Daimler Reitwagen

Origin
Translated as “riding wagon”, the Reitwagen establishes itself as the first combustion powered vehicle, and in effect, ancestor to most gasoline fueled transport. Surprising since it was a miserable failure. Steam motorcycles (Michaux-Perreaux, Roper, Copeland) already predated this beastie. Prototype four stroke engine, wooden wheels and outriggers for balance resembled more early car than newfangled bike. And the seat caught fire the first test run. Which sounds terrible, but in retrospect, a two-wheeler was never the intended goal. Daimler just wanted to improve engine designs with his employee Maybach to get a carriage moving under its own power. Considering the outcome, bikers everywhere will take it as a victory.

Effects
Lateral forwards motion after starting the engine will return that energy as heat. Not just any temperature – the exact variation needed to fully burn every stubborn hydrocarbon chain within the fuel tank. Withstanding any additives or exotic fuels (coughcoufh *Steve, Joe and jet fuel* kluggh), it will run fine without any problem. Besides periodically lighting on fire. Yeah, the wheels have a real tendency to use some of that combustion for extra oomph and turn into rolling cinders, scorching asphalt. Both amazing and terrifying at burning doughnuts.