question

[acepilot2]

in band of brothers there is a scene with motorcycles. Everyone says the US did not use motorcycles during WWII. After a few image searches on google, I disagree. But everyone claims those are fake.


So the question is-Did the United States use motorcycles during WWII?

[101ABN]

yes they did. one type was a model from harley davidson. old leather belt driven.

[Saurdaukar]

IIRC, Harley owes alot of its early survival to Fed bike contracts.  Indian too.

[101ABN]

The Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle was used by the U.S. Army and our allies for military dispatch and escort duties. It was designed to survive abuse and rugged terrain while being easy to repair. Harley-Davidson built over 80,000 motorcycles for the Allied war effort between 1941 and 1945. The average price of the motorcycles was $380.00.


Original Motorcycle Statistics
Dimensions Performance
  Weight: 540lbs
  Wheelbase: 57.5in (146cm)
  Ground Clearance:
  Fuel capacity: 3.375 gal (12.8 lit)
  Oil capacity: 7.5pts (3.55lit)
  Tires: 4.00 x 18in (10.16 x 45.7cm)    Engine: Flathead 45° V-twin
  Horsepower: 23.5 @ 4,600rpm
  Displacement 45.12ci (739.38cc)
  Bore & stroke: 2.75 x 3.81in (70 x 97mm)
  Transmission: 3-speed
  Top Speed: 65mph (105km/h)

[Rafe35]

Also, I believe that Great Britain use Harley-Davidson Motorcycle from US and I also know that Germany use BMW Motorcycle during World War II.

[acepilot2]

thank you.

[Boroda]

Originally posted by 101ABN
The Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle was used by the U.S. Army and our allies for military dispatch and escort duties. It was designed to survive abuse and rugged terrain while being easy to repair. Harley-Davidson built over 80,000 motorcycles for the Allied war effort between 1941 and 1945. The average price of the motorcycles was $380.00.
 

AFAIK many motorcycles were lend-leased to USSR. I may be mistaken, but motrocycles were used in standard Soviet motorized/tank units.