Magnificent Motorcycles, Part 1

"QUANTUM SHOT" #638 Link - article by Simon Rose and Avi Abrams The Wild, the Wonderful and the Downright Weird Designs for Motorcycles Even for those who have never ridden a motorcycle, there’s just something about these magnificent machines that make us simply stop and admire them. In this article, we take a look at the cool, the fascinating, the unusual and the ‘what the heck were they thinking’ designs for motorcycles that have appeared for over a hundred years. (Predator Bike - more images and info at 1, 2) Let's start with some vintage beauties. The first motorcycle was designed and built in Germany in 1885: (image via) FN or Fabrique Nationale de Herstal, a Belgian manufacturer of firearms, also made motorcycles from 1901 to 1967. This one is from 1913: (image via) 1913 Garelli (left) and the Evans Power Cycle (right), from 1919: (images via) Indian Scout from 1928: (image via) The Sokol 1000 was made in Poland and used by both civilians and the Polish military in the 1930’s: (image via) 1940 Indian four cylinder (left). On the right is the design for a Dream Motorcycle One from the early 1950’s - (images via 1, 2) The NSU Sportmax motorcycle was a winner in the 250 cc class in the Grand Prix Season of 1955: (image via) I’m not sure if I’d want to be racing across the battlefield in this machine: (image via) This one on the other hand looks more impressive. The Vespa 150 TAP, equipped with a cannon, was used by the French army and was meant to join the battle after being dropped by parachute (read our article about it here) - (image via) This bike, which also featured a gun, was developed for the Danish military in the 1930’s: (image via) Wondrous Biking Machines From the movies here we have the Hill Valley police motorcycle from Back to the Future (left). And how could we forget Batman’s two-wheeled mode of transportation as portrayed in The Dark Knight (right): (images via) Boldly go where no has gone before, on the Star Trike, which apparently appeared at the San Diego Comic Con in 1982: (images via 1, 2) The TrikeBack’s engine reminded me of the propulsion systems in the jetpacks and rocket belts from an earlier article right here on Dark Roasted Blend: (image via) Although this looks like a rocket bike, this is a real bomb shell. More info about this "Crotch Rocket" here: (image via) Could this be the world’s largest, or perhaps tallest, motorcycle? - (image via) Or how about this 48 cylinder machine, which apparently actually runs - more info: (image via) The Panzerbike from Germany, weighing in at just under five tons, has an engine that once powered a Russian T55 tank and the sidecar used to be the casing of a Soviet missile: (images via 1, 2) Hopefully, this motorcycle isn’t a real death trap? Skeleton bikes by Jud Turner, John Farr and others: (images via 1, 2, 3) Toys for big boys? The Burgerbike, ideal for visiting the drive-through window, perhaps? (left) Not sure what the top speed would be on this one? (right) - (images via) This machine was apparently made from spare parts and bits of miscellaneous junk (left)... while this one is made of wood, partially at least (right): (images via) Not sure if you want to give up your motorcycle and buy a car, or vice versa? You can have the best of both worlds, with the Laverda sidecar bike (more info): (images via) Who said limousines had to be cars? Here is "Anaconda" - (image via) The Jaguar motorcycle, such a cool design! - (images via) The Allmond Rocket motorcycle fromn Roger Allmond, more info (left) and another unusual design from Japan (right): (images via) These are actually part of the "Tuner Scooter" culture phenomenon in Japan - see more here: (images via) Here’s a selection of really cool concept bikes. From motorcycle manufacturer Arlen Ness - more info: (image via) Icare concept (left) and Swordfish bike concept (right): (images via) Ferrari V4 Motorcycle concept (left); Speed Racer motorcycle (right): (images via) The Magic Tricycle might sound like a brightly painted kid’s toy, but it’s actually more like something from Transformers. If you prefer to be driving a car, the vehicle moves along on its side using three wheels, but can also flip upright and turn into a motorcycle. (images via) The 4-wheeled motorcycle? No, this is not an ATV: Japanese "Tesseract" is a unique dual scythe suspension system, allowing this sleek machine to lean into turns like a motorcycle: (image via) And finally, here is perhaps the weirdest vintage bike of all - this one includes a sewing machine! - more info: (image via) Article by Simon Rose and Avi Abrams, Dark Roasted Blend. CONTINUE TO PAGE 2 OF THIS ARTICLE -> ALSO READ: STRANGEST VEHICLES! ->