DKW Motorcycles

DKW was one of the most important motorcycle brands in history. The company was founded in 1919 by J. S. Rasmussen. In the 1920s, DKW became the largest motorcycle factory in the world.

The brand became famous for its clever engineering, strong racing results, and major role in developing two-stroke motorcycles.

Early Years

DKW first made a small two-stroke engine that could be fitted to a bicycle. This simple idea helped the company grow quickly. After that, DKW started producing full motorcycles.

Many early DKW engines were designed by Hugo Ruppe. The company also supplied two-stroke engines to other German motorcycle makers.

Racing Success in the 1920s

During the 1920s, DKW raced water-cooled two-stroke motorcycles in the 175cc and later 250cc classes.

These bikes used a special system called Ladepump, which helped improve engine performance. DKW had strong success in racing and built a reputation for innovation.

By the end of the 1920s, DKW was making road motorcycles from 150cc to 600cc, with both single-cylinder and twin-cylinder engines.

DKW and Auto Union

In the 1930s, DKW became part of Auto Union along with Audi, Horch, and Wanderer.

During this time, DKW continued building motorcycles and also made light cars with two-stroke engines.

The company improved its road bikes by using the Schnürle flat-top piston design, which gave better power and reliability.

Famous Racing Machines

DKW also became well known for its unusual split-single racing motorcycles. These machines were designed by Arnold Zoller and later developed by August Prüssing.

These racers became very successful in the 250cc class. Famous DKW riders included Ewald Kluge, Walfred Winkler, and Siegfried Wünsche.

One of DKW’s greatest moments came in 1938, when Ewald Kluge won the Lightweight TT at record speed.

In the same year, DKW took a 1-2-3 finish in the 250cc European Championship. In 1939, Kluge became 250cc champion, while Heiner Fleischmann won the 350cc title.

Wide Range of Motorcycles

In the 1930s, DKW offered motorcycles in many sizes, from 98cc to 500cc. One of its advanced models was an air-cooled twin-cylinder bike with electric starting, which was impressive for that time.

After World War II

After World War II, DKW was divided into two parts. The original factory at Zschopau became IFA and later MZ.

In West Germany, DKW restarted production at Ingolstadt and later at Düsseldorf.

The Legendary RT125

One of DKW’s most important post-war motorcycles was the RT125. This model had first appeared in 1939 and later became one of the most copied motorcycles in history.

The RT125 influenced many famous bikes, including the BSA Bantam, Harley-Davidson Hummer, Soviet Moskva, and Yamaha YA-1.

New Models and Racing Return

After the war, DKW expanded its range with air-cooled twin-cylinder motorcycles in 200cc, 250cc, and 350cc.

The company also returned to racing in the 125cc, 250cc, and 350cc classes. Some of these racing bikes used rotary inlet valves.

Although DKW still had some racing success, it never fully matched its pre-war dominance.

Racing Ends

One interesting post-war racing project was the 350cc three-cylinder racer, designed by Eric Wolf and later developed by Helmut Görg.

It was known as a very fast machine, but it was not always reliable. Because of business concerns, DKW stopped its racing program at the end of 1956.

Mergers and Changes

In 1957, DKW joined with Victoria and Express to form Zweirad Union.

Later, in 1966, the group was taken over by Fichtel & Sachs, which also owned Hercules.

Over time, DKW lost its strong position in two-stroke technology. In many markets, the Hercules name slowly replaced DKW.

The Hercules W2000

One of the final motorcycles linked to the DKW name was the Hercules W2000. This unusual bike used a Sachs single-rotor air-cooled Wankel engine.

It was rated at 300cc and produced a claimed 32 horsepower at 6500 rpm. It also had a 6-speed gearbox and chain drive.

Even though it was advanced and different, the W2000 did not become widely popular.

End of the DKW Name

By the early 1980s, both the W2000 and the DKW name disappeared. It was the end of a brand that had once stood for creativity, engineering skill, and motorcycle innovation.

DKW’s Legacy

DKW left a strong mark on motorcycle history. The company helped shape two-stroke technology, achieved important racing victories, and created the famous RT125.

Today, DKW is remembered as one of the most inventive and influential names in classic motorcycling.