40 Greatest Military Motorcycles

Speaking of Pancho Villa, here he is a top his 1914 Indian Hendee Special. It was on this motorcycle he captured the town of Torreon during a raid in 1914. Because of this, the United States military enlisted motorcycles to help with the war effort (as we just mentioned). So, whether you consider him to be a liberator or an outlaw, one thing is certain. Pancho Villa is credited with getting the army to enlist motorcycles as part of the military war effort. Incidentally, Pancho happens to own one of the few Indian motorcycles equipped with an electric starter. Only 200 of them were produced.

Why use carrier pigeons when you can use motorcycles? That’s the general idea behind Despatch Riders of the Royal Engineers and Royal Corps of Signals. Their role was vital in maintaining communication during war. Often times, they had to do so under extreme conditions fighting heavy traffic and muddy trails while dodging bullets. Thankfully, a 2.25 horse power engine was adequate enough to get dispatchers to troops with vital information. By World War I, more than 57,000 Model H Triumphs were in production. The company would ultimately shutter their doors in 1983, yet not before they made a quirky three cylinder engine model between 1968 to 1976.

Once World War I kicked off, Indian motorcycles dedicated almost all of their production to the war effort. The result saw 50,000 Indian Powerplus Big Twins (faster and more nimble than their Harley counterparts due to a re-designed rear suspension). Fast on their own, the military could also opt to install a sidecar outfitted with a machine gun to strike terror on the battlefield. However, after the war, Indian had trouble re-integrating into domestic production. Ultimately, it would become their downfall, but not before giving us a few incredible war time photographs.

Yes, this is the infamous motorcycle that helped the US Army hunt down Pancho Villa and his band of outlaws. The government liked them so much they ordered another 20,000 Harley Davidson model 17 F/J’s for World War I. Powered buy a 61 in.³ F head engine, which produced an astounding 15 hp, the F/J was a beast. The engine was coupled to a rudimentary three speed transmission, which was in turn mounted to the gas tank. The result was a lean, efficient war machine. Ultimately, you could outfit the Model 17 with hospital stretchers, automatic machine guns, passenger sidecars and shields. The added horsepower made terrain navigation quick and non-problematic.

Made between 1914 to 1918, the Clyno machine gun 750 cc side car motorcycle V twin was as aggressive and mean as it looked. However, very few of these actually fired while mounted to the sidecar because the platform was not very stable. Therefore, soldiers would remove the machine gun from the chassis and set it up on its own tripod behind a hill or some other cover. Yet, the motorcycle itself performed beautifully due to its heavy three speed gearbox and clutch (signature Clyno trademarks). What makes the 750 cc so special is this is the motorcycle personally chosen by Winston Churchill to be part of the war effort.

In 1882, brothers William and Edward Douglas came together to create the Douglas Engineering Company in Bristol, England. Their first motorcycle was produced between 1902 and 1904. However, by the time World War I rolled around they would mass produce more than 70,000 motorcycles exclusively for the military. If you comb through war photos you can find Douglas motorcycles and pictures of the brothers themselves in locales like Mons and the armistice in France. More contemporary pictures find them in remote places like Africa and Mesopotamia. And while the war Douglas was used by all of the Allied powers, it was a favorite of the British employed by their Navy, Army, and Fledgling Royal Flying Corps.

This motorcycle is an example of being “all dressed up with no place to go.” The Matchless Motorbike was produced in 1917 specifically for the Russian army. However, it never saw battle because if you remember history, Lenin pulled Russia out of the Great War. It looks very similar to the Clyno 750 cc we saw earlier, only this machine gun was designed to be used with the sidecar instead of being dismounted and deployed behind cover. Yet they are highly collectible today. The one you see in the picture is just one of three that survived the Great War.

The Puch 800 survived many bullets, bombs and fascist enemies during service for the war. Oddly enough, during the false calm between World War I and World War II, Puch bicycle motorcycle merged with Steyr and Austro-Daimler to form Austro-Daimler-Puchwerke. This made them the largest motorcycle manufacturer in all of Austria, and they would see another merger soon after. This time, only the ending changed, Puchwerke was replaced with Puch. Two years later, when both creativity and finances were robust, the P 800 was born. The craftsmanship and beauty of the P 800 still thrills collectors and enthusiasts today. Plus, it’s a solid reminder that Austria had a reputation for being one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world during the 1930s. The four-cylinder boxer engine capable of speeds topping 75 mph proved it.

