Top 10 Most Famous Motorcycle Brands Worldwide

Yamaha is a renowned Japanese brand that manufactures a wide range of products, including musical instruments, engines, motorcycles, and electronic devices. Originally founded by Torakusu Yamaha in 1890 in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, as a company dedicated to producing pianos. After World War II, Yamaha applied its expertise in lightweight, durable metal alloy technology to the production of engines and motorcycle frames. Today, Yamaha is the world's second-largest motorcycle manufacturer and a globally recognized brand. Yamaha made its debut in Vietnam in 1996, and it is now one of the four largest Japanese motorcycle brands.

Yamaha offers various motorcycle series, including the Yamaha YZF-R series (sport bikes), Yamaha FZ series (naked bikes), Yamaha MT series (multifunctional bikes), Yamaha XSR series (classic motorcycles), Yamaha Tracer (touring motorcycles), among others. The designs of Yamaha bikes range from modern to classic, catering to diverse customer preferences.

Website: https://yamaha-motor.com.vn/

Benelli was founded in 1911 in Italy by six brothers with a passion for motorcycles. At the time, they were known for their dominance in motorcycle racing. However, in 1989, due to financial difficulties, Benelli was sold to Selci Corp. From then on, the company shifted focus to producing scooters, stepping away from the racing scene. It wasn’t until 1996, when Benelli was bought by Andrea Merloni, that the company began producing motorbike scooters ranging from 50cc to 250cc, marking the revival of the brand. Today, Benelli is recognized as a global motorcycle brand.

Currently, Benelli is owned by the Qianjiang Group (China). Before its acquisition by China, Benelli was seen as a competitor to brands like Ducati and Piaggio. However, after the transition, the brand's reputation declined, losing a significant number of customers and market share.

Website: https://www.benelli.com/vn-vi

Harley - Davidson is the oldest and most renowned motorcycle brand in the United States, continuing to thrive to this day. Founded in 1903 by the legendary William S. “Bill” Harley (1880–1943) and Arthur Davidson (1881–1950), the company has held a prestigious position in the motorcycle world since its inception.

Over the years, Harley - Davidson has become the dream brand for motorcycle enthusiasts, particularly those drawn to the Cruiser style. Despite almost facing bankruptcy in 1969, the company was saved when AMF acquired it. Twelve years later, the Harley-Davidson family repurchased the company from AMF in 1981.

Harley - Davidson (H-D) remains one of the leading motorcycle manufacturers globally, with a design language rooted in American muscle. Known for its iconic cruiser motorcycles, H-D has also expanded its lineup to cater to younger generations, introducing sporty, aggressive models like the popular Sportster family that appeal to the modern rider.

Website: https://www.harley-davidson.com/vn/vi/index.html

Kawasaki is Japan’s leading motorcycle manufacturer, founded in 1896 by Shozo Kawasaki. Initially a steel shipbuilding company, Kawasaki pivoted to the motorcycle industry in 1949, beginning with the production of motorcycle engines. The company’s first model, the Meihatsu, was introduced in 1954.

Two years later, Kawasaki launched its KB-5 engine and an improved version of the Meihatsu, called the Meihatsu 125 Deluxe. It wasn’t until 1956 that the iconic Kawasaki logo appeared on engine covers. The company’s motorcycle division was heavily influenced by the Meguro motorcycle company, one of Japan’s top producers at the time. After an impressive 30 years, Meguro was acquired by Kawasaki, significantly contributing to the company’s success. By 1962, Meguro disappeared from the market.

In 1973, Kawasaki unveiled its first superbike, the Z1, featuring a 903cc engine. Its exceptional price-to-performance ratio made it a popular model. Three years later, the company upgraded the Z1 to the Z900, followed by models like the Z1300 (1978), Z400FX (1979), and the mass-production-oriented KZ440LTD.

In 2000, Kawasaki introduced the Ninja ZX-12R to the American market, equipped with a 1200cc engine and an aluminum monocoque frame. Three years later, the company released the Ninja ZX-6R, ZX-6RR, and the street-oriented Z1000. Today, Kawasaki stands alongside Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha as one of Japan’s prideful and renowned motorcycle brands.

Website: https://www.kawasaki.com

Ducati is a renowned Italian motorcycle manufacturer, founded in 1926 by the Ducati brothers: Bruno, Adriano, and Marcello. Initially, the company focused on electrical equipment before releasing its first motorized bicycle in 1946, featuring a 50cc engine.

In 1954, engineer Fabio Taglioni joined Ducati, revolutionizing the company with impressive models, including the 4-stroke Tourist 174, which had special and sport versions reaching speeds up to 135 km/h—an incredible feat for its time. These models were publicly introduced in 1957 at the Milan Salon.

The Ducati Monster, launched in 1993, and the Ducati 916 in 1994 became iconic models, earning numerous awards from global motorcycle magazines. However, in 1996, Ducati underwent a significant change when it was acquired by the Texas Pacific Group, an American investment firm. The new management introduced the popular Monster Dark, which became the best-selling bike in Italy in 1998 and 1999. In July 2012, Ducati was officially acquired by Audi for $980 million.

