Motorcycles are wondrous machines – but did you know that Arai started out as a hat company, and Honda used to run on turpentine? Read on to find out more weird motorcycle facts!

• Humble Beginnings: The very first Harley-Davidson motorcycle used a tomato can for a carburetor.
• From Looms to Zooms: Suzuki started out as a loom maker for Japan’s booming silk industry at the turn of the 20th century.
• Theft and Fraud: It is estimated that one in five motorcycles that aren’t kept in garages get stolen, but insurance companies say that over 20% of bike theft claims are fraudulent.
• Rally Risk: every year, there are nearly ten deaths, over 300 emergency room visits, and 400 arrest in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
• Human Pyramid: Indian Army’s Daredevil Team completed the world’s largest human pyramid on two wheels, with 201 men riding on 10 motorcycles.
• Generosity on Wheels: After shooting a movie in Australia, star Keanu Reeves gifted Harley Davidson motorcycles to each member of his stunt performers’ team.

• Wheel Extensions: the world’s largest motorcycle is 31 feet long and can seat up to sixteen people. This monster bike was built in Russia in 2016.
• The twist-grip throttle of the motorcycle was invented in 1867, and the concept hasn’t been bettered since.
• Going Synthetic: tires of sports bikes actually contain no rubber! The tread of a sports bike tire is composed of synthetic rubber, which has been compounded to give a compromise between durability and traction.
• Diabolic Bike: at different times, there have been motorcycle manufacturers named Satan, Lucifer, and Devil.