The 10 Best Motorcycle Brands of All Time

Motorcycles are more than just vehicles; they symbolize freedom, adventure, and individuality. To a motorcycle enthusiast, a bike is a canvas of passion, thrill, and excitement. It is truly a beautiful blend of man and machine. Several factors play a crucial role in selecting the right motorcycle brand. Elements such as brand reputation, after-sales support, resale value, brand recognition, and reliability significantly impact the decision-making process. Also, ranking the best motorcycle brands is quite challenging, as different brands excel based on different criteria. For instance, a top 10 list based on “sales volume” would produce a different ranking than one based on “popularity”. As a result, our top 10 brands are chosen based on multiple criteria including, popularity, brand recognition, and reliability. 

List of Top 10 Best Motorcycle Brands & their Origin Country

Yamaha

Founded by Genichi Kawakami, Yamaha started as a musical instrument company in 1887.  In 1953, they entered the motorcycle market and quickly became known for producing reliable and innovative bikes. Over the years, Yamaha has become a big name in motorsports, particularly in MotoGP, where they’ve had great success with top riders like Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. They also compete in other racing events like motocross and supercross.

Yamaha produces a wide range of motorcycles, from sports bikes and cruisers to off-road and touring bikes, serving riders of all types. Their iconic YZF series has always been a go-to choice by many motorcycle enthusiasts. First introduced in 1998, the YZF-R1 has continued to evolve and remains a standout model in Yamaha’s lineup to this day. Their reputation for building durable, high-performance motorcycles at competitive prices has made them a popular choice among people worldwide.  

Honda

Honda is another legendary Japanese motorcycle brand that was founded by  Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa in 1948. They have a strong presence in the automobile industry with their innovative motorcycles and cars. Their presence is so dominant that in many rural areas, people often refer to motorcycles simply as “Honda”. Similar to Yamaha’s YZF series, Honda is also renowned for its CBR series.

The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade is considered one of the most stunning sports bikes available on the market today. Ever since its debut in 1958 and with over 100 million units sold, the legendary Honda SuperCub is known to be the highest-selling bike model ever to exist. Again similar to Yamaha, Valentino Rossi raced for Honda from 2000 to 2003 in the MotoGP Championship, securing back-to-back victories in 2002 and 2003. With innovative technology, reliability, fuel efficiency, and a global reputation Honda has cemented their legacy and carrying it on to date. 

Suzuki 

In 1909 Suzuki was founded by Michio Suzuki. After World War II, they shifted to building motorcycles. They quickly gained fame for producing reliable and performance-oriented bikes. Suzuki has had a strong presence in MotoGP and other motorsports, with notable success like winning the 2020 MotoGP World Championship with Joan Mir.

They also compete in events like motocross and superbike racing. Suzuki offers a wide range of motorcycles, from sports bikes like the GSX-R series to cruisers, adventure bikes, and scooters. Their most iconic model is the Suzuki Hayabusa which they have been producing since 1999.  Their bikes are known for being durable, affordable, and fun to ride, making them a popular choice for riders around the world.

Kawasaki

For any bike enthusiast, the name “Kawasaki” instantly brings to mind the legendary Ninja series. Among them, the Kawasaki Ninja H2R stands out as the fastest motorcycle ever built to date. “Shozo Kawasaki” is the known founder of Kawasaki. 1878 Shozo Kawasaki opened the Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard in Tokyo, Japan.

Kawasaki is renowned globally for its use of premium components and its reputation for crafting reliable, high-performance machines. Their exceptional sportbikes, including the iconic Ninja and Z series are the most famous. However, their off-road models, such as the KLX and KLR series, are equally hyped among off-road enthusiasts. 

BMW

Among the Japanese dominance in motorcycle manufacturing a German brand stands out apart from its competitors. BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) is renowned worldwide for building machines that are reliable, and premium. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or a motorcycle enthusiast, the name BMW is one you’re undoubtedly familiar with—and for good reason.

Even though their journey started during the year 1916, they started manufacturing motorcycles in 1923. Their premium sports bikes such as the BMW S1000RR, M1000RR, and BMW R 1250 RS have a special place in every motorist’s heart. Their motorcycles are usually packed with different features. It is worth mentioning their iconic TFT displays which almost feel like an in-built Tab inside of a motorcycle. 