Czechoslovakia is known for many things, but motorcycles never make the list. The CZ 175 explains why. Built in the 1930s, it was one of several similar models created for the Czechoslovakian Army. And yes, if you think at first glance the bike doesn’t look powerful, you would be correct. It was built to be a light bike for superior handling. The thought was it could navigate tough terrain with ease, yet limited power sometimes made that tricky. To further complicate the situation, only the front wheel carried any suspension. Therefore, your derrière absorbed most of the shock.

Consider the Gnome et RHONE 800 AX motorcycle to be the steroid laden creation of its civilian brother. They were built for exclusive use by the French Army in 1938. Powered by a flat twin 750 cc engine that drove the rear wheel, navigation was easy so long as a sidecar was not attached. However, since these were used primarily for communication purposes, that meant there usually was a sidecar attached. This was problematic because the engine did not power the sidecar wheel, just the rear motorcycle tire. Driving was tricky, but at least you got a left arm workout from trying to keep the bike on the road!

FN Motorcycle Company (Liege) had sold civilian motorcycles to the Belgian Army since the beginning of the Great War. After providing M86 motorcycles for troops in 1936, they decided to up the ante and develop a model solely for military use. Hence, the M12. She was drastically better than the previous M86 mostly because she came with a nice roomy sidecar equipped with machine gun mountings for both front and rear maneuverability/attack. In addition, the engine was a bit more powerful, pushing both the rear and sidecar wheels. The addition of a reverse gear made navigating tight spaces a breeze. The M12 was considered to be one of the more maneuverable bikes for the war effort.

This was one of the most expensive models of military motorbikes ever produced by the Germans. The reason lie in its specificity. This particular version shows just what the Germans were looking for in a motorcycle. The tires were thicker to grip uneven terrain, ground clearance was higher and the sidecar had to be capable of delivering up both soldiers and weapons, as well as supplies for troops on the battlefront (notice this sidecar is equipped with two gas cans instead of one). And while most were not used for weapon employment via sidecar, the possibility did exist if the situation demanded it. For more depth and a full explanation of the original model, keep clicking to number 16!

Right at 16,000 Type 97 motorcycles were built for the Japanese specifically for war. The backstory is a bit ironic since Harley Davison moved a factory to Japan in order to produce Harley Davidson motorcycles for Japan. Yet, when Japan went to war with the United States a few years later it was a bit embarrassing since their motorcycles were actually our motor cycles. Even so, the main purpose of the Type 97 was to help the Japanese Imperial Army navigate rough terrain during their attempt to invade China. Each motorcycle could comfortably transport three soldiers and the sidecar was equipped with a mounted machine gun. The 1274 CCV twin engine (22 hp) was one of the most iconic war motorcycles of the second World War. And even though they were produced in extremely large numbers, you will be hard-pressed to find one today. They are highly collectible and most owners don’t part with them easily.

British motorcycles made between 1911 and 1954 were given the designation Norton 16H. The reference comes from the Norton 490 cc side valve engine. The letter H refers to the “home model” which is different than the “colonial” model. For World War II, Norton became the main supplier of military motor cycles. In total, almost 100,000 were produced for the British Army and commonwealth forces like New Zealand, India, Australia and the Canadian Army. Norton 16H motorcycles manufactured for the war effort were designated WD 16 H which stood for “War Department Issue.” They hold the record for being the longest war office manufacturer of a single motorcycle make and model.

Next up is the Norton 633, which was a more powerful version of the model 16H we just profiled. Even better, the Norton 633 could be outfitted with a sidecar, and held distinction as being the only British motorcycle capable of providing drive power to the side car wheel itself. And speaking of sidecars, this was no normal civilian motorcycle sidecar. The Norton 633 sidecar was essentially one big open box with zero protection from the elements. Yet, the design was intentional. The sidecar contained a rack suitable for mounting a BREN light machine gun and could also be used as a proper weapons platform when need be.

