Top 10 Best Motorcycle Brands of All Time

The Top Ten
1 Yamaha

Hands down, Suzuki is the best brand. All those European bikes (KTM, Gas Gas, etc.) just can't compete with the reliability of the Japanese bikes (Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki). I had a Grizzly a few years back. I got it new, and it never needed anything. All I did was put in new fuel. The oil was never changed, and the tires were never checked because they never went flat. My point is, they are the best brand, without a doubt.

Yamaha and Honda give each other good competition. Both are on top in motorcycle manufacturing. The slight difference between the two is this: Honda gives more miles per gallon, and Yamaha gives more power per gallon. Thus, I opt for the performance and joy-to-ride quality factor of Yamaha over the better economy of Honda.

I've owned many Harleys in my life, and I finally came to the conclusion that you are paying for the name. They don't hold their value very well anymore, and my Yamaha Raider rocks next to any Harley that I've owned. The reliability is bar none the best. Upkeep is by far cheaper than Harley, and the build quality isn't even close. You pay more for less with a Harley.

2 Honda Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles, aircraft, motorcycles, and power equipment.

My first bike in 1965 was a Honda 305 Superhawk. I was an avid and loyal follower of Honda until they were displaced by Yamaha and Suzuki in my garage and my heart. Hondas are too expensive for what you get. They are the Nissans of the motorcycle world. Better outright performance, quality, and value come from Yamaha and Suzuki. If Kawasaki ever works out their quality control issues, Honda will be number four.

Honda, without a doubt, has the most reliable and trail-ready bikes of all time. Not many people can compete with Honda's technology. They may not be "race-ready" machines, but they sure as hell will get you home when the others have broken down.

Not the best at anything in particular, but the best all-around: super reliable with tons of different models, and affordable. People say it's boring because it rides super easy and requires very little maintenance. I guess it depends on what you want out of a bike. I like to spend time on the road rather than in my garage, which is why I've never owned, and never will own, a Harley.

3 Kawasaki

This was a hard one. I've owned a lot of motorcycles in my life, including Hondas, Yamahas, Husqvarna, KTM/Penton, and Suzuki, and have ridden several other brands. Of all the brands, two keep bubbling to the top: Kawasaki and Yamaha. I've never had a lick of problems with any of them, and that includes models from the early '70s to recent bikes.

The only reason I voted Kawasaki over Yamaha is that I've owned more of them, but both are outstanding motorcycles. Now, if I had to pick my least favorite of the bunch that I have owned, it would be a tie between Harley and Honda. Harleys are not my style. They're great for puttering around town, and if you have money to burn, their touring bikes are okay. But I'd rather have three bikes that excel in several areas than one that can only do one or two well.

Hondas, well, I may just be unlucky, but they have been by far the least reliable brand I have owned and one of the most expensive to fix.

4 Ducati

Ducati is the star of pioneering in motorcycle engineering. It has some of the world's best-looking, best-performing, and best-sounding motorcycles. Europe has some of the world's biggest motorcycle brands, and they are known for their astounding engineering. Ducati, MV Agusta, Aprilia, BMW, and KTM, to name a few, are all really good. It's difficult to choose one.

Ducati offers the most aesthetically designed motorbikes, appealing to almost everyone (unbiased), and with quite a muscle to outperform every single major brand. I used to be a Harley fan, with the V-Rod (Night Rod model) being my favorite. But after its production stopped last year, I searched for motorbikes exhaustively and found the Ducati XDiavel to be my highest intuitively designed bike. Meanwhile, the Fat Bob was there to console me.

The Multistrada is comfy, very economical for such a big engine, reliable, fast, and handles well. It has great safety features. Oh, I also think it's the best-looking "sports tourer." With 35 years of riding bikes, it makes an old man like me feel 18 every time I swing my leg over it. And for 2020, they will come with a 4-year warranty, at last!

