Top 10 American Motorcycle Brands in 2022

10 Most Popular Motorcycle Brands

Today, there are practically countless motorcycle brands you can choose from. Although all brands have their pros and cons, some are outright better than others. The truth of the matter is that everyone has their own personal preference, making it difficult to know which motorcycle brands are the best.

Even so, a few brands have insane cult followings that aren’t going away anytime soon. Below, learn about the 10 most popular motorcycle brands and tips to decide which of these brands is right for you.

The 10 Most Popular Motorcycle Brands

1. Yamaha

Name: Yamaha Motorcycles Produced In: Japan

The first motorcycle brand on our list is Yamaha. Yamaha is the second biggest motorcycle company worldwide, but it has the biggest fan base. In fact, many fans will only use Yamaha bikes as a result.

Yamaha has such a large fan base because they cater to many different bike lovers. Regardless of your discipline, budget, and personal preferences, Yamaha likely has the perfect bike for you.

2. Honda

Name: Honda Motorcycles Produced In: Japan

A close second to the Yamaha is the Honda. Honda motorcycles are praised for being reliable and low maintenance. These bikes are known to last for years without much maintenance in comparison to other brands, which is why they are top in sales.

Even though Honda motorcycles are known for their durability, they come in quite a big range as well. They sell off-road bikes as well as street motorcycles. You should be able to find a Honda motorcycle that fits your needs to a T.

3. Suzuki

Name: Suzuki Motorcycles Produced In: Japan

Suzuki motorcycles have been popular since World War II. By the 1970s, Suzuki was the first Japanese manufacturer to win the motocross world championship. Today, Suzuki motorcycles are as popular as ever.

Suzuki is most praised for their sport bikes. About 25% of every Suzuki bike sold falls into the sport category.

4. Kawasaki

Name: Kawasaki Motorcycles Produced In: Japan

As the fourth Japanese manufacturer on this list, it’s no shock that Japanese manufacturers produce some of the best motorcycles. Kawasaki is just another brand produced in Japan.

Much like the other Japanese motorcycle companies, Kawasaki began outside of the motorcycle industry. However, Kawasaki is now known for its fantastic motorcycles, but they still nod to their aircraft manufacturing routes. If you find earlier models, you will find Kawasaki aircraft emblems on the fuel tank.

5. Ducati

Name: Ducati Motorcycles Produced In: Italy

Ducati motorcycles take the artistry of motorcycle making seriously. All their motorcycles are handmade in Italy. As a result, Ducati motorcycles are loved for their modern and artistic form and function.

Ducati motorcycles are very popular in the racing industry. At the same time, the engines of the Ducati make a very distinctive sound that helps with branding. This is another brand that some people will stake their claim on.

6. Triumph

Name: Triumph Motorcycles Produced In: United Kingdom

Most of the motorcycles on our list have been around for decades. This is not the case for Triumph. Triumph only started making motorcycles in 1984, but their history dates all the way back to the early 1900s.

Most people today love Triumph motorcycles because they go very fast. At the same time, they have both modern and classic looks so that the speed-hungry can find a bike that matches their style too.

7. BMW

Name: BMW Motorrad Produced In: Germany

BMW is a big player in all things vehicles. The company has been producing motorcycles since 1923. Today, they are best used for adventure-like scenarios, including sporting and street bikes.

However, BMW has a little bit of something for everyone. They sell sports bikes, urban motorcycles, and even sport tours. All their bikes have great engineering and a touch of luxury.

8. Harley-Davidson

Name: Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Produced In: USA

Practically everyone in America knows Harley-Davidson. In fact, it is one of the most well-known bike brands. Even those not within the biking culture are familiar with the brand. They have a unique chopper style that’s pretty easy to spot.

Harley-Davidson produces a wide range of products. They sell electric motorcycles as well as adventure motorcycles, but their cruiser and chopper styles are still the most common.

9. Indian

Name: Indian Motorcycle Produced In: USA

Indian is easily one of the most notorious American motorcycle companies, second only to Harley-Davidson. Their history is long, jaded, and filled with bankruptcies, but the Indian bike remains due to its avid followers.

