Bat Motor Manufacturing Co.

[1] Significant innovations developed by the company included one of the first motorcycle suspension systems, with a leading link front fork and a subframe suspended on springs from the main frame.

Based in Penge, the first Bat motorcycle used a small 2.5 hp (1.9 kW) de Dion engine but poor sales led to Batson selling the company to Theodore Tessier in 1904.

Significant innovations included one of the first practical clutch mechanisms and he also patented one of the first motorcycle full suspension systems, with a leading link front fork and a subframe suspended on springs from the main frame.

To raise awareness of the motorcycles, Tessier began serious competitive racing and achieved over 200 wins, setting numerous speed records.

By 1904 a number of cars were produced using a 6 hp 2-cylinder Fafnir engine and a seat for the driver instead of the usual saddle, with a semi-enclosed wooden body for a passenger.