Published October 14, 2025 by Michael Le Pard , Editor‑in‑Chief
The Complete Motorcycle Compendium
– F –
1910 Flying Merkel
Fabianski (Poland) [Defunct]
Fabianski Motorcycles
Years Active: 1936–1939
Notable Models: Fabianski 98cc
Fabianski was a short‑lived Polish motorcycle manufacturer active in the late 1930s.
Their lightweight commuter bikes were powered by small two‑stroke engines.
Production ended with the outbreak of WWII, and very few examples survive today.
💡 Did You Know? Fabianski motorcycles are considered some of the rarest pre‑war Polish machines.
Fafnir (Germany) [Defunct – Engine Builder]
Fafnir Werke
Years Active: 1904–1926
Notable Models: Fafnir 350cc, Fafnir 500cc
Fafnir was a German engine manufacturer that also produced motorcycles in the early 20th century.
Known for their precision engineering, Fafnir engines were also supplied to other motorcycle makers.
The company ceased motorcycle production in the 1920s but remained influential in German engineering.
💡 Did You Know? Fafnir also built aircraft engines during WWI, diversifying beyond motorcycles.
Fairy (England) [Defunct – Early Douglas Prototype]
Fairy Motorcycles
Years Active: 1907
Notable Models: Fairy Prototype
Fairy was an early English motorcycle brand, notable for producing the first motorcycle made by Douglas.
It was a short‑lived experiment that paved the way for Douglas to become a major British manufacturer.
The Fairy name disappeared quickly, but its legacy lived on through Douglas Motorcycles.
💡 Did You Know? The Fairy motorcycle used a horizontally opposed twin engine, a layout Douglas would later perfect.
Fantic (Italy) [Active – Off‑Road & Trials]
Fantic Motor
Years Active: 1968–present
Notable Models: Fantic Caballero, Fantic Section Trials
Fantic is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer specializing in motocross, enduro, and trials bikes.
Founded in 1968, Fantic became famous for its lightweight off‑road machines and mopeds.
Today, Fantic produces modern enduro and rally bikes and has returned to international competition.
💡 Did You Know? Fantic won multiple world championships in trials competition during the 1980s.
FAR (Italy) [Active – Electric Scooters]
FAR Motorcycles
Years Active: 2000s–present
Notable Models: FAR Twip Electric Scooter
FAR is an Italian company producing electric scooters, including the Twip.
Their focus is on urban mobility and eco‑friendly transport solutions.
FAR remains a niche player in the growing electric scooter market.
💡 Did You Know? The FAR Twip features a unique three‑wheel layout for added stability.
Farmbyke (New Zealand) [Defunct – Utility]
Farmbyke
Years Active: 1970s
Notable Models: Farmbyke Utility
Farmbyke was a New Zealand‑built agricultural motorcycle designed for farm use.
Built using Suzuki parts, it was rugged and practical for rural work.
Farmbyke was produced in small numbers and is now a rare collector’s item in New Zealand.
💡 Did You Know? Farmbyke was one of the earliest purpose‑built farm motorcycles, predating modern ag‑bikes.
Farron (United Kingdom) [Defunct]
Farron Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s
Notable Models: Farron 250cc
Farron was a small British motorcycle manufacturer active in the 1920s.
Their lightweight singles were powered by Villiers engines and aimed at the commuter market.
The brand disappeared quickly, leaving behind little documentation.
💡 Did You Know? Farron motorcycles were often sold through regional UK dealers rather than national distribution.
Favorit (Germany) [Defunct]
Favorit Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: Favorit 175cc
Favorit was a German motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight commuter bikes in the interwar years.
Their machines were simple, affordable, and regionally distributed.
The brand disappeared before WWII, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Favorit motorcycles were often powered by Sachs two‑stroke engines, a common choice for small German marques.
FB Mondial (Italy) [Active – Racing Heritage]
FB Mondial
Years Active: 1929–1979, revived 2014–present
Notable Models: Mondial 125 GP, Mondial HPS 300
FB Mondial is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer with a rich racing history.