Harley Davidson

Founded in 1903 by William S. Harley  & Arthur Davidson, Harley Davidson is an American classic. You’ve probably seen it in Hollywood movies—motorcycle gangs riding together in groups, their Harley-Davidsons roaring down the road. It’s because ever since its beginning Harley Davidson has become a symbol of America’s freedom and culture. 

Harley-Davidson is best known for producing heavyweight cruisers and touring bikes, like the Softail, Sportster, and Road Glide, designed for long, comfortable rides. Their bikes are widely loved for their iconic design, deep rumbling sound, and sense of heritage. It is almost inevitable that, if you own a Harley Davidson you are a part of its community of loyal riders. This sense of community is what truly sets them apart from the rest. 

KTM

During the year 1934 Johann Hans  Trunkenpolz founded KTM. The acronym of KTM is “Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen” which is basically German and refers to an “Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer”. KTM recently entered the sports car market with the launch of the KTM X-BOW GT. But for motorcycle enthusiasts, their most iconic and popular offering remains the Duke lineup, which continues to captivate riders worldwide.

Their motorcycles are renowned for offering an exceptional price-to-performance ratio. The amount of features they provide within an affordable budget is likely the key reason for their worldwide popularity. It is also worth mentioning the Indian giant “Bajaj Auto Limited” as they hold around 49.9% stake at KTM. Therefore, it is not surprising to see the dominance of KTM in the Indian market. 

Ducati

Ducati is an Italian giant. You can’t call yourself a motorcycle person if you haven’t heard about the iconic Ducati Panigale. Their iconic Red color symbolizes its presence. They are known for building bikes that are 10/10 in terms of looks and designs. Headquartered in Bologna, Italy, Ducati started its journey around 1926.  Antonio Cavalieri Ducati and his three sons, Adriano Ducati, Marcello Ducati, and Bruno Ducati are the founding members of the Ducati company.

Ducati is known for producing naked bikes like the Monster, and adventure bikes like the Multistrada. Riders worldwide love Ducati for its Italian craftsmanship, unique styling, and thrilling performance, making it one of the most admired motorcycle brands globally. However, it is worth mentioning that Ducati bikes have a relatively higher maintenance cost.  

Royal Enfield

Albert Eadie and Robert Walker Smith are the known founders of Royal Enfield. In 1901, when Bob Walker Smith and Frenchman Jules Gobiet designed the first Royal Enfield motorcycle. The motorcycle was launched at the Stanley Cycle Show in London. Royal Enfield began production in India in 1955 when they collaborated with Madras Motors in India to form Enfield India. Later Eicher Motors acquired Enfield India in 1994. Now it is an All India Brand, but the original English heritage is there as well.

Royal Enfield is known for its popular models like Bullet, and Classic, café racer-styled motorcycles like the Continental GT, and adventure motorcycles like the Himalayan. It is also worth highlighting their exceptional build quality, perfectly captured by their iconic tagline, “Made Like a Gun”.

Aprilia

Another iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Aprilia creates motorcycles that are truly music to the ears. After the Second World War Aprilia started in 1945 in Italy, initially as a bicycle manufacturer before moving into motorcycles in the late 1960s. Cavaliere Alberto Beggio is the founder of Aprilia.

Over the years, they gained recognition for their innovative designs and performance-focused bikes. Aprilia has a strong presence in MotoGP and has won multiple titles in smaller classes like 125cc and 250cc racing. They produce a variety of motorcycles, including sport bikes like the RSV4, naked bikes like the Tuono, and scooters. Riders love Aprilia for its cutting-edge technology, racing heritage, and unique Italian styling, making it a favorite for those seeking performance and style. 

Conclusion & Honorable Mention

It is estimated that there are approximately 184 motorcycle manufacturers available in the world. Therefore, the top 10 list can vary based on personal preferences and chosen criteria. However, manufacturers such as the Triumph, Indian, Bajaj, Benelli, MV Augusta, TVS, Arch, and Hero Motocorp are worth mentioning as well. Among all these options choosing your favorite brand or model can be tricky but the decision should be made based on your need, riding style, budget, and reliability.