Pistons & Pioneers: The Dawn of Motorcycling (1910–1920s)

A Bikers Hangout Heritage Post

1910 - Motorcycle Life

Before café racers, before bobbers, before the roar of the open throttle echoed down Britain’s back lanes—there were pistons, pedals, and pioneers.

This is the story of when motorcycling was just being born. A wild, oily experiment balancing somewhere between bicycle and beast. Between 1910 and the early 1920s, two wheels and an engine meant revolution. And it wasn’t a lifestyle yet—it was a leap of faith.

The Machines: Half-Bike, Half-Miracle

In the early 1910s, most motorcycles were bicycles with engines strapped to them. Often literally. But by 1914, companies like Triumph, BSA, Matchless, Rudge, and Douglas were producing purpose-built motorbikes—still simple, but evolving fast.

Notable bikes of the era:

• Triumph Model H (1915): 550cc side-valve single, no clutch, no gears—just belt drive and bravery

• Douglas 2¾ HP: Lightweight flat-twin, loved for its smoothness, used by military dispatch riders in WWI

• Norton Big 4 (early versions): Rugged, slow, and solid—ideal for sidecar use and courier duties

Did You Know?

The Triumph Model H was the first “real” motorcycle to be mass-produced. It became known as “The Trusty” and was the main transport of WWI dispatch riders.

How Much Did They Cost?

Back in the 1910s, a brand-new motorcycle would cost around £40–£60, depending on the make, engine size, and accessories (like a carbide lamp or sprung saddle).

To put it into perspective:

• A skilled tradesman earned £2–£3 a week

• A Model H Triumph in 1915 cost about £42—roughly six months’ wages

They were a serious investment, often made on credit or shared between family members. But compared to the price of a car (around £200–£400), a motorcycle was the only motorised freedom many could afford.

Who Rode in This Era?

In a time when roads were mostly mud and stones, riding a motorbike wasn’t just bold—it was bloody-minded.

You’d see:

• Country doctors on Douglas twins, making calls in snow and rain

• Farmers using sidecars to haul supplies or family

• Early adventurers riding from county to county without maps or spares

• WWI dispatch riders—a whole generation of young men who learned to ride under fire

And after the war, many of those soldiers came home addicted to the ride. Triumphs, BSAs, and Nortons became part of postwar recovery—not just for transport, but for freedom, purpose, and even healing.

The War Years (1914–1918): The Motorcycle Goes to Battle

World War I transformed the motorcycle from a hobbyist’s toy to a tool of war.

• The British Army issued over 30,000 motorcycles during the conflict

• Dispatch riders became vital for communication—riding across shell-pocked landscapes with maps, orders, and hope

• BSA and Triumph ramped up production for the war effort, often using the same factory floors as before—now under military contract

First-hand accounts tell of riders dodging gunfire, fixing belts in the mud, and using handlebars as crutches. These weren’t riders. They were legends in the making.

Maintenance & Misery: Early Biker Life

Running a motorcycle in the 1910s–1920s was constant work.

• Carburettors had no choke. You manually tickled them before starting.

• Spark advance was adjusted by hand via a lever while riding.

• Belts stretched, brakes were feeble, and chain drive was only just becoming reliable.

• Many had no gearbox—you started in motion or stalled.

If you weren’t mechanically inclined, you became that way—or you walked.

“In those days, riding was half courage, half grease, and all heart.”

— Unknown early rider, Midlands, 1921

What Did Riders Wear?

There were no motorcycle shops—only military tailors and workwear suppliers. Riders wore:

• Heavy wool overcoats

• Leather gauntlets and aviation goggles

• Flat caps, bowler hats, or eventually tin helmets during the war

• Puttees (military leg wraps) or leather gaiters to stop oil and chain slap

The idea of style didn’t exist yet—only function, warmth, and survival.

Clubs and Culture: Seeds of Brotherhood

Motorcycle clubs began to appear even before WWI. The Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) was already organising events like:

• The London to Edinburgh Trial

• Reliability runs over hundreds of miles

• Hill climbs, sand races, and early versions of time trials

By 1924, the Isle of Man TT had become a national institution. Riders like Howard R. Davies and Alec Bennett were household names to bike enthusiasts.

The Spirit of the Ride

What defined the 1910s–1920s rider?

• Resilience. Machines broke. Roads vanished. You carried on.

• Curiosity. Every ride was a risk, an adventure, and a mechanical test.

• Brotherhood. If you met another rider on the road, you stopped, chatted, and probably helped fix a puncture.

This was the raw beginning. Before rebellion, before style, before brands defined identities—it was just man, machine, and open road.

Next in the Series: 1920s–1930s

British marques boom. Riders multiply. Roads improve. The motorcycle becomes a national obsession.