Motorbikes have for long been viewed as “more fun” alternatives to closed cars. Whether you’re riding a speed bike or just an ordinary scooter, the experience of the wind hitting you at top speed on the freeway is nothing short of thrilling.
For what it’s worth, a motorcycle ride is a great way to explore the country. It also provides an incredible alternative for your commute, especially if your daily errands can’t afford to get stuck in traffic.
But in today’s highly advanced (and competitive) automotive industry, choosing the best motorcycle for you can prove a little overwhelming. Models aside, there are many brands to choose from, each of them with its own unique features, pros, and cons.
To make your shopping experience a bit less daunting, here’s a breakdown of some of the top motorcycle brands out there.
1. Yamaha
At least for boomers and millennials, it’s hard to talk about famous motorbike brands without mentioning the name Yamaha. The Iconic Japanese motorcycle maker, Yamaha Motor Co. has a rich history that dates as far back as 1955.
With their parent company based in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, Yamaha’s motorbike sales rank second on the planet. Whether you need a sports bike, a dirt bike, or a cruising bike, you can be sure to get something incredible from Yamaha.
Due to their huge popularity even amongst youngsters, Yamaha spare parts are also easy to find in most parts of the world. And besides having a diverse range of motorcycle models on their fleet, Yamaha also manufactures scooters, boats, golf carts, RVs, and motorized bicycles.
2. Honda
Owned by the Japanese automotive company, Honda Motor, Honda is another highly famed motorcycle brand. Besides being among the largest in the automotive industry, it’s the largest manufacturer on the globe when it comes to motorcycles by production, sales, and revenue.
And as anyone would expect, you will be spoilt for options as far as the types of motorcycles and models you can get from Honda’s fleet.
3. Harley Davidson
Listed among the companies that survived the great depression, Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle company that was founded back in 1903.
It is undoubtedly the largest and most popular motorcycle maker in America, giving its home-based, Asian, and German competitors a run for their money.
Their fleet includes everything from speed bikes to classical models, trike models, Softails, Sportsters, touring bikes, electric bikes, and more than the user can choose from depending on their lifestyle.
Because of the many years of experience and huge reputation in the industry, parts and mods for these bikes are usually easy to come across offline and online. And thanks to one of the founder’s backgrounds as a soldier, Harley Davidson military discount is available to anyone shopping for a motorbike or parts from the company.
4. Kawasaki
Yet another Japanese corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. is a renowned multinational motorcycle company the world over. The company was founded in 1896, which perhaps explains the reason behind its sheer reputation.
With the Kawasaki Ninja being amongst some of their most popular models, Kawasaki’s motorbike fleet includes a plethora of types, from sports bikes to touring bikes, cruisers, adventure bikes, and more.
The motorbike maker also manufactures a wide range of other automotive crafts, from ships to heavy commercial equipment, industrial robots, boilers, turbines, engines, aerospace equipment, and more.
5. Ducati
Ducati Motor Holdings, a subsidiary of the famous Italian automotive manufacturer, Ducati, is the company behind Ducati’s brand of motorcycles. With its headquarters in Bologna, Italy, the company was first founded in 1926 and carries a diverse fleet of motorcycles, from touring bikes to adventure bikes and sporty models.
And if you know some things about this brand, you can relate to how stylish and expensive some of their bikes can get.
If you are planning to buy a motorbike, the above are just a few of the brands you’ll probably not feel disappointed choosing from. Most importantly, make sure to choose a bike model that best suits your lifestyle needs and budget.