Motorcycles and Motorcycling in the USSR from 1939: - a Social and Technical History

This book provides an accessible English language account of motorcycles in the Soviet Union, covering the wartime and postwar period until 1990. It focuses on the motorcycles produced, their use at home and exported abroad, and the social character of Soviet era motorcycling. The industry was based on copies of pre-war German BMW and DKW models, producing hundreds of thousands of utilitarian and rugged machines. The book includes photographs and images from private family collections, showing Soviet bikes and popular imports such as Jawa and Pannonia.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 128 pages
\n Publication date: 01 February 2019
\n Publisher: Veloce Publishing Ltd
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This comprehensive book offers the first accessible English-language account of motorcycles in the Soviet Union, focusing on the wartime and postwar period until 1990, preceding the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. It delves into the production of motorcycles, their usage at home, and their export abroad during this era. The book is organized into chapters that cover various aspects, including wartime motorcycles, models produced, the social character of Soviet-era motorcycling, and the diverse sport associated with it.

The motorcycle industry in the Soviet Union underwent a unique development, characterized by planned rather than market-led production. It was heavily influenced by pre-war German BMW and DKW models, leading to the production of hundreds of thousands of utilitarian and rugged machines. These motorcycles were named after the producing factories, such as Ishevsk, Kovrov, Moskva, Minsk, and Irbit and Kiev, where the large flat twins were produced under the Ural and Dnepr names.

The book emphasizes Soviet-era illustrations, providing a visual insight into a life that was based on idealism and ideology. Numerous photographs and images, many sourced from private family collections, showcase Soviet bikes alongside popular imports like Jawa from Czechoslovakia and Pannonia from Hungary. These photographs offer a rare glimpse into the world of Soviet motorcycling and the diverse range of motorcycles that were available during that time.

The book provides a valuable resource for enthusiasts, historians, and anyone interested in understanding the history and development of motorcycles in the Soviet Union. It sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities that the industry faced during the Soviet era and offers a glimpse into the lives of those who rode and worked on these motorcycles.

\n Weight: 672g\n
Dimension: 213 x 256 x 10 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781787113145\n \n