Italian manufacturer Benelli motorcycles was established over a century ago in 1911, making it one of the oldest European motorcycle manufacturers still in operation. Benelli's history is steeped in racing which could be attributed to the companies long existence. During the late twenties, Tonino Benelli won multiple Italian championships on the Benelli 175. During the decades that followed 175 and 250 Benellis won numerous national and world championships. Learn more...

The German company BMW Motorrad built its first motorcycle, the R32, in 1923. Powered by a 494cc flat-twin boxer the R32's horizontally opposed engine configuration became an iconic feature of BMW motorcycles throughout their history. In later years they also developed the flat-four engine used in models like the K100. This engine was coined the 'flying brick' due to its bulky appearance. Despite its unfortunate nickname the flat-four still the level of performance that earned BMW their well-respected reputation. Learn more...

The Birmingham Small Arms Company, or BSA for short, was a British motorcycle manufacturer that operated between 1919 and 1972. In 1973 they joined Triumph and Norton as part of a government initiative to resurrect the British motorcycling industry which tragically failed in 1978. During its heyday, BSA was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Learn more...

Buell Motorcycles was founded by ex-Harley Davidson engineer Eric Buell in Wisconsin, USA in 1983. They produced sportbikes that were initially powered by Harley Davidson v-twin engines. Later when Harley-Davidson sold their interest in the brand the US v-twins were replaced with Austrian made Rotax engines. Buell motorcycles are attributed with developing several innovations. Learn more...

The Spanish manufacturer Bultaco may now be selling electric bikes, but it all began with two-stroke motorcycles back in the late fifties. Bearing the companies amusing 'thumb's up' emblem their motorcycles were predominantly powered by single cylinder, air-cooled- two strokes. Learn more...

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has been producing motorcycles since 1926. Recognized for the bold red livery and revered for their racing heritage, the Ducati brand is considered the two-wheeled equivalent of Ferrari.Although most commonly recognized for their sports bikes Ducati's street bikes have played a very important role in the growth of the company and motorcycling history. Learn more...

Honda is currently the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Japan. In the 1960s they became a household name in the USA thanks to their "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" advertising campaign. By the 1980s, they produced upwards of 3 million bikes a year. Learn more...

Swedish company Husqvarna is a leader in the off-road motorcycle segment. Since 2014 Husqvarna has moved some of their focus to produce street-bikes. The Vitpilen and Svartpilen reached the market in 2018, receiving rave reviews for their future forward styling and solid all-around performance. Learn more...

Indian motorcycles, 'the other American motorcycle brand', actually came into existence before Harley Davidson in 1901. For decades the two companies vied for top position in the American market. Harley eventually came out on top after producing a superior, more capable machine for the military during WWII. Learn more...

Kawasaki motorcycles have been in production since 1962. During the late sixties, the Japanese manufacturer established a foothold in the US market with their legendary H1 Mach III, a motorcycle that was both revered and feared for its straight-line speed and unpredictable handling. Learn more...

KTM is one of Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturers. Widely recognized a manufacturer of off-road motorcycles KTM holds over 250 world championship titles and has dominated the revered Dakar Rally from 2001 to 2018. Although the Austrian marques roots are in off-road motorcycles they have been building street bikes since the 1990's. Learn more...

Established in 1949 Italian motorcycle manufacturer Laverda quickly earned a reputation for producing technically advanced, reliable machines. Laverda's first 75cc motorcycles made history by winning multiple races ahead of revered brands like Ducati and Moto Guzzi. Learn more...

Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins.

Moto Guzzi is the "oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production". As they near their 100th anniversary Moto Guzzi shows no signs of slowing down. From their factory in Mandello del Lario, the Italian manufacturer continues to hand build their motorcycles. Learn more...

At the end of World War II MV Agusta released their first motorcycle, a 98cc two-stroke single named simply the '98'. When motorcycle racing resumed in Europe in the fifties MV used their technologically superior machines to secure a foothold in the European market. Learn more...

No motorcycle marque holds as much significance in the cafe racer scene than Norton. The Norton featherbed frame was arguably the ultimate basis upon which to build a cafe racer. Often merged with Triumph engines to form 'Tritons' or Vincents to become 'Norvins', the featherbed was a motorcycle engineering breakthrough. Learn more...

A Norvin is any hybrid consisting of the well-trusted Norton frame and a venerable Vincent engine. (Yes, that would be Vincent as in the Vincent Black Shadow.) ... This is because the Black Shadow was Genesis—it was a new breed of sports bike and the fastest motorcycle in its day.

Royal Enfield has been producing motorcycles since 1901. They provided two-wheeled transport during both world wars with production taking place in the UK. After World War II manufacturing moved to India with the first Indian made motorcycle debuting in 1949. Learn more...

Although Suzuki Motorcycles was a relative latecomer to the scene (1955), historic racing wins during the sixties and the decades that followed have established them as a global brand. Iconic models like the futuristic looking Katana and the groundbreaking GSX-R750 shook the motorcycling world during the 1980s. Learn more...

There are many bastard child motorcycles born of mixed parentage. Some should never have been conceived and yet others like the Triton were a match made in motorcycle heaven. Take one of the best frames of the 1960’s, a Norton Featherbed, and introduce it to one of the best engines of the day, a Triumph T120 parallel twin and together they made beautiful music. Learn more...

The origins of this famous British motorcycle marque go back to 1884, well before the first actual Triumph motorcycle appeared in 1902. By the 1920’s Triumph was building 30,000 cars and motorcycles a year. During the 50s many cafe racers were powered by Triumph engines due to their ability to reach the revered 'ton' or 100 miles per hour. Learn more...

If Rolls Royce had made motorcycles this is how they would have looked. When Phillip Vincent purchased HRD from Earnest Humphries in 1928 for 450 pounds it is unlikely he could have imagined the reverence in which his machines would be held ninety years later. Learn more...

Yamaha’s first motorcycle appeared in 1955. The 125cc two-stroke YA-1 went straight to the racetrack and started winning titles. Yamaha has built on those race credentials over the years, winning at the IOM TT and the Paris Dakar. Yamaha continues to run a successful factory race team in Moto GP. Yamaha’s contribution to the custom motorcycle world. Learn more...