Wanderer

Years Active: 1902–1929

Notable Models: Wanderer 616cc, Wanderer 750cc

Wanderer was a German manufacturer producing motorcycles, bicycles, and cars.
Their motorcycles ranged from small singles to large V‑twins.
Wanderer exited motorcycle production in 1929, focusing on automobiles, later merging into Auto Union (Audi’s predecessor).

💡 Did You Know? Wanderer’s motorcycle division was sold to NSU in 1929.

Warszawska Fabryka Motocykli (WFM)

Years Active: 1951–1965

Notable Models: WFM M06, WFM M50

WFM was a Polish motorcycle factory that took over production from Sokol after WWII.
They produced simple, rugged commuter motorcycles, often powered by 125cc–175cc two‑stroke engines.
WFM merged into WSK in 1965, ending the brand.

💡 Did You Know? WFM exported motorcycles to Cuba and other Eastern Bloc nations.

West Coast Choppers

Years Active: 1992–present

Notable Models: CFL Chopper, El Diablo

Founded by Jesse James, West Coast Choppers builds custom Harley‑style choppers.
Known for radical styling, stretched frames, and celebrity clientele, the brand became a cultural icon in the 2000s.
Today, WCC continues to produce limited‑run customs and merchandise.

💡 Did You Know? Jesse James’ WCC bikes have appeared in films, TV shows, and celebrity garages worldwide.

Whizzer

Years Active: 1939–1964, revived 1997–2009

Notable Models: Whizzer Pacemaker, Whizzer NE5

Whizzer produced motor kits for bicycles, later complete motor‑bikes.
Popular in postwar America, Whizzers were affordable and practical.
The brand was revived in the late 1990s with retro‑styled motorized bicycles before closing again in 2009.

💡 Did You Know? Whizzer engines were originally sold as bolt‑on kits for Schwinn bicycles.

Wilkinson Sword Motorcycles

Years Active: 1903–1914

Notable Models: Wilkinson Touring Four

Wilkinson Sword, better known for razors and swords, briefly produced motorcycles.
Their most famous model was a water‑cooled inline‑four touring bike with shaft drive, advanced for its time.
Production ended with the outbreak of WWI.

💡 Did You Know? Wilkinson’s motorcycle division was repurposed for military sword and blade production during WWI.

Wooler Motorcycles

Years Active: 1911–1956

Notable Models: Wooler Flat Four, Wooler 500

Wooler was a British manufacturer known for unusual engineering.
They experimented with flat‑four engines, shaft drive, and unique styling.
Despite innovation, Wooler never achieved mass success and closed in the 1950s.

💡 Did You Know? Wooler’s flat‑four prototype was nicknamed “the flying banana” due to its shape.

WSK (Wytwórnia Sprzętu Komunikacyjnego)

Years Active: 1955–1985

Notable Models: WSK 125, WSK 175

WSK was a Polish state‑owned motorcycle manufacturer producing simple, rugged two‑strokes.
Their 125cc and 175cc models were ubiquitous in Poland during the communist era.
Production ended in the 1980s as imports became available.

💡 Did You Know? WSK motorcycles were exported to over 20 countries, including India and Egypt.

Walton Motors

Years Active: 1977–present

Notable Models: Walton Fusion 125, Walton Leo 90

Walton is Bangladesh’s first domestic motorcycle manufacturer.
They produce small displacement motorcycles (80cc–150cc) for local and regional markets.
Walton has expanded into exports across Asia and Africa.

💡 Did You Know? Walton also manufactures electronics and appliances, making it a diversified conglomerate.

Waratah Motorcycles

Years Active: 1911–1950s

Notable Models: Waratah 250

Waratah was an Australian brand that imported British motorcycles and rebadged them for local sale.
They became known as “Australia’s own motorcycle,” despite being assembled from imported parts.
Waratah closed in the 1950s as Japanese imports arrived.

💡 Did You Know? Waratah was Australia’s longest‑running motorcycle brand.

Werner

Years Active: 1897–1909

Notable Models: Werner Motocyclette

Werner was a French company founded by the Werner brothers, credited with popularizing the term “motocyclette.”
They pioneered the placement of the engine within the frame rather than above the front wheel.
Werner’s innovations influenced motorcycle design worldwide.

💡 Did You Know? The Werner brothers’ 1901 design is considered the first true motorcycle layout.

Welbike

Years Active: 1942–1945

Notable Models: Welbike Paratrooper Scooter

The Welbike was a miniature folding motorcycle designed for British paratroopers in WWII.
It could be dropped in a container and quickly assembled for use behind enemy lines.
Though underpowered, it was a clever solution for airborne mobility.

💡 Did You Know? The Welbike inspired the postwar civilian Corgi scooter.

Wild West Motor Company

Years Active: 1987–present

Notable Models: Wild West Vigilante, Wild West Dragoon

Wild West builds high‑end custom V‑twin motorcycles in the U.S.
Their bikes feature billet aluminum frames, powerful S&S engines, and radical styling.
Production numbers are low, making them rare and collectible.

💡 Did You Know? Wild West was one of the first to use CNC‑machined billet frames in production.

Williamson Motorcycles

Years Active: 1912–1920

Notable Models: Williamson Flat Twin

Williamson produced advanced motorcycles before WWI, including a water‑cooled flat‑twin with shaft drive.
Production was interrupted by the war and never fully recovered.
Today, Williamson motorcycles are extremely rare collector’s items.

💡 Did You Know? Williamson’s flat‑twin was inspired by Douglas and ABC designs.

Wisconsin Wheel Works

Years Active: 1910s

Notable Models: Wisconsin Wheel Motor

Wisconsin Wheel produced clip‑on engines for bicycles, turning them into early motorcycles.
These motor‑wheels were part of the first wave of U.S. motorized transport.
The company faded as purpose‑built motorcycles took over.

💡 Did You Know? The Wisconsin Wheel was similar in concept to the British Wall Auto‑Wheel.

Other W‑Brands

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

• Widmayer (Germany): 1920s–1930s lightweight motorcycles.
• Williams (UK): Early 1900s experimental motorcycles.
• Winged Wheel (UK): BSA’s bolt‑on bicycle engine, 1950s.
• Wolf (Canada): 1950s scooters and mopeds.
• Woods‑Meagher (Canada): 1900s experimental motorcycles.
• Wulfruna (UK): 1910s Wolverhampton‑based motorcycles.
• Wul‑Gum (Australia): 1920s–1930s lightweight motorcycles.

💡 Did You Know? The BSA Winged Wheel was a direct competitor to the British Cyclemaster clip‑on engine.