In the 1940s and 1950s, Mondial dominated Grand Prix racing, winning multiple world championships with their advanced 125cc and 250cc machines.
After decades of dormancy, the brand was revived in the 2010s with stylish retro‑inspired models.
💡 Did You Know? Soichiro Honda personally visited Mondial in the 1950s to study their race bikes, inspiring Honda’s own GP program.
Feilbach (United States) [Defunct – “Limited”]
Feilbach Limited
Years Active: 1904–1914
Notable Models: Feilbach Limited Twin
Feilbach was a Milwaukee‑based motorcycle manufacturer founded by Arthur Feilbach.
Their “Limited” model was a V‑twin motorcycle that competed directly with Harley‑Davidson and Indian.
Despite innovative engineering, Feilbach could not compete with larger rivals and closed in 1914.
💡 Did You Know? The Feilbach Limited was one of the first motorcycles to feature a fully enclosed chain drive.
Felt (United States) [Active – Bicycles & Motorized Concepts]
Felt Motorized Bicycles
Years Active: 1990s–present
Notable Models: Felt Outfitter (electric fat bike)
Felt is primarily a bicycle manufacturer, but it has also produced motor‑assisted bicycles and concept motorcycles.
Their electric fat bikes and cruiser‑style e‑bikes blur the line between bicycles and motorcycles.
While not a traditional motorcycle maker, Felt has influenced the crossover e‑mobility market.
💡 Did You Know? Felt collaborated with Harley‑Davidson on prototype e‑bike concepts in the 2010s.
Ferguson (United States) [Defunct – Early Pioneer]
Ferguson Motorcycles
Years Active: 1901–1903
Notable Models: Ferguson Prototype
Ferguson was one of the earliest American motorcycle builders, active in the very first years of the 20th century.
Their machines were bicycle‑based with clip‑on engines.
Ferguson disappeared quickly, but it remains part of the pioneering era of U.S. motorcycling.
💡 Did You Know? Ferguson motorcycles were exhibited at some of the earliest U.S. motor shows in 1902.
Ferrera (Italy) [Defunct]
Ferrera Motorcycles
Years Active: 1919–1950s
Notable Models: Ferrera 175cc, Ferrera 250cc
Ferrera was an Italian motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight singles and twins in the interwar and post‑war years.
Their machines were known for reliability and affordability, competing with Moto Guzzi and Benelli in the domestic market.
Ferrera faded in the 1950s as larger Italian brands consolidated their dominance.
💡 Did You Know? Ferrera motorcycles were often used by Italian postal and utility services.
Fichtel & Sachs (Germany) [Defunct – Engine Supplier]
Fichtel & Sachs
Years Active: 1895–1990s (engines), motorcycles 1904–1930s
Notable Models: Sachs 98cc, Sachs 125cc
Fichtel & Sachs was a German company best known for producing engines, clutches, and gearboxes.
They also manufactured small motorcycles and mopeds, but their greatest impact was as an engine supplier to countless European brands.
Sachs engines powered everything from mopeds to lightweight motorcycles across Germany and beyond.
💡 Did You Know? The Sachs 98cc engine was one of the most widely used motorcycle engines in Europe during the 1930s–1950s.
Flandria (Belgium) [Defunct]
Flandria Motorcycles
Years Active: 1950s–1981
Notable Models: Flandria 50cc mopeds, Flandria Record
Flandria was a Belgian manufacturer producing mopeds, scooters, and small motorcycles.
They were especially popular in the 1960s and 1970s, exporting across Europe and South America.
Flandria also had a successful racing program in small‑displacement classes before closing in the early 1980s.
💡 Did You Know? Flandria was once the world’s largest producer of mopeds, with over 300,000 units built annually at its peak.
FN (Belgium) [Defunct – Fabrique Nationale]
FN Herstal Motorcycles
Years Active: 1901–1967
Notable Models: FN Four, FN M70
FN (Fabrique Nationale) was a Belgian arms and vehicle manufacturer that also produced motorcycles.
