Best Motorcycle Brand Ever!*

[sammyseaman]

Hmmmm?.......

[jstark47]

What???  No Royal Enfield in this poll????        

[Rabidsnipe]

Is it necessary to specify conceived by man?  Are there other options?

[1KPerDay]

Kawasaki. Planes, trains, big heavy powerful ships, heavy machinery, giant clinking, clanking, clattering collections of colligenous junk, and big heavy powerful motorbikes.  

[sammyseaman]

Is it necessary to specify conceived by man?  

Stupid question. Should I have said sheep?

Are there other options?

Yeah, it's labeled Options.

[chornbe]

I really like the mix of functionality my Guzzi offers, however Honda is my choice. They led the pack and changed the game more than once, and in many ways. Sure, they're a tad bit off their game at the moment, but they've brought a LOT to the table over the years and you simply can NOT overlook them.  

$.02

[Thunderbox]

There is absolutely no doubt that best brand is Harley Davidson.  To answer any different is just denial.  Now if the question was "what bike is the best you may get a different answer but as far as brand goes it's HD  the way."  

There is a difference between the brand and the bike.

[MadOzodi]

There is a difference between the brand and the bike.

troof

[fastfreddy]

Oh, I just noticed it said 'conceived by man" And I voted for Guzzi! How silly of me! Guzzi's are too good to have been conceived by a mere mortal!

My bad,
Fred

[Rincewind]

[1KPerDay]

Cool vid. Triumph probably does have the most diverse, coolest line of bikes in the world right now.

[chornbe]

Cool vid. Triumph probably does have the most diverse, coolest line of bikes in the world right now.

We just talked about Triumph a little on this week's show. 20 years this year under John Bloor's leadership since he bought the name (and assets?) back in the 80s. They've come a long, long way in a very short time.  

[Rabidsnipe]

Stupid question. Should I have said sheep?



Yeah, it's labeled Options.

Those two questions went together

[Orson]

only one company has a secret wind tunnel hidden inside a mountain.

that type of technology is usually only brandished by SPECTRE villains in a Bond movie.

They could quite easily take over the motorcycle world with this type of  technology, but prefer to live an idyllic life on the banks of Lake Como.

You hafta respect that.

Honda has done the most to destroy motorcycling. Their inline four CB750 in 1969 made people believe that British parallel twins were quaint relics, when in fact, they replaced a charismatic, evocative engine, with the soulless powerplant with all the charm of a quartz watch  

[sammyseaman]

Those two questions went together

Thanks for clearing that up  

[wbrisett]

I picked Triumph, mostly because I think they have done a great job of marketing and have a great mix of bike. I could have picked BMW because likewise I think they have one of the best mixes of bikes out there (sans a cruiser). But really there are several other choice mixes right now (Ducati, and even Yamaha or Honda) and picking just one for that selection is tough. But once you add in brand loyalty, I think it really tilts to Triumph.

[jsanford]

Normally I'd be tempted to nod sagely at what's been said about Triumph, but a disproportionate number of the other riders I know have had their bikes buck them off.

This poll feels like it angles from the marketing point of view.  From that point of view, I'd have to say Harley-Davidson.

[motrhead]

 I say Yamaha.
  Yamaha gave us 250cc two strokes twins for forty years!
  Harley probably wouldn't even exist without government intervention. They have kept motorcycle design in the USA stuck at 1950s levels, especially after killing Buell!  Moto Guzzi deserves more respect as a great brand than Harley. Their range of products over the years is surprising. Triumph is probably about equal to MotoGuzzi.
 Yamaha built competitve road racers before Honda. They were the first of the Japanese manufacturers racing in North America, and they have been selling bikes in North America around the same length of time as Honda. Yamaha and Honda are tied for number of top class GP titles (both are still behind MV), but Rossi could change that this year in Yamaha's favor.
 Yamaha builds a product line just as diverse as Honda, but without all of the first year failures (750-4 cam chains,CX500 cam chain adjusters,V4 cams,GL 1800 frames,stators in everything...). Yamahas just plain work. Other than the TX750, their bikes have usually been reliable. The customers don't have to do the testing.  Not much that Honda gave us was original, so they aren't as innovative as the supporters here would believe. (Inline sixes, flat fours, v-4s, and  transverse fours were all done before Honda produced them.) What Honda has is good marketing and a reputation still riding on the Cub!
 Both Yamaha and Honda have been equally daring with their products over the years, but I always prefer the comparable Yamaha bikes myself. Honda always seems to err on the safe side, with products that are too smooth, plastic, and boring. They are the overdog that tries to crush everyone else with cubic money (especially racing); while Yamaha just innovates, and competes with great original bikes. Yamaha is the thorn in Honda's side that forces them to try to improve; but try as they might, Honda doesn't seem to be able to build bikes with  soul. It seems like design by commitee takes all of the fun out of their bikes.
  After owning seven Hondas  (I still have three), and having ridden a bunch more, I prefer Yamaha --"The Best Brand Ever" .
 YMMV.