Move over moped, meet the Excelsior Welbike Mark 1. This single seat, single engine motorcycle produced during World War II was used by United Kingdom Special Operations Executive, or SOE. The build was conducted at the request of station IX – the inter-services research bureau based in Welwyn, UK. It was the smallest motorcycle used by the British Armed Forces and they made a LOT of them. From 1942 to 1943 more than 3,600 units were produced, in addition to prototypes and pilot models. The best thing about the Welbike was it could be unpacked and assembled in just over 10 seconds. Its purpose was to improve mobility for airborne forces since the motorcycle could be dispatched via parachute or glider.

Is it a bike or a tank? Hard to say. The Kettenkrad HK 101 started out as a light tractor for use by airborne troops. It had the advantage of being a gun tractor small enough to fit inside a Junkers U 52 aircraft cargo hold. To steer the beast you simply turned the handlebars. The trick lay in how hard you turned them. For instance, if you turned the handlebars slightly then the front wheel would provide all of the steering. However, a sharp turn of the handlebars would engage the tracks to make turning on a dime possible whenever the situation called for it. Also, since it had tracked wheels it could climb high hills and steep terrain, so long as the driver had courage for the task.

This motorcycle is unique because it’s not quite a motorcycle, yet not a sidecar bike either. However, it’s DEFINITELY a military bike. Made famous by Italian manufacturer Moto Guzzi in 1940, it had a broad battle history of usage due to its functionality. The Trialce was capable of transporting soldiers, weapons and just about any other load. In addition, it was fixed with an amazing anti-aircraft gun, and had a 500 cc engine that spit out a whopping 13.2 hp. This meant soldiers could speed along at a max speed of 45 mph. It was only produced for two years, yet, they made quite a bit of them. In total, 1,741 units were produced.

Some consider the M 72 to be a sort of copy of the BMW R71. Because Germany was strengthening their military units, Russia had to prove their weapons and equipment if they wanted to keep Hitler’s forces as an ally. So they took characteristics from the BMW R71 to create the Dnepr M-72. And while several manufacturers put this motorcycle into production, most prominent was the IMZ Irbit factory. As for the bike, it contained a 746 cc boxer engine capable of producing 22 hp. Between 1941 and 1956 more than 300,000 M 72 motorcycles were produced. They often came with Degtyaryov Machine guns in tow making them nasty little beasts on wheels.

The BSA G14 saw production from 1927 to 1940. It featured a four stroke V twin cylinder – L head 986 cc engine. It had a bore X stroke of 80X98 mm and featured an air cooled system. All lubrication was provided by a double mechanical pump and she could hold 4.8 pints of oil for the engine. Steel exhaust with a kickstart engine and six volt battery gave this multi-plate dry clutch motorcycle all the speed needed to supply troops as an all-terrain transport vehicle during war time. It’s main use was to transport heavy loads via sidecar. It’s forged steel frame made it strong and durable. They were popular outside of war too. Before the war started, G14 military motorcycles were supplied to Holland, South Africa, Ireland, Sweden and India.

The BSAM 20 almost didn’t make the cut when it underwent review by Britain’s war office in 1936. She could only reach 69 mph and got 56 miles to the gallon. Plus, there were engine cylinder problems which needed to be corrected. However, by the middle of the second World War more than 126,000 were placed into active military service (seems like they overcame their problems). The BSA M20 was possibly the longest serving motorcycle for the war effort with production running from 1937 to 1955. She was reliable, easy to maintain and perfect for escorting convoys in almost every war theater.

Designed specifically for German Armed Forces, the Zundapp KS 750 would eventually find service on all major German battlefronts, playing a plethora of roles. The request by the Germans for the motorcycle meant it had to be capable of delivering a payload of 500 kg, ensure a permanent speed of 80 km/h, be outfitted with 16 inch cross-country tires, possess a ground clearance of 150 mm and be able to forge shallow waters as well as climb steep inclines. Up until this point, all motorcycles used for military service had their roots in civilian models. The Zundapp 750 marked the first request for a specific military grade model. The requests weren’t without thought either. The German army needed to move fast in order to be efficient so the creation of a versatile, dependable motorcycle/sidecar was a necessity. Yet, production halted in 1944 for one reason. The price tag was simply too high.