5 BMW BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke in German, or Bavarian Motor Works in English) is a German multinational company which currently produces luxury automobiles and motorcycles, and also produced aircraft engines until 1945.

Bulletproof bikes! Made to last and easy to repair. I have had many bikes over my life, and BMW is by far the most reliable and well-engineered.

Buying a motorcycle is a personal choice based on many factors. But if you can only afford one bike, you have to make the right call that you have to live with. It always comes down to image versus reliability, but whatever you ride, you are respected for having the courage to ride it. IMBK.

You cannot talk about a fun bike to ride without mentioning BMW. They make you feel like you are on top of motorcycle engineering. They do things you wouldn't think are possible, like squeezing more and more power out of their bikes and offering comfort and luxury on two wheels.

There are two choices here: either a motorcycle or a BMW Motorrad.

I currently have two BMWs: F650GS Dakar and F800ST. I previously had Japanese bikes, mostly Yamahas - R6, Star 650, and Star 1100 - which are great, by the way.

Something happens when you ride a BMW for the first time: you fall in love. And once you ride a BMW, you never see the rest of the bikes the same way. Once you go Beemer, you don't go back to other bikes.

6 Triumph Triumph is a Canadian hard rock power trio that was popular in the late 1970s through the 1980s. Between the band's 16 albums and DVDs, Triumph has received 18 gold and 9 platinum awards in Canada and the United States.

I'm a petite woman at 5'1", and I've had two Triumphs: America and now Speedmaster. I can't imagine riding any other brand. I love my Triumph. My husband tried to buy me a brand-new Harley, and I refused. The look on the Harley salesman's face was priceless when I said, as I was straddling a new Softail, "No, I really want a Triumph!" It's a solid bike, never a problem. It's a 2004 model. I love Triumph!

They're pretty decent, although it's a bit rare to see people zipping down the highway on them. Then again, imported bikes will never beat American classics in terms of availability and popularity in America. (I own a Yamaha V-Star, so I'm not one to talk, but correct me if I'm wrong.)

HD and a Korean bike beating Triumph? I had a 2010 T100 with 36,000 miles on it and had no problems. I got a 2013 Storm and put 13,000 miles on it with no problems. HD and their recalls, plus some of my buddies ride them and have problems all the time. I could buy a $300 Korean bike and ride coast to coast without any issues.

7 Suzuki Suzuki Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu.

I've had Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Harley, Kawasaki, and Suzuki. By far, my Suzuki bikes have been the most fun and have racked up the most miles. The one time I did have a problem, Suzuki didn't drop the ball and fixed the issue. I can't say the same for Yamaha, though I did like the bikes I had. HD will likely never see another cent of mine. Hondas were reliable and great, just low on power. Kawasaki almost got my vote for favorite. If they would just give a little more attention to build quality, they would have. Ducati was like a really hot girlfriend - a little expensive, but a lot of fun.

From the way Suzuki tunes their engines to the exhaust note to the ride quality and design, their bikes and Burgman scooters appeal to me like no other. Hands down, they're my favorite manufacturer. The SV650 is arguably the greatest motorcycle ever.

Suzuki is my favorite brand. They produced the fastest bike of the 21st century: Hayabusa. Gixxers were the benchmark for litre-class sport bikes until 2009. They are lagging behind now, as they were hugely affected by the recession in 2009, but they will bounce back soon!

8 Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle manufacturer known for its iconic heavyweight motorcycles. Founded in 1903, the company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are known for their distinct design and exhaust note. The company aims to provide an unparalleled riding experience and has cultivated a devoted following of enthusiasts.

I've been riding for over 40 years and have owned an incredible number of bikes from a variety of manufacturers. While I've enjoyed every bike I've owned, and each had something that made them special and unique, none of them measure up to Harley-Davidson in terms of overall quality and workmanship, dealer network and support, and customer service. In 28 years, I've never had anything go wrong with any Harley I've owned. And I ride a lot. They are bulletproof.

