Motorcycle brands of the world

The world's largest motorcycle maker. Famous for reliability — from the Super Cub (the best-selling vehicle ever) to MotoGP titles.

Key models: CB500Africa TwinGold WingCBR1000RR-R

Began as a spin-off of the musical-instrument maker. Known for crossplane engines, the MT series and great off-road bikes.

Key models: MT-07Ténéré 700R1TMAX

Part of a heavy-industry giant (ships, trains, aircraft). Known for the green Ninja sport bikes and the supercharged H2.

Key models: Ninja 500Z900KLR650Ninja H2

Started with weaving looms. Famous for the Hayabusa, the GSX-R line and practical, affordable bikes.

Key models: SV650V-Strom 800HayabusaGSX-8S

Italian performance and passion from Bologna. Famous for L-twin and V4 engines, red paint and racing success.

Key models: Panigale V4MonsterMultistradaScrambler

Racing-focused Italian brand with many Grand Prix titles. Known for the RSV4 and the RS 660. Part of Piaggio.

Key models: RS 660Tuono V4RSV4Tuareg 660

Legendary Italian racing name, with 37 world titles, now building exclusive, beautifully designed triples and fours.

Key models: F3BrutaleDragsterSuperveloce

One of Europe's oldest motorcycle makers, famous for its transverse V-twin with cylinders sticking out sideways.

Key models: V7V85 TTStelvio

One of Italy's oldest brands, now owned by China's Qianjiang. Offers affordable mid-size bikes.

Key models: TRK 502Leoncino752S

The iconic Italian scooter since 1946, symbol of style and city life.

Key models: PrimaveraGTS 300Sprint

Small Italian maker of exclusive hand-built sport bikes using other brands' engines (now Kawasaki).

Key models: Tesi H2KB4

Family-owned Italian company famous for enduro and trial bikes.

Key models: RR 300EvoAlp

Italian brand known for Caballero scramblers and off-road bikes.

Key models: CaballeroXE 300

German premium brand. Famous for the boxer engine, the GS adventure line and advanced technology.

Key models: R 1300 GSS 1000 RRR nineTK 1600

Austria's "Ready to Race" brand, dominant in off-road and the Dakar. Also builds sharp Duke street bikes.

Key models: 390 Duke890 Adventure1390 Super DukeEXC

Young Austrian brand with affordable retro bikes built in partnership with Chinese factories.

Key models: Crossfire 500Cromwell 1200

Swedish origins (started with weapons), now part of the KTM group. Off-road legend and stylish street bikes.

Key models: Svartpilen 401Norden 901TE 300701 Supermoto

Spanish brand famous for trial bikes, now part of the KTM group with enduro and motocross models.

Key models: TXT RacingEC 300MC 450F

Spanish family company producing enduro bikes and learner motorcycles.

Key models: MR 300Aventura 500

Spanish trial legend, owned by Honda. The Cota 4RT is a multiple world-championship winner.

Key models: Cota 4RTCota 301RR

French-Spanish brand specialising in trial and enduro competition bikes.

Key models: SE 300ST trial

Britain's biggest motorcycle maker. Iconic Bonneville and famous triple engines.

Key models: BonnevilleStreet TripleTiger 900Speed 400

Legendary British racing brand, revived with hand-built premium models (now owned by India's TVS).

Key models: CommandoV4SVManx

Once the world's largest motorcycle maker, revived in 2021 under India's Mahindra group.

Key models: Gold StarScrambler 650

America's motorcycle icon. Big V-twin cruisers, a unique sound and a worldwide lifestyle community.

Key models: Sportster SStreet GlidePan AmericaFat Boy

America's first motorcycle brand, revived by Polaris. Cruisers, touring bikes and the FTR flat-tracker.

Key models: ScoutChiefFTRChieftain

Californian pioneer of electric motorcycles.

Key models: SR/FFXEDSR/X

Electric motorcycle brand born inside Harley-Davidson.

Key models: LiveWire OneS2 Del Mar

American sport bikes by engineer Erik Buell, known for unconventional engineering.

Key models: 1190RXSuper Cruiser

The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production. Born in England, now Indian. Simple, affordable classics.

Key models: Classic 350HimalayanInterceptor 650Hunter 350

Indian giant building millions of bikes a year; partner of KTM and Triumph for small models.

Key models: PulsarDominarFreedom 125 CNG

Major Indian manufacturer, partner of BMW for its 310 cc bikes and owner of Norton.

Key models: Apache RR 310RoninJupiter

By volume, one of the world's largest motorcycle makers, known for simple commuter bikes.

Key models: SplendorXpulse 200Mavrick 440

Fast-growing Chinese brand, partner of KTM. Modern, well-equipped bikes at good prices.

Key models: 450SR800MT700CL-X

Big Chinese maker (owner of Benelli), building mid-size nakeds, sport and adventure bikes.

Key models: SRK 800SRT 800

Premium brand of China's Loncin, which also builds engines for BMW.

Key models: 525DSX900DSX

Taiwanese scooter specialist, one of the largest scooter makers in the world.

Key models: AK 550AgilityDowntown

Taiwanese maker of scooters and small motorcycles.

Key models: Maxsym TLJet 14NH T 125

Czech classic brand; the name also lives on through retro bikes made in India.

Key models: 350 OHCJawa 42

Maker of sidecar motorcycles with two-wheel drive, based on a 1940s BMW design.

Key models: Gear UpcT