The National Motor Museum showcases the history of motorcycles in new exhibit.
Any motorcycle fan worth his or her leather chaps would undoubtedly love The Motorcycle Story, housed at The National Motor Museum in the United Kingdom. The exhibit takes visitors on a journey through motorcycling history and the human quest for freedom, individuality and the desire to win. For the first time, machines are displayed in their historical and cultural context; tying technological developments to changing trends in fashion, style and sport.
The gallery includes some of the earliest examples of motorcycles from the beginning of the 1900s which saw the rise of a new industry evolving from the bicycle craze of the 1890s. The display shows the development of the motorcycle as a workhorse, the important role it played during two World Wars and its popularity as a leisure activity during the 50s and 60s.
Motorsport also takes up precedence in the exhibit as motorcycles have been used in competitive events almost since they were invented, with the first recorded event a 94 mile race from Paris to Nantes in September 1896. As with motor racing, motorcycle sport evolved into a multitude of different disciplines both on and off road. Motocross, Trials, Speedway, Grasstrack and Drag Racing all have a following in the 21st century.
But it’s not just motorcycles on display, supporting artefacts such as clothing worn and trophies won by sporting greats are also on display, covering a variety of racing disciplines as well as road safety, British ‘Mods and Rockers’ youth culture of the 1950s and 60s and the Ace Café scene.
The Motorcycle Story is now open at The National Motor Museum, located at Beaulieu, Brockenhurst Hampshire in the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.beaulieu.co.uk
