Japan is the producer of some of the finest motorcycles in the world. This reputation for quality has been long-standing. Japanese motorcycles first made an appearance in 1909 and have since gone on to become incredibly popular with riders around the globe.
Several popular Japanese motorcycle brands have made a name for themselves in other parts of the world. Commonly referred to as “The Big Four”, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha dominate the Japanese motorcycle market across the globe.
This has left many people wondering, what is the best Japanese Motorcycle brand? This guide has compiled a list ranking the best Japanese motorcycle brands currently available for purchase.
The best Japanese motorcycle brand is Honda. Honda is well known for superior quality vehicles, including the motorcycles that they produce. Honda is the largest Japanese motorcycle manufacturer in the world and their bikes reflect their dedication to quality. They take the number one spot due to the large variety of powerful and modern bikes that they produce, as well as the affordability and widescale availability of their motorcycles.
That being said, the other members of the big four are definitely worth taking a look at. Using this guide you can help narrow down your search for the best Japanese motorcycle brand and also explore some options of bikes that they have to offer.
Table of Contents
Japanese Brand Motorcycle Comparison Table
| Make/Model | Riding Style | Engine Power | Price |
| 2022 Honda Goldwing | Casual | 1900cc | $25,300 |
| Honda CBR600 | Racing | 600cc | $11,900 |
| Honda Rebel 500 | Racing | 408cc | $6500 |
| Yamaha R6 | Racing | 600cc | $12,300 |
| Yamaha V-Star 250 | Casual | 249cc | $4499 |
| Yamaha TT250 | Off-Road | 249cc | $5200 |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX | Casual | 636cc | $10,000 |
| Kawasaki GTR1400 | Touring | 1400cc | $15,600 |
| Kawasaki Ninja H2 R | Racing | 998cc | $56,500 |
| Suzuki GSX-R600 | Track | 660cc | $11,400 |
| Suzuki V-Strom 650 | Casual | 645cc | $8904 |
| 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa | Racing | 1340cc | $18,599 |
The table above contains information on all the motorcycles in this list so you can compare them side by side. The table will also include the riding style that the bike was designed for so you can pick the right one for you.
This list is in descending order with Honda at the number one spot. All cost information has been rounded up to the nearest dollar.
Top Japanese Motorcycle Brands
1. Honda
Honda is by far the best and most well-known Japanese motorcycle brand. Ever since producing their first motorcycles in 1955, Honda has been the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Japan, and one of the largest in the entire world.
At one point, Honda was manufacturing over three million motorcycles a year. In more recent years Honda has become synonymous with sports motorcycles and racing bikes, with many professional riders using Honda bikes to win major competitions.
Honda takes the number one spot on this list because of the pure quality and power of the motorcycles they produce, as well as the extremely modern technology that newer models feature. Honda has been innovating motorcycle technology for decades and will likely continue to do so in the future.
The list below contains some of Honda’s most popular motorcycles and some information on them to help you find the right bike for you. The list is in no particular order, as all of the bikes mentioned are great choices depending on your specific riding style.
2022 Honda Goldwing
If you are currently in the market for a motorcycle and prefer Japanese-made bikes, you should consider Honda as your first choice. Currently, the most popular model of Honda motorcycle is the 2022 Honda Goldwing.
Marketed by Honda as “The Ultimate Motorcycle”, this bike comes packed with tons of riding and safety features. The 1900cc six-cylinder engine delivers enough power to satisfy users who want an exciting riding experience but not enough to truly overpower new or inexperienced riders.
This makes it a fantastic choice for a beginner or veteran rider. It can be purchased for $25,300, which is a great price for the quality and build of the bike. Additional information regarding the 2022 Honda Goldwing can be found in the table below.
| 2022 Honda Gold Wing | |
| Price | $25,300 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 42 |
| Engine Power | 1900cc |
| Weight | 781 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 5.5 gallons |
Honda CBR600
The Honda CBR 600 is another extremely popular model that is geared toward sports riders. The Honda CBR600 has won many competitive racing competitions and is a favorite among professional riders. It is one of the most powerful and efficient 600cc motorcycles currently on the market.
You can purchase the Honda CBR600 for only $11,900, which makes it a great choice for a starter bike that is competition ready. Additional information regarding the Honda CBR600 can be found in the table below.
| Honda CBR 600RR | |
| Price | $11,900 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 44 |
| Engine Power | 600cc |
| Weight | 435 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 5 gallons |
Honda Rebel 500
The Honda Rebel 500 is one of the quietest motorcycles currently on the market. This has proven to be a big draw for consumers who are looking to purchase a motorcycle but wish to keep a relatively low profile when riding.
