The 10 Greatest British Motorcycle Brands in History
Motorcycling has long held a prestigious position in British society, from its role on the battlefield to its subcultural associations.
Vincent
For motorcycle lovers, the Vincent name resonates with nostalgia. Born in Stevenage, Vincent produced motorcycles from 1928 to 1955. At a time of rapid boom in the British automotive industry, the 500cc and 1000cc engines that came out of the factory proffered not only the most modern engineering, but a sublime style to match. In 1948, they created the Vincent Black Shadow, which at the time was the fastest production motorcycle on the planet, capable of reaching 125mph. Although numerous models came before it - the Meteor, the Comet, and the various iterations of the Rapide - it was the Black Shadow that demonstrated the pinnacle of the Vincent range. However, after numerous heavy financial losses, Vincent closed its doors in 1955. One Black Shadow was recently sold at auction for £113,500.
Triumph
Triumph is one of the few British motorcycle brands that is instantly recognisable to all, motorcyclist or not. Its rich and varied history started back in 1885, and over the years it has passed through many hands. Perhaps the most notable bike, and one that has set numerous land-speed records, is the Triumph Bonneville. The original 650cc parallel-twin engine became renowned for its reliability and performance, and rocketed to fame when used on screen; Marlon Brando rode one, Steven McQueen rode one, and James Dean (above) rode one: the three pillars of cool. Although Triumph did close its doors in 1984, one John Bloor bought the name and began engineering a new breed of Triumph. From modern-classics to enduro-adventurers, it is now the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the country.
AJS
Based in Wolverhampton, AJS was one of the most successful motorcycle manufacturers of its time. Between its founding in 1909 and its demise in 1931, it accumulated a staggering 117 world records. It was bought by the Collier brothers, who also owned Matchless, and later passed through numerous other hands. In 1938, the Silver Streak was released. As a super-sports machine, it was powered by a 500cc single-cylinder engine. It’s styling, with polished chrome-plated parts, made it instantly eye-catching, and it was dubbed the ‘aristocrat of the motor-cycle world’. Still running today, AJS now distributes a variation of Chinese-produced learner-specialised machines. Above, Rod Coleman prepares for a race on an AJS Porcupine 500 in 1954.
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