What is the motorcycle? It is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle powered by an engine. In simple words – bicycle with engine. Their styles could depend on their usage whether is for long distance traveling, cruising, sports or racing. There are many manufacturers around the world who make motorcycles but let’s focus on most significant ones. We can focus on BMW (German), Norton and Triumph (both British) and Vespa (Italian) as well as the situation in the world championship. May be you have watch Star Wars? I guess you know Obi-Wan Kenobi who is the tutor of Anakin Skywalker. The actor who is playing him is Ewan McGregor. He together with his friend Charlie Boorman made a trip with BMW R1150GS Adventure from London to New York and named it Long Way Round. This is the name also of a TV series and best-selling book. The model BMW that they used becomes more popular. Some of the most famous motorcycles at the beginning of the era are Norton and Triumph. The very beginning of Triumph backs us in the late 19th century – 1885 when Siegfried Bettmann who emigrated from Germany to England, Coventry found the company. At that point, the firm was dealing with bicycles and later they started with motorcycles. They received more publicity especially in United States because of a 1950 Thunderbird 6T in the 1953 that was ride by Marlon Brando in The Wild One. But in 1951 the Triumph’s company was sold to BSA. BSA means Birmingham Small Arms Company and it produced vehicles, firearms and military equipment. Now it exists as an air gun sport manufacturer and distributor. But there were times when BSA was the largest motorcycles producers in the world. In 1972 because of bankruptcy it become a part of Manganese Bronze, Norton- Villiers, and the name turn into Norton- Villiers – Triumph. Actually, this merging was in favor of motorcycling industry in UK. From the new company only Triumph is still made. Their revenue for 2005 is £ 165mn and there are 3000 employees. Are you following the topic for motorcycles- do you think we mentioned those that are used in most of the movies or those that are owned by celebrities, or those that are also in top 3 selling of them? No? Yes, you’re right. The answer of the previous question is Vespa. The Italian manufacturers began in 1945 by Piaggio&Co S.pA. There are many famous people who own a Vespa motorcycles: Marlon Brando, Sandra Bullock, Jay Leno, Stefano Gabana, Leonardo di Caprio, Robert de Niro, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sara Jessica Parker, Steven Spielberg, Tiger Woods and many others. It is used as well in many films such as The Interpreter, American Pie, Austin Powers, and The Conversation. As I mentioned before there are also racing motorcycles. The world championship is divided into 3 categories – 125 cc, 250 cc and Moto GP. In the last years, the person who is considered as one of the most successful riders of all the time is Valentino Rossi. He has been 7 times World champion – ones in 125cc, another time in 250cc and 5 times in Moto GP. In 2006 he made test driving with Formula 1 team of Ferrari and his results were very good and with just a little more practice he would became a top 3 rider but he chose to keep with motorcycling. Last year he was second in the championship but he’s still competing for the title this year and as well as the last one he has a chance to get it and become a real legend of our time in motorcycling.