Imperial Russian Army motorcycles in WWI

Mr Quatro · 03-04-15, 04:31 PM

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

Schroeder · 03-04-15, 05:19 PM

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

Aktungbby · 03-04-15, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

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

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...

Stealhead · 03-04-15, 06:20 PM

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 · 03-04-15, 09:38 PM

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.

Jimbuna · 03-05-15, 07:01 AM

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

Schroeder · 03-05-15, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

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 · 03-05-15, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

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

Point taken

Aktungbby · 03-05-15, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

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

Oh yeah!

Schroeder · 03-05-15, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

Oh yeah!

Ok, there isn't much room to install armor on non German motorcycles.

Jimbuna · 03-06-15, 09:56 AM

The Danish version.

03-04-15, 04:31 PM	#1
Mr Quatro Navy Seal Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 6,772 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Imperial Russian Army motorcycles in WWI 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

03-04-15, 05:19 PM	#2
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Those bikes must have handled awfully with the rider all the way back and the handlebars reaching so far backwards. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

03-05-15, 07:01 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Yeah, some real classics there but the machine gunners looked rather exposed to incoming. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

03-06-15, 09:56 AM	#11
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	The Danish version. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

03-04-15, 06:20 PM	#4
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	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.

03-04-15, 09:38 PM	#5
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	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.