Is there anything more American—besides apple pie, of course—than traveling cross country on a motorcycle? Because of its vast expanse of land and varying landscapes, America is notorious for its ache for adventure and love of cross-country trips. Since its early versions, the motorcycle became a favorite past time of many and today more than 8,410,255 registered motorcycles are driving U.S highways. We thought we might take a look at how the motorcycle came to be and how it has changed America forever.

Early Versions

Early versions of the steam-cycle built in the United States started emerging in the late 1800s. This particular version was designed by inventor Sylvester Howard Roper. In 1898 Waltham Manufacturing began marketing their own engine bicycle with a French-made Dedion engine. It was around this time that many small motorcycle makers were sprouting up across the country as interest in the item was kindled. It was not long after that youngsters William Harley and Arthur Davidson created their first single-engine motorcycle in a beat up shed in Wisconsin. A few years later, the friends would be hiring employees and producing and selling bikes with their signature 45-degree air-cooled V Twins. 

Motorcycles at War

Harley-Davidson motorcycles made their wartime debut chasing Pancho Villa and his rebels down Mexico way. During the Mexican Revolution, an expedition tasked with hunting down Villa—wanted for murder in Columbus, New Mexico—chased him down in the wild Mexican frontier using horses and motorized cycle power.

During the first large-scale conflict, there were over 20,000 motorcycles across the pond helping the troops prove America’s military might for the first time on a large world-scale. These war bikes came outfitted with different kinds of helpful accessories like hospital stretchers, sidecars, shields, and fully automatic guns. It was the Indian motorcycles that dedicated their entire production to the war effort at this time.

Fast forward to the next global conflict. Three nations in a race for fast and convenient vehicles for their respective war efforts. In 1940, the German Army commissioned BMW to build a motorcycle for the purposes of combat. Out of this emerged the R75, which had a machine gun mounted on the sidecar. Joseph Stalin was buying older models of the BMW bicycle while the U.S Military commissioned the one and only Harley-Davidson to design a new war motorcycle, particularly for the North African front that was extremely sandy. Many other models emerged during this time including the British Enfield. Even to today’s most modern conflicts, motorcycles continue to be a useful and practical wartime vehicle. Today’s military bikes are, of course, much more efficient and powerful, given advances in technology.

Bikes Today

Both in the military and civilian world, motorcycles continue to be highly popular throughout the United States. It’s not just biker clubs that purchase them, it’s people of all ages and ilks. Yet, despite the fact that many of these two-wheel steeds ride on our highways, there continue to be many problems. According to Forbes magazine, over 5,000 people were killed on motorcycles in 2017. There are many factors that play into these many deaths and accidents. They include distraction and drug impairment. Still, according to some reports, the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles driving next to them on the road is a leading cause of collisions.

Protect Yourself and Your Bike

Motorcycles have embedded themselves in the American culture and psyche. They are part of who we are and that’s why millions of Americans drive them every year. The history of these motorcycle companies are true stories of innovation and hard work. That’s why it’s important that if you’re driving a motorcycle you insure it and yourself in order to be protected in the event of an accident.

Call Advantage Insurance for more information. Protect yourself and ride on.