The Top Ten

It has been brought to my attention that certain readers seem to think they won't find this blog interesting since they don't have an interest in bikes. Initially I was offended, but then decided to take this comment as more of a challenge than an insult. To help appeal to those readers who aren't big motorcycle enthusiasts, I've compiled a list of ten quirky facts about motorcycles that anyone can enjoy.

1. Devil, Satan and Lucifer have all been names of motorcycle manufactures.

2. The worlds fasted motorcycle is the Dodge Tomahawk, which can reach speeds of 560 km/h and uses just a 2 speed manual transmission.

The Dodge Tomahawk

3.The first Harley Davidson motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor.

4. The Longest Motorcycle jump in the world is 107.29m long, set by Robbie Maddison in Melbourne Australia. 

5. The worlds biggest motorcycle was built by Greg Dunham, and is 15-foot high, 25-foot-long and is steered from a cage below the handlebars. The bike took three years to build, weighs 6,500 pounds and cost $300,000. 

Dunham and his creation

6. In 2010, in Canada, over one hundred and thirteen thousand new units of motorcycles, scooters and ATVs were sold at an estimated retail value of 1,417,850,000 dollars.

7. The worlds first million dollar motorcycle was a Harley Davidson designed by Jack Armstrong

The Million Dollar Harley

8. Motorcycles and scooters are, on average, about twice as fuel efficient as cars

9. 'Evel Knievel' is one of the worlds most famous motorcycle stuntmen. Some of his notable feats include jumping over 19 cars (1971), jumping over 13 Mack trucks (1974), and jumping over 13 double-decker buses (1975). 

Evel Knievel jumping 13 double decker buses

10. The worlds heaviest motorcycle was built in Germany and weights 10,470 lb.

The Harzer Bike Schmiede