Indian parts are very popular among antique scenes as well. If you can find old Indian parts, you could have thousands of dollars on your hands.

10. KTM

Name: KTM Motorcycles Produced In: Austria

If you love off-road bikes, KTM is one of the best brands you can get. KTM’s designs and colors change frequently, but their liability and durability have not. Hence, KTM produces fantastic adventure bikes for those who want to go off-road.

Which Motorcycle Brand Should I Select? Which Motorcycle Brand Should I Select?

Choosing a motorcycle brand is an intimate decision. It can be next to impossible to get helpful recommendations since everyone has their own opinion on this matter. Here are some things to think about when selecting a motorcycle brand:

Riding Style

Where you intend to ride your bike makes a huge difference about which brand you should get. Are you an adventure biker, sport biker, or road biker? The answer to this question should help you narrow down the decision.

For example, KTM motorcycles may be the choice for you if you are an adventure biker, but Harley-Davidson or Kawasaki may be for you if you want a road bike.

Reputation

Always consider the reputation of the brand you select. Any one of the ten companies above has a fantastic reputation, which means you can’t go wrong with them. Read about the frequency of repairs and durability if you decide to go with a brand that is not on this list, though.

Preferences

Once you have your writing style and bike reputation out of the way, you can start picking brands and bikes based on your own personal preferences. Speed, capabilities, and appearance can all help you pick out a bike that matches your style.

Conclusion

Although there are tons of motorcycle brands available today, the 10 mentioned above are the most reliable, beloved, and all-around great. You really can’t go wrong with any one of the brands above.

Still, make sure to consider your own riding style and preferences when selecting a motorcycle brand. You don’t have to worry about reputation if you are picking from one of the bikes on our list, but don’t ignore reputation if you go with a brand elsewhere.

Featured Image Credit: TSKvado, Pixabay

The 20 Best Motorcycle Brands (Updated in 2020)

Owners of Harley-Davidson and BMW motorcycles were the most satisfied with their bikes.

PHOTO CREDIT:

If you're thinking about getting a motorbike, it is important to pick out one of the most reliable brands on the road.

With all the different motorcycle brands out there, how do you know which is the best?

Consumer reports found that owners of Harley-Davidson and BMW motorcycles were the most satisfied with their bikes.

Honda & Yamaha have the Most Sales. Kawasaki & Yamaha for Best Performance and Track Racing. Honda & Yamaha for Best Chassis. Suzuki for most affordable and cheapest of the Japanese.

Deciding which bike is best for you depends on how you use it, what your aesthetic is, and your experience as a rider.

Each of the 20 best motorcycle brands started differently and offer a different customer experience.

1. Yamaha (Japan)

(Japan) 2. Honda (Japan)

(Japan) 3. Ducati (Italy)

(Italy) 4. Kawasaki (Japan)

(Japan) 5. Triumph (United Kingdom)

(United Kingdom) 6. BMW (Germany)

(Germany) 7. Harley-Davidson (U.S.)

(U.S.) 8. Suzuki (Japan)

(Japan) 9. Aprilia (Italy)

(Italy) 10. KTM (Austria)

(Austria) 11. MV Agusta (Italy)

(Italy) 12. Moto Guzzi (Italy)

(Italy) 13. Royal Enfield (India)

(India) 14. Indian Motorcycle (U.S.)

(U.S.) 15. Benelli (Italy)

(Italy) 16. Bajaj (India)

(India) 17. Norton (United Kingdom)

(United Kingdom) 18. Victory (U.S.)