[ScottB]

Triumph.

I think they've bridged the gap between lifestyle brands (Guzzi, H-D) and really excellent motorcycles (the Japanese brands).  Besides, in my heart, I'm Steve McQueen.  

[sammyseaman]

 I say Yamaha.
  Yamaha gave us 250cc two strokes twins for forty years!
  Harley probably wouldn't even exist without government intervention. They have kept motorcycle design in the USA stuck at 1950s levels, especially after killing Buell!  Moto Guzzi deserves more respect as a great brand than Harley. Their range of products over the years is surprising. Triumph is probably about equal to MotoGuzzi.
 Yamaha built competitve road racers before Honda. They were the first of the Japanese manufacturers racing in North America, and they have been selling bikes in North America around the same length of time as Honda. Yamaha and Honda are tied for number of top class GP titles (both are still behind MV), but Rossi could change that this year in Yamaha's favor.
 Yamaha builds a product line just as diverse as Honda, but without all of the first year failures (750-4 cam chains,CX500 cam chain adjusters,V4 cams,GL 1800 frames,stators in everything...). Yamahas just plain work. Other than the TX750, their bikes have usually been reliable. The customers don't have to do the testing.  Not much that Honda gave us was original, so they aren't as innovative as the supporters here would believe. (Inline sixes, flat fours, v-4s, and  transverse fours were all done before Honda produced them.) What Honda has is good marketing and a reputation still riding on the Cub!
 Both Yamaha and Honda have been equally daring with their products over the years, but I always prefer the comparable Yamaha bikes myself. Honda always seems to err on the safe side, with products that are too smooth, plastic, and boring. They are the overdog that tries to crush everyone else with cubic money (especially racing); while Yamaha just innovates, and competes with great original bikes. Yamaha is the thorn in Honda's side that forces them to try to improve; but try as they might, Honda doesn't seem to be able to build bikes with  soul. It seems like design by commitee takes all of the fun out of their bikes.
  After owning seven Hondas  (I still have three), and having ridden a bunch more, I prefer Yamaha --"The Best Brand Ever" .
 YMMV.

 

[Andrew]

OK So I may not like hondas much but the honda cub is the best motorcycle ever built, that being said I would rather ride a BMW.
Honda does make a nice lawn mower

[Papa Lazarou]

No Vincent, Brough, BSA, Norton, Velocette?

[sammyseaman]

No Vincent, Brough, BSA, Norton, Velocette?

*
^ This and I don't consider Norton still in business  

[ST-DocLizard1]

Ridin' Red since 1978.


Doc

[Blunder]

What, no Spagthorpe?

[sammyseaman]

Ridin' Red since 1978.


Doc

My condolences    You don't know what you're missing.

[Papa Lazarou]

*
^ This and I don't consider Norton still in business  

Thread title change.    I thought that was my trick.

And Norton have sold 250 bikes (not actually made, but sold).

[sammyseaman]

Thread title change.    I thought that was my trick.

And Norton have sold 250 bikes (not actually made, but sold).

 

[stealth1]

Norton qualifies as much as Triumph for this poll.
Neither is "still" in business.
Both are "back" in business after a break and under new ownership.

[Papa Lazarou]

MZ.

