times more likely to die in a road accident.
• The longest motorcycle ride stretched 735,000 km.
• Honda is the No.1 motorbike brand in the UK.

The Rise of Motorbikes

If you’re into motorcycles, you’re probably eager to know all about their history, such as who invented the motorcycle and how they developed and reached their present level of popularity.

#1 The first motorcycle was built in 1885

(carmudi)

The first internal combustion engine motorcycle (motorised bicycle) was built in Germany in 1885. Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach created the Daimler Reitwagen, which they named Einspur. But, unfortunately, it was lost in a fire in 1903.

#2 The word ‘motorcycle’ was first used in 1894

(StreetRIDER, DriveSpark)

The question, ‘when were motorbikes invented’, also evokes curiosity about the origin of the word ‘motorcycle’. The first recorded usage of the word is seen in 1894 when Hildebrand & Wolfmüller launched the Motorrad (motorcycle).

#3 Yamaha started as a piano manufacturer

(Motorcycle Legal Foundation, RideNow)

Many associate the name Yamaha with motorcycles, but the company’s origins lie in musical instruments. In 1887, Yamaha started producing pianos and slowly expanded its operations to other areas. It first began making motorcycles in 1955 under the newly formed branch, Yamaha Motor Company.

#4 Triumph Motorcycles began production in England in 1898

(JustFunFacts)

Motorcycle history in England began in 1898 when Triumph Motorcycles began making motorbikes. By 1903, they had produced 500 bikes, but production took off during World War I when troops needed motorbikes to maintain communication on the front.

#5 Harley Davidson was established in 1903

(JustFunFacts)

Established in 1901, the first US motorcycle manufacturer, Indian Motorcycle, became the world’s largest manufacturer by World War I. Harley Davidson, however, began production only two years later in 1903 and, by 1920, managed to eclipse Indian to become the world’s largest manufacturer.

#6 The Vespa was introduced in 1946

(JustFunFacts)

We know who invented the motorbike, but who created the ever-popular Vespa? In 1946, the Italian designer Piaggio introduced the Vespa to gain instant popularity. The Vespa, however, saw a surge of acclaim after it was featured in the film Roman Holiday—100,000 Vespas were sold in one year.

#7 The first Honda motorcycle was produced in 1949

(KickassFacts)

Honda is a well-known name in the motorbike industry. Its first complete motorcycle was produced in 1949, and 15 years later, Honda became the largest producer of motorcycles globally.

#8 The first chopper was produced in 1969

(Daily Mail)

The question, ‘when were motorcycles invented’, also heightens intrigue about the development of certain types of bikes, such as the first chopper, which came into the picture in 1969. The Raleigh Chopper was the first motorbike of its kind—a cultural icon of the 70s.

From One Extreme to the Other

The historical development of motorbikes also includes intriguing facts about (among other interesting extremes) the smallest, largest, fastest, and slowest bikes.

#9 The first Harley Davidson motorbike could only reach 40 km/h

(StreetRIDER)

Motorbike facts reveal that the first Harley Davidson could reach a maximum speed of 40 km/h. This bike had a single-cylinder engine and sported a tomato can as a carburettor.

#10 The world’s fastest motorcycle is the Dodge Tomahawk

(MANOFMANY)

The Dodge Tomahawk can reach a top speed of 420 mph (approx. 675 km/h), making it the fastest motorcycle on the market.

#11 The Smalltoe is the smallest motorcycle ever produced

(carmudi)

The smallest rideable motorcycle is called the Smalltoe, with a front-wheel diameter of only 16 mm and a rear-wheel diameter of 22 mm. So when was this motorcycle invented? The Smalltoe was created in 2003 by Tom Wiberg, who rode it about 10 m.

#12 The longest motorcycle is 26.29 metres long

(Motorcycle Legal Foundation)

Bharat Sinh Parmar built the longest motorcycle ever built at 26.29 m. He first introduced it in Gujarat, India, in 2015.

#13 The most expensive motorbike costs $360,000

(StreetRIDER)

The Feline One—created by Feline Motorcycles—is the most expensive motorcycle in history, costing $360,000 (£263,860). It’s made of carbon, titanium, and aerospace aluminium.

#14 The most efficient motorcycle is the Verucci Nitro 50

(StreetRIDER)

Perhaps one of the most significant motorcycle facts for beginners is that motorbikes are more fuel-efficient than cars. Facts about cars confirm that they use significantly more fuel than bikes. One motorbike especially stands out for fuel efficiency: the Verucci Nitro 50—which can travel 172 km on a single gallon of gas.

