A motorcycle, often called a motorbike, bike, or cycle, is a two- or three-

wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different

purposes: long distance travel, commuting, cruising, sport including racing, and off-
road riding. Motorcycling is riding a motorcycle and related social activity such as joining
a motorcycle club and attending motorcycle rallies.
The 1885 Daimler Reitwagen made by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Germany
was the first internal combustion, petroleum fuelled motorcycle. In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolf
Müller became the first series production motorcycle.[2][3]
In 2014, the three top motorcycle producers globally by volume
were Honda (28%), Yamaha (17%) (Both from Japan), and Hero MotoCorp (India).[4] In
developing countries, motorcycles are considered utilitarian due to lower prices and
greater fuel economy. Of all the motorcycles in the world, 58% are in the Asia-Pacific and
Southern and Eastern Asia regions, excluding car-centric Japan.
According to the US Department of Transportation the number of fatalities per vehicle mile
traveled was 37 times higher for motorcycles than for cars.[5]
The term motorcycle has different legal definitions depending on jurisdiction (see § Legal
definitions and restrictions).
There are three major types of motorcycle: street, off-road, and dual purpose. Within these
types, there are many sub-types of motorcycles for different purposes. There is often
a racing counterpart to each type, such as road racing and street bikes, or motocross and dirt
bikes.
Street bikes include cruisers, sport bikes, scooters and mopeds, and many other types. Off-
road motorcycles include many types designed for dirt-oriented racing classes such
as motocross and are not street legal in most areas. Dual purpose machines like the dual-
sport style are made to go off-road but include features to make them legal and comfortable
on the street as well.
Each configuration offers either specialised advantage or broad capability, and each design
creates a different riding posture.
In some countries the use of pillions (rear seats) is restricted.

History[edit]
Main article: History of the motorcycle
Experimentation and invention[edit]

Replica of the Daimler-Maybach Reitwagen.

The first internal combustion, petroleum fuelled motorcycle was the Daimler Reitwagen. It
was designed and built by the German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm
Maybach in Bad Cannstatt, Germany in 1885.[6] This vehicle was unlike either the safety
bicycles or the boneshaker bicycles of the era in that it had zero degrees of steering axis
angle and no fork offset, and thus did not use the principles of bicycle and motorcycle
dynamics developed nearly 70 years earlier. Instead, it relied on two outrigger wheels to
remain upright while turning.[7]
The inventors called their invention the Reitwagen ("riding car"). It was designed as an
expedient testbed for their new engine, rather than a true prototype vehicle.[8][9]

Butler's Patent Velocycle

The first commercial design for a self-propelled cycle was a three-wheel design called the
Butler Petrol Cycle, conceived of Edward Butler in England in 1884.[10] He exhibited his
plans for the vehicle at the Stanley Cycle Show in London in 1884. The vehicle was built by
the Merryweather Fire Engine company in Greenwich, in 1888.[11]
The Butler Petrol Cycle was a three-wheeled vehicle, with the rear wheel directly driven by
a 5⁄8 hp (0.47 kW), 40 cc (2.4 cu in) displacement, 2 1⁄4 in × 5 in (57 mm × 127 mm) bore ×
stroke, flat twin four-stroke engine (with magneto ignition replaced by coil and battery)
equipped with rotary valves and a float-fed carburettor (five years before Maybach)
and Ackermann steering, all of which were state of the art at the time. Starting was by
compressed air. The engine was liquid-cooled, with a radiator over the rear driving wheel.
Speed was controlled by means of a throttle valve lever. No braking system was fitted; the
vehicle was stopped by raising and lowering the rear driving wheel using a foot-operated
lever; the weight of the machine was then borne by two small castor wheels. The driver was
seated between the front wheels. It wasn't, however, a success, as Butler failed to find
sufficient financial backing.[12]
Many authorities have excluded steam powered, electric motorcycles or diesel-powered two-
wheelers from the definition of a 'motorcycle', and credit the Daimler Reitwagen as the
world's first motorcycle.[13][14][15] Given the rapid rise in use of electric motorcycles
worldwide,[16] defining only internal-combustion powered two-wheelers as 'motorcycles' is
increasingly problematic.
If a two-wheeled vehicle with steam propulsion is considered a motorcycle, then the first
motorcycles built seem to be the French Michaux-Perreaux steam velocipede which patent
application was filled in December 1868,[8][9] constructed around the same time as the
American Roper steam velocipede, built by Sylvester H. Roper Roxbury, Massachusetts.[8]
[9]
 who demonstrated his machine at fairs and circuses in the eastern U.S. in 1867,[6] Roper
built about 10 steam cars and cycles from the 1860s until his death in 1896.[15]
Summary of early inventions[edit]

