Motorcycles, driven by internal combustion engines and steered using handlebars to control the front wheel, are two- or three-wheeled vehicles known for their lightweight, agility, and swift maneuverability.
Widely used for patrolling, transporting goods and passengers, and even as recreational sports equipment, motorcycles can be broadly categorized into street bikes, road racing motorcycles, off-road bikes, cruisers, touring bikes, and more.
The ancient poet Tatsuo once said, "The pursuit of freedom is the supreme aspiration of humanity." Regardless of the era, freedom is etched deeply in every person's heart. We constantly yearn for and pursue freedom.
There exists a group of individuals who merge their souls with machinery, their cries of freedom intertwined with the roaring wind. The passion unleashed at high speeds stirs the most primal instincts—a passion that, once ignited, cannot be quickly extinguished. In a complex world, motorcycle enthusiasts harbour a sincere passion for freedom. This freedom and love are not confined to a particular era but have a traceable evolution.
In the early days, bicycle wheels were made of iron, making riding strenuous. Someone had the ingenious idea of attaching an engine to a bicycle, giving rise to the precursor of motorcycles—the motorized bicycle. Subsequently, steam bicycles, spring-loaded engines, and pneumatic engine bicycles were invented, but none gained widespread popularity.
On August 29, 1885, Daimler improved the gasoline engine and mounted it on a wooden two-wheeled vehicle, creating the world's first motorcycle and obtaining a patent. "Motor" refers to the internal combustion engine, explaining why it's called a motorcycle. Of course, the process of developing the motorcycle by Daimler, the father of the automobile, was not as simple as it may sound.
During the era when steam-powered cars fueled by coal dominated the streets, some individuals, including the young technician Daimler working at the Otto factory, sought alternatives due to reasons such as smoke and slow speeds. While others were experimenting with different fuels, Daimler, determined to create a small and efficient internal combustion engine, pursued this goal and resigned from his stable position at the factory.
In an era dominated by steam engines, breaking away to study a new machine was a significant challenge. Daimler's decision to resign faced considerable external scepticism. After leaving his job, Daimler continued his research in a specialized institution he organized.
The research demanded much time and effort, but Daimler never considered giving up. His perseverance finally paid off in 1883 when the internal combustion engine was successfully developed, earning him the German Empire Patent No. 28022 on December 16 of the same year. The first motorcycle came to fruition in 1885.
"Without daring, bold speculation, there can be no progress in knowledge." This quote from Einstein aptly applies here. If Daimler hadn't deviated from the simple notion of changing the fuel for steam engines and instead chose to explore new machines, the internal combustion engine might not have been developed. This daring spirit of exploration and innovation also extended seamlessly to the development of motorcycles, a legacy that motorcycle enthusiasts proudly carry on.
"Without bold and reckless speculation, knowledge cannot progress." This quote from Einstein fits perfectly here. If Daimler had not abandoned the mere switch of fuel for steam engines and chosen to study a new machine, the internal combustion engine would not have emerged.
This daring spirit of exploration and innovation also extended seamlessly to the development of motorcycles, a legacy that motorcycle enthusiasts proudly carry on. Throttle is the gateway to the distance; your silhouette is someone else's scenery.
What will propel us forward with unfurled sails if life is vast like the sea? It must be the untamed spirit within our hearts. Unfazed by the unknown path, fear nothing. This is the unwavering belief of every motorcycle enthusiast—passionate and pulsating with vitality!
