Sachs Motorcycles

Years Active: 1886–present (motorcycles until 2007)

Notable Models: Sachs MadAss, Sachs Roadster 800

Sachs, originally Fichtel & Sachs, was a German company famous for producing engines used by countless motorcycle brands.
They also built their own motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters.
In the 2000s, Sachs produced larger bikes like the Roadster 800 before focusing again on components.

💡 Did You Know? The Sachs MadAss was a minimalist 125cc bike with an exposed frame and cult following.

Salsbury Scooters

Years Active: 1936–1950s

Notable Models: Salsbury Motor Glide

Salsbury was an American scooter manufacturer and one of the pioneers of the modern scooter layout.
Their Motor Glide featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), decades ahead of its time.
Salsbury scooters influenced later designs by Vespa and Cushman.

💡 Did You Know? Salsbury patented the CVT in 1937, a technology still used in scooters today.

Saroléa

Years Active: 1892–1963, revived 2010s (electric)

Notable Models: Saroléa 500cc, Saroléa Manxman, Saroléa SP7 Electric

Saroléa was one of Belgium’s oldest motorcycle manufacturers.
They produced singles and V‑twins, competing in European racing.
The brand disappeared in the 1960s but was revived in the 2010s with electric superbikes.

💡 Did You Know? Saroléa supplied motorcycles to the Belgian Army during both World Wars.

Sanglas

Years Active: 1942–1981

Notable Models: Sanglas 400, Sanglas 500

Sanglas was a Spanish motorcycle manufacturer producing mid‑sized four‑stroke singles.
They were widely used by Spanish police and military forces.
In 1981, Yamaha acquired Sanglas, ending the brand but using its facilities for European production.

💡 Did You Know? Sanglas motorcycles were nicknamed “the Spanish BMW” for their touring style.

Sanyang (SYM)

Years Active: 1954–present

Notable Models: SYM Wolf 300, SYM Jet 14

Sanyang Industry Co., known as SYM, is a Taiwanese manufacturer of scooters, motorcycles, and ATVs.
They are one of the largest scooter producers in Asia, exporting worldwide.
SYM also produced Honda motorcycles under license in the 1960s before launching their own brand.

💡 Did You Know? SYM also owns Wuxi Futong Motorcycle Company in mainland China.

Saxonette

Years Active: 1938–1960s

Notable Models: Saxonette 60cc

Saxonette was a German brand producing clip‑on engines for bicycles and small mopeds.
Their compact two‑stroke engines were mounted over the rear wheel, making bicycles into motor‑bikes.
Saxonette units were popular in pre‑ and post‑WWII Europe for affordable transport.

💡 Did You Know? The Saxonette engine was later licensed to Hercules and Fichtel & Sachs.

Schickel Motorcycles

Years Active: 1911–1917

Notable Models: Schickel Light Motorcycle

Schickel was a small American motorcycle manufacturer based in Pennsylvania.
They produced lightweight motorcycles with innovative features like twist‑grip controls.
The company closed after WWI, but Schickel bikes are prized by collectors today.

💡 Did You Know? Schickel was one of the first to use twist‑grip throttle control.

Schliha

Years Active: 1920s–1930s

Notable Models: Schliha 250cc

Schliha was a German motorcycle manufacturer producing small displacement commuter bikes.
Their machines were typical of the interwar German industry, often using proprietary engines.
The brand disappeared before WWII and remains little‑known today.

💡 Did You Know? Surviving Schliha motorcycles are extremely rare, with only a handful in museums.

Schüttoff

Years Active: 1924–1933

Notable Models: Schüttoff 500cc

Schüttoff was a German motorcycle manufacturer based in Chemnitz.
They produced mid‑sized motorcycles and competed in racing events.
The company was absorbed by DKW in 1933, ending the Schüttoff name.

💡 Did You Know? Schüttoff motorcycles were known for their robust 500cc singles.

ABC Scootamota

Years Active: 1919–1922

Notable Models: Scootamota

The Scootamota was one of the earliest scooters, produced by ABC in the UK.
It featured a step‑through frame and small engine mounted low for stability.
Though short‑lived, it helped inspire later scooter designs.