The Honda Rebel is impressive because it made no concessions in power or performance to achieve this low sound emission. It is a popular choice among track and street riders and features an extremely powerful and efficient 408cc engine.
You can purchase the 2002 Honda Rebel 500 for $6500. This is one of the cheapest options that Honda offers for an entry-level racing bike. Additional information regarding the Honda Rebel 500 can be found in the table below.
| Honda Rebel 500 | |
| Price | $6500 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 67 |
| Engine Power | 408cc |
| Weight | 548 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 2.9 gallons |
2. Yamaha
Yamaha is another extremely popular and successful Japanese motorcycle brand. Yamaha is one of the leading manufacturers of competitive sports motorcycles. Many professional riders have used Yamaha bikes to win major competitive races.
Yamaha makes the list of best Japanese motorcycle brands due to their extremely versatile selection of motorcycles and the quality of their racing bikes. Yamaha has one of the largest selections of any motorcycle manufacturer currently on the market.
If you are interested in mainly competitive riding, you should consider Yamaha, as they focus on this style of riding and cater to it quite well. They also offer a wide variety of off-road motorcycles that you can consider.
The list below contains some of Yamaha’s most popular motorcycles and some information on them to help you find the right bike for you. The list is in no particular order, as all of the bikes mentioned are great choices depending on your specific riding style.
Yamaha R6
One of the most popular Yamaha bikes is the Yamaha R6. The Yamaha R6 is one of the best budget racing bikes currently on the market. The 2022 version of the Yamaha R6 features updated safety and quality-of-life features.
You can purchase a Yamaha R6 for $12,300, which is a good price for a track-ready motorcycle. Additional information regarding the popular Yamaha R6 can be found in the table below.
| Yamaha R6 | |
| Price | $12,300 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 42 |
| Engine Power | 600cc |
| Weight | 419 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.6 gallons |
Yamaha V-Star 250
The Yamaha V-Star 250 is one of the best starter bikes currently on the market. It is a touring-style bike that is appropriate for street riding. It features a 249cc engine that ensures an exciting experience for new riders while not being powerful enough to overwhelm them.
You can purchase a Yamaha V-Star 250 for $4499. This is a great price for a powerful and sleek starter bike. Additional information regarding the Yamaha V-Star 250 can be found in the table below.
| Yamaha V-Star 250 | |
| Price | $4499 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 78 |
| Engine Power | 249cc |
| Weight | 324 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 6 gallons |
Yamaha TT250
Yamaha specializes in off-road motorcycles, and the TT250 makes that apparent with its superior build quality and design, along with the raw power of its small 249cc engine. This is a great option for those interested in an affordable off-road racing bike.
You can purchase the Yamaha TT250 for only $5200, which is a good price for an entry-level off-road competitive racing motorcycle. This is likely the cheapest price you will find for this type of bike from any manufacturer on this list.
Additional information regarding the Yamaha TT250 can be found in the table below.
| Yamaha TT250 | |
| Price | $5200 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 28 |
| Engine Power | 249cc |
| Weight | 250pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 2.5 gallons |
3. Kawasaki
Kawasaki manufacture some of the most sought-after motorcycles currently on the market. Kawasaki is not only known for producing some of the fastest and most aesthetically pleasing bikes in the world, but they have also grown extremely popular with collectors.
Discontinued models of Kawasaki motorcycles often sell for high prices, as collectors are drawn to the sleek aesthetics and raw power. Kawasaki first started producing motorcycles in 1953 and has since found great success in the competitive racing scene.
Kawasaki has made this list due to their superior design, pleasing aesthetic, and overall collectability. They are some of the fastest and most powerful sports bikes currently on the market.
The list below contains some of Kawasaki’s most popular motorcycles and some information on them to help you find the right bike for you. The list is in no particular order, as all of the bikes mentioned are great choices depending on your specific riding style.
Other Motorcycle Guides
Kawasaki Ninja ZX
Should you be interested in sports riding or adding a Kawasaki to your bike collection, the most popular Kawasaki currently on the market is the Kawasaki Ninja ZX.
The 2022 Kawasaki Ninja ZX is a powerful and affordable 600cc motorcycle that is great for veteran and beginner riders alike. Featuring one of the most advanced safety systems currently available for a motorcycle, this bike has seen success in both the racing and street riding scene.
