The German motorcycle industry has a long, interesting history. Many of its brands are crucial to the country’s history and have left their mark on world history. German pedantry and a focus on quality have played an important role in this. However, the motorcycle industry played its most significant role from the early 30s to the late 40s, when production focused on creating practical, durable, long-lasting models for the Wehrmacht. During this time, designers developed original solutions that could serve many contexts. A striking example was the development of tracked vehicles. The Second World War demonstrated the significant advantages of German motorcycle production worldwide.
What are German motorcycle brands?
Several successful motorcycle manufacturers are well-established in the German domestic market: BMW Motorrad, Zündapp, Sachs, Adler, Brennabor, DKW, Hercules, Horex, Kreidler, Munch, MZ (Motorenwerke Zschopau GmbH), Simson, NSU, Maico, Kalex…
Today, the German motorcycle industry continues these traditions. However, after losing its dominant post-war position, the country’s motorcycle production still maintains high quality, reliability, and strict design standards. Actual production volume, equipment, service lifts, and growing sales of German equipment in the demanding American market support this. Today, Germany’s motorcycle production includes several successful, well-known, and newly formed brands.
BMW Motorrad
The undisputed leader of the German motorcycle industry is BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke). Founded in 1916 in Bavaria, the company operated several production lines, primarily for aircraft engines. The first motorcycle appeared in 1922. Thanks to innovative suspension, frame, and engine ideas with no analogs at the time, this model quickly gained worldwide recognition. It became a distinctive feature of every brand’s product. BMW Motorrad’s history includes civilian and military motorcycles, top sports models, enduro, motocross, and touring races.
The brand logo is among the world’s ten most recognizable logos. Its history dates back to 1917. It adopted the round shape from its predecessor, Rapp Motorenwerken. It removed the black horse image and the old brand name, replacing them with an abbreviation; the color scheme referenced Bavaria’s flag. However, the ban on using state symbols in advertising required a workaround: placing these colors in a different order. The logo didn’t change significantly until 2020, when the black background became transparent and a white border was added. A modern minimalist style was applied, symbolizing openness and accessibility and signaling the beginning of the brand’s “electric revolution.”
Zundapp
According to German War Office documents, the company Zündapp (Zünder und Apparatebau G.m.b.H.) was founded in 1917 as a manufacturer of shells and detonators. Neumayer established it in Nuremberg as a state-backed joint venture for defense contracts. After World War I, Neumayer took control. From that point on, production shifted to motorcycles. During World War II, the Wehrmacht ordered sidecar motorcycles. The Zündapp KS 750 model was particularly in demand. The production of Zündapp Elcona sewing machines marked the post-war period. In 1984, the company went bankrupt, and the People’s Republic of China bought it, along with all its facilities, and it continued producing motorcycles for Tianjin Motorcycle Co.
The logo was a heraldic shield with rounded corners, symbolizing protection and strength. The inner field was made of cobalt blue. The shield had a white border. To the left and right were unfolded stylized wings. Inside the shield, there was a composition including a zigzag arrow, a symbol of electric discharge, referring to the history of the production of generators and electrical appliances for military use and also demonstrating the desire for new frontiers: the creation of an electric motor, which was used in 1972 on the Mokiki with a 500-watt electric motor.
Sachs
In 1886, Karl Marschutz founded the now world-famous Sachs motorcycle (since 1904) and quality auto parts company. It all started with bicycles. As Germany’s motorcycle industry grew, the company began producing spare parts, thanks to Ernst Sachs, a toolmaker who later named the brand. The brand was not officially registered until 1995. The company began to specialize in sporty off-road models but was unsuccessful. Its motorcycle list included scooters, mopeds, and the heavy Rodster.
Today, the brand is widely recognized for its simple, concise blue emblem. It features three symbols, with the brand name beneath. The emblem has two elements: one above and one below the central accent point. The elements symbolize spiral rotation; their shape widens towards the center and narrows towards the ends, resembling a crescent moon. The name is typed in lowercase, Britannica Semi-expanded Heavy.
