CLASS 4: FREEDOM UNLEASHED

CLASS 4: FREEDOM UNLEASHED

For many, it was their first introduction to motorised mobility: Back in the 1970s, a 50-ccm moped and a Class-4 driving licence meant new freedom and endless kilometres of adventure on two wheels. We will present two dozen "unleashed mini power-packs" ranging from well-known to exotic makes. The special show is likely to awaken some great memories.

The official, unlovely term for these bikes "small motorised bicycle with 50 cm³" conjures up the image of a bike grandad might use to go shopping. But in the mid-1970s, any 16-year-old who owned a bestselling model from Hercules, Kreidler or Zündapp and held a Class 4 driving licence (AKA "shot-glass licence") was the cool kid in any group. And the supposedly staid moped opened up the opportunity for previously unattainable adventure.

We aim to transport visitors to the Bremen Classic Motorshow 2024 from 2 to 4 February back to this period from the mid-1950s to the end of the 1970s with our Motorbike Special Show in the ÖVB Arena (Hall 1).

While the first models in the 1950s hit the roads with all of 2 hp and a top speed of just over 50 km/h, later mass produced mopeds like the Hercules Ultra or the Kreidler RS packed a punch of 6.25 hp and 100 km/h. It was an exciting time for young bikers, who often pushed the speedometer pointer up to impressive three-digit figures, depending on their tinkering skills. Sometimes this went beyond the legal range, but most of them didn't care. The main thing was being the fastest on two wheels in the neighbourhood!