Imperial Russian Army motorcycles in WWI

[Mr Quatro]

During the First World War motorcycles began to replace horses. For combat operations the sidecar was used extensively. It was ideal for mounting machine guns and they were often used for escort duty at the front and rear of truck convoys.

These are the various models of motorcycles fielded by the Russian Army during WWI. American Harley's and Indians are prevalent. British Rovers, Nortons, and Bonhams Sunbeams are also shown.

photo credit: Anusaurus_Rex

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus002-11_zpsa1cf137d.jpg



http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus002-12_zpscdc48b42.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/rusempm001-195_zpsf971dae7.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/rusempm001-196_zps950e9558.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus002-13_zps483a840d.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/rusempm001-190_zps89559ec5.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/rusempm001-193_zps481b0beb.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/rusempm001-189_zpsa52ca329.jpg




http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/rusempm001-191_zps98a86c6f.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/rusempm001-187_zps09090368.jpg








http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus002-8_zps03dc612b.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus001-13_zps73da5cc4.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus001-6_zpsba1f9f3e.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus001-12_zpsb61d87cd.jpg



http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus001-11_zpse1c9e58d.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus001-5_zpsc5605504.jpg


http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus001-10_zps9e6f469c.jpg



http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus001-7_zps2a5b10b1.jpg



http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a592/a_rex1/motorus001-9_zpsf32e281a.jpg

[Schroeder]

Those bikes must have handled awfully with the rider all the way back and the handlebars reaching so far backwards.:doh:

[Aktungbby]

Those bikes must have handled awfully with the rider all the way back and the handlebars reaching so far backwards.:doh:

NO NO they rode just fine! And still do! This 1914 Russian trike however rode so bad it was just abandoned til cut up for scrap...:haha:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Tsar_tank.jpg/300px-Tsar_tank.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tsar_tank.jpg)

[Stealhead]

Yeah thoses bikes from what I understand had fairly decent handling. Of course they also where much lighter as well. Not mention that in those days a motorcycle was a very expensive item and therefore very well made.

@Aktungbby that trike looks like a Hams beer can roller.

[Torplexed]

A lot of Harley-Davidson bikes there.

I wonder if that was before or after Harley screwed Davidson out of his half of the company. :O:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/reviews/153/1218681706_2.jpg

[Jimbuna]

Yeah, some real classics there but the machine gunners looked rather exposed to incoming.

[Schroeder]

Yeah, some real classics there but the machine gunners looked rather exposed to incoming.
Just the gunner? There isn't much room on a motorcycle to install armor.;)

[Jimbuna]

Just the gunner? There isn't much room on a motorcycle to install armor.;)

Point taken :)

[Aktungbby]

Just the gunner? There isn't much room on a motorcycle to install armor.;)

Oh yeah!:O:http://machinejunky.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/armored-motorcycle.jpg

[Schroeder]

Oh yeah!:O:http://machinejunky.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/armored-motorcycle.jpg
Ok, there isn't much room to install armor on non German motorcycles.:smug:
:D

[Jimbuna]

The Danish version.

http://i.imgur.com/tvm0KFN.jpg