The reliability of early motor bikes

In the early 1900s the Motor Cycling Club ran a reliability trial from London to Land’s End and sometimes back again. For example, in 1920 93 motor bikes and 60 sidecars were entered, with 33 ‘light cars’. Of the 195 entries, 117 made it safely to Land’s End, an overall reliability rate of 60 per cent. The solo bikes proved somewhat more successful than did the sidecars in reaching their destination. Successful entrants included a 14 year old boy although in 1920 ‘there were no lady competitors.

The price of a light car in 1920 – around two years average male working class wage