Reitwagen - The world's first motorcycle

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach

In 1884 and 1885, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach worked on various projects in Cannstatt, Germany.

One of the projects became the 1-cylinder engine Otto motor, which was mounted in a bicycle-like wooden frame.

The construction is recognized as the world's first motorcycle with a combustion engine, and formed the basis for the further development of the many subsequent diverse constructions of motorcycles around the world.

The fire in 1903

The original Reitwagen was destroyed in the Cannstatt fire that destroyed the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft Seelberg-Cannstatt factory in 1903.

However, there are several replicas in collections around the world, e.g. at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the Deutsches Museum in Munich, the Honda Collection Hall at the Twin Ring Motegi factory in Japan, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Ohio and here at the Danish Motorcycle Museum in Stubbekøbing.

Specifications

It had a 264 cubic centimeters (16.1 cu in) single-cylinder Otto-cycle four-stroke engine mounted on rubber blocks, with two iron wooden wheels and a pair of spring-loaded support wheels to keep it upright.

Its engine output of 0.5 horsepower (0.37 kW) at 600 rpm. gave it a speed of about 11 km/h.

First drive

Daimler's 17-year-old son, Paul, made the first trip on November 18, 1885, driving 5-12 kilometers from Cannstatt to Untertürkheim in Stuttgart, Germany.

The seat caught fire on this trip as the engine heat pipe ignition was located directly underneath.

Multiple versions

During the winter of 1885-1886, the belt drive was upgraded to a two-stage, two-speed gearbox with a primary belt drive and the final drive using a ring gear on the rear wheel.

By 1886 the Reitwagen had served its purpose and was abandoned in favor of further development of four-wheeled vehicles.