A study done by the Motorcycle Industry Council shows that just over 8% of American households owned one or more motorcycles in their homes in 2018.
This was a 1.08% increase from 2014, which represents nearly 1.5 million people.
Motorcycles have gained popularity in recent years. People use motorcycles as a mode of transport or for recreation. They are easy to use, and this is why the number of people purchasing these two-wheeled modes of transport increases each year.
The increased demand for motorcycles has also increased the supply. The increased supply has encouraged the creation of many motorcycle brands. These brands manufacture motorcycles that have different features, prices, and sizes.
Are you looking for the best motorcycle brand to buy your dream bike? This article will discuss the best motorcycle brands.
1. Honda
Honda is a world-class motorcycle producing giant located in Japan. It offers a wide selection of motorcycles that range from Honda cars, power sports, personal jets, and even robots.
The company has been in the automotive industry for decades. It has created a large market for its automotive products, especially with its many types of motorcycles.
Honda’s motorcycles are cost-friendly, fast, and can do well in almost all types of routes.
Most of Honda’s motorcycles don’t have the whistles and bells found in Harley Davidson and Ducati. Thus, Honda’s motorcycles are cheaper than those of its competitors.
Honda CRF250L Rally and Honda Rebel 300 are some of the popular motorbikes that bear the Honda name.
2. Suzuki
Suzuki has been in the motorcycling industry for the last 60 years. As an old company, the brand hasn’t forgotten where it came from. It still strives to produce high-quality bikes that are available for the less skilled, intermediate, and the highly experienced riders.
Some of the best rides made by Suzuki include the iconic GS series, the lender two stoke RG 500, and the GSX-R Family. Although the company also makes automobiles, it focuses more on selling motorcycles.
3. Yamaha
Yamaha is a Japan-based company that used to make musical instruments. In 1955, the company started making motorcycles.
It began with simple and cost friendly motorcycles, although it has now grown its brand to a powerhouse that makes the best cruisers, off-road bikes, and sport bikes.
They are also capable of designing all types of street legal bikes. Some are good for touring while others are dirt bikes. It is currently ranked as the second largest motorcyclemaking company in Japan after Honda.
Yamaha motorcycles include the Yamaha Bolt Cruiser and Yamaha V Star 250 Cruiser.
4. Kawasaki
Kawasaki is a great motorcycle brand based in Japan. Its main competitors are Honda and Yamaha; they are both located in Japan. The company joined the motorcycle industry in 1960.
Its first motorcycle was the B8 125cc, which was produced in 1961. Its popularity increased five years later when it made the largest bike ever.
The motorcycle industry positively received the first bike, and since then the company has never slowed down. Some of the Kawasaki brand motorbikes include the Kawasaki Ninja 300, Kawasaki KX 100, and many others.
5. Ducati
If you are a motorcycle racing fan, you have probably heard of Ducati. It is an Italian based company which specializes in making motorcycles for people who race, although they still make quality motorbikes for the other riders too.
They make a wide range, including the street legal. Thus, their products are ideal for all types of people. Ducati designs all its motorcycles as racing bikes, although their speed, functionality, and mode of usage vary.
All bikes have timing engines for an excellent performance. The firm has won 14 rider world titles and 17 best manufacture titles. Ducati motorcycles include the 1970 Ducati 750 GT, Ducati Multistrada 950, and the 1987 Ducati 851.
6. BMW
BMW started as an aircraft producing firm. It was, however, forced to leave the aircraft industry when Germany signed the Versailles treaty.
Since then, the German-based company has been making high-quality motorcycles. They include the 486cc R 32, which was created in 1923.
It was the first motorbike made by the company, but it opened many doors for the company because all the motorcycles they later manufactured sold well.
Its other famous products include the GS adventure touring motorbikes, such as the F800GS and S1000RR sportbike, and the six-cylinder K1600GT and K1600GTL touring motorcycles.
The GS line of both on and off-road bikes adds up to almost 30% of the BMW motorcycle sales, and the GS is therefore believed to be the best selling BMW.
7. Indian
Although the company name could easily suggest that it operates in India, the Indian motorbikes are actually produced in the United States. The company went into business in 1901 in Springfield and has since gone through many changes aimed at improving the brand.
Initially, the company reduced its sales due to the Indian name stamped on it. However, with time, Honda decided to resurrect the name by producing motorbikes under the same name again.
Even today, many users are still loyal to the Indian brand as they consider it to be the pioneer manufacturer of motorbikes. Additionally, the motorcycles are durable and spare materials are readily available.
8. Curtis
This is another American company which has been in the market since the 1990s. All its products are custom made, and this on one of the factors that make its motorbikes to stand out from the rest.
The brand takes special orders from the clients and then makes a unique bike for them. As a result, all the motorbikes made by this company are unique in different ways and they rarely look alike.
The fact that the bikes are not built in bulk but rather by order has made the brand a little less popular than its mass-producing counterparts. Currently, only a few people own the Curtis motorcycles.
9. United
Despite its name which makes it sound like it’s based in the States, the United company is located in India and is considered to be the second largest motorcycle producing company in India.
The name of the company is not yet very popular in the global market, but the company is rapidly gaining a popular reputation by producing high-quality motorcycles at low cost.
The brand also manufactures all types of motorbikes, thus providing an extensive choice for customers.
10. Yinxiang
Yinxiang is a Chinese company which initially specialized in real estate development — if you can believe it. Later, this company moved on to making small motors, and then, finally, motorcycles.
Despite its humble beginning, Yinxiang is currently listed as one of the best 20 bike manufacturing companies in the world. It competes with top motorcycle companies that have been making motorcycles for many decades.
The products of this brand include more than a hundred types of vehicles, including three-wheelers, dirt bikes, mopeds, ATVs and scooters. The engines range from 50cc to 250cc.
11. Hero
Hero is the largest motorcycle company in India and the second largest in the world. It manufactures all types of motorcycles, although its powerful scooters have increased its popularity.
Hero has been producing motorcycles for many decades, but its ability to use the same high-quality materials and workmanship has enabled it to remain relevant in the industry.
It distributes more than 45% of its products in India, while some of the products are distributed in Canada and the United States. Hero’s most popular bikes include the Hero Extreme 200R, the 2018 Hero Passion Pro, and the Hero Destini 125.
12. Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson is undoubtedly one of the best-known motorcycle brands in the world. The company has been making motorbikes for decades. Therefore, they have a loyal and dedicated consumer market.
Its classic motorcycles have a vintage appeal that any long-time rider would die for. Harley’s are also known for their loud pipes.
While Harley Davidson bikes still look old school, their newer rides are designed with modern features, which make them faster, more comfortable, and safer.
The famous Harley Davidson brand includes FLH Electra Glide, which uses an electric engine and is ideal for touring.
13. MTT
This US-based company entered the manufacturing industry when it established a jet engine turbines factory. Although it still makes the turbines, the firm got into the motorcycle industry with the main aim of creating the fastest street legal motorcycle.
After its first bike, the company gained notable fame. Thus, it was able to expand and start manufacturing almost all types of motorcycles. Most of the bikes are custom made. The most popular one is the Y2K Turbine Superbike, which is powered by the turboshaft engine.
The Best Motorcycle Brands
Whether you’re looking for your first bike or next new ride, it’s essential that you thoroughly research all of the best motorcycle brands, not just one.
While you may have always dreamed of owning a Harley, that might not be the best bike for you. And, it’s much better to figure out which brand would suit you before you write any checks and hit the road.
Agree with our list? Comment below with your pick for the top motorcycle brand of 2019.