Number of
Year Vehicle Inventor Engine type Notes
wheels

Pierre
Michaux-
Michaux
1867– Perreaux
2 Louis- Steam  One made
1868 steam
Guillaume
velocipede
Perreaux

1867– Roper steam Sylvester

2 Steam  One made
1868 velocipede Roper
Gottlieb
Petroleum
Daimler 2 (plus 2 Daimler
1885 internal-  One made
Reitwagen outriggers) Wilhelm
combustion
Maybach
Petroleum
Butler Petrol 3 (plus 2 Edward
1887 internal-
Cycle castors) Butler
combustion
 Modern
configuration
Heinrich
 First mass-
Hildebrand
Petroleum produced
Hildebrand & Wilhelm
1894 2 internal- motorcycle
Wolfmüller Hildebrand
combustion  First
Alois
Wolfmüller machine to be
called
"motorcycle"
First motorcycle companies[edit]

Diagram of 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller

In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first series production motorcycle, and the
first to be called a motorcycle (German: Motorrad).[8][9][15][17] Excelsior Motor Company,
originally a bicycle manufacturing company based in Coventry, England, began production
of their first motorcycle model in 1896. The first production motorcycle in the US was the
Orient-Aster, built by Charles Metz in 1898 at his factory in Waltham, Massachusetts.
In the early period of motorcycle history, many producers of bicycles adapted their designs to
accommodate the new internal combustion engine. As the engines became more powerful
and designs outgrew the bicycle origins, the number of motorcycle producers increased.
Many of the nineteenth-century inventors who worked on early motorcycles often moved on
to other inventions. Daimler and Roper, for example, both went on to develop automobiles.
At the end of the 19th century the first major mass-production firms were set up. In
1898, Triumph Motorcycles in England began producing motorbikes, and by 1903 it was
producing over 500 bikes. Other British firms were Royal Enfield, Norton and Birmingham
Small Arms Company who began motorbike production in 1899, 1902 and 1910,
respectively.[18] Indian began production in 1901 and Harley-Davidson was established two
years later. By the outbreak of World War I, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world
was Indian,[19][20] producing over 20,000 bikes per year.[21]
Today[edit]

Royal Enfield Bullet

In the 21st century, the motorcycle industry is mainly dominated by the Indian motorcycle
industry and by Japanese motorcycle companies. In addition to the large capacity
motorcycles, there is a large market in smaller capacity (less than 300 cc) motorcycles,
mostly concentrated in Asian and African countries and produced in China and India. A
Japanese example is the 1958 Honda Super Cub, which went on to become the biggest selling
vehicle of all time, with its 60 millionth unit produced in April 2008.[35] Today, this area is
dominated by mostly Indian companies with Hero MotoCorp emerging as the world's largest
manufacturer of two wheelers. Its Splendor model has sold more than 8.5 million to date.
[36]
 Other major producers are Bajaj and TVS Motors.[37]

Global Two Wheeler Market By Vehicle Type (Scooter/Moped and Motorcycle), By

Engine Capacity (Up to 125cc, 126-250cc, 250-500cc and Above 500cc), By Region,
Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2014 – 2024

Global two wheeler market stood at around $ 95 billion in 2018 and is projected to surpass
$ 125 billion by 2024. Anticipated growth in the market would be driven by higher fuel
efficiency, lower emissions, easy maneuverability and price attractiveness. Moreover,
launch of new models, growing number of female drivers and increasing congestion levels
are expected to boost sales of two wheelers across the globe. Increasing number of two
wheeler clubs, rising penetration of Chinese players and growing preference for two
wheeler taxis for mobility would have a positive impact on the market during forecast
period.
 Years considered for this report:

Historical Period: 2014-2017

Base Year: 2018

Estimated Year: 2019

Forecast Period: 2020-2024

Objective of the Study:

 To analyze and forecast global two wheeler market size.

 To classify and forecast global two wheeler market based on engine capacity type,

vehicle type and region.

