Werner Motors
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing |
| Founded | 1896 |
| Founder | Michel Werner, Eugene Werner |
| Defunct | 1908 |
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | France, England |
| Products | Motorcycles |
The Werner Brothers, Michel and Eugene, were French citizens originally hailing from Russia. They started experimenting with motorized bicycles, known as Moto Bicyclette, in 1896 and are recognized for introducing the term "Motocyclette" in 1897.
History
In 1896, their first effort to attach a De Dion-Bouton engine to a bicycle frame was unsuccessful. However, by 1897, they had created the effective Motocyclette, which featured the engine mounted on the front steering tube.
A significant advancement for the company occurred in 1900 with the launch of the New Werner model. This motorcycle incorporated a patented frame design that relocated the engine to the lower section of the frame. Around this time, Werner transitioned to manufacturing their own engines instead of relying on De Dion-Bouton components. In 1903, they unveiled one of the earliest motorcycles equipped with a two-cylinder vertical twin engine, having a displacement of 500 cc.
Werner granted licensing rights to the Motor Manufacturing Company in England to distribute their motorcycles. The enterprise came to an end following the deaths of Michel in 1905 and Eugene in 1908.
On 13 September 1902, Alfred Nipper received a fine for reckless riding while operating a 1898 Werner motorcycle. This incident marked the first recorded motoring summons in Somerset, illustrating early legal challenges faced by motor vehicle operators.