FN is best remembered for the FN Four, one of the world’s first production inline‑four motorcycles, introduced in 1905.
FN motorcycles were innovative and respected, but production ended in the 1960s as the company refocused on firearms.
💡 Did You Know? The FN Four was the first motorcycle with shaft drive, decades before BMW popularized the system.
Flying Merkel (United States) [Defunct – Iconic Antique]
Flying Merkel
Years Active: 1902–1915
Notable Models: Flying Merkel V‑twin
The Flying Merkel was one of the most iconic early American motorcycles, built in Ohio and later in Pennsylvania.
Known for their distinctive orange paint and advanced engineering, Flying Merkels were competitive racing machines in the 1910s.
The brand disappeared in 1915, but surviving examples are highly prized by collectors.
💡 Did You Know? A restored Flying Merkel can fetch over $100,000 at auction due to its rarity and historical significance.
Folan (Sweden) [Defunct – Racing Engines]
Folan Motorcycles
Years Active: 1980s–1990s
Notable Models: Folan 500cc Enduro
Folan was a Swedish motorcycle company best known for its high‑performance two‑stroke engines.
Their 500cc enduro and motocross machines were respected for their power and durability.
Folan also supplied engines to other European off‑road brands before disappearing in the 1990s.
💡 Did You Know? Folan engines were used in competitive enduro racing across Scandinavia.
Fondi (Italy) [Defunct]
Fondi Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: Fondi 175cc
Fondi was a small Italian motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight commuter bikes in the interwar years.
Their machines were simple, affordable, and regionally distributed.
The brand disappeared before WWII, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Fondi motorcycles were often sold alongside bicycles in small Italian shops.
Fornasari (Italy) [Defunct – Boutique]
Fornasari Motorcycles
Years Active: 1930s
Notable Models: Fornasari 250cc
Fornasari was a boutique Italian motorcycle brand active in the 1930s.
Their machines were lightweight singles, typical of the commuter market of the time.
The company disappeared quickly, leaving behind little documentation and very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Fornasari motorcycles are so rare that they are almost unknown outside Italy.
Francis‑Barnett (United Kingdom) [Defunct]
Francis‑Barnett
Years Active: 1919–1966
Notable Models: Francis‑Barnett Cruiser, Falcon
Francis‑Barnett was a British motorcycle manufacturer based in Coventry.
They were known for producing affordable commuter motorcycles, often powered by Villiers two‑stroke engines.
The company merged with Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) in the 1940s and ceased production in the 1960s.
💡 Did You Know? Francis‑Barnett pioneered the use of pressed‑steel frames in motorcycles.
Frera (Italy) [Defunct – Early Leader]
Frera Motorcycles
Years Active: 1905–1936
Notable Models: Frera 500cc, Frera Racing Singles
Frera was one of Italy’s earliest and largest motorcycle manufacturers before WWII.
They produced a wide range of machines, from small commuters to racing motorcycles.
Frera was a dominant force in Italian motorcycling until the 1930s, when economic pressures forced its closure.
💡 Did You Know? Frera motorcycles won multiple Italian national championships in the 1910s and 1920s.
Frome (United Kingdom) [Defunct]
Frome Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s
Notable Models: Frome 250cc
Frome was a small British motorcycle manufacturer active in the 1920s.
Their lightweight singles were powered by Villiers engines and marketed as affordable commuter machines.
The brand disappeared quickly, leaving behind little documentation and very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Frome motorcycles were often sold through regional dealers in southern England.
Fuji (Japan) [Defunct – Predecessor to Subaru]
Fuji Motorcycles
Years Active: 1940s–1950s
Notable Models: Fuji Rabbit Scooter
Fuji Heavy Industries, later known as Subaru, produced motorcycles and scooters in post‑war Japan.
Their most famous product was the Fuji Rabbit scooter, which became a symbol of Japanese urban mobility in the 1950s.
Fuji eventually shifted focus to automobiles, becoming one of Japan’s leading car manufacturers.
💡 Did You Know? The Fuji Rabbit was introduced in 1946, predating Honda’s first scooter by several years.