No other bike manufacturer puts as much into everything that surrounds the ride itself. The rallies, the showrooms, the open days, BBQs, bands - the clothing range is exceptional. No other brand can come close to the Harley experience. I've had Suzuki, Kawasaki, and BMW over the years, and although they were all great bikes, I always dreamed of owning a Harley since I was a teenager. Now that I have one, it's everything I ever dreamed of.

9 MV Agusta

Hands down, it's the most phenomenal machine I have ever ridden. The beauty, the engineering, and innovation are world-class. You really feel like you're driving an exotic machine. The sound and power of the bike are enough to make you drool, and the look of the bike is an entire story of its own. I ride an MV Agusta almost every day to work, and I still get chills down my spine every time I twist the throttle and hear the exhaust rumble in all its glory.

They are the most awesome Italian motorcycles ever.

Another historical brand, excellence in terms of technical, design, and style.

10 KTM

KTM is the fastest-growing brand in America and among the top worldwide. They currently sell more dirt bikes than Honda and Yamaha combined and are starting to eat into their market share on the road. They have the most advanced motorcycle stability system in the world. These are the best bikes. Period.

I have ridden many motorcycles over the years, and by far, KTM leads the pack. I own several brands, but my KTMs get ridden the most.

Lighter than Yamaha's and Honda's. Better forks and engine management, better brakes. This is the best bike you can buy.

The Contenders
11 Aprilia

Aprilia is the main competitor for Ducati. So far, I've seen nothing less for Aprilia when compared against Ducati. It's just that Aprilia needs to be more visible through better international promotional plans. Anyway, I am truly happy to own my Aprilia Shiver. It is truly awesome!

In my opinion, Aprilia has the best naked bikes in the world (Shiver 750). This bike is full of power and passion.

Best quality, performance, and styling - all for a reasonable price.

12 Bajaj

Bajaj is the most economical brand. It has always been edgy, especially under the Pulsar name. Bajaj is not about power. It has always been about styling and mileage with good performance, especially its triple-spark technology. It has been leading motorcycle sales in India for a decade now, so my vote goes to Bajaj!

I've been using a Bajaj for six years, and it's quite reliable! Especially the twin-spark technology rocks! Although the bikes need some love and a lot of attention to last a long time, I can live with it as long as it gives me more power and better mileage per gallon.

It's not just the product they make but also the price at which they offer it that matters - so enthusiasts can go for their bikes. Pulsar 220 is their best bike!

13 Royal Enfield

After some time, speed, mileage, and some other factors won't matter. What will matter is, "What's the feel of it?" and how comfortable it is. Presenting the best combination of an amazing riding experience, best price, and unbeatable mileage is Royal Enfield.

By the way, I also work at Royal Enfield in Oragadam, Chennai. The motorcycle should be experienced by each and every one at least once.

The sound of the machine and the torque it produces - wow! If it had a higher displacement engine, it would surely compete with other brands like HD, Triumph, etc. With this machine, many people are easily completing 2,000 km trips, which is a big deal. Great machine. Low maintenance.

Dude, there is no challenge to Royal Enfield. Harley bikes are a fail against RE. I own a Bullet 500 and went to the Himalayas with my group. In a comparison between the RE Bullet 350 and HD Street 750, Harley couldn't do it. Royal Enfield is much better than Harley, especially suitable for Indian roads.

14 Hero

Awesome bike brand, with utmost reliability and affordability.

The fuel consumption rate is outstanding.

It is the biggest manufacturer. I think this site needs more Indian voters.

15 Indian

Traded in my 2017 Harley Ultra for a 2019 Indian Roadmaster. The Harley was like riding an anvil on wheels compared to the Roadmaster. It's ten pounds heavier than the Harley and about ten times more comfortable and nimble. Also, the electronics are light years ahead of the Harley. I have my forever bike that I'm going to grow old on. That's how much I love this bike.

