Motorcycles and Mopeds - Germany: Illustrated History Books & Guides

German Motorcycles of WWII: A Visual History in Vintage Photos and Restored Examples (Part 1)

During World War II, the Germans emerged as pioneers in harnessing the motorcycle as a potent tool for offensive warfare, surpassing other nations in its utilization. These units undertook pivotal roles such as mopping-up operations for subsequent troops, functioning as advance guards, launching surprise raid-like attacks on an adversary's flanks and rear, and pursuing retreating opponents. To fulfill these roles, a diverse array of motorcycles was employed, including impressed and modified civilian models, as well as purpose-built military motorcycles.

This unique reference publication merges rare vintage photographs with images of impeccably restored German WWII motorcycles. This inaugural volume in a multi-part series showcases large, full-color detailed photos of select models, including the BMW R4, R12, R35, R71, R74, and Zündapp KS750. Only the most exceptional examples of these motorcycles were featured in this comprehensive work.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	120 pages, 8.5 x 11 x 0.51 in (21.5 x 28 x 1.3 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Ampersand Publishing Company, Inc. (USA, 2016)
ISBN:	9781944367022

German Military Motorcycles - In the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht, 1934-1945

This volume of photographs provides a documentation of the many motorcycle riders of the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht and their various cycles between 1934 and 1945, including requisitioned machines.

Product details

Author:	Horst Hinrichsen
Details:	200 pages, 10.25 x 7.1 x 0.83 in (26 x 18 x 2.1 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	over 300 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780764301926

Heavy Sidecar Motorcycles of the Wehrmacht

All new photo collection covering BMW, Zündapp, NSU and DKW sidecar motorcycles on a variety of war fronts.

Product details

Author:	Horst Hinrichsen
Details:	48 pages, 11 x 8.7 x 0.16 in (28 x 22 x 0.4 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	over 100 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780764312724

Heavy Sidecar Motorcycles of the Wehrmacht

All new photo collection covering BMW, Zündapp, NSU and DKW sidecar motorcycles on a variety of war fronts.

Product details

Author:	Horst Hinrichsen
Details:	48 pages, 11 x 8.7 x 0.16 in (28 x 22 x 0.4 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	over 100 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780764312724

Motorcycles of the Wehrmacht - A Photo Chronicle

Covers the various types of motorcycles used by the Wehrmacht during WWII.

Product details

Author:	Horst Hinrichsen
Details:	192 pages, 10.25 x 7.3 x 0.63 in (26 x 18.5 x 1.6 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	over 300 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780887406850

German Racing Motorcycles

For a considerable period covered by this book, there were two distinct Germanys; West and East. Under very different political regimes they produced some highly innovative and competitive racing machinery.
German motorcycles were often in the vanguard of technical progress, and were good enough to win world titles. In this respect, the top names in the solo categories were NSU and Kreidler, while BMW, Fath, Munch and Konig did the business on three wheels.

Like Japan, Germany was faced with rebuilding a shattered country following at the end of World War 2. Like the Japanese, they overcame all the problems not only to create an economic miracle, but also to construct world-beating motorcycles.
Much of this success was thanks to Germany's pool of skilled engineers, both at factory and private level. Thus, Germany could be said to have contributed to the development of the sport in a wide variety of ways, engineers, machines, riders, circuits, and even record-breakers. The German motorcycle racing story has them all.

Contents: Adler, BMW Solos, BMW Sidecars, DKW, Fath, Horex, König, Kreidler, Maico, Münch, MZ, NSU, Simson & Zündapp.

Product details

Author:	Mick Walker
Details:	226 pages, 11 x 8.5 x 0.67 in (28 x 21.5 x 1.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	500 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Redline Books (GB, 1999)
Series:	Redline
ISBN:	9780953131129

Jungs, Eure 750er - Die Bigbikes der 70er

NEW

In the 1970s, many new riders in Europe discovered the thrill of motorcycling, inspired by the growing motorcycle culture in the United States.
This wave of enthusiasm brought a wide range of new models and brands such as Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha to the market.

While a 125cc bike was once seen as a full motorcycle, and a 250 cc as mid-range, the new generation of riders started only at higher engine sizes.
Honda's CB 750 was followed by Kawasaki's Z 900, Suzuki's GS 1000, and Yamaha's XS 1100. By the end of the decade, even six-cylinder engines were not uncommon.

This illustrated book by Joachim Kuch recalls that energetic era, continuing the popular series on the "young rebels" of motorcycling.
It provides a complete overview of all major models, supported by period photos, illustrations, and poster reproductions.

Pages of the book "Jungs, Eure 750er - Die Bigbikes der 70er"

Product details

Author:	Joachim Kuch
Details:	96 pages, 8.9 x 9.7 x 0.47 in (22.5 x 24.5 x 1.2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	120 color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2025)
ISBN:	9783613044975

Deutsche Motorräder - Marken und Modelle seit 1945

This is the first volume of a comprehensive reference work on German motorcycle construction: a complete chronicle of all German motorcycles from their beginnings to the present day. From Simson to Kreidler to Zündapp and others, all types, brands and relevant data are presented.

The two-wheeler expert Frank Rönicke does not only cover the glorious post-war period. Despite the dominance of a large German motorcycle manufacturer since the 1970s, the variety of two-wheelers that have emerged from German factories and are still produced remains extremely extensive.

Product details

Author:	Frank Rönicke
Details:	288 pages, 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.98 in (28.5 x 22 x 2.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	850 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2023)
ISBN:	9783613045996

Jungs, Eure 400er - Die 27 PS-Motorräder der 70er und 80er

After mopeds and mokicks came the big two-wheeled world: as an alternative to larger, more expensive machines, many apprentices and students found happiness in the 27 hp class.
The range of products offered by manufacturers was huge. Nevertheless, they all had one thing in common: whether they had 400 cc displacement, maybe 500 cc, or even 250, they never had more than 27 hp.

