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18617 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  dieseltech, 
G
A motorcycle is a two wheeled automated vehicle.
[h2]History[/h2]
It's difficult to determine who actually invented the motorcycle. Many argue that the German inventors Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler should receive credit.
[h2]Motorcycle Manufacturers[/h2]
Over the years, many different companies have manufactured motorcycles. Many have gone out of business or been acquired.
[h3]Existing Manufacturers[/h3]
[h4]Austria[/h4]
Husaberg
KTM
[h4]Belarus[/h4]
Minsk
[h4]China[/h4]
Chang Jiang Motorworks
Chunlan Motorcycle
Fushida-Battle
Haojue
Hongyi Motors
Jincheng Suzuki
[[Linhai motorcycles]]
Lu Hao
Nanfang Motor
Qianjiang
Qinqi
Shandong
Shanghai-Ek Chor Motorcycle Xingfu
Wuyang Honda
Zongshen
[h4]Czech Republic[/h4]
Jawa
[h4]Estonia[/h4]
Magnum Chrome
[h4]France[/h4]
Peugeot
Scorpa
Sherco
Voxan
[h4]Germany[/h4]
BMW
MZ
Sachs
[h4]India[/h4]
Bajaj Auto
Hero Honda
Royal Enfield
TVS
Kinetic engineering
Kanda Motors
[h4]Indonesia[/h4]
Happy Motorcycle
Kymco
[h4]Italy[/h4]
Aeromere
Aprilia
Benelli
Beta Motor
Bimota
Borile
Cagiva
CM
Ducati
Fantic Motor
Ghezzi & Brian
Gilera
Husqvarna
Laverda
Magni
Malaguti
Moto Guzzi
Moto Morini
MV Agusta
Piaggio
Sumco
Terra Modena
TM
Vertemati
VOR
Vyrus
WRM
[h4]Japan[/h4]
Honda
Kawasaki
Suzuki
Yamaha
[h4]Republic of Korea[/h4]
Daelim
Hyosung
[h4]Malaysia[/h4]
Modenas
Petronas
[h4]Pakistan[/h4]
Atlas Honda
Ghani Automobile Industries
Dawood Yamaha
Sohrab
Excel
Hero
Adam
Pak Hero
Super Star
Laser
Habib
Geo
Super Asia
Master
Ravi
Eagle
Metro
Toyo
Road Prince
[h4]Portugal[/h4]
AJP
Casal
[h4]Russia[/h4]
IZH
Kovrov
ZiD
IMZ-Ural
[h4]Slovenia[/h4]
Tomos
[h4]Spain[/h4]
Derbi
Gas Gas
Montesa
Rieju
[h4]Taiwan[/h4]
Kymco
Sanyang
Her Chee
[h4]United Kingdom[/h4]
CCM
Moto-roma
Triumph
[h4]United States[/h4]
American Eagle
American Ironhorse
American Performance Cycle
ATK
Bourget Bike Works
Big Bear
Big Dog
Big Man Bikes
Boss Hoss
Buell Motorcycle Company
Confederate
Desperado
Fischer
Harley-Davidson
Hellbound Steel
Ironworks
KPX
MTT
MotoCzysz
Norton 4
Orange County Choppers
Pantera
PCW
Red Horse
Rhino Motorcycles
Rokon
Ridley
Rucker
Saxon
Steed
Swift
Titan
United Motors
Von Dutch Kustom Cycles
Vengeance
Victory
Vincent
Viper
West Coast Choppers
Wild West
Xtreme Choppers
ZAP