💡 Did You Know? The Scootamota predates Vespa and Lambretta by nearly 30 years.

Scorpa

Years Active: 1993–present

Notable Models: Scorpa SY250, Scorpa Twenty

Scorpa is a French manufacturer specializing in trials motorcycles.
Their lightweight, agile machines are used in competition worldwide.
Scorpa briefly partnered with Yamaha for engines before returning to independent designs.

💡 Did You Know? Scorpa was acquired by Sherco in 2015 but continues under its own name.

Scott Motorcycles

Years Active: 1908–1978

Notable Models: Scott Flying Squirrel

Scott was a British motorcycle manufacturer famous for pioneering two‑stroke engines and liquid cooling.
Their “Flying Squirrel” was a legendary racing machine in the 1920s and 1930s.
Scott closed in the late 1970s but remains iconic among vintage enthusiasts.

💡 Did You Know? Scott motorcycles were the first to win the Isle of Man TT with a two‑stroke engine (1912).

Seeley Motorcycles

Years Active: 1966–1970s

Notable Models: Seeley Honda, Seeley Norton

Colin Seeley was a British racer and engineer who built high‑quality racing frames.
His Seeley motorcycles combined proprietary engines (Honda, Norton, Matchless) with lightweight frames,
achieving success in road racing. Seeley bikes are highly collectible today.

💡 Did You Know? Seeley frames were used in Isle of Man TT races with great success.

Sears Motorcycles

Years Active: 1912–1916

Notable Models: Sears Auto‑Cycle

Sears sold motorcycles through its mail‑order catalog, built by Thor and Excelsior.
These machines were marketed as affordable, accessible transportation.
Sears ended motorcycle sales after WWI but remains a unique chapter in U.S. motorcycling.

💡 Did You Know? Customers could order a Sears motorcycle by mail and have it delivered in a crate.

Siambretta

Years Active: 1950s–1970s

Notable Models: Siambretta 125, Siambretta 150

Siambretta was an Argentine scooter brand producing Lambretta scooters under license.
They became a cultural icon in Argentina, offering stylish, affordable mobility.
Production ended in the 1970s as Japanese motorcycles gained dominance.

💡 Did You Know? “Siambretta” combined Siam Di Tella (the Argentine company) with Lambretta.

Simson

Years Active: 1856–2002 (motorcycles from 1907)

Notable Models: Simson Schwalbe, Simson S51

Simson was a German manufacturer producing firearms, cars, and motorcycles.
In East Germany, Simson mopeds and scooters like the Schwalbe became cultural icons.
After reunification, Simson struggled and closed in 2002, but their bikes remain beloved classics.

💡 Did You Know? The Simson Schwalbe scooter is still a common sight in Germany today.

Solex

Years Active: 1946–1988

Notable Models: VéloSoleX

Solex was a French manufacturer famous for its VéloSoleX motorized bicycle.
The small engine mounted above the front wheel drove it via a roller.
Millions were sold worldwide, making it one of the most iconic mopeds of all time.

💡 Did You Know? The VéloSoleX was nicknamed “the bicycle that always arrives.”

Sparta

Years Active: 1917–1982 (motorcycles)

Notable Models: Sparta 50cc, Sparta Metropole

Sparta was a Dutch manufacturer producing bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles.
Their mopeds were especially popular in the Netherlands during the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, Sparta continues as a bicycle brand, focusing on e‑bikes.

💡 Did You Know? Sparta was once the largest bicycle manufacturer in the Netherlands.

Suzuki Motor Corporation

Years Active: 1952–present

Notable Models: GSX‑R Series, Hayabusa, V‑Strom, Burgman

Suzuki is one of Japan’s “Big Four” motorcycle manufacturers.
They produce everything from scooters to superbikes and adventure tourers.
Suzuki is renowned for performance, reliability, and racing success, including MotoGP championships.

💡 Did You Know? The Suzuki Hayabusa was the world’s fastest production motorcycle at its 1999 launch.

