The World‘s Best Motorcycle Brands, Ranked and Reviewed

Hey there fellow rider, have you ever wondered what makes a motorcycle brand truly great? As a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, I‘ve ridden just about every make and model you can imagine, from vintage Triumphs to cutting-edge Kawasakis. And let me tell you, not all motorcycle brands are created equal!

Some marques have been around for over a century, building up a legendary reputation for performance, style, and heritage. Others are relatively new on the scene, but are already making waves with their innovative designs and technology. And of course, some brands are just plain cooler and more desirable than others (sorry Suzuki fans, but you know it‘s true).

In this article, I‘m going to take you on a guided tour of the best of the best in the motorcycle world. We‘ll be looking at 15 of the most iconic and influential brands from the US, Europe, and Japan, and diving deep into what makes each one unique and special.

But first, let‘s take a quick step back and look at the big picture. Just how big is the global motorcycle industry, anyway? Well, according to a recent report from Research and Markets, the worldwide motorcycle market was valued at a staggering $124.4 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $156.9 billion by 2027. That‘s a lot of bikes!

Of course, the industry is highly fragmented, with dozens of brands competing for a slice of the pie. But as you can see from the chart below, a handful of big names dominate the market in terms of sales volume:

Brand	2019 Unit Sales
Honda	20,000,000
Yamaha	5,400,000
Suzuki	4,000,000
Kawasaki	3,300,000
Harley-Davidson	218,273
BMW	175,162
KTM	280,099
Ducati	53,183

Data from company annual reports and financial statements

As you can see, the Japanese "Big Four" of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki are in a league of their own when it comes to sheer scale. But as we‘ll see, bigger doesn‘t always mean better in the world of motorcycles.

So without further ado, let‘s count down the 15 best motorcycle brands in the world, starting with an all-American classic…

15. Indian Motorcycle

Kicking off our list is a brand that‘s as American as apple pie and baseball – Indian Motorcycle. Founded in 1901 (two years before Harley-Davidson), Indian is the oldest American motorcycle manufacturer still in production. The company‘s early models like the Scout and Chief defined the classic cruiser style, with their sweeping fenders, leather saddles, and heaps of chrome.

Unfortunately, Indian fell on hard times in the 20th century, going through multiple ownership changes and periods of dormancy. But the brand got a new lease on life in 2011 when it was acquired by snowmobile and ATV giant Polaris Industries.

Since then, Polaris has breathed new life into Indian, investing heavily in R&D and production facilities while staying true to the brand‘s classic design language. Today‘s lineup includes gorgeous retro-styled bikes like the Chief Vintage and Scout Bobber, powered by modern engines with plenty of performance and refinement.

While Indian will likely never match Harley-Davidson in terms of sales or cultural impact, the brand has a devoted following of riders who appreciate its independent spirit and commitment to honoring the past while looking towards the future. If you want a true piece of Americana that looks as good as it rides, an Indian is tough to beat.

14. Moto Guzzi

Next up we have another storied brand with a history dating back to the early days of motorcycling – Italy‘s Moto Guzzi. Founded in 1921 by a pair of aircraft pilots and their mechanic friend, Guzzi is one of the oldest European motorcycle manufacturers still in continuous production.

The company is perhaps best known for its signature transverse V-twin engine layout, which it has utilized in various forms since the 1960s. This unique configuration gives Guzzi bikes a distinct look and feel, with the cylinders jutting out on either side like the wings of an eagle.

Guzzi has always marched to the beat of its own drum, building bikes that prioritize character and charisma over outright performance. Classic models like the Le Mans cafe racer and California cruiser are beloved by riders around the world for their quirky charm and handling.

In recent years, Guzzi has expanded its lineup with more modern designs like the V7 roadster and V85 TT adventure bike, which offer updated styling and technology while still retaining the brand‘s essential DNA. And with its new-for-2021 V100 Mandello sport tourer, Guzzi is taking direct aim at BMW and Ducati with a high-tech 1200cc hot rod.

While Moto Guzzi isn‘t a huge brand by any stretch (it sold just shy of 33,000 bikes worldwide in 2021), it has an outsized reputation among enthusiasts who appreciate its idiosyncratic approach to building motorcycles. For many, riding a Guzzi is as much about eliciting grins as racking up speeding tickets.

13. Aprilia

Sticking with the Italian theme, we come to Aprilia – a brand that‘s made a name for itself in recent decades with its sexy, loud, and unapologetically rapid superbikes. Founded in 1945, the Noale-based manufacturer started out making bicycles and scooters before moving into the motorcycle market in the 1960s.

It wasn‘t until the 1990s that Aprilia really hit its stride, however, with the launch of the RS250 sport bike. This little screamer was powered by a 250cc two-stroke V-twin engine that revved to the moon and made an intoxicating soundtrack. In the hands of riders like Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi, the RS250 dominated the 250cc Grand Prix class, racking up numerous championships.

