motorcycle touring holiday Germany Europe classic Ducati Bimota Superbike experience
The German two wheeler museum sounds a bit stuffy, boring and very German.
Quite the contrary, this place is fascinating, with bikes from all over the world, showing the history of 2 wheeled machines right from the beginnings with the 'Reitwagen' (riding car) up to modern superbikes.
Four floors of stunning exhibits that really make a great visit.
The educational bit.
Visitors can even sit on the bikes as the history of 2 wheeled transport is explained.
A 1939 1096cc Brough Superior sits alongside with some of the 'milestone' machines in motorcycling history.
Another surprise will be when we find that this is not the only Brough Superior in the collection.
There is always a special exhibition in the foyer, this time it was the machines of the long distance travellers.
Complete with a world map showing where each of the intrepid explorers actually travelled to.
A 500cc D-rad sidecar outfit used by Alfred Gäbelmann from Leipzig to ride from Berlin to Cairo in 1927.
The 250cc 1933 Puch riden to India by Max Reisch.
The BMW F800GS riden by 'veteran' long distance traveller Doris Wiedemann from Key West, Florida to North Alaska in winter 2009
The 1953 Zündapp sidecar outfit used by the father and son team Lange to circumnavigate the globe in the 1950s.
The entire cellar level is dedicated to NSU whose name originates in NeckarSUlm.
The fascinating world beating racers are much in evidence, here the 600SS, 250cc Rennmax Dolphin, 250cc Sportmax and the 125cc Rennfox 'blue whale'.
These bikes are not only museum pieces. We have had the pleasure to see many of these historic racers in action at various Classic events over the last few years.
Exquisit workmanship of the aluminium tank and fairing of the 1953 124cc Rennfox R11 which was riden by Werner Haas to be world champion in that year.
A fascinating opportunity to see the authentic handwork that went into the construction of these iconic machines.
A 1943 NSU Opel Kettenkraftrad used by the German Wehrmacht during the 2nd world war and afterwards still used in duty as forestry vehicles.
Another connection to NSU was the use of the 1177cc NSU TTS car engine in the Münch Mamoth motorcycle built by Friedel Münch during the 70s.
A famous view of the 1955 NSU 125cc Baumm 3 which set a new world record for fuel efficiency riden by H.P. Müller.
On the Hockenheim high speed oval course, this machine achieved a fuel consumption record of 1.13 litres/100km.
Round about 217 mpg.
There is of course also a comprehensive bicycle exhibition.
Where visitors get the chance to ride a full size 'high wheel' (penny farthing) on rollers.
Three more floors of motorcycle history with some of the great pioneers on display such as the Megola.
The fascinating 1922 Megola with its' 640cc 5 cylinder radial engine mounted inside the front wheel was actually a very popular model in Germany at the time.
Even racing Megolas showed good results in racing.
An extra room to display racing machines from all over the world.
Right up to this 1979 Suzuki RG500 used by Gustav Reiner to win the 1979 German Championship.
The simple elegance of the 1903 331cc Laurin & Klement Type T1, built in Dresden.
A famous 1923 283cc Ner-a-car with a steel monocoque and hub centre front wheel steering.
Ironically the name does not mean: 'nearly a car' but is actually named after the inventor C.A. Neracher.
A splendid 4 cylinder 750cc Nimbus from Copenhagen in Denmark really should be considered as one of the original 'superbikes'.
A glorious 404cc V twin Wanderer from 1911.
The comprehensive display of Brough Superiors is really overwhelming.
And this is not half of them !
Favourite of the day was this 1923 980cc SS80 racing bike, still looking just as it did after its' last race in Ireland.
A Harley Davidson 750cc flat head WLA, 1947 Knucklehead and 'Peter Fonda' 'Easy Rider' 'Captain America' replica.
Great to see the exotic luxury 50s and 60s mopeds as well like the 1965 DKW Hummel (bumble bee).
Fabulous 1964 DKW Violetta.
The 60s Japanese invasion with a 1963 125cc Honda CB92 in the foreground.
Thre generations of wankel rotary engined bikes, Hercules, Suzuki RE5 and Norton Commander U.K. police bike.
A lovely 1973 Ducati 350 desmo single.
MV Agusta 750 Sport.
Together with more modern classic superbikes, Kawasaki Z1300 six cylinder and Benelli 750 Sei.
On the 4th floor there are several competition and record breaking bikes,