[antvq]

 I say Yamaha.
  Yamaha gave us 250cc two strokes twins for forty years!
  Harley probably wouldn't even exist without government intervention. They have kept motorcycle design in the USA stuck at 1950s levels, especially after killing Buell!  Moto Guzzi deserves more respect as a great brand than Harley. Their range of products over the years is surprising. Triumph is probably about equal to MotoGuzzi.
 Yamaha built competitve road racers before Honda. They were the first of the Japanese manufacturers racing in North America, and they have been selling bikes in North America around the same length of time as Honda. Yamaha and Honda are tied for number of top class GP titles (both are still behind MV), but Rossi could change that this year in Yamaha's favor.
 Yamaha builds a product line just as diverse as Honda, but without all of the first year failures (750-4 cam chains,CX500 cam chain adjusters,V4 cams,GL 1800 frames,stators in everything...). Yamahas just plain work. Other than the TX750, their bikes have usually been reliable. The customers don't have to do the testing.  Not much that Honda gave us was original, so they aren't as innovative as the supporters here would believe. (Inline sixes, flat fours, v-4s, and  transverse fours were all done before Honda produced them.) What Honda has is good marketing and a reputation still riding on the Cub!
 Both Yamaha and Honda have been equally daring with their products over the years, but I always prefer the comparable Yamaha bikes myself. Honda always seems to err on the safe side, with products that are too smooth, plastic, and boring. They are the overdog that tries to crush everyone else with cubic money (especially racing); while Yamaha just innovates, and competes with great original bikes. Yamaha is the thorn in Honda's side that forces them to try to improve; but try as they might, Honda doesn't seem to be able to build bikes with  soul. It seems like design by commitee takes all of the fun out of their bikes.
  After owning seven Hondas  (I still have three), and having ridden a bunch more, I prefer Yamaha --"The Best Brand Ever" .
 YMMV.

^^^^^^  This plus let us not forget that Yamaha also gave us the sport tourer of the decade.      

[Orson]

^^^^^^  This plus let us not forget that Yamaha also gave us the sport tourer of the decade.      

Yet another soul who failed to read all 50 pages    

the fact that all FJR owners hate each others guts, and split into 2 warring forums speaks volumes  

[Bearly Flying]

Yamaha,

After 8 years of dominance in the SPORT Touring Market, the FJR is still the Gold Standard.

[maddjack]

OSSA  

[stevent]

I'm still pissed that Triumph dropped the Trophy.............

I picked them anyway

[UFO]

Hodaka.

[ConPilot1]

Based on history alone, I'd have to say the Bayerische Motoren Werke.

[coho]

Triumph, of course. For two reasons:

A. Their name means "win".
2. They have over 900 years of experience building large powerful motorbikes.
 

[peacemaker24]

only one company has a secret wind tunnel hidden inside a mountain.
Honda has done the most to destroy motorcycling. Their inline four CB750 in 1969 made people believe that British parallel twins were quaint relics, when in fact, they replaced a charismatic, evocative engine, with the soulless powerplant with all the charm of a quartz watch  