Got a new Roadmaster 4 weeks ago. It now has 3,677 miles, and I love it. Heated seats, grips, a retractable windshield, and 6 gears are just some of the perks of this beautiful machine. It's a Blue Diamond color, 2016 model. My wife and I rode the Harley, Gold Wing, and Victory - all full dress - and she liked the Indian best for being a passenger. Very sexy, and no lack of power here.

The Indian Chief and Kawasaki Drifter are the coolest bikes ever made. The style, body lines, and flowing fenders are over the top compared to any factory-made bike.

16 Benelli

It's one of the oldest motorcycle brands in the world, and it's a good-looking motorcycle with an affordable price.

In the range of 600cc, it's a budget bike for everyone compared to other bikes.

I feel so bad to see it ranked 18th on the list. This bike should be in the top 10.

17 Moto Guzzi

Oh, where do I start with Guzzi? The layout? The ease of maintenance? The reliability? The surprisingly low cost of buying, owning, and running one of these things? All this despite being 100% made in Italy? Yep, I'm a Guzzisti, alright. I have long loved Moto Guzzi and wanted one ever since I first saw one.

So you can imagine the joy when I finally bought a Guzzi - a 2002 Nevada. Sure, it's not the quickest, but it's got plenty of torque, sounds awesome, goes off-road without issue, and the genuine parts are much cheaper than aftermarket ones on a Honda. It's tough, too. In an accident that would've totaled most Japanese bikes (and they're great bikes, don't get me wrong), this thing needed a spark plug, a spark cap, and a blinker lens (the blinker itself still works). It was still running the whole time. The only thing I can fault is its lack of power, but hey, you can't have it all.

I have a 2014 V7 Special. What a bike! They are just so unique, and I have never seen anyone riding a V7. Style and quality. The exclusivity of it. It's fashion. It's Italian. The design and the retro and modern subtleties work perfectly in unison.

18 TVS

I own a TVS Star City bike. The product is excellent. I had a great experience in terms of price and class. Even after five years since I purchased it, the performance of the bike is awesome.

The Apache RTR from TVS Motor is an awesome, powerful, fuel-efficient, and reliable bike. Wait for the TVS-BMW partnership because it will definitely rock the world.

Apache is the best bike ever made by an Indian manufacturer, especially the 2012 upgrade, which made it even better.

19 Norton

If Norton is home to Lotus, it's great!

20 Mahindra
21 Hyosung

I recently bought a 250 cruiser. It is a great bike, good for a first-time owner. It looks bigger than some models of Harley and offers great value for money.

Hyosung bikes are excellent and reliable. People who say otherwise have never owned one. I've had mine for the past 16 months and haven't had a single problem with it. Plus, it looks amazing.

I have seen many bikes. The Hyosung Aquila 650 Pro is something very sexy, muscular, comfortable, and a value for money. It is a complete package for the intelligent customer.

22 Keeway

Very high-quality motorcycle, can compare to Honda and Yamaha.

It's strong, fast, and of good quality.

I have a Keeway 152, the best cafe racer ever!

23 Victory Motorcycles

Why did they stop making these bikes? They're way better than Indian and Harley. I have one and believe that it is tops. I sold my BMW for it and enjoy it thoroughly.

Best bike I have ever ridden. The problem is, they aren't being made anymore and weren't that well-known to begin with. I love how smooth and fast this bike is on long trips. Victory Kingpin.

After owning four Victorys and never having any kind of problems with them, I can say they are by far the best bike around. Having ridden all kinds, they are also the most comfortable.

24 Rusi
25 SYM Motors

Reliable bikes. The performance is like that of a Honda, and it's the best seller and number one in Taiwan for scooters and motorcycles. That's why I own one SYM Bonus 110.

I own one of the SYM motorcycles because the SYM brand is one of the best motorcycle brands, and it's "pangmasa" and has very good quality.

The SYM is so powerful. It looks like a Honda. I own one, a SYM Bonus 100.

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