Adler
The German company Adler, which began producing motorcycles in 1880, ceased operations in 1957. Its founder, Heinrich Kleier, assembled bicycles in a home workshop. A few years later, after becoming the director of Edmund Rumpler, he began developing automobiles, a role he held until the First World War. Since 1902, the brand has been installing its powertrains. The Second World War reduced production. The company switched to producing typewriters and motorcycles. The MB 250S model became particularly famous. Adler motorcycles won championship races. In 1957, Trumpf absorbed it.
The company logo has retained its historical identity throughout the brand’s existence. The blue shield with a gray metal border was characteristic of many early-20th-century German brands. The lower part was a smooth arc without sharp edges. The upper part was also an arc, but it tapered to the shield’s sides at an acute angle. Inside the emblem, a stylized gray heraldic eagle spreads its wings, characteristic of German heraldry and the country’s coat of arms, indicating the brand’s origin.
Brennabor
Three brothers, the Reichsteins, founded the brand in 1871. The company manufactured cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and baby carriages in ‘Brandenburg a der Hefele’. Motorcycles were an additional line of business. The company produced its first motorcycle in 1901. In 1908, the company established a sports team that successfully competed in international motorcycle racing on its machinery. From 1930 to 1942, Brennabor produced light motorcycle models and fitted them with its engines. After World War II, the company was liquidated.
The emblem differed from the typical German logos of the time. It featured two circles of different sizes, inscribed within each other, both with a gold border. The area between the outer and inner circles was filled with black. The stamp’s name was inscribed in lowercase letters on the circumference above and below, separated by a line. The font was highlighted in gold. The small circle’s inner space was dark red. At the center was a white letter “B”, the first letter of the brand name. The white color drew attention, making it an accent. Black, red, and gold created an aristocratic, luxurious effect that the manufacturers sought to reflect in their products.
DKW
Danish-born Skafte Rasmussen and his German partner Karl Ernst founded Ernst und Rasmussen in 1916. Based in Hemi, the company was established to manufacture steam engines and their parts. However, the partnership dissolved. In 1916, Rasmussen received state funding for a steam engine project, which was patented under his brand name, DKW. In 1921, the brand began developing motorcycles. The first model was the Reichsfahrtmodell. But the best was the 1925 DKW E 206. After the war, production expanded and was split. Since 1950, IFA and MZ have produced motorcycles. Only the Ingolstadt company retained the brand name.
The emblem was a traditional shield image. The upper part with an arched edge was narrower than the lower part. Small side segments connected it to the wider lower part, angled toward the center. The bottom had a swollen shape. The contours are highlighted in gray. An arrowhead-like element occupied the inner space. Its upper part was arched. The outlines were highlighted in black. The inner space was filled with shades of green, ranging from light green to darker shades on the left and right. At the top, the brand abbreviation was printed in white.
Hercules
Hercules was a German motorcycle company founded in Nuremberg in 1886 by technical engineer Karl Matusz. It was registered as a brand on September 10, 1910. The company specialized in high-performance competition motorcycles. In the post-war period, its main customers were sports teams of the Warsaw Pact countries. After the union’s collapse, the company continued operating until 1997, when it closed.
The brand unveiled its final logo shortly before the factory closed. It was a circle symbolizing constancy, integrity, and perfection, with the emblem’s other signs inscribed within it. The circle had a yellow border and a white field, creating a harmonious combination that attracted attention. The inner space was occupied by a sign: a stylized first letter of the trademark “H,” the ends of the legs of which were beveled outward. Stylized wings on both sides, showing speed and movement, were depicted in two lines. These elements were rendered in dark blue and placed in a white rhombus. The latter sat in a dark blue square and transitioned into a rounded-corner rectangle in the same shade. It contained the brand name in lowercase white letters. The entire border was yellow, which visually emphasized each logo element. This composition stylized the car’s front, featuring a radiator and bumper, and was produced alongside the motorcycles.
