List of Motorcycles: Humble origins to cutting-edge prototypes

We list the motorcycles displayed in ‘The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire’ — by year from 1871 until 2020 — these motorcycles were carefully selected for the technical achievements and aesthetic merits they represent.

Showcasing 100 motorcycles, ‘The Motorcycle’ spans the history of this dynamic and versatile vehicle, from its humble origins as an engine bolted to a bicycle to the cutting-edge electric prototypes of the twenty-first century.

The world’s first steam-powered ‘motorcycle’ was assembled in the late 1860s, more than a decade before the first automobile was designed, and by the early twentieth century all the elements of the modern, internal combustion engine–powered motorcycle had developed. Over the next 120 years, changes in design reflected developments in technology, engineering and manufacturing, as well as the motorcycle’s evolving functions as an inexpensive mode of transportation, racing and on- or off-road vehicle and as an expression of individual creativity. These innovations changed the face of transportation, and the motorcycle has not only become an enduring design icon, but also established its place in society through popular culture, literature and film.

‘The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire’ offered a rare opportunity to see geographically and historically diverse motorcycles together in one place. From the hubs of motorcycle manufacturing in the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan to less likely sources of unique designs in New Zealand and Australia, ‘The Motorcycle’ showcased a machine at the pinnacle of design excellence and evokes a world of innovation, excitement and desire.

‘The Motorcycle’ exhibition was in Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) from 28 November 2020 until 26 April 2021.

RELATED: Read more about the bikes in ‘THE MOTORCYCLE’ exhibition

AUSTRALIAN DESIGNED: Read about our LOCAL MOTORCYCLE HISTORY

List of motorcycles by year of manufacture

‘The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA

1871 Perreaux Steam Velocipede (above)
France
Collection: Department of Hauts-de-Seine / Museum of the Departmental Domain of Sceaux

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #1 Perreaux Steam Velocipede
DELVE DEEPER: 5 innovative motorcycles that changed the way we ride

Cleveland Tricycle 1898 / Bunch Family Collection, Don Whalen, Curator / Photograph: Markus Cuff

1898 Cleveland Tricycle (above)
USA
Bunch Family Collection, Don Whalen, Curator

DELVE DEEPER: 5 innovative motorcycles that changed the way we ride

Minerva with Mills and Fulford Forecar 1903 / Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum / © Haas Moto Galleries LLC / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA

1903 Minerva with Mills and Fulford Forecar (above)
Belgium
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

DELVE DEEPER: Two’s company: 5 motorcycles for carrying a passenger

Spencer motorcycle c.1906 / Courtesy The Australian Motorlife Museum: Paul Butler Collection / Photograph: Penelope Clay

1906 Spencer (above)
Australia
The Australian Motorlife Museum – Paul Butler Collection

DELVE DEEPER: Australian-born: The Spencer motorcycle story
WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #2 Spencer

Indian Single CeDora 1908 / Bunch Family Collection, Don Whalen Curator / Photograph: Markus Cuff

1908 Indian Single CeDora (above)
USA
Bunch Family Collection, Don Whalen Curator

DELVE DEEPER : Indian Single 1908 owned by pioneering stuntwoman Cedora

Henderson Four 1912 / Clyde Crouch Collection / Photograph: Robert LaPrelle

1912 Henderson Four (above)
USA
Clyde Crouch Collection

DELVE DEEPER: Henderson Four the largest and fastest motorcycle of its time
DELVE DEEPER: Two’s company: 5 motorcycles for carrying a passenger

Whiting 1914 / Lowe Family Collection / Photograph: Penelope Clay

1914 Whiting (above)
Australia
Lowe Family Collection

DELVE DEEPER: The Australian Whiting: The last word in motorcycle luxury

Harley-Davidson 10F 1914 / Harley City Collection

1914 Harley-Davidson 10F (above)
USA
Harley City Collection

Indian 8-Valve 1916 / Arundel Collection / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1916 Indian 8-Valve (above)
USA
Arundel Collection

ABC 1919 / Courtesy of the Clyde Crouch Collection / Photograph: Robert LaPrelle

1919 ABC (above)
United Kingdom
Courtesy of the Clyde Crouch Collection

DELVE DEEPER: 5 innovative motorcycles that changed the way we ride

Indian Scout Special 1920 (engine) / Collection: Clyde Crouch / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA

1920 (engine) Indian Scout Special (above)
USA; New Zealand
Collection: Clyde Crouch

