Tandon Motorcycles

Years Active: 1947–1959

Notable Models: Tandon Superglide, Tandon 122cc

Tandon was a British motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight commuter bikes after WWII.
Their machines were powered by Villiers engines and targeted budget riders.
Despite affordability, Tandon struggled against larger brands and closed in 1959.

💡 Did You Know? Tandon exported many of its bikes to India, where they gained a following.

Tatran Scooters

Years Active: 1950s–1960s

Notable Models: Tatran 125, Tatran 150

Tatran was a Czechoslovakian scooter brand produced in the 1950s and 1960s.
Their scooters were stylish and practical, competing with Jawa and ČZ.
Tatran scooters are now rare collector’s items in Eastern Europe.

💡 Did You Know? Tatran scooters were exported to the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries.

Terrot

Years Active: 1902–1961

Notable Models: Terrot 500cc, Terrot Rally

Terrot was one of France’s most important motorcycle manufacturers.
They produced a wide range of machines, from small commuters to racing bikes.
Terrot merged with Peugeot in the 1950s, and the brand disappeared by 1961.

💡 Did You Know? Terrot motorcycles won multiple French national championships in the 1930s.

Taiwan Golden Bee (TGB)

Years Active: 1978–present

Notable Models: TGB X‑Motion, TGB Blade ATV

TGB is a Taiwanese manufacturer producing scooters, ATVs, and engines.
They began as a supplier for Piaggio before launching their own brand.
TGB scooters are popular in Europe for their reliability and affordability.

💡 Did You Know? TGB also manufactures continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) for other brands.

Thor Motorcycles

Years Active: 1901–1916

Notable Models: Thor V‑Twin, Thor Single

Thor was an American motorcycle brand created by the Aurora Automatic Machine Company.
They built engines for Indian before producing their own motorcycles.
Thor was innovative but closed in 1916 as Harley‑Davidson and Indian dominated the market.

💡 Did You Know? Thor engines powered many early U.S. brands, including Reading Standard and Racycle.

Thumpstar

Years Active: 2004–present

Notable Models: Thumpstar TSX 140, Thumpstar 250

Thumpstar is an Australian brand founded by racer Timothy Hunter.
They specialize in pit bikes and small off‑road motorcycles, manufactured in Asia and exported worldwide.
Thumpstar has grown into a global niche brand with a strong enthusiast following.

💡 Did You Know? By 2015, Thumpstar offered over 16 models in 20 countries.

Tiger Motorcycles

Years Active: 1910s–1960s (various)

Notable Models: Tiger 500 (Germany), Tiger Cub (UK nickname)

Several companies used the Tiger name. In Germany and Sweden, Tiger produced small motorcycles and mopeds.
In the U.S., Tiger branded lightweight imports in the 1960s.
The name is most famously associated with Triumph’s “Tiger” line, though unrelated.

💡 Did You Know? Triumph’s Tiger 100 was one of the fastest pre‑WWII motorcycles.

Titan Motorcycle Company

Years Active: 1995–2007

Notable Models: Titan Gecko, Titan Phoenix

Titan was an American custom motorcycle manufacturer producing Harley‑style cruisers.
They were among the first to mass‑produce custom choppers in the 1990s.
Titan went bankrupt in 2001, briefly revived, and closed permanently in 2007.

💡 Did You Know? Titan was the first custom motorcycle company to go public on NASDAQ.

Tohatsu Motorcycles

Years Active: 1948–1964

Notable Models: Tohatsu Runpet, Tohatsu 125 Racer

Tohatsu was a Japanese manufacturer producing small motorcycles and scooters.
They were successful in the 1950s, even competing in international racing.
Tohatsu withdrew from motorcycles in 1964 to focus on outboard motors, which they still produce today.

💡 Did You Know? Tohatsu was once Japan’s 4th largest motorcycle maker.

Tomos

Years Active: 1954–2019

Notable Models: Tomos Sprint, Tomos A3

Tomos was a Slovenian (formerly Yugoslav) manufacturer famous for mopeds and small motorcycles.
Their mopeds were exported worldwide, especially to the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s.
Tomos closed in 2019 after decades of financial struggles.