[h3]Defunct Manufacturers[/h3]
Ace
AJS
Alta
Ambassador
AMC
Ariel
Armstrong
AWO
Batavus
Balkan
Beardmore Precision
Blackburne
Bridgestone
Britten
Brough
BSA
Bultaco
California
Calthorpe
Capriolo
Carabela
Clarendon
Cogsley Farnesworth
Cleveland
Cooper
Cossack
Cotton
Crocker
Cushman
CWS
CZ
DKW
DOT
Douglas
EMC
EMW
Enfield
ESO
Excelsior
Excelsior-Henderson
Flottweg
Gitane
Greeves
FN
Francis-Barnet
Fuji
Garell
GMZ
Helkama
Henderson
Hercules
Hesketh
Hodaka
Hosk
Husqvarna
HRD
IFA
Indian
Islo
ISOMOTO
Iver Johnson
James
Jawa CZ
Laurin & Klement
Lefas
Lilac
Lube
Maico
Maratos
Marsh
Ma
Matchless
MEBEA
Mego
Megola
Merkel
Mitsubishi
MGC
MMZ
Mobylette
Mondial
Monark
Morbidelli
Motobécane
Motor Hispania
Munch
Mustang
MuZ
MZ
NATI
New Hudson
Nimbus
Norman
Norton
Nougier
NSU
OEC Commander
OK-Supreme
Ossa
Palmelli
Pannonia
Panther
Pierce
PMZ
Pope
Puch
Rabbit
Reading Standard
Rickman
Rikuo
Rokon
Royal Enfield
Rudge
Sanglas
Scott
Sears
SFM
Simplex
Simson
Sprite
Spryt
Sunbeam
SWM
Tecnomoto
Terrot
Thor
TIZ
TMZ
Tomos
Triumph
Tunturi
Velocette
Villiers
Vincent
Waratah
Werner
WFM
Whizzer
Wooler
Yale
Yankee
Zündapp
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1 - 18 of 18 Posts
BH121869
Scooters?

There are as many scooters as motorcycles in some parts of the world and yet I see few comments on them. I see more of them lately even in the US and actually see people touring on them. They are good on gas and a good starter bike for some.
Any comments?
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G
I remember

BH121869 said:
There are as many scooters as motorcycles in some parts of the world and yet I see few comments on them. I see more of them lately even in the US and actually see people touring on them. They are good on gas and a good starter bike for some.
Any comments?
Click to expand...
Back in the sixties Scooters enjoyed large popularity here also. True MC were primarily HD in the States. Few could afford them even then at $1800.00!
for the smaller HDs. ( new car was about $3500.00 or less in those days)

Vespa, Cushman, Mustang ruled for us teenagers. Then Honda started selling MC in America. Scooters began a decline in sales. We teenagers all thought true MC were 'cooler' and sexier. All the Scooters brands I mentioned rapidly disappeared. Since we had these HUGE and powerful MC's now. Honda had the amazing and massive 150s, at about 15 hp as I remember , Suzuki had those big 90ccs, Yahama jumped in, etc. Scooters just kinda went away.

I found it kind of interesting that Vespa made a bit of a comeback in my area in the 1980's for a short time, but just never regained their past popularity.

It is kind of funny now, but I remember when I decided on the Honda 150 Dream, my folks were not so sure it was the right choice. Wnated to know what size tires, parts availability etc. in case we went to war with the Japs again!

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats
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G
Afternoon Folks,

I’ve noted the fact that you've listed Indian in the 'Defunct' category, BUT I'm wondering if it wouldn't be appropriate to list in the 'Existing' category as well?! Because I suspect that win, lose or draw - it's always going to be just one of those motorcycle names (like Triumph) that will never ever die - just keep being killed off but bounce back again (much like the Halloween/Michael Myers series)?! :D After the last couple decades of riding mostly Harleys, I figured it was long overdue to step out of Dogma for at least a while. I considered 1999-2000 Excelsior-Henderson’s, 2001-2003 Indian Scouts, 1987-1999 Kawasaki VN1500 A1-A13 Vulcan’s and 1998-2001 Victory V92C's. I wound up getting a used Victory V92SC Sport Cruiser based on price (cheap!) and the fact the company IS still around to tell the tale. Though Polaris (the mother company) will have absolutely NOTHING to do with it's customers, plus the dealers all seem to can't wait to become EX-Vic dealers?! :eek: I'm thinking it's a good bike overall - I'm having fun working on it (restoring) though parts are difficult (but not impossible) to get. :cool:

Why not the others? Dead after one year Excelsior appears to be a beautiful machine, BUT one that has distinct flaws (defects) that MUST be corrected before riding (OR else!). The Vulcan is a nice scoot that I have been watching since 1987 - but still it was hard to ante up the $1,000 +/- needed to ship the thing cross country for a $2,500 +/- valued bike, ya' know?! And finally Indian – I can’t think of anything cooler then it would be to own BOTH an Indian AND a Harley at the same time, this countries most hated rivals of the past?! But I got to admit I found it hard to shell out a wad of cash (still going into deeper debt) for basically a bike that was using a standard off the shelf S&S ‘Harley-Inspired’ engine that a ton of Chopper shops around the country were STILL using, including Big Dog! Sadly Indian (formally of Gilroy, CA) managed to finally solve that problem with they’re 100ci Power-Plus engine – which consequentially was one of the major contributing factors (loans called in) that killed them off)!