Fuji Rabbit (Japan) [Defunct – Iconic Scooter]
Fuji Rabbit
Years Active: 1946–1968
Notable Models: Fuji Rabbit S601, Fuji Rabbit Superflow
The Fuji Rabbit was one of Japan’s earliest scooters, produced by Fuji Heavy Industries.
It was advanced for its time, featuring electric starters, automatic transmissions, and even pneumatic suspension in later models.
The Rabbit was popular in Japan but was eventually overshadowed by Honda’s Super Cub.
💡 Did You Know? The Fuji Rabbit was inspired by scooters brought to Japan by U.S. servicemen after WWII.
Fuji Heavy Industries (Japan) [Historic – Became Subaru]
Fuji Heavy Industries
Years Active: 1945–2017 (renamed Subaru Corporation)
Notable Models: Fuji Rabbit, Fuji scooters
Fuji Heavy Industries was the parent company of Subaru and the manufacturer of the Fuji Rabbit scooter.
While best known for automobiles, Fuji’s early ventures into motorcycles and scooters helped establish its engineering reputation.
The company officially rebranded as Subaru Corporation in 2017, focusing entirely on cars and aerospace.
💡 Did You Know? Fuji Heavy Industries was formed from the remnants of Nakajima Aircraft Company after WWII.
Fusi (Italy) [Defunct]
Fusi Motorcycles
Years Active: 1932–1950s
Notable Models: Fusi 175cc, Fusi 250cc
Fusi was an Italian motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight singles and twins.
Their machines were typical of the interwar and post‑war commuter market.
Fusi disappeared in the 1950s as competition from larger Italian brands intensified.
💡 Did You Know? Fusi motorcycles were often regionally distributed in northern Italy and rarely exported.
Futong (China) [Active – Scooters & Small Bikes]
Futong Motorcycles
Years Active: 1990s–present
Notable Models: Futong 125cc, Futong Scooters
Futong is a Chinese manufacturer producing scooters, mopeds, and small motorcycles.
Their machines are aimed at affordable urban transport and are exported to several Asian and African markets.
Futong continues to operate as part of China’s vast motorcycle industry.
💡 Did You Know? Futong scooters are often re‑badged and sold under different brand names in export markets.
Future (India) [Active – Electric Startups]
Future Motorcycles
Years Active: 2010s–present
Notable Models: Future Electric Scooter
Future is an Indian startup focusing on electric scooters and motorcycles.
Their products are designed for urban commuting, with emphasis on affordability and sustainability.
Future is part of India’s rapidly growing EV two‑wheeler market, competing with Ola Electric and Ather.
💡 Did You Know? Future’s scooters are designed with swappable battery packs for quick charging solutions.
Fuzzi (Italy) [Defunct – Boutique]
Fuzzi Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s
Notable Models: Fuzzi 175cc
Fuzzi was a boutique Italian motorcycle brand active in the 1920s.
Their lightweight singles were typical of the commuter market of the time.
The company disappeared quickly, leaving behind little documentation and very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Fuzzi motorcycles are so rare that they are almost unknown outside Italy.
FZ (Japan) [Active – Yamaha Model Family]
Yamaha FZ Series
Years Active: 1985–present
Notable Models: Yamaha FZ750, FZ1, FZ6, FZ‑09 (MT‑09)
The Yamaha FZ series is a family of sport and naked motorcycles that began with the FZ750 in 1985.
Known for their balance of performance and everyday usability, the FZ line has included middleweight and liter‑class machines.
In recent years, Yamaha rebranded many FZ models as “MT” in global markets, though the FZ name remains iconic.
💡 Did You Know? The original FZ750 introduced Yamaha’s five‑valve per cylinder Genesis engine.
FZR (Japan) [Defunct – Yamaha Sportbike Line]
Yamaha FZR Series
Years Active: 1987–1999
Notable Models: FZR400, FZR600, FZR1000
The Yamaha FZR series was a line of sportbikes produced in the late 1980s and 1990s.
They were known for their advanced engineering, including the EXUP (Exhaust Ultimate Power) valve system.