Horex
Horex is one of the few German brands that did not supply equipment to the Wehrmacht. Fritz Kleemann founded it in 1920. As a racing rider, he built a motorcycle for himself in 1923 and won prizes. This marked the beginning of widespread motorcycle production. World War II halted production, which resumed only in 1948. However, in 1960, the Daimler-Benz concern took over the brand, which had no interest in motorcycles. But in 1977, Friedl Münch became the rightful owner of the company name and released the Horex 1400 TI; in 1989, Japan continued the baton with its Horex 644 OSCA. Series production was discontinued in 2014. Today, the 3C-Carbon Group produces only the VR6 model in small quantities.
The brand’s emblem was luxurious and somewhat bombastic. Its outer element was a bronze laurel wreath in a circle, a symbol of Roman imperial regalia. A stylized crown crowns the circle, imitating the headdress of Germanic emperors, with a cross at the top and along the wreath’s circumference. The crown features bright red elements where the original had precious stones. Stylized white outstretched wings flank the badge, with bronze-finished contours. The inner space includes the crown’s interior at the top, rendered in scarlet “satin.” The perimeter features the edges of a white mantle over a dark blue field, with the Latin letter “H” at the center, the first letter of the brand name. Its outer and inner borders are bronze, and the middle is filled with white paint. The brand name is inscribed in dark blue Latin lowercase letters at the bottom of the laurel wreath.
Kreidler
Among the most famous global motorcycle brands of the 20th century, the German brand Kreidler stands out. Since 1888, the Kornwestheim-based manufacturer has produced high-quality, stylish motorcycles and become synonymous with quality and corporate style. Its motorcycles and mopeds have retained these characteristics to this day. In 1951, the company moved to Stuttgart, where it had already produced a series of lightweight motorcycles. 50cc racing motorcycles became famous for winning championships from 1971 to 1983. But in 1982, the company ceased to exist. Today, it is being reborn.
The brand logo is simple and concise. Rendered in an attractive, bright red, a symbol of liberation, strength, and masculinity, it represents two elements. The first is a circle with a mirrored, offset “K” at its center. At the center, a feathered arrow crosses from left to right. To the right of the mark, the brand name appears in lowercase in the redesigned Integral CF Bold font, and its simplicity makes the symbols easy to memorize.
Munch
The Münch Mammoth motorcycle brand is one of the most famous in motorcycle industry history. Founded in 1940, the company became widely known in 1968, when former Horex designer Friedl Münch created its most successful model: the TTS Münch-4 1200th Mammut. This model used the NSU Prinz car’s engine, making the motorcycle a real sensation. However, the future was less promising, and in 1971, Friedl Münch sold the company.
Nevertheless, most motorcycle enthusiasts and professionals remember the company’s original logo well: simple and laconic. It was a rectangle with an upper line shaped like a reverse arc. The figure had a black frame. The entire logo was presented in two colors: black and white. Inside the large rectangle sat a smaller element that perfectly repeated the outer rectangle’s shape. Its field was filled with black, with the brand name inscribed in lowercase Latin letters in contrasting white. Their graphic image created a sense of remoteness from the text’s center, making it appear to bend.
MZ (Motorenwerke Zschopau) GmbH
One of Germany’s motorcycle brands, MZ (Motorrad Zschopau), was founded in 1956. It was formed as MZ Motorrad: Zschopau, based on one of Germany’s oldest bicycle manufacturers, established in 1906. Two years later, it became part of the Zweirad Union concern, which united three other German brands: German Express, Victoria, and DKW. One factory was named VEB Motorradwerk Zschopau-MZ, after the joint brand name. Motorcycle production continued with mixed success. Technological changes led to a name change from 1992 to 1999; the factory was called MuZ (Motorrad und Zweiradwerk). At the end of 1999, Hong Leong Industries Berhad acquired the company, and it returned to its former name. But after nine years, the company phased out motorcycle production under the MZ brand.
The company’s merger with DKW influenced the design of the brand logo. It was created based on the DKW logo, and its motif was repeated. Unlike the first version, the logo featured only an arrow-shaped shield without a “top,” with an inverted cone resting at the lower center of the shield. The cone’s base crossed the shield’s upper edge. The composition’s outline was rendered in gold. In the figures’ free field, two gradient colors were used; the shield’s field is green. The cone’s field is made of black steel. Near the top of the shield, the corporate abbreviation MZ spans the entire composition, executed in a slanted lowercase white font with a black shadow. Its right slant symbolizes speed and movement. The left foot of the “M” and the top right line of the “Z” extend beyond the shield’s borders and join into a single composition with a shared gold border.
