Motorcycle Manufacturers
Honda makes just about anything with an engine, and their motorcycles are a favorite of gearheads who modify them. They also make excellent beginner bikes with sharp styling and a good record of reliability.
Indian, which is revived by Polaris Industries, follows a traditional route with large capacity V-twin engines. Their heritage is important to them, but they still employ modern technology.
Kawasaki
Founded 124 years ago by Shozo Kawasaki, the company began as a dockyard in Tokyo and quickly started producing modern innovations for Japan’s shipping industry. The company later expanded to produce railway rolling stock, electrical generating plants, and aircraft.
In the 1960s, Kawasaki Heavy Industries started experimenting with motorcycles when they began working with Meguro Manufacturing Co., which was already producing Electric Golf Cart bikes. The first bike produced by the joint venture was the B8M, which was designed to compete in motocross competitions.
Over the next several decades, Kawasaki developed a strong racing presence. Dave Simmonds won the 125cc world championship for Kawasaki in 1969, and Kork Ballington won the 250cc championship in 1978.
In 1969, the Kawasaki H1 Mach III, a 500cc two-stroke twin, was released. It was one of the fastest production bikes in the quarter mile at its time. The Mach III established Kawasaki’s image as a powerful and antisocial brand, which has continued to this day. The brand has also released a number of other big hits including ATVs and Jet Ski watercrafts.
Suzuki
In the late ’80s, Suzuki’s name featured in some unfortunate lists of vehicles involved in fatal or serious crashes. However, this does not mean that they are a bad brand; early models had a lot of problems, and it is fair to say that modern models are safer than their predecessors.
Suzuki was founded in 1909 by Michio Suzuki in Hamamatsu, a coastal village southwest of Tokyo. He started his company by building industrial looms designed for Japan’s booming silk industry. But when the cotton market collapsed in 1951, Suzuki began thinking about producing motor vehicles again.
By 1952, Suzuki had a working prototype of its first motorcycle, the side-valve Colleda CO. The bike had a 36cc two-stroke engine and was extremely popular in its time. Eventually, the company branched out to include the production of gas-powered engines that could be clipped onto standard bicycles. The company also entered the motocross races with its TM400, which Roger De Coster won in ’72, ’73 and ’75.
Yamaha
Yamaha is a Japanese multinational corporation that produces a wide range of motorized products, including motorcycles, water vessels and outboard marine engines. Its high quality products have earned it a solid reputation around the world. The company is also known for its diversified manufacturing capabilities and commitment to innovation.
The YA-1, a 125cc two-stroke single cylinder motorcycle, was the first mass produced Yamaha model. It was followed by the YA-2 and YDS-1. In 1956, Yamaha entered the Catalina Grand Prix with their YA-2 and won the race.
Throughout the 1960s, Yamaha continued to develop its range of motorcycles. They began to focus on niche markets, including performance street riding and racing, motocross racing, recreational off-road riding, and cruising. They stayed true to their philosophy of “walking in the customers’ shoes,” which meant incorporating local sensibilities and customs into their products.
During the 1990s, Yamaha tried to produce a car with their Formula 1 engine. The project was eventually abandoned after years of delays. However, the company was able to motorcycle manufacturer use their knowledge and technology from this experience to create innovative new products.
BMW
BMW, the company that makes everything from a sports car to a super-luxury SUV, has long been known for its cutting-edge technology. Its vehicles are powered by clean, efficient engines that run on alternative fuels. They also use clever features to reduce fuel consumption, including hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell models.
The company’s name, derived from the abbreviation of Bayerische Motoren Werke, is German for “Bavarian Motor Works.” It began life in 1916 as the Rapp-Motorenwerke GmbH aircraft engine company. That same year it merged with Gustav Otto’s Flugmaschinenfabrik and became Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG.
As World War II raged in Europe BMW was forced to switch from producing motorcycles and automobiles to making military supplies for the German war machine. Stop-gap production of domestic appliances kept the company afloat but it wasn’t until 1948 that automobile production could restart with the introduction of the R24 motorcycle.
Today, BMW continues to explore new technologies for its vehicles. Its i8 plug-in electric sports car is the most recent example. It uses an aluminum spaceframe and a high-performance lithium-ion battery to provide an exhilarating driving experience. BMW is also a leader in sustainability, with a focus on energy efficiency, resource management, and waste reduction throughout the design process.
KTM
KTM is an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer that has a strong presence in the dirt bike market. The company has a number of models in its lineup, including the popular Duke 200. The company also makes a number of racing bikes, including the RC 125 and RC 390.
KTM was founded in 1934 as a metalworking shop in Mattighofen, Austria. Initially, the company resold Opel and DKW automobiles and motorcycles. But as sales dipped, the founders began to develop their own motorcycles. The first prototype, the R100, was launched in 1951. A year later, an investor named Ernst Kronreif bought a large stake in the company. As a result, the name was changed to KTM, an acronym for Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen.
Today, the company employs around 1200 people worldwide and produces 42 different models. The company has a strong focus on research and development, investing nearly 9% of its revenue in 2022. It is also a leader in electric bikes, with the Freeride E hitting the market in 2011 and currently selling two electric kids’ crossers and balance bikes.