Now Chris Craft BOATS (of Great Britain) owns the company and claims they’ll be Chiefs available in 2008 but would I care to bet on it?! Not bloody likely! The first time I ever get to see a brand new Indian SCOUT floating around these parts, then maybe I’ll believe it. But until then, I won’t hold my breath!

LRG
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C
1. Definition of 'motorcycle' should read 'motorized,' not 'automated.'

2. As stated by others here, the list of 'defunct' companies should be updated, considering the fact that 'Indian' and 'Triumph' are, in fact, running.
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Maico Shark
Well Indian was for a couple years but hear they're down again. Saw a 2002 (I think) and it was a cool looking ride.
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CB750F
Rokon is still at it. http://www.rokon.com/
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BH121869
I also read that they were making Norton again on a limited basis.
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M
The scooter market seems to be HUGE over here in the UK mostly with the young riders but increasingly with commuters to get through traffic in the larger cities, especially in london where cars are charged £5 per day congestion charge. The saving on the congestion charge literary pays for the scooter.
You see young scooter BIKER gangs all over the place during the summer. :D

Mark
Buell XB Parts Buell Motorcycle Forums
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G
Ok, that Rokon is fairly an 'oldie' I would say (been around a LONG time :D , just like MOST of us...) and apparently STILL are. ;-) Took my wife to the Dentist today - question of the ages: WHY can't these places have BETTER (i.e., CAR & MOTORCYCLE!!!) magazines to look at?! :rolleyes: Anyways, Rokon IS advertising still in the Hunting Magazines. The machine is described as in fact being TWO wheeled drive (I'm assuming Front and Rear). I'm wondering - HOW do they manage to route a drive train TO the front?! Man, I was studying them pix and I'm not seeing it. Anyone out there ever get to actually see and ride one of these things in the flesh?! Would like to hear about it! ;-)

LRG


CB750F said:
Rokon is still at it. http://www.rokon.com/
Click to expand...
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G
markit said:
The scooter market seems to be HUGE over here in the UK mostly with the young riders but increasingly with commuters to get through traffic in the larger cities, especially in london where cars are charged £5 per day congestion charge. The saving on the congestion charge literary pays for the scooter.
You see young scooter BIKER gangs all over the place during the summer. :D

Mark
Buell XB Parts Buell Motorcycle Forums
Click to expand...
Mods and Rockers again?
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BH121869
markit said:
The scooter market seems to be HUGE over here in the UK mostly with the young riders but increasingly with commuters to get through traffic in the larger cities, especially in london where cars are charged £5 per day congestion charge. The saving on the congestion charge literary pays for the scooter.
You see young scooter BIKER gangs all over the place during the summer. :D

Mark
Buell XB Parts Buell Motorcycle Forums
Click to expand...
My next Cushman scooter will look like this one.
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G
Lawn mower engine!

BH121869 said:
My next Cushman scooter will look like this one.
Click to expand...
Like to see the lawn mower that engine came out of!!!

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats
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G
2
COFats said:
Like to see the lawn mower that engine came out of!!!

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats
Click to expand...


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BH121869
American iron


All she needs are bags and a cup holder.
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buellosaurusrex
BH121869 said:


All she needs are bags and a cup holder.
Click to expand...

Oh my..........!
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N
Excellent Deals on Cycle Parts

Had Good Service with my Bike Shop, I ordered from a shop on Ebay. Ebay ID= Live-Designs-4-U Ordered a set of Chrome Wheels for a super low price. They were alot cheaper than anyone else. I paid $525 on an Outright Sale. No swap needed. Other shops were trying to get $600 with a swap out. This company also sent my Rims FREE UPS SHIPPING!!! I have found my new Shop!! I would definitely recommend them.
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D
I like my Indian, it's an awesome bike
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