5 French Motorcycles

Do they make Motorcycles in France, Here are 5 examples that say Yes they did

[@andrewpeacock4695]

Great variety of products. Thanks for posting.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well we try

[@stan5513]

I worked on an Avions Dassault project in the 70s. A French coworker shared his old Motorevues and classic motoliterature filled with a stunning variety of French bikes. I suppose the ravages of the war made bicycles more appealing to the masses.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well as in England, Italy and Germany The companies built mostly smaller bikes and scooters post war but were hit badly by the advent of cheap cars as the 50s went by Citroen 2cv etc People largely talk about the British industry but the collapse was really across Europe

[@whiteonggoy7009]

Motobecane my first at age 15,i could not wait until age 16. I found freedom and next was an aerial aarow. Great video sir.

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@triumphrider9796]

That radial engine was something! Only marque I'd heard of was Peugeot, and I think the only one I've ever seen is a 1919 model in a rather eclectic museum called "Bill's Old Bike Barn" in PA (most of the collection is older Harleys, as the owner at one time controlled multiple Harley dealerships, but there are also rooms with odd single themes, like cat figurines or old cell phones)

[@bikerdood1100]

French companies did not sell widely in foreign markets Rather like the Italian companies for many years We are lucky enough to own the Terrot shown Slow yes bit definitely fun

[@robscott8834]

Excellent collection.

[@bikerdood1100]

Be nice to try some of em Very pretty bikes

[@Texmotodad]

Nice!!

[@bikerdood1100]

Ah Qui 😂

[@Rosbif06600]

Fun fact; the word "becane" is still used to this day here as a slang word for a motorbike.

[@bikerdood1100]

Interesting 🤔

[@Pikestnt]

Out of interest, is it pronounced “Beh-can” or “Beh-cane”?

[@xt225]

Very interesting.

[@bikerdood1100]

Qui

[@rickh8380]

Awesome collection of old iron. Maybe if available...bikes from other countries in Europe? Thanks for sharing guys. As always, ride safe. Take care. Cheers from the States

[@bikerdood1100]

Definitely something I have in mind

[@chrisweeks6973]

Interesting subject. Given the French expertise in early aviation and the engines for those aeroplanes, it's somewhat surprising that, unlike the scenario in Britain, their motorcycle industry didn't expand post-WWI to anywhere near the same degree.

[@bikerdood1100]

I think rather like the Italian industry it had little interest in foreign markets Some Italian companies would eventually be more expansive fortunately

[@marcbrasse747]

A great subject. France has indeed been a great motorcycle nation. It’s why we still have abbreviations like GP and FIM. The main problem is that France is somewhat insular in their “The French market is big enough” mindset. Still. Other big European countries like the UK, Germany and Italy made the same mistake but somehow stumbled through the decline long enough to end up with a more lasting international reputation.

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed so The local market only mindset did effect some companies in Germany and Britain but especially in Italy

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 Yep. It even goes so far that such countries more or less avoided picking up the leading trade language. Not even that “excuse” for Britain though.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well more than you would think only a small number of British companies exported in any number

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 What I mean is that they where born with a very prominent trade language so that wasn’t an excuse to not export. 😁

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 Luckily us Dutch will learn any language if it enables us to trade. Our problem is that we suck at building stuff that doesn’t hold back water. 🤣

[@oldbikedavey]

There's a fair few others, including Ratier, which is a sort of ultra -high class BMW sort of thing, if my memory serves me correctly...

[@bikerdood1100]

It was Used to escort De Gaul No way he would have BMW outriders 😂

[@bikerdood1100]

Ratier were originally aircraft manufacturers

[@jimwolfy52]

How about the Velo Solex.

[@Rosbif06600]

Absolutely. A standard for any fan of M. Hulot.

[@bikerdood1100]

They really are mad devices My grandfather used one for work in the Mid 60s

[@garys4756]

With the manufacturer's selling so many bike's, i wonder how many are tucked away in barns etc ready for restoration.

[@bikerdood1100]

Not so many anymore In the UK at least much more common US I believe

[@garys4756]

I bet there's a few in France 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Quite possibly I have a little French number myself 1930s bike to be clear Unfortunately 😂

[@marcmatthieu1939]

The first "motorcycle", ie a 2 wheels vehicle that has the tank over the engine was the french WERNER. You could have talked about recent attempts like BFG and VOXAN. Now the Peugeot are just chinese rebadged stuff. So the only french brand is SHERCO and they do not advertise it as a french brand.

[@bikerdood1100]

You could make similar comments about Triumph and KTM if you want to be sniffy You forgot the modern Brough Superior by the way That is truly French made

[@marcmatthieu1939]

@@bikerdood1100 Not to forget the most expensive motorbike which is also french, check the MIDUAL MOTO if you are curious.

[@gar6446]

Wierdly, I've never considered that France made motorcycles.

[@bikerdood1100]

Le Tut tut 😂