SWM Motorcycles

Years Active: 1971–1984, revived 2014–present

Notable Models: SWM RS 500 R, SWM Gran Milano

SWM (Speedy Working Motors) was an Italian off‑road motorcycle brand famous in the 1970s and 1980s
for trials and enduro bikes. After closing in 1984, the brand was revived in 2014 with backing from
Chinese investors, producing modern dual‑sports and retro‑styled road bikes.

💡 Did You Know? SWM’s revival bikes use Husqvarna‑derived engines from the BMW/KTM era.

SYM (Sanyang Motor)

Years Active: 1954–present

Notable Models: SYM Wolf 300, SYM Jet 14, SYM Cruisym

SYM is a Taiwanese manufacturer producing scooters, motorcycles, and ATVs.
They are one of the largest scooter exporters worldwide, with strong markets in Europe and Asia.
SYM also produced Honda motorcycles under license before developing their own range.

💡 Did You Know? SYM scooters are widely used in European delivery fleets for reliability.

Sun Motorcycles

Years Active: 1911–1961

Notable Models: Sun Villiers 197cc

Sun was a British manufacturer producing bicycles and lightweight motorcycles.
Their machines often used Villiers two‑stroke engines.
Sun was absorbed into Raleigh in the 1960s, ending motorcycle production.

💡 Did You Know? Sun motorcycles were popular with British youth as affordable commuters.

Sunbeam Motorcycles

Years Active: 1912–1956

Notable Models: Sunbeam S7, Sunbeam S8

Sunbeam was a prestigious British motorcycle manufacturer known for high‑quality engineering.
Their S7 and S8 models were advanced shaft‑drive machines.
Sunbeam was eventually acquired by BSA, which ended the brand in the 1950s.

💡 Did You Know? Sunbeam motorcycles were nicknamed “Gentlemen’s Machines” for their refinement.

Standard Motorcycles

Years Active: 1903–1960s (UK), 1950s–1980s (India)

Notable Models: Standard Vanguard (UK), Standard 200 (India)

Standard was a name used by both a British and an Indian manufacturer.
In the UK, Standard produced motorcycles before focusing on cars.
In India, Standard built licensed versions of Lambretta scooters and small motorcycles until the 1980s.

💡 Did You Know? Standard in India produced the last licensed Lambretta scooters.

Sprite Motorcycles

Years Active: 1964–1974

Notable Models: Sprite 250 MX

Sprite was a British manufacturer producing motocross and trials motorcycles.
Their lightweight off‑road bikes were exported to the U.S. and Europe.
Sprite closed in the 1970s as Japanese competition overwhelmed small British firms.

💡 Did You Know? Sprite frames were also sold to private builders for custom off‑road bikes.

Speedwell

Years Active: 1910s–1920s

Notable Models: Speedwell Lightweight

Speedwell was a small British motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight commuter machines.
They often used Villiers engines and were marketed as affordable transport.
The brand disappeared by the 1920s.

💡 Did You Know? Speedwell also produced bicycles alongside motorcycles.

Stevens Motorcycles

Years Active: 1934–1938

Notable Models: Stevens 250cc

The Stevens brothers, founders of AJS, produced motorcycles under their own name after selling AJS to Matchless.
Their machines were well‑engineered but short‑lived, ending before WWII.

💡 Did You Know? The Stevens brothers were instrumental in shaping early British racing motorcycles.

Honda Steed

Years Active: 1988–2001

Notable Models: Honda Steed 400, Steed 600

The Honda Steed was a cruiser motorcycle line produced for the Japanese domestic market.
Styled after American choppers, the Steed was popular in Asia and Europe.
It was eventually replaced by the Honda Shadow series.

💡 Did You Know? The Steed 400 was designed to comply with Japan’s licensing restrictions.

Other S‑Brands

In addition to the major names, several smaller or short‑lived “S” brands existed:

• SOS (UK): 1920s–1930s lightweight motorcycles.
• SMW (Russia): Soviet‑era military motorcycles.
• Skootamatic (US): 1950s scooters marketed regionally.
• Sparta (Netherlands): Mopeds and bicycles, 1917–1982.
• Sun Auto (Japan): Small scooters in the 1960s.
• Superia (Belgium): 1930s–1950s commuter motorcycles.

💡 Did You Know? SOS stood for “Super Onslow Special,” named after its founder.