The FZR1000 was considered one of the first true “superbikes” of its era, competing with Suzuki’s GSX‑R and Honda’s CBR.
💡 Did You Know? The FZR1000 was named “Bike of the Decade” by Cycle World magazine in 1990.
FZ‑S (India) [Active – Yamaha India]
Yamaha FZ‑S
Years Active: 2008–present
Notable Models: FZ‑S FI, FZ‑S V3
The Yamaha FZ‑S is a popular street motorcycle produced by Yamaha India.
It is designed for the commuter and youth market, offering aggressive styling, fuel injection, and excellent fuel economy.
The FZ‑S has been one of Yamaha’s best‑selling models in India for over a decade.
💡 Did You Know? The FZ‑S was inspired by Yamaha’s larger FZ1 and FZ6 naked bikes, scaled down for emerging markets.
FZ‑X (India) [Active – Yamaha India]
Yamaha FZ‑X
Years Active: 2021–present
Notable Models: FZ‑X 150
The Yamaha FZ‑X is a neo‑retro commuter motorcycle designed for the Indian market.
Based on the proven FZ‑S platform, it combines modern fuel‑injected performance with retro styling cues such as a round LED headlamp and upright ergonomics.
It is marketed as a lifestyle commuter appealing to younger riders seeking style and practicality.
💡 Did You Know? The FZ‑X was Yamaha India’s first motorcycle to feature Bluetooth‑enabled smartphone connectivity.
FZ‑16 (India) [Active – Yamaha India]
Yamaha FZ‑16
Years Active: 2008–present
Notable Models: FZ‑16, FZ‑S
The Yamaha FZ‑16 was introduced in India in 2008 as a muscular street motorcycle inspired by Yamaha’s larger FZ series.
With its wide tires, aggressive styling, and torquey 153cc engine, it redefined the commuter segment in India.
The FZ‑16 remains a strong seller and has spawned multiple variants including the FZ‑S and FZ‑X.
💡 Did You Know? The FZ‑16 was nicknamed the “Lord of the Streets” in Yamaha’s Indian marketing campaigns.
FZ‑25 (India) [Active – Yamaha India]
Yamaha FZ‑25
Years Active: 2017–present
Notable Models: FZ‑25, FZS‑25
The Yamaha FZ‑25 is a quarter‑liter naked motorcycle designed for emerging markets.
Powered by a 249cc single‑cylinder engine, it offers a balance of performance, fuel efficiency, and affordability.
The FZ‑25 is positioned as a step‑up motorcycle for riders graduating from 150cc commuters.
💡 Did You Know? The FZ‑25 was Yamaha’s first 250cc motorcycle launched in India since the iconic RD350 era.
FZ Derivatives (Japan/India) [Active – Yamaha Global]
Yamaha FZ Derivatives
Years Active: 1980s–present
Notable Models: FZ‑07 (MT‑07), FZ‑09 (MT‑09), FZ‑1
The Yamaha FZ family has spawned numerous derivatives across global markets.
In North America, the FZ‑07 and FZ‑09 became hugely popular naked sportbikes before being rebranded as MT‑07 and MT‑09.
In India, the FZ‑S and FZ‑X continue the lineage as commuter‑friendly versions.
The FZ brand remains one of Yamaha’s most versatile and globally recognized motorcycle families.
💡 Did You Know? The Yamaha FZ‑09 (MT‑09) was praised worldwide for its triple‑cylinder engine, offering superbike thrills at a mid‑range price.
Follis (France) [Defunct]
Follis Motorcycles
Years Active: 1903–1970s
Notable Models: Follis 125cc, Follis 175cc
Follis was a French manufacturer producing bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles.
Their lightweight machines were popular in the interwar and post‑war years, often powered by Sachs or Villiers engines.
Follis eventually returned to focusing on bicycles, leaving behind a modest but respected motorcycle legacy.
💡 Did You Know? Follis bicycles were used in the Tour de France, making the brand well known in both cycling and motorcycling circles.
