before becoming the giant and renowned carmaker it is today, Mercedes Benz created an exceptional piece of motorcycle history. In 1885, Gottlieb DAIMLER and Wilhem MAYBACH developed a gas engine. They installed it in what is considered by many to be the first motorcycle in history: the Reitwagen.
a title also defended by the"Vélocipède à moteur Perreaux", from 1871. The controversy may never come to an end, as each machine has its own specificities and rights to honor. The Reitwagen was the first prototype motorcycle with an internal combustion engine, while the Perreaux had a steam-driven system. On the Daimler side, there are 4 wheels - 2 main ones as on a bicycle or motorcycle, plus 2 castors for stabilization. The French Vélocipède has only 2, as it should.
the Daimler Reitwagen could reach speeds of up to 12 km/h. Later, Daimler and Maybach forgot about the two-wheeler and turned their attention to powering a wide range of vehicles on land, sea and air. Sadly, the prototype disappeared in a fire in 1903.