DELVE DEEPER: Bert Munro’s 1920 Indian Scout Special still the worlds fastest
WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #5 Indian Scout Special

1921 Ner-a-Car
USA
Bunch Family Collection, Don Whalen Curator

1924 Moto Guzzi Tipo Normale
Italy
Collection: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

1924 BMW R32
Germany
Collection: Trevor Dean

1926 Indian Hillclimber
USA
Arundel Collection

1926 Peugeot P104
France
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

1927 Harley-Davidson FHA / Harley City Collection / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1927 Harley-Davidson FHA (above)
USA
Harley City Collection

DELVE DEEPER: Two’s company: 5 motorcycles for carrying a passenger

Harley-Davidson Model SA Peashooter 1928 / Harley City Collection / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1928 Harley-Davidson Model SA Peashooter (above)
USA
Harley City Collection

DELVE DEEPER: 5 speedway racers
DELVE DEEPER: Two’s company: 5 motorcycles for carrying a passenger

1928 Scott Flying Squirrel
United Kingdom
Collection of Mr and Mrs Hans Sprangers

1928 Harley-Davidson JDH Special
USA
Harley City Collection

1928 Indian Model 401
USA
Arundel Collection

Majestic c.1929 / Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum / © Haas Moto Galleries LLC / Photograph: Grant Schwingle

c.1929 Majestic (above)
France
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

DELVE DEEPER: The MotoThe Majestic, the greatest of all French motorcycle designs

1929 Opel Motoclub Neander
Germany
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

Ariel Model F 1929 / Collection of Bob Muss, Australia / Photograph: Natasha Harth

1929 Ariel Model F (above)
United Kingdom
Collection of Bob Muss, Australia

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #4 Ariel Model F

1929 Norton CS1
United Kingdom
Collection of John Richardson

Douglas DT/5 Speedway 1929 / Private Collection, Sydney / Photographer: Penelope Clay

1929 Douglas DT/5 Speedway (above)
USA
Private Collection, Sydney

DELVE DEEPER: 5 speedway racers

1931 Dresch Monobloc
France
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

1933 Harley-Davidson DAH
USA
Harley City Collection

Crocker Speedway 1934 / Harley City Collection / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1934 Crocker Speedway (above)
USA
Harley City Collection

DELVE DEEPER: The Crocker motorcycles: Built for speed
DELVE DEEPER: 5 speedway racers

1935 Brough Superior 11-50
United Kingdom
The Peter and Frances Bender Collection

1936 Koehler-Escoffier Motoball Special
France
Collection: Bobby Hass and Hass Moto Museum

Crocker 1938 / Harley City Collection / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1938 Crocker (above)
USA
Harley City Collection

DELVE DEEPER: The Crocker motorcycles: Built for speed
WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #3 Crocker

1938 Triumph Speed Twin
United Kingdom
Image courtesy: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Indian Chief with Sidecar 1940 / Arundel Collection / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1940 Indian Chief with Sidecar (above)
USA
Arundel Collection

DELVE DEEPER: Two’s company: 5 motorcycles for carrying a passenger

Socovel Electric c.1942 / Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum / © Haas Moto Galleries LLC / Photograph: Grant Schwingle

1942 Socovel Electric (above)
Belgium
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

DELVE DEEPER: The Socovel Electric — the world’s first mass-produced electric motorcycle
WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #6 Socovel Electric

1943 Harley-Davidson FL
USA
Kendal Maroney Collection (KMC)

Moto Guzzi Super Alce 1948 / Calleja Collection, Melbourne / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1948 Moto Guzzi Super Alce (above)
Italy
Calleja Collection, Melbourne

DELVE DEEPER: Two’s company: 5 motorcycles for carrying a passenger

Imme R100 1949 / Collection: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA / Photograph: Marc Bondarenko

1949 Imme R100 (above)
West Germany
Collection: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #8 Imme R100

1949 MV Agusta 125 TEL Turismo
Italy
Collection of Robert Marro

Huck Fynn JAP Speedway c.1949–50 / Tony Webb Speedway Collection / Photographer: John Downs

c.1949–50 Huck Fynn JAP Speedway (above)
United Kingdom
Tony Webb Speedway Collection

DELVE DEEPER: 5 speedway racers

Vincent Black Lightning 1951 / The Peter and Frances Bender Collection / © Bonhams Auctioneers

1951 Vincent Black Lightning (above)
United Kingdom
The Peter and Frances Bender Collection

DELVE DEEPER: Vincent Black Lightning: The fastest production motorcycle for its time