 To identify drivers and challenges for global two wheeler market.

 To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches,

mergers & acquisitions, etc., in global two wheeler market.

 To conduct the pricing analysis for global two wheeler market.

 To identify and analyze the profile of leading players engaged in the manufacturing
of two wheelers.

Some of the major players operating in global two wheeler market are Hero MotoCorp

Ltd., Bajaj Auto Ltd., Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Piaggio & C. S.p.A., TVS Motor
Company Limited, Harley Davidson, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy
Industries, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and BMW Motorrad.    

To perform the study, TechSci Research conducted primary as well as exhaustive

secondary research. Initially, TechSci Research prepared an exhaustive list of two-wheeler
distributors and dealers operating globally. Subsequently, TechSci Research conducted
primary research surveys, which include primary calls, email responses, etc., with the
identified companies. While interviewing, the respondents were also asked about their
major competitors. Through this technique, TechSci Research could include manufacturers
which could not be identified due to the limitations of secondary research. TechSci
Research analyzed product offerings, distribution channels, and regional presence of all
major two-wheeler companies across the globe.
 TechSci Research calculated global two-wheeler market size using a bottom-up technique,
wherein sales volume data of different vehicle types were recorded as well as forecast for
the future years. TechSci Research sourced the data from industry experts and company
representatives, and externally validated through analyzing historical sales data of
respective manufacturers to arrive at the overall market size. Multiple secondary sources
such as directories, databases such as ACEM, JAMA, ASEAN, ANDI, company websites,
company annual reports, white papers, investor presentations and financial reports were
also studied by TechSci Research.

    
Key Target Audience:
 Two-wheeler manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and other stakeholders
 Associations, organizations, forums and alliances related to two wheelers
 Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policy makers
 Market research and consulting firms
The study is useful in providing answers to several critical questions that are important for
industry stakeholders such as two wheeler manufacturers, dealers, customers and policy
makers. The study would also help them to target the growing segments over the coming
years, thereby aiding the stakeholders in taking investment decisions and facilitating their
expansion.

Report Scope:

In this report, global two wheeler market has been segmented into following categories, in
addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

 Market, by Vehicle Type:

o Motorcycle
o Scooter/Moped
 Market, by Engine Capacity
o Up to 125cc
o 126-250cc
o 251-500cc
o Above 500cc

Two-Wheeler Sales Likely To Grow At 8-10 Pc In FY19

New Delhi: Two-wheeler sales in India is expected to grow at 8-10 per cent in 2018-19 amid
concerns over increasing cost of acquisition disturbing positive demand drivers, according to
ratings agency ICRA.
Supported by growing per capita income, improved farm sentiment following near-normal
monsoon over the last three financial years, higher minimum support price (MSP) and farm
loan waiver in select states, the domestic two-wheeler industry volumes are expected to grow
at 8-10 per cent during FY2019, ICRA said in a statement.
The ratings agency further said it has a stable outlook on the Indian two-wheeler industry.
The sector has reported 11.1 per cent year-on-year volume growth in April-October 2019.
This is despite some one-off adverse events during the period increase in insurance premium
across the country, floods in Kerala in August 2018 and regulatory changes in West Bengal
mandating two-wheeler sale to only valid licence holders in July 2018, it said.
Increase in rural income would support motorcycle demand; and on the other hand, scooters'
demand is expected to be led by rapid urbanisation, increased affordability and greater
penetration through targeted product launches, ICRA said.
However, on the flip side, it said concerns which could moderately disturb the positive
demand drivers are increasing cost of acquisition of a two-wheeler due to rising raw material
prices and hike in insurance premiums, rising interest rates and somewhat unevenly
distributed monsoon in FY2019.
Although, some pre-buying in the second half of FY2020 due to implementation of BS VI
from April 1, 2020, is likely, it said.
For the medium term, ICRA said, "The two-wheeler industry is expected to report a volume
CAGR of 7-8 per cent with positive structural factors like favourable demographic profile,
growing middle class, participation of women in workforce and rapid urbanisation." 
ICRA further said it expects increasing penetration of organised finance into tier 2-3 cities as
well as rural centres to support domestic demand as the current share of financed vehicles
remains moderate.
The ratings agency said the credit profile of two-wheeler makers remains strong, supported
by healthy capacity utilisation (77-80 per cent), high profitability and strong balance sheet
across most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)