Funny, I voted Honda for the same reasons.

~~~Jesse

[sammyseaman]

Hodaka.

I'll see your Hodaka and raise you Maico  

[Papa Lazarou]

I raise whatever you just said with Munch!

[Mr.Black]

I raise whatever you just said with Munch!

I'll see your munch and raise you some butt.

[Mr.Black]

Historically though, I'd say Honda.

[bubba zanetti]

Triumph rose from the grave. Nuff said.

[Papa Lazarou]

Historically though, I'd say Honda.

Historically-CZ, Rover, Triumph, Henderson, Indian, Brough...

[Mr.Black]

Historically-CZ, Rover, Triumph, Henderson, Indian, Brough...

You are silly. Honda has things like the Fury and that other thing.

I was thinking of the 60s when they fueled the motorcycle scene with aggressive ads and the like. I may be off base. The Triumph reincarnate perspective was spot on though

[sammyseaman]

I think a lot of the Honda love is sentimental. The Supercub, the CT70, the CB750, the...... VFR?, the...... NR750   Honda has made some historically great bikes but best manufacturer ever? Hmmm.....

[STJoe]

It's a love hate thing, but have to vote for big red.  

[motrhead]

It's a love hate thing, but have to vote for big red.  

no, you don't  

[Papa Lazarou]

Oh, Harley then.

[holliebibi]

I will say though, that German bikes(eg- BMW etc) are very well made and designed, and usually rack up the highest trouble free mileages of any bikes. But most of the Big Jap touring bikes are also built as good.

[Orson]

I will say though, that German bikes(eg- BMW etc) are very well made and designed, and usually rack up the highest trouble free mileages of any bikes. But most of the Big Jap touring bikes are also built as good.

actually, Guzzis rack up the most truble-free miles

Guzzi pilots aren't afraid to top off their blinker fluid, whilst most German bike owners start running in circles at the first sign of trouble.

 

[coho]

I put aftermarket sealed blinkers on my BMW.
Synthetic blinker fluid is far superior to conventional marmot-based blinker fluid, and lasts the life of the bike.


 

[sammyseaman]

I put aftermarket sealed blinkers on my BMW.
Synthetic blinker fluid is far superior to conventional marmot-based blinker fluid, and lasts the life of the bike.


 

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Horex

[coho]

Horex

 It's not nice to call names.





Saroléa

[Redbandit14]

I voted Suzuki .
They made Bandits That's enough for me.  

[Powder Addict]

I voted Triumph.  They have a great lineup with an offering for just about any market, and I love the triple.

I really want to own another triple someday!

[sammyseaman]

OSSA  

[Baz]

I am guessing you don't get along with your neighbours that much Larry?  

[Busy Little Whiner]

I am guessing you don't get along with your neighbours that much Larry?  

You don't understand what great neighbors I have...  take Marv here... he moved next door to be closer to the Busy Little Shop so I can mod his ZX7R and his ZX10...

http://mestiso.net/zx7r2nv/noskin/
 

[Papa Lazarou]

Munch ( as in Mammoth)

[Baz]

 

[TriumphTiger1050]

I have liked all my bikes.  Honda; Suzuki; Triumph my current.  Peoples favorite change with time I bet.  All time favorite?????  Right now............my Tiger 1050!

[JReazor]

Triumph because I have one. If I could have voted twice I would have cast one for Suzuki because I have one of those too.

[JReazor]

Wait, why is BMW on the list? I thought we established that BMW belongs in the 'Other' category.

[stevent]

From an ecclesiastical standpoint Triumph wins because it's mentioned in the Bible as "King Davids Triumph was heard throughout the land"   I assume he had TOR's on it, Never the less I still ride a BMW because I'm a godless heathen and have two of them in case one's out of gas...

 

[joelmikel]

Simply no way to answer this .... Harley has done the best to market their brand. No other comes close.
Honda has the best reliability. Ducati and Guz have some seriously sexy machines... as does MV and Bimota....but I really just love them all

[darty411]

I like them all...Depends on which type of riding...touring...track....dirt...

[CanadianBird]

Honda's CBR1100XX SuperBlackBird

[Orson]

considering that there are only 4 or 5 Guzzisti on this board, 11 votes has to be considered an outright victory for the little brand from Mandello

 

[motodoc43]

Is it necessary to specify conceived by man?  Are there other options?

Yes, Guzzi's were conceived by the Heavenly Hosts!

[trippin]

How could the answer not be an Italian brand - works of art, imo,,,

[Mr.Black]

How could the answer not be an Italian brand - works of art, imo,,,

Art is something you hang on a wall and look at pretending to know what it means.

[jhawk]

How could the answer not be an Italian brand - works of art, imo,,,

“Well, art is art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water! And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now, you tell me what you know.” - Groucho Marx

[Hambonee]

Art is something you hang on a wall and look at pretending to know what it means.

hmmm...

From Moto Guzzi:

First prototype motorcycle shaft drive (first production credit: BMW)
First linked brakes on a motorcycle
First cartridge forks
First motorcycle manufacturer to use AGM batteries
First motorcycle center stand
First rear swingarm suspension
First DOHC V8 motorcycle engine
First motorcycle wind tunnel

Something doesnt have to be butt ugly and boring with no character(Honda) or sound like a cow in heat(HD) to be an effective, innovative bike. Moto Guzzi has made many of the great innovations current bikes use and continues to be a kick ass bike.

Guzzi all the way..and I say that having owned a Honda, Yamaha, and two Kawis. I refuse to own a HD as the crowd that own them are generally douche bags.

[jfusaro]

I have to say Ducati, cutting edge technology, unmistakable style, engines with character, passion for racing and an awesome product line. Not many on the list have all that

[Giaka]

H O N D A............

[MDHCO]

 

[sammyseaman]

H O N D A............

  :

   

[MDHCO]

Honda, number one?

It must the Fury!

 

[Fastenloose]

Have to pick just one?     FZ1, K1200S, S1000R..... How can one decide?

[Papa Lazarou]

Have to pick just one?     FZ1, K1200S, S1000R..... How can one decide?

By picking a quality marque?

[Thunderbox]

By picking a quality marque?

I still say the best bike is the one between my legs on any given day.