The Evolution of Motorcycle Standardization

At the dawn of the 20th century—not long after their first documented invention in 1885—motorcycles had already taken on the classic characteristics that still shape them today. They had two wheels of relatively similar size, a frame, a centrally-mounted engine, the rider sat upright between the axles, and shared controls between hands and feet. 

Motorcycles have since evolved significantly, but the basic design concept hasn’t been dramatically altered. A motorcycle still has two in-line wheels, requiring the rider to balance and implement the physics of counter-steering and leaning in order to turn.

It is this unique aspect that has given, and continues to give, motorcycles their appeal.

Motorcycles benefited significantly from the 100 years of bicycle development preceding their appearance. Motorcycles were spared some of the experimental calamities bicycles endured, such as the penny-farthing—the Victorian contraption with the extremely large front wheel, pedals bolted directly to the front axle, and the rider perched somewhat precariously.