Diving into the captivating world of motorcycle history

Flashback direct: have you ever thought about what it’s like to follow the trail of a motorcycle from the moment it’s just a heap of metal that makes a first loud noise? No? Well, get ready to take a big whiff of gasoline in your face, because we’re diving headfirst into the history of motorcycles, these two-wheeled machines that have united everyone, from the tough guys of Harley-Davidson’s Iron Horse to the furious riders on the tracks with Ducati and Kawasaki in full drift.

The major milestones that have shaped the history of the motorbike

You’ve ever taken a serious look while flipping through an old BMW Motorrad catalog or a Ducati Scrambler, wondering how we went from a bike with a laughable engine to these bombs on two wheels? This is where David Dumain, a former rider and journalist not here to beat around the bush, throws his stone into the pond at Sophia Editions. His book The History of the Motorcycle takes you on a wild road trip over more than a century and a half of engines that cough, vibrate, and roar.

His book has 208 pages, 250 colorful illustrations that hit harder than the exhaust of a full-throttle Indian Motorcycle. We start in 1869 with the first motorized cycles from Michaux and Perreaux, all the way to the Chinese and Indian revolution that erupted on the global market. Not a decade left behind: the post-war era, the pinnacle of the 70s, the horsepower frenzy of the 90s, and the tech explosion that Honda, Yamaha, and the crème de la crème of Japan are driving today.

From iconic brands to Asian giants: evolution or revolution?

In your garage, Scarlett, the dusty Triumph is giving your poor Suzuki 500 cc a side-eye, lacking even a quarter of the charisma but still making you buzz. Dumain explains how these brands have struggled, triumphed, reinvented themselves, or disappeared at the dawn of the 2000s. Honda and Yamaha have imposed their technical dominance, while Harley-Davidson maintains this almost mystical aura among purists who want more than just metal and mechanics.

You thought motorcycles were just about burning rubber and running red lights? No, motorcycles are also about counterculture, a consuming passion for custom bikes, the booming vintage scene, and even gender equality with more women setting the circuits ablaze. The book even dares to talk about significant figures who have changed the game, reminding us that behind the handlebars, it’s often blood, sweat, and burned asphalt.

Documentaries and media: when the memory of motorcycles is written in images

Images, dude, they speak louder than a thousand speeches! And for those who want to check out the motorcycle road movie series, documentaries like those from Bader unfold the history with a slew of archive videos, from the birth of the first bikes to the madness of contemporary concept bikes. The journey is filled with strong moments, from records, infernal races, to the mythical battles that have forged the character of giants like Ducati, Kawasaki, and Indian.

If you want even more, check out the complete chronicle of the evolution of motorcycles or dive into this documentary series on the origins of motorcycles, to know what you missed in school. And to really crank up the counter, there are also virtual museums that open the doors to the greatest manufacturers, where you can check out the jewels from Honda, BMW, and others without leaving your home.

The role of major races and endurance in the motorcycle legend

You think motorcycles are just for cruising in the city? Let me set you straight, the real fuel for two-wheeled bikes is racing, the fight against the clock, the adrenaline of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Ducati, Suzuki, or Kawasaki riders risk their skin on the asphalt. David Dumain himself has ridden these tracks, with a title of Vice Champion of France in endurance 2006 — he knows what he’s talking about.

Brands must prove themselves on the track, otherwise, they are worthless. It’s in these extreme suffering conditions that innovations are born, from disc brakes to sophisticated suspensions that now hug the road like a second skin. You can take a look behind the scenes and at the starting grid of the upcoming races featured on 24 Hours of Motorcycles 2025, it’s impressive.

The history of the motorcycle: more than just a machine, a culture

The two-wheeler is a religion, a lifestyle. Whether you’re part of the Harley-Davidson clan with their unique rumble, the sporty tribe of Ducati riders, or the gang of trail lovers with BMW and Kawasaki, it’s not just about machines, but about emotions, adventures, and a community that never gives up.

The biker culture is also about getting into the midst of builders who are tinkering with vintage bikes, or young folks breaking the mold with futuristic concept bikes. This book by Dumain perfectly illuminates this universe where each brand, from the oldest manufacturer to the latest launched by Yamaha, has contributed its grain of sand to shape what you have under your backside.

So would I buy this hefty book for 45 bucks? Honestly, no with my money, I’d rather keep it to fill up and go burn my rubber with a buddy. But if someone lends it to me, I’d devour it right away, between two wheeling sessions and a big smile on my face.