1954 Gnome et Rhône LC531
France
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

1955 Puch SGS
Austria
Collection: Bobby Hass and Haas Moto Museum

Tilbrook Prototype 1956 / Collection of Dennis Martin, Owner – Paul Martin / Photograph: Brayden Mann

1956 Tilbrook Prototype (above)
Australia
Collection of Dennis Martin, Owner – Paul Martin

DELVE DEEPER: The last Australian Tilbrook motorcycle

Aermacchi Chimera 1957 / Image courtesy: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA / Photograph: Marc Bondarenko

1957 Aermacchi Chimera (above)
Italy
Courtesy: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #7 Aermacchi Chimera

Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1958 / Calleja Collection, Melbourne / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1958 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL (above)
USA
Calleja Collection, Melbourne

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #10 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL

1958 Matchless Factory Trials
United Kingdom
Courtesy: Jonathan Munn / Classic Style Motorcycles, Australia

Vespa 150GS 1960 / Collection: Vespa House and Frank Tonon / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1960 Vespa 150GS (above)
Italy
Collection: Vespa House and Frank Tonon

Honda C102 Super Cub 1960 / © Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation, New York / Photograph: Randy Leffingwell

1960 Honda C102 Super Cub (above)
Japan
Solomon R Guggenheim, New York

Triumph Bonneville 1961 / The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA / Photograph: Marc Bondarenko

1961 Triumph Bonneville (above)
United Kingdom
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

DELVE DEEPER: Triumph Bonneville: A stylish classic

BSA Gold Star Catalina 1963 / Michael Reilly Collection, Brisbane / Photograph: John Downs

1963 BSA Gold Star Catalina (above)
United Kingdom
Michael Reilly Collection, Brisbane

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #9 BSA Gold Star Catalina

Suzuki T20 250 Hustler 1966 / Courtesy: Jonathan Munn / Classic Style Motorcycles, Australia / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA

1966 Suzuki T20 250 Hustler (above)
Japan
Courtesy: Jonathan Munn / Classic Style Motorcycles, Australia

DELVE DEEPER: 5 innovative motorcycles that changed the way we ride

1967 Husqvarna 250
Sweden
Collection of M and J Daley

1969 Kawasaki Mach lll
Japan
Collection of Andrew Boyes

BSA Rocket 3 1969 / Photograph: Mick Osbaldeston

1969 BSA Rocket 3 (above)
United Kingdom

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #11 BSA Rocket 3

Velocette Sportsman 1969 / Scaysbrook Family Collection / Photograph: Jim Scaysbrook

1969 Velocette Sportsman (above)
United Kingdom
Scaysbrook Family Collection

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #11 Velocette Sportsman

1971 Bultaco Sherpa T
Spain
Collection: Mr J and Master T Randel

1972 MV Agusta 750S
Italy
Collection of Robert Marro

Honda CB750 1972 / Image courtesy: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA / Photograph: Marc Bondarenko

1972 Honda CB750 (above)
Japan
Image courtesy: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #11 Honda CB750

1973 Triumph X-75 Hurricane
United Kingdom
The Peter and Frances Bender Collection

1973 Honda Elsinore
Japan
Collection: Mr J and Master T Randel

c.1973 (engine: 1941) Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Chopper / Private Collection / Photograph: Andrea Beavis

c.1973 (engine: 1941) Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Chopper (above)
USA
Private Collection

DELVE DEEPER: Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Chopper: A two-wheeled American icon
WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #16 custom motorcycle design

1973 Norton Commando
United Kingdom
Calleja Collection, Melbourne

Ducati 750SS 1974 / Private Collection / Photograph: John Downs

1974 Ducati 750SS (above)
Italy
Private Collection

Harley-Davidson XR750 1977 / Harley City Collection / Photograph: Anne-Marie De Boni

1977 Harley-Davidson XR750 (above)
USA
Harley City Collection

DELVE DEEPER: 5 speedway racers

1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR
USA
Collection of Gordon Forrester