Simson
At the end of the 19th century, a company was born that left a significant mark on German history. Founded in 1856 by Jewish industrialists Loeb and Moses Simson, Simson & Co. shaped German industry for decades. Until 1936, when the Nazi government expelled the family from the country, the company produced hammers, carbon-steel rifles and barrels, steam engines, and, in 1896, bicycles; in 1907, it turned to the Simson Supra racing car. World War I required producing combat rifles and pistols for repair and rearmament. It was not until 1936, after the merger into BSW, that the new company manager encouraged the development and production of the first motorcycle, the BSW 98. In the German Democratic Republic, the company was renamed Volkseigener Betrieb Fahrzeug- und Gerätewerk Simson Suhl, with motorcycle production as its top priority. In New Germany, the company was renamed Simson Zweirad. In 2000, it became part of the Kontec Group.
The Simson emblem is largely characteristic of the German automobile and motorcycle industry. Its monochrome black sign is brief and easy to recognize. A black circle with stylized black wings extending left and right, with the ends cut at a certain angle, encloses a stylized Latin letter “S” within its inner space. Its design resembles a racetrack’s zigzag. Above the sign, the brand name appears in black lowercase Arial Nova Bold.
NSU
NSU Motorenwerke AG traces its origins to 1873, when Christian Schmidt founded a mechanical workshop for knitting machines (Mechanische Werkstätte zur Herstellung von Strickmaschinen). After moving to Neckarsulm in 1880, the company added pedal bicycles to its product line, and later automobiles and motorcycles. In early 1901, the company produced its first motorcycle under the NSU brand. During World War II, the company received slightly increased orders for the Kettenkrad and OSL 251 half-track motorcycles. The NSU Fox motorcycle did not appear until 1949. In 1955, the brand took the world lead. In 1969, Volkswagenwerk AG absorbed the company.
The brand’s entire successful period was marked by the emblem, which became known worldwide. It was a stylized fuel tank with a gold border, with the inner field divided in half into black (top) and blue. This combination gives a strong visual effect. Blue represents organization, resilience, and perseverance. Black represents strength, creativity, and substance. Together, they symbolize unity and confidence in fulfilling all the characteristics inherent in each. The logo’s accent element is the brand abbreviation, NSU, centered on the sign and crossing the color border. The graphic creates a visual convexity in the name by increasing the letters from left to right and right to left, with the largest in the center. The letters are in light yellow. Their contours are highlighted in gold. This makes the text particularly striking against the general background and easy to remember.
Maico
In the mid-20th century, the Maico brand was known for manufacturing excellent racing motorcycles. Against the backdrop of mass production of light motorcycles, scooters, and motorized bicycles in post-war Germany, Maico developed and produced motocross racing models that have become part of motorcycle history. Ulrich Maisch’s family founded the Maico brand (Maicowerk AG) as Maisch & Co of Pfeffingen in 1926 to manufacture engines. In the late forties, the company began producing motocross and enduro equipment and added the popular Maicoletta scooter to the lineup. In 1983, the company went bankrupt.
The brand’s emblem consists of several elements: a triangular isosceles shield in the background, stylized, unfolded fenders in front of it, and a stylized image of the shield mounted on the front fender of World War II motorcycles, directly above the fenders. The shield and the letter “M,” the first letter of the brand name, are the central accent pieces, applied throughout the composition from the shield’s bottom edge to its outer edges. Except for the letter and the shield, most elements are green and protective. The letter is in white and black, which visually emphasizes its edges. The shield is bright red. The brand name appears in black on the shield’s open field, slanted to the right to symbolize forward movement.
Kalex
Kalex Engineering is a 21st-century company and a well-known motorcycle parts manufacturer. Its name abbreviates several letters from the founders’ surnames: K LAUS Hirsekorn and Alex Baumgärtel. It was founded relatively recently, in 2008, in Bobingen. But not as a motorcycle manufacturer. In 2010, Kalex led the Pons Racing team on a chassis. This chassis won the 2011 Moto2 World Championship. Today, it is a leading racing chassis manufacturer that has consistently won every championship since 2011 and 2013.