#15 The Honda NR750 is the most complex motorbike ever made

(Motorcycle Legal Foundation)

In 1992, Honda launched its NR750—the world’s most complex motorbike. Initially branded as a racing model, this model had eight valves per cylinder. Honda made 300 street-legal versions of this model.

#16 The heaviest motorcycle is the Panzerbike at 4,740 kg

(Old.News.Club)

One of the most fun facts about motorcycle mechanics includes the heaviest motorbike ever built, the Panzerbike, weighing 4,740 km. The Niebel family—Tilo, Ulf, and their father Wilfred—managed to assemble this monster bike in their workshop in East Germany, using a V16-800hp, T5 Soviet tank engine to thrust the massive weight of the bike.

Motorbike Safety

Motorcycling naturally includes the subject of safety. This section provides facts about motorbike safety to help you decide if this hobby or profession is for you.

#17 Helmet usage was mandated in the UK after the death of Colonel T.E. Lawrence

(direct asia)

One of the most well-known motorcycle safety facts includes the story of the first safety helmet. When Colonel T.E. Lawrence died from head injuries following a motorbike accident in 1935, protective helmet usage was mandated for all motorcyclists on UK roads. British neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns—through his research—realised that Lawrence’s death could’ve been avoided if he had protective headgear—hence the creation of the motorcycle helmet.

#18 Arai Helmets is the world leader in motorcycle helmet manufacturing

(Motorcycle Legal Foundation)

Arai Helmets started as a hat-making company for the construction industry in 1926 Japan. Then, the company modified its construction helmets to produce motorcycle helmets, becoming a world leader in the industry.

#19 Commercial motorbikes have a speed limit of 186 mph

(KickassFacts)

Motorbike information reveals that in 2000 all the world’s major motorcycle companies reached a gentlemen’s agreement to end the speed war. (Suzuki and Kawasaki did not recognize this agreement.) The companies feared that the race to the fastest production bike would lead to bikes with dangerous speed levels—so they agreed on a speed limit of 186 mph (299 km/h).

#20 Motorcycle riders are 40 times more likely to die in a road accident

(MotorbikeClaims)

Statistics on motorcycle accidents show that motorcyclists are 40 times more likely to be killed in road accidents than car drivers or passengers. Furthermore, according to motorcycle safety facts, 80% of motorbike accidents are caused by another person’s negligence and are more likely to end in motorcycle fatalities.

#21 Motorcyclists between 25 and 59 are most likely to be in road accidents

(Statista)

Motorbike riders aged 25 to 59 are at a high risk of dying or being seriously injured in road accidents. Young riders, 20 to 24 years old, are second most likely to be in motorbike accidents, as confirmed by scary motorcycle facts for the UK.

Let the Record Show

Professional moto racers and enthusiasts often try to break previously established records and often succeed. And some of the most amusing records are also the most dangerous ones ever to be broken.

#22 The longest motorcycle ride extended 735,000 km

(Guinness World Records)

Stretching 735,000 kilometres across 214 countries and territories, Emilio Scotto finished the longest ride in motorcycle history from 17 January 1985 to 2 April 1995. It’s classified as a single journey because Scotto didn’t return to the country of departure until the end.

#23 The longest backwards motorcycle ride was 202 km

(Motorcycle Legal Foundation)

Dipayan Choudhury set the record for the longest backwards motorcycle ride. On 7 October 2014, in Jabalpur, India, he rode his motorcycle backwards 202 km.

#24 The fastest lap speed in a motorcycle race is 135.45 mph

(Old.News.Club)

Interesting facts about motorcycle racing include the annual Isle of Man TT Races—the world’s most dangerous race. Peter Hickman boasts the fastest lap in this race, reaching 135.45 mph in 2018.

#25 The highest motorcycle jump reached 7.62 m

(Guinness World Records)

Tommy Clowers holds the record for the highest motorcycle jump, jumping 7.62 m from the top of a 3.04-m ramp after a run-up of 12.19 m. His record has stood since 21 January 2001.

#26 Honda is the leading motorbike brand in the UK

(Statista)

Motorbike information for the UK market shows that Honda is the most popular motorbike brand, followed by Yamaha and Lexmoto. Motorbike ownership, however, has been decreasing due to the increase of stolen motorcycles and car ownership in the UK. Presently, there are approximately 1.35 million motorbikes on UK roads.

Conclusion

The motorbike is a fascinating invention and has remained a beloved form of transport and recreation for millions over the past century. So if you, too, love motorbikes and think about getting one, we hope you’ve enjoyed our motorcycle facts for beginners, perhaps nudging you to join your nearest motorcycle club.