In 1939, Royal Enfield was commissioned to specifically develop several different motorcycles for WWII. However, the WD/RE was by far the best and most memorable. British troops affectionately dubbed it the “Flying Flea”, because it was tiny and lightweight. The 125 cc powered motorcycles were designed to be dropped into hot zones via parachute. Once on the ground, they would be used by British paratroopers behind enemy lines to establish and maintain safe communication with each other. Flying Fleas were the troop favorite because their two-stroke engines could run on any type of gasoline. In addition, they were light enough to be picked up and carried over obstacles or squeeze through tight spaces.

In 1940, the Matchless G3/L  motorcycle was developed for the British Army’s use during the second World War, and they turned them out! In total, Matchless produced 80,000 G3 and G3/L versions for the war. Of the two, the G3/L was more popular because it replaced the ruthless “girder” front forks found on previous models. The new tech, “Teledraulic” suspension, made for a much smoother ride. They worked so well that the British Ministry of Defence continued to use G3/L motorcycles into the 1960s. A two decade service run for a military bike means it had to be dependable, low cost and efficient.

So it seems like the French army needed an inordinate amount of motorcycle sidecars at the beginning of World War II. However, their production capacity was at full tilt so they had to find some other solution. The answer came in the form of Ateliers Gillet company. Based in Belgium, the motorcycle manufacturer was asked to make sidecars for the French Army to be delivered through Bernadet Porte Dragon, a French company. However, Ateliers Gillet only produce 784 of the requested 1,500 units. The motorcycle itself, known as the 720 AF, was equipped with a 728 cc two cylinder, two-stroke engine capable of producing 22 hp. This made for quick, efficient transportation of troops and weaponry.

During the second world war, Indian motorcycle produced three different types of bikes for the US military. The Indian “Motocycle 741” was one of them. And while they are not nearly as common as other notable bikes like the Harley Davidson WLA, they were popular throughout the war. However, due to horrible management decisions by Indian motorcycle executives, they lost their dealer network after the war. This was due to the fact that the original visionaries who founded the company no longer worked there. However, this bike is still unique, since just over 1,000 were produced. At the time you could buy one for about $500 or so. Try looking one up on eBay today and it’s a different story entirely.

By the beginning of World War II, Harley had developed a foothold of sorts in the American Motorcycle Company. As such, when war threatened again Harley Davidson responded. This time, they modified a popular civilian model, the WL. And the new model was known as the WLA. It weighed an incredible 550 pounds and was powered by Harley’s infamous 45 inch flathead motor. Some thought it to be bulletproof and it practically was. The advantages of WLA bikes were, first and foremost, speed. However, they were also easy to maintain and work on in the field when need be. Besides, they could take a heck of a beating on the road. And while not configured for combat gear use, they did include a holster for everyone’s war favorite, the Thompson sub machine gun. More than 70,000 of these Harley’s were made during World War II, including several thousand that went straight to the Soviet Union. Oops!

Early on, Cushman scooters were adopted for use by messengers and employees at large US military installations. They were so used for that, that Cushman made a completely new model in 1944 specifically for airborne troops. Similar to the Excelsior Welbike, the Cushman could be dropped via parachute into hot zones, assembled and used by soldiers to get out of dodge quickly. It certainly made paratroopers more mobile despite limited fixtures. For instance, there were no headlights. However, it was definitely more effective than the wheel bike which was later abandoned because it wasn’t suitable for Tulsa military personnel and horrible over varied terrain conditions. Yet, it did find revived use post-war as a civilian vehicle.

The 1957 Triumph TRW had a very specific use when requested by the British army. For starters, it had to be able to afford at least 15 inches of water. Beyond that, it needed to be inaudible at a range of up to a half mile. So, the 500 cc side valve flathead prototype was first developed in 1942. Further years saw slight modifications and spec requests into your hand as the 1957 Drive which was competitive, a pleasure to ride and weighed right at 320 pounds. They were used by the British Army Royal Court of Signals until 1969. The chain driven four speed beast could produce 618.8 hp at 5000 RPM’s.