1979 Honda Mugen ME 390
Japan
Courtesy: Holden On Tight MX/Off-Road Dakar Dirt Museum

1981 Laverda Jota
Italy

1984 Kawasaki GPZ900R-A1
Japan

1988 Ducati 851 Kit
Italy
Collection of Robert Marro

1990 Suzuki GSX1100 Katana
Japan
Calleja Collection, Melbourne

1991 BMW R80GS
Germany
Calleja Collection, Melbourne

1992 Yamaha V-Max
Japan
Collection of Ruth Belin and Ivan Munro

Britten V1000 1994 / Private Collection, New Zealand / Photograph: Natasha Harth

1994 Britten V1000 (above)
New Zealand
Private Collection, New Zealand

DELVE DEEPER: 5 innovative motorcycles that changed the way we ride
WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #14 Britten V1000

1994 Triumph T309 Speed Triple
United Kingdom
Collection: Jonathan Munn / Classic Style Motorcycles

Ducati M900 Monster 1994 / The RJ Webber Desmo Collection, Gold Coast / Photograph: John Downs

1994 Ducati M900 Monster (above)
Italy
The RJ Webber Desmo Collection, Gold Coast

Aprilia Moto 6.5 1995 / Collection: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama USA / Photograph: Marc Bondarenko

1995 Aprilia Moto 6.5 (above)
Italy
Collection: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, Alabama USA

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #13 Aprilia Moto 6.5

1996 Ducati 916 SP
Italy
Collection: Robert Marro

2002 Bimota V-Due
Italy
Collection of Robert Marro

2003 Harley Davidson VRSCA V-Rod
USA
Private Collection

2005 KTM Super Duke
Austria

2005 MV Agusta F4 Ago
Italy
Collection of Robert Marro

Segway 12 SE PT 2006 / Image courtesy: Segway-Ninebot

2006 Segway PT (above)
USA

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #12 Segway 12 SE PT

The Drover’s Dog 2009 / Collection: Joseph Mildren/Deus Ex Machina, Sydney / Image courtesy: Deus Ex Machina

2009 The Drover’s Dog (above)
Australia
Collection: Joseph Mildren/Deus Ex Machina, Sydney

DELVE DEEPER: Australia’s Deus Ex Machina ‘Drover’s Dog’ is the perfect surf bike

Kim Krebs riding the Suzuki Hayabusa at the 2010 BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials, Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah / Photograph: LC Grubb (ScooterShoots)

2016 Suzuki Hayabusa (above)
Japan
Collection: Kim Krebs & Greg Watters & Jim Higgins (Black Art Racing)

DELVE DEEPER: Suzuki Hayabusa: The world’s fastest production sportbike

2016 Hazan Black Knight
USA
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

Bandit9 Eve Mk ll 2016 / Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum / © Haas Moto Galleries LLC / Photograph: Grant Schwingle

2016 Bandit9 Eve Mk ll (above)
Vietnam
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #16 custom motorcycle design

2016 KTM Rally 450 Dakar
Austria
Toby Price Collection

2017 Onewheel XR
USA

Rodsmith Corps Léger 2018 / Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum / © Haas Moto Galleries LLC / Photograph: Grant Schwingle

2018 Rodsmith Corps Léger (above)
USA
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #16 custom motorcycle design

2018 Indian Scout
USA
Collection: Johnny Gee’s Antique Motorcycles

Vespa Elettrica 2019 / Vespa Australia / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA

2019 Vespa Elettrica (above)
Italy

DELVE DEEPER: 5 future-focused motorcycles

Tarform Luna Protoype 01 2019 / Courtesy of Tarform Motorcycles / Photograph: Joe Ruckli © QAGOMA

2019 Tarform Luna Protoype 01 (above)
USA

DELVE DEEPER: 5 future-focused motorcycles

Zooz Concept 01 2019 / Photograph: Joe Ruckli © QAGOMA

2019 Zooz Concept 01 (above)
USA

DELVE DEEPER: 5 future-focused motorcycles

2019 Fuller Moto 2029 (above)
USA
Collection: Bobby Haas and Haas Moto Museum

DELVE DEEPER: The Fuller Moto 2029 looks backwards in order to look to the future of customs

CAKE Kalk OR 2019 / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA

2019 CAKE Kalk OR (above)
Sweden

DELVE DEEPER: 5 future-focused motorcycles

2020 Ninebot KickScooter E25
China

2020 Ninebot One S2
China

Savic C-Series 2020 / Courtesy: Savic Motorcycles / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA

2020 Savic C-Series (above)
Australia

DELVE DEEPER: The future generation is electric
DELVE DEEPER: 5 future-focused motorcycles
WATCH THE VIDEO: Co-curator Virtual Tour #15 Savic C-Series

2020 Sur-Ron Light Bee X
China
Collection: A e-Bikes / Sur-Ron Australia