| ing for your first street bike can be quite difficult if | | | | Buell Motorcycles was founded by former Harley |
| you have no idea of where to start. You may be | | | | Davidson engineer Erik Buell. Most Buell bikes contain |
| familiar with a few different types of bikes, but you | | | | four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engines, originally built |
| could shortchange yourself if you’re not | | | | from XR1000 Sportster engines. Many upgrades and |
| considering models that you aren’t familiar | | | | performance engineering initiatives have been |
| with but that might be the most appropriate. Even if | | | | implemented since then. |
| you have owned a street bike in the past, it may be | | | | Ducati |
| difficult to keep track of all the makes and models | | | | The Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati is best |
| currently on the market and to compare them in | | | | known for high performance street bikes with large |
| order to determine which specific motorcycle is right | | | | capacity four-stroke L-twin engines featuring a |
| for you. | | | | desmodromic valve design. Ducati also uses multiple |
| Whether you’re just considering buying a | | | | dry clutches in many of their street bikes, which |
| street bike or whether you’re ready to pull | | | | prevents power loss from oil viscosity drag on the |
| the trigger, you’ll need to do your homework | | | | engine. |
| to ensure you get the most for your money and | | | | Honda |
| maximize your consumer satisfaction. One of the | | | | The Japanese auto manufacturer Honda has been |
| best ways to start out is to research the most | | | | exporting motorcycles to the United States since the |
| popular street bike makes and models on the market. | | | | 1960’s. Today, Honda's line of street |
| The guide below will familiarize you with some | | | | motorcycles and scooters include touring bikes, |
| well-known and not-so-well-known brands of | | | | sport-tourers, cruisers, standard street bikes, sport |
| motorcycles that offer street bike options to | | | | bikes, dual sports bikes, and scooters. |
| consumers like you. | | | | Indian |
| After reading the brief descriptions offered below, | | | | The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company was |
| narrow down your options to a few that interest | | | | once known as the largest producer of motorcycles |
| you further. After you’ve come up with a list | | | | in the world. This is perhaps the oldest motorcycle |
| of viable options for yourself, research the | | | | manufacturer in the United States, having been |
| motorcycle manufacturers further by visiting their | | | | around since 1901. Today’s Indian Chief |
| Web sites, reading consumer reviews, comparing | | | | motorcycles are produced in limited quantities so the |
| pricing and so on. Finally, decide whether you will | | | | company can focus on quality, performance and |
| purchase a used street bike or a new one and begin | | | | exclusivity. The company, under new management, |
| to shop around for a reasonable deal on the bike you | | | | has growth plans through 2011. |
| want. | | | | Kawasaki |
| American Ironhorse | | | | Kawasaki has been producing motorcycles since 1953. |
| American Ironhorse is mostly known for producing | | | | Today, the Japanese manufacturer produces a wide |
| choppers and customs. The Fort-Worth, Texas | | | | collection of street bikes in the following categories: |
| manufacturer has a reputation for being | | | | sport, supersport, touring, supersport touring, |
| “high-end,” which is also reflected in | | | | cruisers, and dual purpose. Kawasaki is also known |
| the price range. American Ironhorse motorcycles cost | | | | for off-road and motocross models. Kawasaki is not |
| anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000, though current | | | | really in the custom market but produces a fine |
| financial turmoil could soon present the opportunity | | | | factory bike. |
| for negotiation and get you a better deal. | | | | KTM |
| Aprilia | | | | The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM is most |
| Aprilia has a much wider collection of models under | | | | commonly known for its off-road and sport bikes. In |
| various categories, including off-road and racing bikes. | | | | recent years, however, it has expanded into |
| The Italian manufacturer is traditionally known for | | | | production of street motorcycles as well. |
| producing scooters, but has recently earned acclaim | | | | Moto Guzzi |
| by winning sport bike races. Aprilia’s street | | | | The Italian motorcycle manufacturer, also known |
| bike collection is about as large as American | | | | simply as “Guzzi,” is known as the |
| Ironhorse’s, but the price is much lower. | | | | oldest European manufacturer in continuous |
| Big Dog | | | | motorcycle production. Notably, the Italian police and |
| Big Dog is known for it’s cruiser-style street | | | | military and various US police departments (e.g. LAPD) |
| bikes and wide range of customizing options. The | | | | have used Moto Guzzi bikes in their fleets. Guzzi |
| Wichita, Kansas manufacturer produces five models. | | | | currently offers about 9 different models including |
| Big Dog’s street bikes run in the $25,000 | | | | street bikes and sport bikes. |
| range. | | | | Suzuki |
| BMC | | | | Suzuki, which is also the 12th largest automobile |
| BMC is a smaller motorcycle manufacturer located in | | | | manufacturer in the world, started manufacturing |
| Bend, Oregon. The company has earned big attention | | | | bikes in 1952. Suzuki’s factory models include |
| through its focus on factory customs. Check them | | | | the legendary Hayabusa, the GSX-R1000, the |
| out for a DOT-approved street bike that looks | | | | GSX-R750, the GSX-R600 and the GSX-R650F (which |
| totally unique. | | | | is their newer sport touring model). |
| BMW Motorrad | | | | Swift |
| BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle division of the | | | | Swift Motorcycle Company is a newer manufacturer, |
| German automotive manufacturer BMW. BMW has | | | | also based in Phoenix, Arizona. The producer of |
| been producing motorcycles since 1923. Though the | | | | street bikes focuses on custom entry level, mid |
| company is traditionally known for their original engine | | | | range, and high-end choppers, bobbers and pro street |
| configuration, the flat-twin boxer, today’s | | | | models. |
| BMW motorcycles include a variety of engine and | | | | Yamaha |
| riding formats. | | | | Though Yamaha produces mainly factory |
| Bourget’s Bike Works | | | | motorcycles, it is possible to get customs through |
| Bourget motorcycles, based in Phoenix, Arizona | | | | this Japanese bike maker as well. Yamaha’s |
| started out by producing one-of-a-kind bikes in Roger | | | | current lineup includes over 26 models priced |
| Bourget’s garage. The manufacturer is known | | | | anywhere between $6000 and $19,000. |
| for its signature oil-in frame/drop seat style chassis, | | | | Now that you have learned a little bit about the |
| which was actually patented in 1999. The bike maker | | | | different manufacturers of street bikes, you can drill |
| is known for innovation in motorcycle design and also | | | | into the ones you’re interested in a bit |
| holds a patent for its jackshaft design. | | | | further to help narrow down your search. |
| Buell | | | | |