Aprilia has continued to burnish its reputation for building race-winning machines in the years since. The RSV Mille of 1998 was the brand‘s first superbike, powered by a 1000cc V-twin developed in partnership with Rotax. The bike was an instant hit with critics and customers alike, praised for its sharp handling and fierce acceleration.

But Aprilia really knocked it out of the park in 2009 with the launch of the RSV4 Factory, a 1000cc V4 superbike bristling with MotoGP-derived technology. With its advanced electronics package, fly-by-wire throttle, and viciously powerful engine, the RSV4 redefined what was possible for a production superbike. It‘s since become the brand‘s signature model, offered in a variety of specifications for the street and track.

In recent years, Aprilia has expanded beyond its sport bike roots with models like the Tuono V4 naked bike, Caponord adventure tourer, and RS 660 twin-cylinder sportbike. And of course, the brand continues to be a force on the world stage of motorcycle road racing, battling for wins and championships in MotoGP and World Superbike.

While Aprilia isn‘t the largest brand in the world (it sold just 25,000 bikes in 2020), it punches way above its weight in terms of performance, technology, and racing pedigree. The brand‘s bikes are a celebration of raw speed and the thrill of living on the edge – qualities that earned it the nickname "the Ferrari of motorcycles" from the late motorcycle journalism legend Kevin Ash. If you want a taste of the best Italy has to offer, Aprilia is impossible to ignore.

12. Husqvarna

Rounding out our list is a brand that‘s been around for over a century, but has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years – Sweden‘s Husqvarna. Founded in 1689 as a musket factory, Husqvarna began building bicycles in the late 19th century before producing its first motorcycle in 1903.

For much of the 20th century, Husqvarna was known primarily for its off-road bikes, dominating the world of motocross and enduro racing with legends like Malcolm Smith and Steve McQueen flying the brand‘s colors. But a series of ownership changes in the ‘80s and ‘90s saw the company‘s focus drift.

In 2013, Husqvarna was acquired by KTM, the Austrian brand with a similar reputation for building world-beating dirt bikes. Under KTM‘s leadership, Husky has undergone a major reboot, with a new lineup of street-oriented models that share underpinnings with their orange counterparts.

The Svartpilen and Vitpilen range of neo-retro roadsters launched in 2018 to critical acclaim, with their minimalist styling, peppy single-cylinder engines and sharp handling praised by riders and journalists alike. The brand has since expanded into the adventure segment with the Norden 901, a midsize ADV powered by the same 899cc parallel-twin engine found in the KTM 890 Adventure.

But Husqvarna hasn‘t forgotten its off-road roots, continuing to build a full range of motocross and enduro models for amateur and professional riders. And with innovative designs like the electric EE 5 mini bike and the radical Baja concept bike, the brand continues to push the envelope of what‘s possible on two wheels.

While Husqvarna is still a relatively niche brand (it sold just over 30,000 motorcycles in 2019), it‘s quickly gaining a reputation as a style and performance leader in the industry. With its iconic logo, Swedish design sensibility, and KTM-backed engineering, Husqvarna is a brand to watch in the coming years.

Honorable Mentions

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to great motorcycle brands. There are dozens more that didn‘t quite make the cut for this list, but still deserve a shout-out for their contributions to the world of two wheels. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Triumph: The quintessential British brand, known for its classic Bonneville and speed triple.
• MV Agusta: The Ferrari of the motorcycle world, building jaw-droppingly beautiful and expensive Italian exotics.
• Royal Enfield: India‘s largest and oldest motorcycle brand, known for its charming retro singles and twins.
• Suzuki: The forgotten member of the Japanese "Big Four," but still a giant in terms of sales and production capacity.
• Victory: An upstart American cruiser brand that gave Harley-Davidson a run for its money before sadly shutting down in 2017.

Conclusion

So there you have it – my personal ranking of the 15 best motorcycle brands in the world. As you can see, each of these marques has its own unique history, style, and approach to building bikes, from Harley-Davidson‘s classic American cruisers to Ducati‘s exotic Italian superbikes.

At the end of the day, the "best" motorcycle brand for you will depend on your individual needs, preferences, and riding style. Some riders prioritize performance and technology, while others care more about heritage and style. Some are drawn to the Japanese brands‘ reputation for reliability and value, while others swear by the craftsmanship and character of the European marques.

The beauty of the motorcycle world is that there‘s truly something for everyone. Whether you‘re a canyon carver, a dirt devil, or a long-distance tourer, there‘s a brand out there that speaks to your soul. And with new models and technologies hitting the market every year, there‘s never been a better time to be a rider.

So get out there and test ride as many different bikes as you can. Talk to other riders and get their perspectives on what makes their favorite brands special. Read reviews and compare specs until your eyes glaze over. But most importantly, trust your gut and buy the bike that puts the biggest smile on your face. Because at the end of the day, that‘s what riding is all about.

Now if you‘ll excuse me, I‘ve got a date with a winding mountain road and a full tank of gas. Ride safe out there, friends!

Feature Image Credit: Harley-Davidson