Website: https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home

Suzuki is another renowned motorcycle brand hailing from Japan. Founded in 1909 by Michio Suzuki, the son of a cotton farmer, the company initially started as a textile manufacturer.

Though it emerged later than some competitors, Suzuki quickly became famous for its two-stroke engine motorcycles. By 1976, the company introduced its successful GS series of four-stroke motorcycles, which gained immense popularity. Today, Suzuki stands as one of Japan’s four major motorcycle manufacturers. In Vietnam, popular Suzuki models include the Smash, Revo, and Viva (manual motorcycles), and the Impulse, Hayate (scooters), and Raider (sports bikes).

Each Suzuki motorcycle tells its own story, with distinctive personalities—from the elegant and powerful GSX-R series, the rugged and adventurous V-Strom, to the refined and stylish Boulevard. These bikes are not just vehicles but trusted companions, ready to take on every road and adventure.

Website: https://www.globalsuzuki.com/

BMW is a world-renowned motorcycle brand from Germany, founded in 1913 by Karl Friedrich Rapp, originally as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. Due to financial difficulties, Rapp sought help from Camillo Castiglioni and Max Friz, leading to the company’s reorganization as Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH (BMW GmbH).

In 1923, BMW launched its first motorcycle, the R32, which achieved top speeds of 95-100 km/h. Today, BMW is one of the most prestigious and respected motorcycle brands in the world. The company’s focus on luxury ensures that its products consistently represent the highest standards of excellence. BMW motorcycles are synonymous with sophisticated elegance.

BMW motorcycles are known for their distinctive quality and style. The S series offers an exciting and powerful racing experience, while the R series embodies the beauty and prestige of a true cruiser. Meanwhile, the GS series showcases versatility, ready to conquer any terrain.

Each BMW motorcycle is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, blending modern technology with advanced engineering. Powerful engines, effective suspension systems, advanced braking mechanisms, and top-notch safety features come together to create the perfect ride.

Website: https://www.bmw-motorcycles.vn/vi/home.html

Honda is one of Japan’s top motorcycle brands, founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. In Vietnam, Honda motorcycles are so deeply ingrained in the culture that many simply refer to motorcycles as 'Honda.' Before the brand’s major expansion, the iconic Cub model became a symbol of both style and durability, and was a symbol of practicality and reliability. Since entering the Vietnamese market, Honda has always maintained a leading market share.

Following the success of models like Dream and Future, Honda launched the Wave Alpha in 2002 to compete with cheaper Chinese models. Priced just 20% higher than the Chinese alternatives, but offering far superior quality, the Wave continued Honda's success in Vietnam. As the market shifted to scooters, the Air Blade series also followed this trend and continued the brand’s legacy. The reason behind Honda’s dominance in Vietnam is its reasonable pricing strategy. Honda motorcycles cater to every segment, from budget-friendly to premium, offering competitive pricing within each category.

Honda has earned the trust of its users by demonstrating long-term reliability and consistent performance. In general, Honda bikes are seen by many Vietnamese consumers as durable and dependable. In fact, even after many years of use, the engines of Honda scooters still perform as smoothly and reliably as when they were first purchased.

Website: https://www.honda.com/

Indian Motorcycle is an iconic American brand founded in 1901 by George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom in Massachusetts. In the U.S., its main competitor is Harley-Davidson (HD). The company was acquired by BrockHouse, a British firm, in 1950 and merged into the AMC group. However, due to financial difficulties, production was halted in 1953. The brand was revived in 1998 and soon became one of the most recognized names in the motorcycle industry worldwide. Today, Indian motorcycles continue to captivate a loyal following, producing models that cater to a wide range of customers.

Indian Motorcycle produces various models, including cruisers, touring bikes, baggers, and sport motorcycles, each offering distinct styles, technology, and performance features. The brand has a strong global presence, with significant markets in North America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. Depending on the model and range, Indian Motorcycle prices vary from mid-range to premium, catering to diverse customer needs and preferences.

Website: https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/

Triumph is a renowned British motorcycle brand that began its journey in 1902, initially producing a motorized bicycle before evolving into iconic motorcycles. Triumph was acquired by the BSA group in 1951 and later became part of NVT (Norton, Villiers, Triumph). In 1990, a new Triumph factory was established, and today, the brand stands as a global powerhouse in the motorcycle world.

Famous for its iconic designs, Triumph's lineup ranges from classic-styled bikes to modern, high-performance machines, including cruisers and adventure bikes. The design ethos emphasizes elegance and innovation. The company manufactures a variety of models, such as the Street Twin, Bonneville, Tiger, Speed Triple, and Rocket 3, each tailored to meet different riding needs.

Triumph integrates advanced technologies into its motorcycles, including powerful engines, sophisticated suspension systems, ABS braking, electronic controls, and modern entertainment packages. Its products are highly praised for their style, technology, and performance, drawing the attention of motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.

Website: https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/