Searching for the best motorcycle brands? Our guide lists the most reliable motorcycle brands, starting with the highest-rated of all.
Buying a motorcycle soon? With the average motorcycle starting at around $4k (see our guide, How Much is a Motorcycle?), you’ll want to choose the brand wisely. Fortunately, we’ll walk you through the top 10 brands on the market, telling you what the brand is known for, what riders love and don’t love, and the average price you can expect to pay.
Honda
Price: Budget-friendly brand
Average Starting Price: $9,689
Known for/What Customers Love:
- Reliability of their products
- Innovative engineering
- Their global presence
- Low maintenance requirements
- Fuel-efficiency
- Top-tier customer service
Top-selling Honda Models:
- Super Cub
- Gold Wing
- Rebel 500
- NR-750
- CBR Fireblade
What Customers Dislike: Limited aftermarket customizations and lack of power in sport and high-performance categories.
Honda dominates the motorcycle industry with a diverse lineup of models ranging from lightweight street bikes to high-performance sports bikes. Honda’s engineering, testing, and quality control standards are why customers can expect 150,000 (or more) miles from their motorcycles. Regular model updates, improvements based on customer feedback, and an extensive service network round out the praise from motorcycle enthusiasts.
Honda ranks globally as the most reliable motorcycle brand, and the one most consumers are most likely to buy again.
Yamaha
Price: Moderate
Average Starting Price: $11,659
Known For / What Customers Love
- Advanced engineering
- Unbeatable acceleration and torque
- Superior build quality
- Great value for the money
- Phenomenal handling/performance
- Reliability in the street and off-road categories
Top Selling Models:
- YZF-R1
- MT-07/FZ-07
- YZF-R6
- MT-09/FZ-09
- FZ-10/MT-10
What Customers Dislike: Stiff stock suspension, electrical issues, lack of wind protection on some models, and difficulty getting spare parts.
Yamaha produces stylish motorcycles with unique designs for each model. Cutting-edge technology like Variable Valve Timing, advanced traction control systems, integrated ABS, ride-by-wire throttle systems, refined engines, adjustable suspension systems, and ergonomic design delivers a superior riding experience.
Besides the tech aspects, customers buy Yamaha motorcycles for their affordability, exceptional handling, comfort, and resale value.
Kawasaki
Price: Moderate
Average Starting Price: $11,687
Known For / What Customers Love:
- Racing heritage
- Sporty and aggressive design
- High performance and handling
- Affordability
- Tight-knit rider community
Top Selling Models:
- Ninja H2
- Ninja ZX-10R
- Z900
- Versys 650
- Ninja 650
What Customers Dislike: Vibration and noise levels, stock components, poor ergonomics, low availability of parts, and the cost of service and maintenance.
Kawasaki motorcycles are known for powerful engines and sporty aesthetics, making them a favorite among performance enthusiasts. Aside from the Showa suspensions and Nissin brakes, the advanced technology built into Kawasaki models makes the brand a fan favorite. Some examples of these high-tech features include SoKawasaki Throttle Responsive Ignition Control, traction control, cornering management function, quick shifting, and integrated riding modes.
Aesthetics, comfort, value, and Kawasaki’s commitment to safety are also among the many reasons riders are loyal to the brand.
Suzuki
Suzuki creates well-engineered motorcycles that reflect the company’s long history of success in motorcycle championship racing. Each bike is put through wind tunnel, obstacle, durability, electronics, chassis stress, and other testing to ensure it meets quality and performance standards before it leaves the manufacturing plant.
Suzuki’s durable motorcycles are sleek, fuel-efficient, built to last, and offer practical and reliable choices for city commuting or long-distance rides.
Price: Moderate
Average Starting Price: $12,223
Known For / What Customers Love:
- Affordability
- Sleek design
- Sports performance
- Low maintenance requirements
- Enthusiastic community of Suzuki owners
- Excellent customer support
Top Selling Models
- V-Strom 650
- SV650
- Boulevard M109
- B.O.S.S
- GSX-1300R Hayabusa
- GSX-S1100S Katana
What Customers Dislike: Suspension, stock tires, braking system, engine heat, and resale value.
BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad builds premium motorcycles with high-end accessories like ABS, traction control, onboard navigation, and TFT displays. They are engineered for high performance and are often equipped with industry-leading flat twin engines. BMW motorcycles blend advanced technology, exquisite craftsmanship, and superior comfort.
While most BMW Motorrad bikes are sold in Western Europe, they’re becoming more popular in the US market.
Category: Luxury brand
Average Starting Price: $20,243
Known For / What Customers Love:
- Innovative engineering
- Build quality
- Prime safety features
- Strong resale value
Top Selling Models
- R 1250 GS/GS Adventure
- R 1300 GS
- M 1000 R/RR
- S 1000 RR/XR
- F 750 GS
What Customers Dislike: Price, maintenance costs, availability of parts, complex electronics, and fuel efficiency.