The company’s logo contains only the brand name, enclosed in a rectangular frame with rounded corners. It is distinguished by a two-color scheme, black and orange, a combination especially revered by knights in the Middle Ages. It symbolizes courage and honor, qualities that reflect the company’s spirit. The frame’s outline is the first two letters of the brand name, and the second word, “engineering,” is in black. The line under the black letters “KA” and the following letters “lex” are orange. This diagonal color arrangement strongly impacts the viewer and makes it especially memorable. The font is modern, technological, and “faceted,” lacking roundness and composed only of right angles, even in the letter “A.” The letter “X” has a diamond-shaped space where its legs intersect.
FAQ
What motorcycle is made in Germany?
Germany has a long tradition of motorcycle production, with many brands renowned for their design and performance:
- BMW is a major player in the motorcycle world. It is known for its various sports, touring, and heritage models.
- DKW was once one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers. In the 1930s, it merged with Auto Union, now part of Audi.
- Hercules began business in 1886 and made a name for itself with reliable, small two-stroke bicycles.
- Horex produced high-quality motorcycles and was particularly distinguished for its inline 6-cylinder models.
- Kreidler was well known in the 1950s and 1960s for mopeds and small motorcycles.
- Maico is another heritage brand known for its powerful off-road and high-performance two-stroke motorcycles.
- Friedel Münch founded Münch and created the Münch Mammoth, a high-performance motorcycle with a large four-cylinder engine.
- MZ and MuZ began operations in East Germany, a country with a rich history in road racing and motocross.
- NSU was initially a major manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and played a key role in developing the rotary engine.
- Sachs is best known for making engines, especially for small-engined motorcycles and scooters.
What is the best German motorcycle?
Choosing the best German motorcycle depends on what you value most. Germany has produced many notable brands of motorcycles:
- Zündapp was known for producing durable and reliable bicycles from the 1920s to the 1980s. Due to their durability, they were widely used during World War II.
- NSU was world-famous and a leader in developing the Wankel rotary engine.
- Münch produced high-performance custom motorcycles, such as the powerful Münch Mammoth, which are now collector’s items.
- MZ significantly advanced two-stroke engine technology and produced simple but efficient competitive motorcycles.
- Maico excelled in motocross and off-road racing, creating motorcycles loved for their excellent power-to-weight ratio and top-notch suspension systems.
- Kreidler dominated European race tracks in the 1960s and 1970s with small motorcycles and mopeds, setting numerous speed records.
- Horex created high-quality motorcycles with unique inline 6-cylinder engines.
- DKW helped popularize two-stroke engines. As part of Auto Union (now known as Audi), their motorcycles were affordable and reliable.
These brands have significantly contributed to the motorcycle industry, offering unique features and innovations.
What is a European motorcycle?
Germany’s most popular motorcycles come from local and international brands. In 2021, the Italian brand Piaggio led the market with its stylish, functional scooters and small bikes well-suited for city riding. Close behind is the German brand BMW, known for high-quality bikes designed for various riding styles, from touring to sport. The Japanese company Honda is also popular for its reliable and innovative motorcycles, offering a wide selection from commuter bikes to high-performance models. This shows the diversity of preferences in the German motorcycle market.
Are motorcycles common in Germany?
Motorcycles are common in Germany; many people own and use them regularly. The country encourages motorcycle use with laws that make it easy for car drivers to start riding. If you have a car license, you can obtain a motorcycle license for bikes up to 125 cc without a separate driving test. This law helps more people ride motorcycles, increasing their popularity.
Who is Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer?
KTM Sportmotorcycle AG, based in Mattighofen, Austria, is Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. The brand is known for its distinctive orange racing colors and innovative motorcycle designs. It offers a wide range of motorcycles for everyday road use and competition. Its success stems from a strong focus on research and development, enabling it to produce high-performance motorcycles for amateur and professional riders alike.