(U.S.) 19. Bimota (Italy)

(Italy) 20. Hero (India)

20 Hero Hero is an Indian motorcycle and scooter manufacturer based in New Delhi, India. The company is the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world, and also in India, where it has a market share of about 46% in the two-wheeler category. (Official Site:

19 Bimota Bimota is a small Italian manufacturer of custom and production motorcycles. It was founded in 1973 in Rimini, Italy by Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri, and Massimo Tamburini. The company name is a portmanteau derived from the first two letters of each of the three founders' surnames, Bianchi Morri Tamburini. (Official Site: www.bimota.it)

18 Victory Victory Motorcycles was an American motorcycle manufacturer with its final assembly facility in Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, northwestern Iowa, United States. It began production of its vehicles in 1998 and began winding down operations in January 2017. Its parent company, Polaris Industries, created Victory following the modern success of Harley-Davidson. Victory's motorcycles were designed to compete directly with Harley-Davidson and similar American-style motorcycle brands, with V-twin engines and touring, sport-touring, and cruiser configurations. The first Victory, the V92C, was announced in 1997 and began selling in 1998. The Victory was profitable for a number of years (beginning in 2002) but failed to turn a profit three of its last five years. (Official Site:

17 Norton Cagiva was an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese, originally producing small metal components. Giovanni's sons, Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder's name 'Giovanni Castiglioni' and the founding location, Castiglioni Giovanni Varese. (Official Site:

16 Bajaj Bajaj is a global two-wheeler and three-wheeler Indian manufacturing company. Bajaj Auto is the world's sixth-largest manufacturer of motorcycles and the second-largest in India. It is the world's largest three-wheeler manufacturer. (Official Site:

15 Benelli Benelli is one of the oldest Italian motorcycle manufacturers. Established in 1911, It once manufactured shotguns, although this part of the business is now a separate company. (Official Site:

14 Indian Motorcycle Indian is an American brand of motorcycles originally produced from 1901 to 1953 in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Hendee Manufacturing Company initially produced the motorcycles, but the name was changed to the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company in 1928. (Official Site:

13 Royal Enfield Royal Enfield, originally a subsidiary of British motorcycle company Royal Enfield and now its successor, is an Indian motorcycle manufacturing brand with the tag of "the oldest global motorcycle brand in continuous production" manufactured in factories in Chennai in India. (Official Site:

12 Moto Guzzi Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer and the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production. Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy. (Official Site:

11 MV Agusta MV Agusta, originally Meccanica Verghera Agusta, is a motorcycle manufacturer founded on 12 February 1945 near Milan in Cascina Costa, Italy. (Official Site:

10 KTM (Austria) KTM is an Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer owned by KTM Industries AG and Indian manufacturer Bajaj Auto. It was formed in 1992 but traces its foundation to as early as 1934. Today, KTM AG is the parent company of the KTM Group. (Official Site:

9 Aprilia Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the brands owned by Piaggio. Having started as a manufacturer of bicycles it moved on to manufacture scooters and small-capacity motorcycles. In more recent times Aprilia has produced large sportbikes such as the 1,000 cc V-twin RSV Mille and the V4 RSV4. Aprilia has enjoyed considerable success in road-racing. (Official Site:

8 Suzuki Suzuki is a Japanese company that manufactures motorcycles. They make all sorts of motorcycles ranging from street use motorcycles to dirt bikes and compete in MotoGP with the UK based Rizla Suzuki team. Suzuki's corporate colors are blue and white, as seen on the European range of GSXR sports bikes. (Official Site:

7 Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson, or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer, founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903. (Official Site:

6 BMW BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand of the German company BMW, part of its Corporate and Brand Development division. The current General Director of the unit is Hendrik von Kuenheim. BMW Motorrad has produced motorcycles since 1923 and achieved record sales for the fifth year in succession in 2015. (Official Site:

5 Triumph Triumph is the largest British motorcycle manufacturer, established in 1983 by John Bloor after the original company Triumph Engineering went into receivership. Over 85 percent of motorcycles are now sold in overseas markets, but the 9,400 motorcycles sold in the UK in 2017 represents a record for the company. (Official Site:

4 Kawasaki Kawasaki is a Japanese company famous for making motorcycles, among other things. Its slogan is "Let the good times roll!". (Official Site:

3 Ducati Ducati is the motorcycle-manufacturing division of Italian company Ducati, headquartered in Bologna, Italy. The company is owned by German automotive manufacturer Audi through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini, which is in turn owned by the Volkswagen Group. (Official Site:

2 Honda Honda is currently the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Based in Tokyo, Japan, the Big Red Wing gained massive popularity with the release of the Super Cub in 1958 and carries on the tradition today with the CBR, Gold Wing, and CRF models. Honda, along with Yamaha, has always been known as one of the technological leaders in the two-wheeled world, much of this a result of their extensive racing history. (Official Site:

1 Yamaha Yamaha is motorcycle sales are the second largest in the world Outboard motor and Yamaha is the world leader in water vehicle sales. (Official Site:

RELATED: Top 10 Fastest Motorcycles in the world

Top 10 American Motorcycle Brands in 2022

As with many countries in the early years of the 20th century, America had hundreds of motorcycle manufacturers, some of which lasted a few months, some a few years, and one or two that survived to the present day. It was a rich melting pot of design and engineering innovation which is largely forgotten as Harley-Davidson and Indian churn out the same motorcycles with the same engineering year after year. However, American design and manufacture are still cutting edge to this day, thanks to brands that have plowed their own furrow and re-defined what the American motorcycle can and should be. The following is our list of the 10 most significant motorcycle brands in America in 2022.

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Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Shot of the Harley-Davidson Sportster S, finished in deep burgundy and bronze, brings the Sportster right up to date

Okay, let’s get the obvious out-of-the-way first. The history of Harley-Davidson is well-enough known to not go through it again here. But, what can’t be denied is that it is America’s longest-running and most successful motorcycle manufacturer. If the products have been stuck in a rut in terms of engineering and have often lagged behind in terms of technology, then that is slowly changing. The Livewire electric motorcycle was a huge surprise to the motorcycling world and, more recently, the Pan America has signaled a new direction and intent by H-D management to address the problem of an aging customer base for its traditional products and the realization that it needs to diversify to survive. The fact that the Pan America adventure bike was so good right out of the box proves that there is more to the grand old man of American motorcycling than heavy, chrome-laden cruisers.

Indian

Indian Motorcycle The Indian Scout, seen here in grey, goes head-to-head with the Harley Sportster S

Indian as we know it today might have nothing to do with the original Indian Motorcycle Company that existed between 1901 and 1953 but the Polaris Industries resurrection still adheres to the template laid down back in the heyday of the company: large capacity, V-twin-engined, typically American motorcycles. Past model names have been brought back to life - Chief, Scout, and Roadmaster - to provide a link to the past and engines are still large-displacement V-twins. Some styling cues also survived modernization, such as the deeply valanced fenders and illuminated Indian sculpture on the front fender top. For a while, Polaris also owned the Victory brand, the styling of which was completely modern. Indian, on the other hand, has opted to go down the traditional, almost retro, styling route, albeit what thoroughly modern mechanicals and electronics. Heritage is very important in the American market and Indian has worked hard to establish links back to the original company. Unlike Harley Davidson, whose logo has never been a fixed design, the swirly Indian logo has remained the same throughout its two lives.

Related: 2022 Indian FTR

Livewire

Harley Davidson Side view of the Livewire One, seen here finished in orange, was the first electric motorcycle by a major manufacturer to hit showrooms

Really part of Harley-Davidson although the Livewire company has been spun off into its own stand-alone brand, complete with a listing on the stock exchange. The first Livewire appeared in 2014 and the public was able to ride them at dealers from 2015, although they are not yet for sale. Sales commenced in 2019, and if sales have been rather sluggish, the whole enterprise was a huge undertaking: America’s most traditional motorcycle manufacturer being the first major manufacturer to market with an electric motorcycle was quite something. Early product placement in a Marvel movie - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - was used as a form of global market test, and it seems that the reception was favorable as H-D went ahead with production. The original Livewire One model is still in production but Livewire has pointed the way to the future with the new Del Mar model, which is based on a new modular platform called the Arrow and can be configured into a number of different motorcycle styles. Crucially, the price is also much lower than the One, which was criticized for being far too expensive when launched. It will be interesting to see if Livewire as a brand can survive the onslaught from every other major manufacturer as electric bikes become more and more prevalent as time goes on.

