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Werner Motors was a French motorcycle manufacturer founded by brothers Michel and Eugene Werner. The company started as a bicycle manufacturer in 1892, and by 1896, the brothers began experimenting with motorized bicycles. In 1897, they coined the term “motocyclette,” which would later become the French word for motorcycle.

The first Werner motorcycle was introduced in 1902 and was powered by a single-cylinder engine. The company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality motorcycles that were both fast and reliable. In 1904, Werner introduced a new model that featured a V-twin engine, which was the first of its kind in a production motorcycle.

Werner motorcycles were popular with both riders and racers, and the company achieved a number of racing victories throughout its history. In 1906, a Werner motorcycle won the prestigious Targa Florio road race in Italy, and the company went on to win a number of other races throughout Europe.

During World War I, Werner produced motorcycles for the French military, and the company also developed a number of innovative technologies during this time, including a front suspension system that was later adopted by other motorcycle manufacturers.

Despite its success, Werner Motors struggled financially in the years following the war, and in 1920, the company was sold to Peugeot. Peugeot continued to produce motorcycles under the Werner brand name for several years, but eventually phased out the name in favor of its own brand.

Today, Werner motorcycles are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and they are considered to be some of the most significant motorcycles in the history of the sport. The company’s innovative designs and racing successes helped to pave the way for future generations of motorcycle manufacturers, and its legacy continues to live on in the world of motorcycles today.