Japan is the world leader in motorcycle manufacturing.
It is one of the three countries manufacturing more than ten million motorcycles annually. China and India are the other two. Honda and Kawasaki are the best Japanese motorcycle brands. Yamaha and Suzuki closely hang around and are no less; thanks to the Japanese culture that places more emphasis on accuracy, these motorcycle brands are low-maintenance and durable.
List of top Japanese Motorcycle Brands
Honda
Founded in 1937 by Soichiro Honda, the quality, design, speed, and economy of Japanese Honda motorbikes are highly appreciated by motorcycle enthusiasts and professionals worldwide. Tokai Seiki Heavy Industry originally produced piston rings of the first design. But unfortunately, the Second World War eventually destroyed the production facilities set up then, and Soichiro Honda was forced to sell what was left.
The company changed its name to Honda Motor Company in 1948 when Toyota invested in the Honda Technical Research Institute project. And this is when Honda Model A was first made available to the people. However, it was only in 1973 that the now-famous motorcycle and scooter logo was applied. Honda motorbikes today are a symbol of flight, lightness, and freedom. Honda, aka ‘The Power of Dreams,’ proves true to the emblem of the spread wing.
Honda Motorcycles does business in more than 150 countries worldwide. Honda motorcycles are more prevalent in emerging markets like India, where their smaller motorcycles and scooters are famous.
Honda has produced several legendary motorcycles like the Honda CBR series, the CRF series, the CB series, and the Gold Wing touring motorcycle. The Honda Super Cub is one of the best-selling motor vehicles in history. It surpassed 100 million units in 2017.
When it comes to firsts, Honda was the first to have a production motorcycle airbag and the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).
In 2022, Honda’s motorcycle production worldwide reached approximately 25.30 Mn Units. For the financial year ending in March 2023, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reported sales revenue of 2.9 trillion Japanese yen.
Top Honda Motorcycles
| Motorcycle Model | Engine Size | Horsepower | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Super Cub | 125cc | 9.2 hp | $3,799 |
| Honda CB650R | 649cc | 94 hp | $9,199 |
| Honda Africa Twin | 1084cc | 101 hp | $14,399 |
| Honda CBR1000RR | 999cc | 189 hp | $16,499 |
| Honda Goldwing | 1833cc | 125 hp | $23,900 |
| Honda ADV 150 | 149cc | 14.5 | $4,349 |
| Honda CBR600RR | 599cc | 113 | $12,099 |
| Honda CBR650R | 649cc | 95 | $9,799 |
| Honda CRF150R | 150cc | 24 | $5,299 |
| Honda Rebel 1100T | 1083cc | 86 | $11,299 |
| Honda Rebel 500 | 471cc | 45.9 | $6,399 |
| Honda Ruckus | 49cc | 4.3 | $2,749 |
Official website: American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
Kawasaki
The Kawasaki Motorcycle Corporation (KMC) was founded in 1963 when Meguro, the motorcycle manufacturer, was bought by Shozo Kawasaki. Otherwise, the original company, Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard, and Kawasaki Dockyard were working as a ship-building company created by Kawasaki Tsukiji in 1887. Before that, the company only built ships and scuba diving units. Henceforth began the creation of a new and promising production of Kawasaki motorcycles.
Located in Tokyo, KMC today is one of the world’s largest corporations. KMC’s logo changed in 2014 when a badge was added to the traditional graphic representation of the new Kawasaki Ninja H2. In addition, this motorbike featured an emblem made in the traditional lime green color and a stylized K top symbol underneath the brand name.
Some of the top models of Kawasaki include the Ninja series, Vulcan, and the KX series of motocross bikes. The Kawasaki Ninja H2R is one of the world’s fastest(240 mph) production motorcycles.
Kawasaki has a successful history in racing. It has won several Superbike World Championships with its ZX-10R model. It is also active in Supercross and Motocross with its KX450F motorcycles.
In 2022, Kawasaki sold about 456,357 motorcycles globally. In 2022, Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine segment had a combined revenue of about 591.1 billion Japanese yen.
Top Kawasaki Motorcycles
| Motorcycle Model | Engine Size | Horsepower | Price (MSRP) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 399cc | 44 hp | 366 lbs | $4,999 |
| Kawasaki Z900 | 948cc | 123 hp | $8,999 | |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R | 636cc | 129 hp | $9,999 | |
| Kawasaki Versys 1000 | 1043cc | 118 hp | $12,999 | |
| Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX | 998cc | 197 hp | $22,000 |
Official website: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A
Yamaha
Located in Iwata, Shizuoka, Yamaha Motor Company was part of the giant Nippon Gakki concern until 1955. The owners today are Yamaha Corporation and Toyota. The company’s product line now includes musical instruments, motorcycles, and engines for various equipment. Like most Japanese motorcycle brands, the company’s logo is well-known worldwide. The traditional red color used in the design is very popular in Japan. It is believed that it scares away evil forces and averts failure.