Zero

Zero Motorcycles Zero SR/S electric motorcycle in grey, facing right

Of all the electric motorcycle manufacturers, Zero has been around for the longest and seems to have the firmest hold on the market. Zero has been around since 2006, when it was called Electricross. Since that time, the battery range and motor power have increased as well as the model range, which now comprises supermotard, faired sports, and nominally off-road versions as well as roadster models in various states of tune. The biggest barrier to electric bike acceptance is range, recharge time, and not insignificantly, price. The first two elements are being improved all the time, and it surely won’t be long before Zero will be boasting of 200-mile range and recharge times in terms of minutes rather than hours. As for price, well that will also come down, but it might take longer than is acceptable for many customers. But electricity as a motive power is coming whether we like it or not and Zero has to be in the best position to take advantage of that.

Related: 2022 Zero SR/S

Arch Motorcycles

ARCH Motorcycles Side profile of the ARCH KRGT-1 motorcycle finished in black and red

It would be easy to think of Arch as just another vanity project by a celebrity, but since the company was formed back in 2011, co-founder Keanu Reeves has proved that his passion is the real deal and the motorcycles that he and Gard Hollinger are impressive pieces of engineering in the American idiom. The foundations of the company were laid when Reeves approached Hollinger, already a respected custom builder, to customize the actor’s Harley-Davidson. Reeves was so enthusiastic about the build that he insisted it should be put into production for sale to private buyers who shared their design philosophy. ‘A production custom motorcycle you can ride,’ was the brief Reeves gave to Hollinger when they were planning the first ARCH model. Design, fit and finish all had to be of the first order, while it had to ride as well as it looked and retain as much American flavor as possible.

The first model, the KRGT-1, was described as an American performance cruiser. It had all the traditional elements of an American motorcycle, including a large displacement V-twin engine and cruiser ergonomics but with the performance and handling of a sports bike. It seems an impossible task but careful design, manufacturing as many of the parts themselves as possible to their own specification, as well as using top-shelf proprietary parts from Öhlins, S&S, BST carbon wheels, and Yoshimura exhausts created a truly unique American motorcycle. Elegant and innovative design, precision engineering, and a hand-built process, all the time working closely with the customer has ensured that ARCH has transcended the fame of its co-owner to become a respected brand in its own right.

Buell

Buell Motorcycles Buell Lightning studio shot facing right

Erik Buell’s eponymous motorcycle company has had more ups and downs than a ski lift but the company is still there, albeit with no input from Erik Buell. Erik Buell was a Harley-Davidson engineer before he left to set up Buell Motorcycles. Despite using Harley-Davidson Sportster engines, the motorcycles featured many idiosyncratic and innovative design ideas, with several pieces of the motorcycle doing more than one job: the swing-arm doubling up as the oil reservoir and the main frame holding the fuel, for example. Eventually, Harley-Davidson bought 49-percent first and, later, the remaining 51-percent of the company before closing it down in 2009. Erik Buell then set up Erik Buell Racing, continuing to build the 1125R, with its Rotax V-twin engine.

By 2016, the company had been sold to the receivers and that looked like the end of the line for Buell. However, in 2021, the announcement came that Buell Motorcycles was back in business, under new ownership and with the promise of 10 new models by 2024, including the first models to be announced, the 1190RX and SX, which are essentially developments of the 1125R. Buell Motorcycles deserves to survive, combining distinctive design with American innovation and ingenuity. Only time will tell if survival is possible and, also, what a Buell electric motorcycle will look like: expect it to be different!

Related: Buell is back with new Hammerhead superbike

Boss Hoss

Boss Hoss Front three-quarters shot of the Boss Hoss V8 motorcycle, finished in red and black

Proper American excess at its finest. Whoever had the idea of stuffing an enormous 5.7-liter Chevy V8 into a cruiser-style motorcycle chassis has to be either completely mad or a genius: we’re going for the latter! Formed in 1990 by Monte Warne, where he came up with the idea is not recorded, but you have to thank him for having the idea in the first place: there is nothing quite like riding a bike with a minimum of 350 horsepower and well over 400 pound-feet of torque. There is nothing subtle about a Boss Hoss, whether it is the engine or the engineering required to harness all that power, and it is certainly no shrinking violet in terms of looks. The Boss Hoss is no back-yard special: it now has full vehicle type approval for Europe and this is reflected in the fact that a Boss Hoss is in no way a one-trick pony: all the power in the world is pointless if the motorcycle is unwieldy, unmanageable and unsafe. As unlikely as it may seem, a Boss Hoss will go around corners with just as much poise and safety as it will tear up the tarmac in a straight line. Proper American excess in motorcycle form and brilliant for it.