💡 Did You Know? Tomos mopeds were once the official delivery bikes for Domino’s Pizza in the U.S.

Tornax

Years Active: 1926–1955

Notable Models: Tornax III, Tornax Rex

Tornax was a German motorcycle manufacturer producing a wide range of machines from 200cc singles to 1000cc JAP‑powered bikes.
They were known for racing success in the 1930s.
Tornax resumed production after WWII but closed in 1955.

💡 Did You Know? Tornax built one of the largest German motorcycles of the 1930s, the 1000cc Tornax III.

Triumph Motorcycles

Years Active: 1902–present

Notable Models: Bonneville, Tiger, Rocket 3, Speed Triple

Triumph is one of the most famous motorcycle brands in the world.
Founded in Coventry, Triumph became iconic with models like the Bonneville and Tiger.
After financial collapse in the 1980s, Triumph was revived and today produces a full range of modern classics, adventure bikes, and sport machines.

💡 Did You Know? Steve McQueen rode a Triumph TR6 Trophy in the movie “The Great Escape.”

TVS Motor Company

Years Active: 1978–present

Notable Models: TVS Apache RR 310, TVS Jupiter

TVS is one of India’s largest motorcycle and scooter manufacturers.
They produce a wide range of two‑wheelers from scooters to sportbikes.
TVS also partners with BMW Motorrad to co‑develop small displacement motorcycles like the BMW G310 series.

💡 Did You Know? TVS is the third‑largest motorcycle company in India by sales volume.

Tule Trooper

Years Active: 1947–1959

Notable Models: Tule Trooper Utility Scooter

The Tule Trooper was a rugged American scooter designed for utility use.
It featured a step‑through frame, large tires, and a small four‑stroke engine.
Popular with farmers and ranchers, it was marketed as a practical work vehicle rather than a leisure scooter.

💡 Did You Know? Tule Troopers were nicknamed “the Jeep of scooters.”

Twin Eagle

Years Active: 1970s–1980s

Notable Models: Twin Eagle Custom V‑Twin

Twin Eagle was a small American custom motorcycle builder producing Harley‑style choppers.
Their bikes were hand‑built in limited numbers and catered to the custom cruiser market.
The brand disappeared by the 1980s, leaving only rare examples behind.

💡 Did You Know? Twin Eagle motorcycles often used S&S aftermarket engines.

TWN (Triumph Werke Nürnberg)

Years Active: 1896–1956

Notable Models: TWN BDG 250, TWN Cornet

TWN was the German branch of Triumph, operating independently from the British company.
They produced motorcycles ranging from light commuters to 250cc two‑strokes.
After WWII, TWN continued briefly before being absorbed by Adler and later Daimler‑Benz.

💡 Did You Know? TWN’s split‑single two‑stroke engines were nicknamed “Twingle.”

Other T‑Brands

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

• Tehuelche (Argentina): 1950s–1960s 75cc–125cc motorcycles, Argentina’s first domestic brand.
• Teco (UK): 1920s lightweight motorcycles.
• Temple (US): Early 1910s motorcycles, very rare.
• Testi (Italy): 1960s–1970s mopeds and small sport bikes.
• TGM (Italy): Boutique racing motorcycles in the 1970s.
• Thiem/Thomas (US): Early 1900s motor‑bicycles.
• Thoroughbred (UK): 1980s custom sport frames.
• Three Spires (UK): Small Coventry‑based 1920s brand.
• Tornedo (Spain): 1950s mopeds and scooters.
• Tourist Trophy (UK): Short‑lived 1930s racing specials.
• Torpedo (Germany): 1920s–1930s mopeds and bicycles.
• Toyomotor (Japan): 1950s scooters and light motorcycles.
• Trenton (US): Early 1900s motorcycles, very obscure.
• Tri‑King (UK): Modern three‑wheeled sport trikes.
• Trimoto (Italy): 1950s–1960s three‑wheel utility bikes.
• Traumannsdorf (Austria): Pre‑WWI experimental motorcycles.
• Tula (Russia): Soviet‑era scooters, 1950s–1980s.

💡 Did You Know? The Tehuelche was Argentina’s first mass‑produced motorcycle, designed by engineers Juan Raffo and Miguel Angel Castiglioni.