Which motorcycle brand is the oldest?

Royal Enfield is widely recognized as the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, building its first motorcycle in 1901 and remaining active—through its Indian arm—even when UK operations ended. If the question is about the earliest brand to mass-produce motorcycles, that distinction goes to Hildebrand & Wolfmüller, which began series production in 1894 but ceased operations a few years later.

Why the answer depends on how you define “oldest”

“Oldest” can mean the first company to put motorcycles into series production, or the brand that has the longest uninterrupted history of making motorcycles. Different definitions point to different names: Hildebrand & Wolfmüller pioneered production in the 1890s but folded early; Royal Enfield has the strongest claim to continuous brand lineage and ongoing production since 1901.

The earliest pioneer vs. the longest-running brand

Hildebrand & Wolfmüller (1894) — the first in series production

German firm Hildebrand & Wolfmüller is credited with launching the first series-produced motorcycle in 1894. While historically significant, the brand went defunct by the late 1890s and does not operate today.

Royal Enfield (1901–present) — the oldest in continuous production

Royal Enfield built its first motorcycle in 1901 in England. Although UK production ended in 1971, Enfield India (founded in the 1950s, now Royal Enfield under Eicher Motors) continued building motorcycles—most famously the Bullet—maintaining an unbroken manufacturing lineage. Today, Royal Enfield operates globally from India and is widely cited as the oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production.

Other historic names often mentioned

Several storied marques surface in this discussion because of their age, influence, or continuous operation. The following list highlights notable contenders and clarifies their status.

• Peugeot Motocycles (1898–present): Founded before 1900 and often called the oldest surviving two-wheeler manufacturer. Primarily known today for scooters; ownership has changed (most recently involving Mutares and Mahindra), but the brand persists.
• Indian (1901; revived): Founded the same year as Royal Enfield, Indian ceased production in 1953 and was later revived; not continuous.
• Harley-Davidson (1903–present): One of the longest continuously operating motorcycle manufacturers, uninterrupted since the early 1900s.
• Triumph (motorcycles since 1902; rebooted): Began building motorcycles in 1902; production lapsed in the 1980s before the modern Triumph Motorcycles Ltd relaunch in the 1990s.
• Moto Guzzi (1921–present): Among the oldest European brands in continuous production, based in Italy.
• BMW Motorrad (1923–present): A century of continuous motorcycle production, starting with the R32 in 1923.

Taken together, these brands illustrate how “oldest” can reference different milestones: first production, continuous operation, or enduring global presence.

Key dates at a glance

To frame the timeline, here are milestone years for foundational brands that shaped motorcycle history.

1. 1894 — Hildebrand & Wolfmüller begins series production (defunct).
2. 1898 — Peugeot Motocycles starts two-wheeler production (active, mainly scooters).
3. 1901 — Royal Enfield builds its first motorcycle (continuous production via UK/India lineage).
4. 1901 — Indian founded (brand later revived after mid-century hiatus).
5. 1902 — Triumph begins motorcycle production (brand later rebooted).
6. 1903 — Harley-Davidson founded (continuous production).
7. 1921 — Moto Guzzi founded (continuous production).
8. 1923 — BMW Motorrad founded (continuous production).

This chronology clarifies why Royal Enfield is commonly cited for continuity, while Hildebrand & Wolfmüller holds the historical “first” in series production.

Bottom line

If you mean the first to mass-produce motorcycles, it’s Hildebrand & Wolfmüller (1894), now defunct. If you mean the oldest motorcycle brand still making motorcycles without interruption, the consensus answer is Royal Enfield (since 1901), with Harley-Davidson (1903), Moto Guzzi (1921), and BMW (1923) also representing century-scale continuity.

Summary

Royal Enfield is generally regarded as the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production (since 1901). Historically, the very first series-production motorcycle brand was Hildebrand & Wolfmüller (1894), which no longer operates. The distinction hinges on whether “oldest” refers to first production or uninterrupted brand continuity.

What is the oldest motorcycle brand?

Peugeot Motocycles
In 1898, Peugeot Motocycles presents at the Paris Motorshow the first motorcycle equipped with a Dion-Bouton motor. Peugeot Motocycles remains the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

What is the oldest MC still active?

The oldest active motorcycle club is the Yonkers Motorcycle Club, founded in 1903 in New York, which was officially recognized as the world’s oldest by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2019. The club was chartered by the AMA as its sixth member and continues to operate as a 501(c)(3) public charity, giving back to the Yonkers community.
 
Key Details: 

• Name: Yonkers Motorcycle Club (YMC)
• Founded: 1903
• Location: Yonkers, New York
• Status: Oldest active motorcycle club in the world
• Recognition: Officially recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on June 11, 2019
• Activities: Operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity, contributing to the local community

What are the big 3 bike brands?

The “big 3” bike brands, widely recognized for their global sales volume, extensive product ranges, and innovation, are Specialized, Trek, and Giant. These companies dominate the mainstream cycling market and are known for manufacturing a large portion of their own products and maintaining strong brand reputations worldwide. 
Key characteristics of the “Big 3”:

• Global Presence: They have earned worldwide recognition and have a massive global sales volume. 
• Product Range: They offer a wide variety of bikes, catering to different cycling disciplines. 
• Innovation: The brands are known for their innovation in bicycle technology, from lightweight frames to suspension systems. 
• Manufacturing: Giant, in particular, is known for manufacturing bikes for other brands, contributing to its large size in the industry. 
• Strong Brands: These companies have established strong reputations and operating procedures within the cycling industry. 

Was Indian or Harley first?

Indian was founded first, producing its first motorcycles in 1901, two years before Harley-Davidson, which followed in 1903. Indian Motorcycle Company is therefore America’s first motorcycle company. 
Here’s a breakdown:

• Indian Motorcycle: Opens in new tabFounded by George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom, the company produced its first motorcycle in 1901. 
• Harley-Davidson: Opens in new tabFounded by William Harley and Arthur Davidson, the company’s first motorcycle was sold to the public in 1903.