The Yamaha emblem also consists of a sign with three crossed-tuning forks. This symbolizes a strong connection between the ideology of three pillars utilized by the company vis-a-vis technology, production, and sales. The tuning forks of the Yamaha emblem extend beyond the circle. The second accent element added in the symbol is the brand name made in Latin letters confirming the founder’s name.
Top Yamaha Motorcycles
| Motorcycle Model | Engine Size | Horsepower | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha YZF-R3 | 321cc | 42 hp | $5,299 |
| Yamaha MT-07 | 689cc | 73 hp | $7,699 |
| Yamaha YZF-R6 | 599cc | 118 hp | $12,199 |
| Yamaha MT-09 | 847cc | 115 hp | $9,399 |
| Yamaha YZF-R1M | 998cc | 200 hp | $26,099 |
| Yamaha YZF-R7 | 689cc | 74 hp | $9,199 |
| Yamaha MT 03 | 321cc | 41.4 hp | $4,999 |
Official website: Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Suzuki
The Suzuki Loom Company, founded by Michio Suzuki in 1909, is one of the oldest Japanese brands. Suzuki today is noted as a leading motorcycle brand. It first manufactured a bicycle with a small motor in 1952 for the convenience of its employees commuting to work and for which the government of Japan allocated a subsidy. Following this, Suzuki produced more than 6,000 units of mobikes every month. Eventually, the company took the name Suzuki Motor Company.
The company emblem for the last 70 years included red and blue colors. These two primary revered colors in Japanese culture come with the stylized ‘S’ letter of the brand name. It symbolizes passion, integrity, and adherence to tradition. The full name ‘SUZUKI’ in blue denotes perfection, greatness, and universal accessibility. The logo is mounted on a metallic silver background; it is terse, simple, and easy to remember.
The company’s lineup has a broad range of categories, from scooters to sport bikes and cruisers. Some of the top models include the Suzuki Hayabusa, a high-speed sportbike(186 miles per hour), the Suzuki GSX-R series, and the V-Strom series. Suzuki operates in 200 countries and regions around the world.
Suzuki was the first company to introduce a 4-wheel ATV, the Suzuki QuadRunner LT125, in 1982.
They won their first MotoGP World Championship title in 1976, 77 with Barry Sheene, and their most recent was in 2020 with Joan Mir. In 2022, the company sold about 1.78 million motorcycles globally.
Top Suzuki Motorcycles
| Motorcycle Model | Engine Size | Horsepower | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki SV650 | 645cc | 74 hp | $7,099 |
| Suzuki GSX-R600 | 599 cc | 127 hp | $11,699 |
| Suzuki GSX-S750 | 749 cc | 113 hp | $8,899 |
| Suzuki GSX-GSX-R1000R | 999.8cc | 199 hp | $18,199 |
| Suzuki V-Strom 1050 | 1037 cc | 106 hp | $14,799 |
| Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 999 cc | 182 hp | $15,599 |
| Suzuki Hayabusa | 1340 cc | 188 horsepower | $18,799 |
Official website: Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
Ducati Japan
Ducati is originally an Italian company that was founded in Bologna in 1926. It made its first motorcycle in 1949 and has since grown to become one of the most exemplary global motorcycle brands. Ducati, the year before last, sold over 59,447 motorcycles worldwide in 2021. Ducati Desmosedici is a high-end, limited-edition motorcycle produced by this company. Coming with a price tag of $232,500, it is ranked among the most expensive bikes in the world.
Ducati’s Japanese identity offers unparalleled riding experiences. These motorbikes are innovative, sophisticated, and performance-oriented. Over 300 passionate Ducatisti gathered in the center of Tokyo to celebrate the first Brand Night in Japan. They came together to meet, celebrate, and discuss their love and affection for the brand.
