First Motorcycle

This is the approx. 90 kg heavy "Reitwagen" of Gottlieb Daimler, invented in 1885. It does not have springs, and rather resembles a wooden horse. Due to the large engine, one rather stands than sits on this vehicle. A possible tilting over is prevented by auxiliary wheels. Where the later test driving son Paul Daimler son sees this more than an obstacle when cornering. Dependent on the transmission ratio, the first motorcycle of the world manages 6 or 12 km/h with its 264 cc engine (58 mm bore, 100 mm stroke) and slightly more than 0.5 hp at 700 rpm. This has to be set before departure, however, because a change of transmission is possible only at standstill.

The engine consists of an air-cooled cylinder without cooling ribs and already has a surface carburetor before the intake valve and silencer behind the exhaust valve. Noise reduction is very important at that time, yet the test drives are due to the dangerous ligroin on board in any case accompanied by the distrust of citizens. The first test runs in Cannstatt near Stuttgart are accompanied by the constant threat of police ban on driving, rightly if you regard the experience with test drives on today's replicas (original burned in 1903). For the layman the vehicle proves to be nearly not to drive because of the small caster.

Thereby is not at all taken into account the starting procedure.