In this volume, Joachim Kuch, himself a former 400 cc pilot, takes readers on a journey back in time to the 1970s and 1980s. Rich in facts and with many advertising photos and brochures typical of the time, he transports his readers back to the time of flared jeans and colorful Nolan helmets.

Product details

Author:	Joachim Kuch
Details:	96 pages, 9.1 x 9.7 x 0.39 in (23 x 24.5 x 1 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	120 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2021)
ISBN:	9783613044081

Deutsche Militärmotorräder - Seit 1905

Although motorcycle construction experienced its first boom at the beginning of the 20th century, motorcycles only slowly began to establish themselves in the military during the First World War.
In the Weimar Republic, the Reichswehr increasingly commissioned motorcycle rifle units on heavy motorcycles. It was not until 1938 that BMW and Zündapp began developing so-called super-heavy motorcycles with low-range gears, reverse gear and sidecar drive. After the war, two-stroke engines were mainly used.

Pages of the book "Deutsche Militärmotorräder - Seit 1905"

In this volume, Frank Rönicke documents the development of German military motorcycles since 1905.

Product details

Author:	Frank Rönicke
Details:	144 pages, 10.4 x 9.1 in (26.5 x 23 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	150 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2018)
ISBN:	9783613041233

DMAX Kult-Eisen - Unsere Motorräder der 70er, 80er und 90er

At the beginning of the 1970s, it was the Japanese who rediscovered the motorcycle after its decline in the 1950s - this time as a leisure and sports machine.
Only a few German brands, including BMW, were able to profit from this trend and make their own mark. Otherwise, the Japanese dominated the European motorcycle market, especially Honda, the world market leader.

Pages of the book "DMAX Kult-Eisen - Unsere Motorräder der 70er, 80er und 90er"

In this DMAX volume, Joachim Kuch presents the most innovative "cult motorcycles" that were on German roads between the early 1970s and the late 1990s.

Product details

Author:	Joachim Kuch
Details:	224 pages, 12 x 9.1 in (30.5 x 23 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	5 b&w and 114 color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2018)
ISBN:	9783613040540

Motor-Kritik-Testbuch: Reprint der Originale von 1938 und 1939 - 108 Auto- und Motorradtests

In the pre-war period, Motor-Kritik was THE specialist magazine for technically interested car and motorcycle drivers. Until he had to vacate his post during the Nazi era, the editor-in-chief was Josef Ganz, the legendary designer, advocate of light and safe cars and designer of the "Volkswagen" called the May Beetle.
However, Motor-Kritik also continued to provide its readers with extraordinarily thorough car and motorcycle tests.

Pages of the book "Motor-Kritik-Testbuch: Reprint der Originale von 1938 und 1939 - 108 Auto- und Motorradtests"

In this volume you will find a reprint of the two large test books that appeared shortly before the Second World War. This has resulted in a unique reference work in which you will find all the technical data, consumption and comparison values, prices and driving reports for the common four- and two-wheelers of the late 1930s.

There are a total of 108 test cards, as well as information about the magazine, about editor-in-chief Ganz and about the car and motorcycle scene of those days.
A treasure trove not only for fans and connoisseurs - the Motor-Kritik test book is both a contemporary document and a unique collection of data.

Product details

Author:	Josef Ganz
Details:	264 pages, 10.4 x 6.9 x 1.06 in (26.5 x 17.5 x 2.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	380 photos and drawings
Language:	German
Publisher:	Heel-Verlag GmbH (D, 2015)
ISBN:	9783958431522

Die Motorräder der Wirtschaftswunderzeit

The German motorcycles from 1945 to around 1960 are presented clearly and comprehensively. At that time there were more than 40 German manufacturers, including such popular ones as BMW, NSU and Zündapp, but also many that hardly anyone knows today.
A fascinating illustrated book and a reliable reference work in equal measure.

From the contents: Adler, Anker (Pamag), Ardie, AWD, Bastert, Bauer, Bismarck, BMW, Bücker, DKW (Auto Union), Dürkopp, Express, Geier, Göricke, Gritzner, Hecker, Hercules, Hoffmann, Horex, Maico, Mars, Meister, Miele, MZ, NSU, Panther, Patria, Rabeneick, Riedel, Rixe, Sudbrack, Tornax, Torpedo, Triumph, UT, Victoria, Zündapp.

Product details

Author:	Brigitte Podszun
Details:	144 pages, 11 x 8.25 in (28 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	290 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Verlag Podszun (D, 2005)
ISBN:	9783861333777

Motorräder: Die wichtigsten deutschen Typen von den Anfängen bis heute

"The thing stinks and rattles and drives itself, " wrote a newspaper in 1885. It was Gottlieb Daimler's wooden frame motorcycle, which went down in history as the world's first motorcycle.
At the time, no one could have guessed what a fascinating development it would set in motion. The author traces the history of the motorized two-wheeler using the most important German motorcycles.

From the contents: Adler, Ardie, BMW, DKW (Auto Union), D-Rad, Dürkopp, Express, Gritzner, Hercules (Sachs), Hoffmann, Horex, Imperia, Maico, Münch, MZ Motoradwerk Zschopau, NSU, Opel, Renner, Riedel, Schüttoff, Tornax, Triumph, Victoria, Wanderer, Zündapp.

Product details

Author:	Udo Bols
Details:	120 pages, 11 x 8.25 in (28 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	340 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Verlag Podszun (D, 2005)
ISBN:	9783861333937