1869 Roper Steam Velocipede first motorcycle - video and photo

[ranald]

One thing is for sure they had a great center of gravity nice and low

I'm not surprised it claimed a life, even if by stress. I wonder how it managed the roads back then they must have been smoother than many today . Mind you, one wouldn't be able to travel far without refuelling (city bike): somewhat like the early cell drill/drivers= a couple of wood screws(finished by hand in hardwood) and they needed refueling/charging.