Fongers (Netherlands) [Defunct – Bicycle Maker]
Fongers Motorcycles
Years Active: 1910s–1930s
Notable Models: Fongers 250cc
Fongers was a Dutch bicycle manufacturer that also produced motorcycles in the early 20th century.
Their machines were typically lightweight singles powered by proprietary engines.
Fongers eventually returned to focusing on bicycles, leaving behind a small but respected motorcycle legacy.
💡 Did You Know? Fongers bicycles were considered premium products in the Netherlands, often used by the military.
Fongri (Italy) [Defunct]
Fongri Motorcycles
Years Active: 1910s–1930s
Notable Models: Fongri 350cc
Fongri was an Italian motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight singles and twins.
Their machines were typical of the interwar commuter market.
The brand disappeared before WWII, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Fongri motorcycles were regionally popular in northern Italy but rarely exported.
Fonzarelli (Australia) [Active – Electric]
Fonzarelli Motorcycles
Years Active: 2010s–present
Notable Models: Fonzarelli NKD, Arthur 3
Fonzarelli is an Australian electric motorcycle and scooter manufacturer.
Their products focus on urban commuting, sustainability, and stylish design.
The NKD is a rugged electric scrambler, while the Arthur series offers sleek city scooters.
Fonzarelli is part of the growing EV two‑wheeler market in Oceania and beyond.
💡 Did You Know? Fonzarelli was the first Australian company to mass‑produce electric scooters.
Forster (Germany) [Defunct]
Forster Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: Forster 175cc
Forster was a German motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight commuter bikes.
Their machines were powered by Sachs and ILO engines, common among small German marques.
Forster disappeared before WWII, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Forster motorcycles were often sold through bicycle shops rather than dedicated dealerships.
Fox (United States) [Defunct – Mini Bikes]
Fox Mini Bikes
Years Active: 1958–1970s
Notable Models: Fox Campus, Fox Thunderbolt
Fox was an American manufacturer best known for minibikes and small motorcycles.
Popular in the 1960s and 1970s, Fox minibikes were affordable, fun, and widely sold through catalogs and department stores.
The brand disappeared as the minibike craze faded, but Fox machines remain nostalgic collectibles.
💡 Did You Know? Fox minibikes were often a child’s first motorized two‑wheeler in the U.S. during the 1960s.
Fraser (Canada) [Defunct – Boutique]
Fraser Motorcycles
Years Active: 1970s
Notable Models: Fraser 500cc
Fraser was a Canadian boutique motorcycle builder active in the 1970s.
Their machines were hand‑built in small numbers, often using British or Japanese engines in custom frames.
Fraser motorcycles are extremely rare today, with only a handful known to exist.
💡 Did You Know? Fraser motorcycles were sometimes built to order for Canadian racers and enthusiasts.
Freedom (United States) [Active – Custom & Electric]
Freedom Motorcycles
Years Active: 2000s–present
Notable Models: Freedom Electric Cruiser
Freedom is a U.S. custom and electric motorcycle builder.
Their lineup includes both traditional V‑twin customs and modern electric cruisers.
Freedom positions itself as a blend of classic American style and future‑oriented technology.
💡 Did You Know? Freedom’s electric cruiser prototypes have been showcased at U.S. motorcycle rallies like Sturgis.
Frisoni (Italy) [Defunct – Boutique]
Frisoni Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: Frisoni 175cc
Frisoni was a boutique Italian motorcycle brand producing lightweight singles in the interwar years.
Their machines were typical of the commuter market of the time, often assembled from proprietary engines and frames.
The company disappeared before WWII, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Frisoni motorcycles were often hand‑built in small workshops, making each machine slightly unique.
Fry (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Early Pioneer]
Fry Motorcycles
Years Active: 1901–1905
Notable Models: Fry Single
Fry was one of the earliest British motorcycle manufacturers, active in the very first years of the 20th century.
Their machines were bicycle‑based with clip‑on engines, typical of the pioneering era.
Fry disappeared quickly, overshadowed by larger and more established British marques.
