97% of people can't name each motorcycle manufacturer from a partial logo! Can you?
By: Craig
2 min
Image: Shutterstock
About This Quiz
Motorcycles are among the most popular recreational vehicles in the country. Whether you use your bike to travel cross-country, you're a collector, or you simply like the feel of the wind in your hair, you likely have your favorite manufacturer. Does that mean you can name most motorcycles' manufacturers from a photo? Take this quiz to find out!
Yamaha has made motorcycles since 1955. Their first model was the YA-1 with a 125cc engine. The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan included the YA-1 in its list of 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.
Like Yamaha, Honda has produced motorcycles since 1955. They lead domestic production in Japan as of 2016, but numbers have dropped significantly from the 3 million bikes produced in 1982.
Ducati started out in 1926, producing various radio components, including condensers and vacuum tubes. By the 1950s, after helping Siata make powered bicycles, Ducati started to produce their own. Their first model was the 50cc 55M. By 1954, they were making 54 bikes every day.
Founded in 1903, Harley-Davidson makes some of the most iconic motorcycles in the world. They are driven worldwide, with official clubs in a number of countries. The bikes are known for the distinct sound of their engines.
The Kawasaki Aircraft company bought a small motorcycle company, Meguro, in the 1950s. The two companies merged in 1962 to become Kawasaki Motorcycles.
Suzuki began producing motorized bikes in 1952. They only produced bikes with two-stroke motors from 1955 to 1976, before finally making their first four-stroke engine. They have had much success on the racetrack throughout their history.
After starting out manufacturing aircraft engines, BMW produced motorcycle power units from 1921 onward. They then merged with Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922 and began producing the motorcycles that company had been producing, the Helio and the Fink (a motorized bicycle).
Aprilia started out making bicycles, scooters, and smaller motorcycles. The company now makes superbikes and is one of the most respected motor manufacturers ever.
Triumph has produced motorcycles in the United Kingdom under various guises. Perhaps their most famous model is the Triumph Bonneville T120, which was produced from 1959 to 1975.
KTM has been in operation since 1981 and is well known for off-road motorcycles, available in both two- and four-stroke. They make street bikes as well.
The second largest motorcycle manufacturer in India, and the sixth biggest in the world, Bajaj make a range of scooters, motorcycles, and three-wheelers. In the 2012-2013 financial year, they secured 31 percent market share in India, selling 2.46 million motorcycles as well as 480,000 three-wheelers.
Royal Enfield was originally a British company that manufactured motorcycles between 1901 and 1970. The brand lives on in India, where Royal Enfield India has operated since 1949.
The largest motorcycle and scooter manufacturer in India, Hero claims around 46 percent of the market share in that country. In 2013, the company sold a staggering 6.1 million units.
TVS is an Indian motorcycle manufacturer and the third largest in that country. The company exports its models to over 60 countries and offers a range of models, including mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, and three-wheelers.
One of the most iconic names in the motorcycle world, the Indian Motorcycle company produced bikes between 1901 to 1953. The company's most popular models were the Scout and the Chief. Indians are still manufactured in the 21st century since Polaris Industries bought the company in 2011.
One of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers in Italy, Benelli was established in 1911. At first, the company repaired bicycles and motorcycles, often making parts for them. It produced its first motorcycle in 1921, with a 100cc engine designed in-house.
Norton is an iconic British motorcycle brand, founded in 1898. They manufactured their first motorcycle in 1902 and by 1908, had started building their own engines. Despite falling on financial difficulties, the company was bought and sold multiple times in the last 50 years. Norton continues to make various models.
Moto Guzzi was formed in 1921 and quickly established itself as an innovative motorcycle manufacturer. The company produced the first center stand for motorcycles, built the first wind tunnel to test aerodynamics, and produced the first eight-cylinder engine.
Rusi is a motorcycle company based in the Philippines. They offer a range of models, from mopeds and scooters to street bikes, cruisers, and off-roaders.
SYM or Sanyang Motor Company operates in Taiwan, but also has factories in the Philippines and Malaysia. They produce around 600,000 motorcycles and scooters per annum.
An American company started by Erik Buell, Buell Motorcycles eventually was bought out by Harley-Davidson, in 2003. The brand was discontinued in 2009, at which point 136,923 motorcycles had been produced. Buell went on to form Erik Buell Racing, producing motorcycles for the track, although some street bikes followed.
Victory Motorcycles is based in northern Iowa. The company started in 1998 but is closing early in 2017, due to limited profitability. Victory Motorcycles made a range of motorbikes in the touring, cruiser, and sport touring classes.
This Italian company makes a range of scooters (gas and electric) and mopeds. Many other Italian manufacturers fall under their auspices, including Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, and Vespa.
The Austrian company, Puch, built a range of mopeds, scooters, and motorbikes between 1903 and 1987. In 1987, they were sold to Vespa. Today's models still feature the Puch name.
Birmingham Small Arms, or BSA, as they were more well known, made their first motorcycle in 1910. The brand was very popular in the United Kingdom and throughout the world. At one point, BSA was the biggest motorcycle producer on the planet. Light, fast, and cheap Japanese bikes, however, led to their downfall and they went bankrupt in the early 1970s.
After originally making parts for Honda, Kymco split from the company in 1963 and completed its first scooters for sale in 1970. Kymco produces more than 570,000 products a year, including motorcycles, scooters, and all-terrain vehicles.
The Cam-Am Spider is a three-wheel motorcycle produced by Bomber Recreational Products. It offers a Y-frame design with ABS brakes, traction control, and stability control. BRP has produced these models since 2007.
Since 2001, Vyrus has made exclusive models for motorcycle enthusiasts. There are two options available, the 984 C3 2V and 985 C3 4V, both with a water-cooled Ducati engine on board.
Founded in Prague in 1929, Jawa reached its peak in the 1950s, when many of their models were exported overseas. They still manufacture a range of motorcycles and mopeds and have a cult following in India.
Based in Spain, Reiju markets its products throughout Europe. They produce smaller motorbikes and scooters with a displacement of between 50cc and 450cc.
CZ, a Czech company, made motorcycles from 1932 until 1997. At one point, they were the biggest producer of motorcycles in Czechoslovakia, and were dominant on the motocross scene in the 1960s and '70s.
Starting out in 1995, Modenas made motorcycles and scooters for both the Malaysian market and to export to other countries, including Greece, Russia, and a range of South American nations. All models are under 200cc capacity.
A British company, Vincent produced motorcycles between 1928 and 1955. The 1948 model, Black Shadow, was the fastest production bike at the time. The company eventually closed down in 1959, due to heavy financial losses.