Harley-Davidson
Since the 1930s, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand has been synonymous with American outlaw motorcycle culture, captivating enthusiasts with its classic design and powerful, thumping engines (you always know when one is heading your way). In the past, customers experienced issues with vibration, loosening bolts, and oil leaks, but the company has significantly improved the durability and performance of its motorcycles in recent years.
But even the most minor maintenance issues like an oil leak aren’t a dealbreaker since, as many Harley-Davidson owners enjoy working on their bikes when they’re not riding them.
Category: Luxury brand
Average Starting Price: $26,557
Known For / What Customers Love:
- Reliability
- Enough durability to withstand the demands of the road
- Classic styling
- Unique engine sound
- Customization options
- Comfortable riding experience
- Tight-knit rider community
Top Selling Models: Sportster, Fat Bob, Street Glide, Road King, Pan America
What Customers Dislike: Price, weight, maintenance costs, poor handling at low speeds, vibration, and limited storage.
Triumph
Triumph motorcycles combine British craftsmanship with traditional style Previous generation bikes may have been high-maintenance and prone to oil leaks, but modern manufacturing technology, construction methods, and high-quality parts have resulted in reliable Triumph motorcycles that live up to the brand’s respected history and reputation.
But be warned–there’s an almost mystical allure to a Triumph, and those who own one are more like devotees than owners. If you happen to come across one, you might find you can’t stop thinking about it.
Category: Mid-grade brand
Average Starting Price: $16,082
Known For / What Customers Love:
- Recognizable engine sound
- Superior performance and handling
- Versatile lineup
- Customization options
- Triple-cylinder engines
- Excellent off-road performance
Top Selling Models
- Bonneville T-100
- Street Triple
- Tiger Sport 660
- Trident 660
- Speed Twin 1200
What Customers Dislike: Electrical issues, dealer service, price, vibration and comfort, and inadequate wind protection.
KTM
KTM produces high-performance off-road, racing, dual-sport, and street bikes popular among young riders and off-road enthusiasts. The brand is known for top-of-the-line suspension systems, lightweight and maneuverable designs, and durable engines.
KTM’s motorcycles are a go-to choice for those who want a bike that can handle rigorous use.
KTM also comes highly recommended for beginning motorcycle riders and experts–but be warned, the riding position can be a little aggressive for long rides.
Category: Mid-grade brand
Average Starting Price: $15,420
Known For / What Customers Love:
- Off-road performance
- Ready-to-race philosophy
- Dual-sport capability
- Customizable parts and accessories
- Loyal community culture.
Top Selling Models
- Adventure 390
- Adventure 890
- Duke 200
- RC 390
- Super Adventure 1290
What Customers Dislike: High maintenance costs, seat comfort, parts availability, complex electronics, and issues with dealer service.
Ducati
Fun fact: each Ducati motorcycle is put together by hand.
Ducati motorcycles have sleek, stylish, aggressive designs and an unmistakable sound–after all, they’re Italian. The brand’s racing history is clear when you account for technologies like the desmodromic valve system, V-twin engine, customizable riding modes, and chassis design.
A Ducati is a high-performance luxury bike. It’s also considered “the Ferrari of the motorcycle world,” so owning one also means dealing with the haters!
Category: Luxury brand
Average Starting Price: $35,426
Known For / What Customers Love
- Brand’s rich history and racing pedigree
- The Italian design
- Signature engine sound
- Top
Top Selling Models
- Multistrada V4
- Scrambler
- Monster
- Panigale V4
- Streetfighter V4
What Customers Dislike: High maintenance costs, complex electronics, and low resale value (compared to initial purchase price)
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield managed to rise above its questionable past by upgrading its manufacturing facilities, engine technology, quality testing, and product line. Today, the company combines classic design with modern engineering to produce rugged and affordable motorcycles that appeal to a wide range of riders.
Now known for dependable motorcycles that require little upkeep, Royal Enfield is the comeback story of motorcycle manufacturers.
Category: Budget-friendly brand
Average Starting Price: $4,844
Known For / What Customers Love:
- Distinctive single-cylinder engine sound
- Classic styling
- Affordability
- Comfortable ride
Top Selling Models:
- Classic 350
- Himalayan
- Hunter 350
- Meteor 350
- Scram 411
What Customers Dislike: Poor handling and maneuverability, stock tires, mediocre braking performance, and limited service and support in some areas.
Final Thoughts
You’ve dreamt of owning a motorcycle for years–maybe your whole lifetime. When that dream finally comes true, you’ll need a place to store your investment.
After spending thousands on your dream bike, you won’t want to store it uncovered on your driveway–especially if you live in an area known for its harsh winters.
Your home garage is always an option–but if you already have two cars parked in your two-car garage, you may be out of luck.
Thankfully, there’s a way to store your motorcycle close to home–without tossing it in the backyard or shoving it between your daily drivers. With Neighbor, a peer-to-peer vehicle storage marketplace, you’ll find Vehicle storage options in your very own neighborhood (and all 50 states)–at prices 50% lower than traditional motorcycle storage options
