Motorcycles

The motorcycling community has a host of subcultures that range from the brusque image of the bikers riding cruisers and choppers to the stylish ones who prefer the smaller motor scooters.

But aside from the love of a particular type of bike, there are also those who prefer a specific brand over another.

Here are some of the well-known motorcycle manufacturers that have gained fame because of their performance, class and significance in history.

1. Indian

- was the oldest motorcycle brand in the United States until it ceased production in the 1950s. It was also the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world until the First World War.

At the peak of its production, it was making around 20,000 bikes annually. There is a recent attempt at reviving the brand in 2006 and the company will now be known as the New Indian.

2. Harley Davidson

- overtook Indian in being the largest bike manufacturer some time in the 1920s. Although it has since then lagged behind Japanese brands, it maintains a high-degree of popularity mostly due to its rumbling V-twin engines which are used in the classic models of this brand.

3. Ducati

- is an Italian brand that specializes in high-performance motorcycles. Their bikes have the patented desmodromic valve design which allows for a faster operation of the valves without risking valve-float.

4. Yamaha

- originally a producer of musical instruments, this company has branched out into motorcycle production. Today, it is the second-largest producer of motorcycles in the world.