💡 Did You Know? Fry motorcycles were exhibited at some of the earliest UK motor shows in 1902.
Fryer (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Racing Specials]
Fryer Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: Fryer Racing Singles
Fryer was a British builder of racing specials in the interwar years.
Their machines were often based on JAP or Villiers engines fitted into custom racing frames.
Fryer motorcycles were produced in very small numbers and are now extremely rare collector’s items.
💡 Did You Know? Fryer motorcycles competed in local UK club races but never achieved major factory‑backed success.
Fusi (Italy) [Defunct – See also earlier entry]
Fusi Motorcycles
Years Active: 1930s–1950s
Notable Models: Fusi 175cc
Fusi was an Italian motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight commuter bikes.
Their machines were typical of the interwar and post‑war years, often powered by small displacement engines.
The brand disappeared in the 1950s as competition from Moto Guzzi and Benelli intensified.
💡 Did You Know? Fusi motorcycles were sometimes re‑badged for regional Italian markets.
Futurism (Concept) [Experimental]
Futurism Motorcycles
Years Active: Conceptual – 2000s
Notable Models: Futurism Concept Bikes
Futurism is not a brand but a design movement that inspired several motorcycle concept projects in the 2000s.
These machines emphasized radical styling, electric drivetrains, and futuristic ergonomics.
While not mass‑produced, Futurism motorcycles influenced later electric and concept bike designs.
💡 Did You Know? Several Futurism‑inspired motorcycles were displayed at the Milan EICMA show as design studies.
Fabianski Poland, 1936 – 1939
Fafnir Germany, 1904, Fafnir-Werke was an engine builder
Fairy England, 1907, First motorcycle made by Douglas
Fantic This Italian company builds bikes for motocross and trials, where it has been a leading contender since it began in 1960
Far Italy, They make the Twip electric scooter
Farmbyke New Zealand, 1970’s. Designed and made in New Zealand, using Suzuki parts
Farron
Favorit Germany
FB-AJS see AJS
Federation/Federal England, The Co-operative Wholesale Society was founded in 1869 by a group of retailers and manufacturers as a way to buy large amounts of goods at a lower price. Around 1920 they started making motorcycles that were called Federation and Federal using JAP and Villiers engines. They stopped around 1937
Feilbach Limited USA, 1904 – 1914, Used by the Milwaukee Police Dept.
Ferbedo Germany
Ferrari Italy, 1951 – 1954, No connection to the car, made by Fratelli Ferrari 128 to 248cc
FKS
Fichtel & Sachs Germany, Engine builders
Flanders USA, 1911 – 1914, Inline four engine. Had a v-twin in 1914
Flandria Belgium, 1950’s – 1981, Started by the Claeys brothers
Fleming USA, 1900. The Fleming Motor Vehicle Co. built engine kits for bicycles and produced a complete motorbike in 1901. Also sold as Ellis and Fleming and E&F
Flying Merkel USA, 1901 – 1917, Was a small company started by Joseph Merkel in Milwaukee. Sold as Merkel until 1910. Some had 1000cc Thor engines. Bought by the Miami Cycle Co. around 1911?. Merkel left the business with the sale and went to Autoped in 1913
Flink Motorcycles were powered by a Kurier two stroke engine and was the first motorcycle built by BMW in the early twenties
FN Walter Kelicom of the FN arms factory in Belgium began making motorcycles in 1901, offered a shaft drive in 1903 and made the first successful four-cylinder motorcycle in 1910
Francis-Barnett England, Gordon Francis and Arthur Barnett got together in 1919. The wheels they used were mounted on spindles and most used JAP, Blackburn, Villiers or AMC engines. It was taken over by Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) in 1947
Frera Italy, 1906-1956
Freras Italy, 1920’s
Freyer & Miller
Freze Russia
FSO Poland, Polish car maker that made a trail bike in the 1970’s
Force Austria
Fowler Four
Fowler Manson-Sherman
Foxinette Austria?
Francke-Johannsmeyer
Franklin
Fuki Planning Japan, Developed the first “Pocket or Minimoto bikes” in 1975