You can purchase a Kawasaki Ninja ZX for only $10,000. It has enough power for tracking riding but can also be used for general driving purposes. Additional information regarding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX can be found in the table below.
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX | |
| Price | $10,000 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 36 |
| Engine Power | 636cc |
| Weight | 426 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 4 gallons |
Kawasaki GTR1400
The Kawasaki GTR1400 is one of the most popular sport-touring bikes on the market. While it is not appropriate for high-speed competitive racing, it is geared more towards newer riders who plan to use it for day-to-day travel.
It has become known for its tight controls and comfortable seating, making it appropriate for long commutes or cross-country riding. You can purchase the Kawasaki GTR1400 for only $15,600. Additional information regarding this bike can be found in the table below.
| Kawasaki GTR1400 | |
| Price | $15,600 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 48 |
| Engine Power | 1400cc |
| Weight | 670 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 5.8 gallons |
Kawasaki Ninja H2 R
The Kawasaki Ninja H2 R is the 2022 version of their popular Ninja series bike. It is a hypersports model bike that comes packed with features and offers riders one of the most precise and powerful riding experiences currently available.
The bike features a 998cc four-cylinder engine and utilizes every bit of power to deliver an exciting and tight riding experience. This model can be purchased for $56,500. This may seem expensive but it is a good price for one of the most advanced motorcycles currently on the market.
You can find additional information regarding the Kawasaki Ninja H2 R in the table below.
| Kawasaki Ninja H2 R | |
| Price | $56,500 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 42 |
| Engine Power | 998cc |
| Weight | 476 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.5 gallons |
4. Suzuki
Suzuki is another highly recognizable Japanese motorcycle brand. Suzuki is possibly the most popular producer of sports bikes, as they are regularly used in the competitive racing scene around the world. Since they first started producing motorcycles geared toward racing in the 1970s, they have been one of the leaders in sports and competitive-style bikes.
Suzuki makes this list due to their overall durability and power, along with an affordable price tag compared to some other more popular brands. If you are interested in a durable and reliable sports bike, you should consider Suzuki.
The list below contains some of Suzuki’s most popular motorcycles and some information on them to help you find the right bike for you. The list is in no particular order, as all of the bikes mentioned are great choices depending on your specific riding style.
Suzuki GSX-R600
Currently, one of the most popular bikes made by Suzuki is the GSX-R600. The Suzuki GSX-R600 is one of the most popular 600cc motorcycles currently on the market. It is highly affordable and powerful enough to enter the world of competitive sports racing.
You can purchase the GSX-R600 for only $11,400. Additional spec information on the GSX-R600 can be found in the table below.
| Suzuki GSX-R600 | |
| Price | $11,400 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 39 |
| Engine Power | 660cc |
| Weight | 412 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 4 gallons |
Suzuki V-Strom 650
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is one of the most versatile offerings from Suzuki. It is widely regarded as one of the best general-use motorcycles currently on the market. It has an impressive fuel economy and plenty of safety features so beginner and experienced riders can drive comfortably and confidently.
The 2022 model of the Suzuki V-Strom 650 can be purchased for $8904. This is a good price for one of the newer models that come packed with features that could be an upgrade over your old bike.
Additional information regarding the Suzuki V-Strom 650 can be found in the table below.
| Suzuki GSX-R600 | |
| Price | $8904 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 35 |
| Engine Power | 645cc |
| Weight | 213 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 5.3 gallons |
2022 Suzuki Hayabusa
The 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa is one of the most aesthetically pleasing 2022 models currently on the market. This hypersports bike features a completely reworked electrical system that has been designed for user accessibility. It also features a completely revamped and upgraded 1340cc engine.
The 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa can be purchased for $18,599, which is a good price for one of the sleekest and fastest motorcycles currently on the market. Additional information regarding the 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa can be found in the table below.
| 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa | |
| Price | $18,599 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 35 |
| Engine Power | 1340cc |
| Weight | 582 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 4 gallons |
Final Thoughts
This guide has provided you with detailed breakdowns of all of the best Japanese motorcycle brands on the market today. Use the information provided for you here to make an informed purchase and find the bike that is best suited to your needs.
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I’m William Guzenski, ASE certified master automobile technician & automotive expert. I love to attend race events and car shows throughout the country. I also loves to travel 40-foot motorhome, exploring abandoned mines and ghost towns. I’m currently building another car for Bonneville Salt Flats and will be campaigning a drag car at several events.