Confederate/Curtiss

Confederate Studio shot of a black Confederate Wraith

Everyone remembers the first time they saw a Confederate motorcycle because it looks like nothing else on two wheels. Ultra-modern design and uncompromising in terms of materials mean an eye-watering price tag of around $100,000, depending on which model you choose: Hellcat, Wraith, and Combat are all as mad as each other and totally distinctive. The first Confederate rolled off the production line in 1993 but, by 2001, the company was bankrupt. It recovered and production continued up to 2017. At that point in time, owner Matt Chambers announced that the name of the company was changing to Curtiss (after motorcycling and aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss) and that, going forward, they would be producing electric motorcycles in partnership with Zero Motorcycles. In typical fashion, the Curtiss One electric motorcycle is as distinctive as the Confederates had been. The design is straight out of the Art Deco movement and looks quite unlike any other electric motorcycle one the market. Should you prefer the ‘traditional’ Confederate petrol-powered motorcycle, however, all is not lost as Combat Motors PLC bought the intellectual property rights to the Confederate brand and designs and continues to build and sell them.

Related: Confederate gets New Name and $120,000 Price Tag

Lightning

Lightning Outdoor shot of a blue and silver Lightning LS-218

The move to electric motorcycles is encouraging all manner of start-ups to commence the production of ever more radical designs for urban transportation. What separates Lightning Motorcycles from the rest is that, from the outset, the emphasis has been on outright performance. Competition success has bolstered this aim and, in 2013, the late Carlin Dunne took the Lightning LS-218 Superbike up the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in the fastest motorcycle time, becoming the first electric motorcycle to beat the petrol-powered competitors. With a top speed of 218mph, the LS-218 is one of the fastest motorcycles in production, regardless of motive power. The next model to appear was the Strike, still a fully-faired sports model, this time with a top speed of 150mph, a combined range of 150 miles, and a recharge time that can be as quick as 35 minutes. Lightning is proving that the electric future of motorcycling is certainly not going to be boring!

Janus

Janus Motorcycles Static outdoors shot of the Janus Halcyon 450 in cream

Retro is super cool right now and Janus Motorcycles has fully embraced this trend with its range of 250cc and 450cc motorcycles, making it unique in American motorcycle manufacture in which the normal approach is large-engined models. Founded in 2011, the first models were delivered in 2013. These were 50cc, two-stroke-engined motorcycles with a distinctive retro flavor. Apart from the engine, forks, and wheel hubs, Janus supported local industry in Indiana for the manufacture of the bike’s components. In 2015, the first 250cc model was introduced after difficulties meeting pollution limits with the two-stroke 50cc engine. The 250cc engine was a four-stroke design and the models included road and nominally off-road versions. In 2021, the first 450cc model appeared to enhance the range and the company is going from strength to strength, despite a price tag of $13,500 for the 450cc Halcyon model.

FAQ

Q: Who makes the best American motorcycle?

Both Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles make the best traditional American motorcycles but the likes of Zero and Lightning are leading the way in American electric motorcycles

Q: Which is the most expensive American Motorcycle?

The most expensive American motorcycles are the Curtiss One and the Confederate Wraith, both costing nearly $100,000, while the ARCH can cost well over $120,000, depending on the specification.

Q: What are some of the American motorcycle companies?

Some American motorcycle companies are Harley Davidson, Indian, Lightning, Curtiss, Confederate, Boss Hoss, Zero, Janus and ARCH

Q: What is the most popular bike in the U.S.?

Harley Davidson is the most popular brand of bikes since it sells the most motorcycles in the U.S.