Top Ducati Motorcycles
| Motorcycle Model | Engine Size | Horsepower | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducati Panigale V4 | 1103cc | 214 hp | $21,495 |
| Ducati Streetfighter V4 | 1103cc | 208 hp | $20,995 |
| Ducati Multistrada V4 | 1158cc | 168 hp | $19,995 |
| Ducati Monster 821 | 821cc | 108 hp | $11,995 |
| Ducati Scrambler Icon | 803cc | 73 hp | $9,395 |
Official website: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A
Bridgestone Motorcycles
Bridgestone Motorcycles was a division of the Bridgestone Tire Company. It started by producing power-assisted bicycles and then moved on to produce mopeds and motorcycles from 1952 to 1970. Although Bridgestone as a tire company was founded in 1931, it was only when the founder Soichiro Ishibashi launched Bridgestone Bicycle Manufacturing Company in 1945 that it started 2-wheels production. Subsequently, Bridgestone started to fit small engines on the Bridgestone bicycles in 1952.
The first full moped range of motorbikes started in 1958. The product range extended to more powerful engines in 1963 when the company began exports. However, Bridgestone took a drastic strategic decision in 1970 when the production of motorcycles was discontinued to focus better on tire manufacturing.
Tohatsu
Dating back to 1932, Tohatsu is a multipurpose brand. This Japanese company first started to develop and assemble internal combustion engines. The brand added the motorcycle theme to its production line in 1950 and continued until the mid-60s. Tohatsu managed to gain the title of one of the largest manufacturers of Japanese motorcycles during this time. However, it gradually reduced the production of motorcycles in the latter half of 1960. It completely stopped producing motorbikes in favor of motors for boats and motors for pumps. A gradient steel-gray circle with a stylized ‘T’ symbol at the center is featured in the logo for the motorcycles. The color black was used for the selection, which ensures visibility against the background.
Meguro
The Meguro Manufacturing Company was founded in 1937 by Hobuji Murato and Takaji Suzuki. This company obtained defense orders to produce unique motorcycles due to the high-ranking position Suzuki. As a result, Meguro motorbikes equipped the Japanese police and created new models for military purposes. Meguro motorcycles were the main competitors for Honda in the racing competitions held then. However, the end of government orders forced Meguro to transition into producing light motorcycles. And this eventually led the company to bankruptcy.
Following this, Kawasaki Heavy Industries acquired Meguro. The new owner continued to release motorcycles under the old name for some time but soon closed production. Sixty years later, Kawasaki is now attempting to revive the production of Meguro motorcycles again.
Rikuo
The Rikuo Internal Combustion Japanese brand was a Harley-Davidson distributor from 1922 until almost the beginning of World War II. Harley exported its motorcycles to Japan with the help of this company. In addition, Harley licensed Rikuo to assemble their motorcycles from local parts in the early 1930s. Rikuo thus operated under the Harley brand until 1958. It had its headquarters in the capital of Japan, which guaranteed the birth of the Japanese motorcycle industry. A new brand logo was developed following the war when Rikuo ceased representing Harley-Davidson. However, it continued to use the Harley design models with its emblem.
Tanaka
Tanaka began mass production of moped engines in 1951. And in 1954, they produced and marketed a 125 cc motorcycle engine. They subsequently focused on larger motorcycle engines until 1962, when Tanaka opened a plant in Shirako. It is where the company introduced the world’s smallest industrial, general-purpose 2-cycle 22cc/P-7 engine. Tanaka today is a fourth-generation, family-owned company. It is primarily active in the handheld, two-stroke powered, outdoor power equipment market. Tanaka’s customer base includes both domestic and worldwide trade users.
Japan is a Giant in World Motorcycle Market
Japan is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the whole world. They command almost half a share of global motorbike production. Japan is home to the four biggest global motorcycle companies vis-a-vis Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. The fastest and the most advanced motorbikes in the world post-1960s have come from Japan.
Japanese Motorcycle Brands FAQs
What is the market size of the Japanese motorcycle industry?
The global motorcycle market was valued at $120.0 billion in 2020. It is expected to be close to $155.0 billion by 2026. Since Japanese motorcycle brands hold 60% of the market share, the lion’s share of $155.0 billion will go to Japanese manufacturers.
What is the most famous Japanese motorcycle brand in the USA?
As per the data released by the Motorcycle Industry Council, Yamaha is the most famous Japanese motorcycle brand in America, followed by Honda and Kawasaki.
What is the most famous Japanese motorcycle brand in Europe?
As per the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, Yamaha is again Europe’s most famous Japanese motorcycle brand. The #2 and #3 are by Honda and Kawasaki, respectively.
What is the Japanese motorcycle brands market share?
Japanese motorcycle brands hold a big share of the global motorcycle market. Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki account for over 60% of motorcycle sales worldwide.