Don’t be lulled to sleep by the word scooter here. The Vespa 150 TAP was an anti-tank scooter developed in the 50s using Vespa scooters as a base. French paratroopers used them in 1956 and enjoyed an update in 1959. The 150 TAP had an M 2075 mm recoilless rifle, made by the United States. In order to wield such a beastly weapon the scooter frame was reinforced to support the mounted rifle. Dropped in pairs, the Vespa 150 TAP‘s were used by two man teams. On the first Vespa, the gun was carried. The second carried ammunition for reloading. Incidentally, the scooter was never designed for the rifle to be fired while driving. It was dismounted and affixed to an M 1917 Browning machine gun tripod once the team reached their destination.

If you’re part of the Swedish military, you are probably familiar with the Husqvarna 258A. It’s been the Swedish army’s weapon of choice for about 30 years or so. The name let you know you can handle all sorts of weather and terrain, which is why they use it still today. Yet, the really unique thing about this particular Husqvarna? They are equipped with semi-automatic gearboxes, which means you can speed through the entire gearbox without a clutch. This is very similar to how old Honda Cub riding lawnmowers work. What this means for the Swedish military is training riders is relatively easy. Plus, they’re quite adaptable. The Swedish have put skis on several so they can be ridden in snowy winter conditions.

So, after World War II communications made such strides that wide-scale use of military motorcycles was completely unnecessary. However, Harley bought the rights to the popular Armstrong MT 500 British military motorcycle. They were favored due to their versatility, reliability and agility. Also, they were quite powerful. The one cylinder 482 cc four stroke engine put out a whopping 32 horse power. This meant the MT 500 gave an exhilarating ride. Yet, even at that the MT 500 experienced a very limited production run. Primarily, they were used for recon during Operation Desert Storm and troops in other locations around the globe. Their main drawback was the fuel. They use gas instead of diesel.

This one has a long name for a reason. The military spec 2004 Hayes-DT M1030-M1 began its life as the Kawasaki KLR650. We know, we were confused too. The true variant here is the engine. Rather than running on gasoline, this motorcycle runs on diesel fuel. And, using the Kawasaki KLR650 as a base for design was smart because its the solid default touring bike that can take you either to the end of the street or the end of the world because its flexible, fast, tough and reliable. The sticking point was gasoline since Armed Forces associated with NATO mandate their vehicles run on multiple fuels. To that end, the Hayes uses the same single cylinder 584 mL engine associated with the Kawasaki, yet is equipped with a new piston and cylinder so it can run very high compression when using other fuels. It produces 28 hp and has a top speed of 85 mph. Oh yeah, there’s also blackout lighting and an option for infrared headlamps. Handy when you need to traverse 400 miles or so.

The Cristini AWD military edition is probably one of the most customizable military bikes in existence. Depending on customer taste it can be designed to be decidedly off-road or on-road. Either way, it’s sure to stand up to abuse. Every motorcycle is custom built to order and there are a slew of accessory add-ons. This one is favored by the Navy SEALs and varied special forces groups overseas, though other branches of the military use it occasionally. The heartbeat is a liquid cooled for 50 cc four stroke engine, fine-tune suspension and all wheel drive to provide incredible traction, stability and handling. Furthermore, come order this motorcycle and you get rider training via Tactical Mobility Training based in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Some would say we have saved the best until last, but who’s to judge really. We’ve seen some incredible motorcycles, although this one might be the most impressive. It features an all electric motor that spits out an astonishing 54 hp alongside 68 foot pounds of torque. The real kicker here? United States special operations forces requested the XXM and Zero Motorcycles out of Santa Cruz, California responded in force. The best thing about this motorcycle is its quiet nature. Since the engine is electric you barely hear it coming. It’s incredibly fast, very nimble and almost maintenance free. This makes the Zero XXM perfect for rescue attempts, covert ops and reconnaissance missions. Oh yeah, and we forgot to mention a fully charged battery lasts over 3,500 hours. You won’t get that kind of life from your iPhone.