American Motorcycles.

Usually the ring of the words United States brings to mind open roads, big cars and mammoth engines along with cheap gas imported from the South. But it doesn't take long for the ears to register a steely roar on a typically pleasant day. Roll your eyes in the direction of the sound and you will see bling bling that has defined "AMERICAN" for decades now. Carry over the weight of half the car and half the engine on two wheels and you get a pure 'American' bred motorcycle.Here is a list of USA bred Motorcycle manufacturers

The Dodge Tomahawk V10 motorcycle pictured above is the symbol of huge American motorcycles. The engine is a 8.3L (8300cc) V10 producing 500 horses. 9 units have been sold via Neiman Marcus catalog for $550,000.


Harley Davidson

The Milwaukee based company has been in the business since 1903 making it one of the oldest marquees in the Automobile industry. Mostly retro in design, Harley has also experimented with the VRSC series of technically advanced and stylishly designed iterations. Very few are also aware that  Harley Davidson was at one point (1920) the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

Harley has also tried unsuccessfully to bank on lighter vehicles through the acquisition of Aermachhi in 1978, creation of the Buell division and acquisition of MV Agusta. The Aermachhi Marquee was sold to Cagiva 4 years later. Mv Agusta surpringly is a part of Cagiva. Buell marquee was stopped in 2009, the same year in which MV Agusta was sold.

PS: Licensing of the Harley-Davidson logo accounts for almost 5% of the company's net revenue.

Indian

Most people known of Indian Motorcycles from the movie 'The World's Fastest Indian' which is based on a true story. The 47 year old motorcycle was driven by a 68 year old Burt Munro of New Zealand at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The company has no relation whatsoever with India or New Zealand. Thanks to Columbus our cousins up West are also known as Indians and hence the the name of the company.

Initially known as Hendee the company changed name to the Indian Motorcycle company in 1928. Known as America's first motorcycles, before Harley Davidson, Indian was the largest selling motorcycle in the world selling 32000 motorcycles in 1913. In 1933 Indian Motorcycles merged with Dupont motors. Looking at the bleak light against the big car makers, Charled Dupont concentrated all resources on the Indian Motorcycle Company bringing the company neck to neck against Harley Davidson. But in 1945 the company was sold to another investor. The new owners decided to go for lightweight motorcycles. Lack of development and sub par quality began to sink the company and production was finally stopped in 1953.

After a serious of different owners went bankrupt, British LLC firm Stellican limited invested in the brand and resumed production of Indian motorcycles. The new models have respectable quality, Retro designs and powerful engines prociding stiff competition to Harley Davidson but focusing more in exclusivity.

PS: After the original company ceased in 1953, a team of investors imported Royal Enfield Motorcycles to US and rebadged them as Indian. Also the latest Indian Chief Bomber motorcycles come with american lady toons resembling the fighter planes used during the world wars.

Victory Motorcycles

Victory Motorcycles has made a name for itself in a pretty short time. Polaris industries ambtion in the motorocycle market took shape in 1997. The company's first profits came in 2002 after the successful run of their v-twin models. The company doesn't enjoy a heritage but has made do with lots of style and attention to detail.

Fischer Motorcycles

Not well known even in the U.S.A, Fischer Motor Company is the only US-based sport motorcycle manufacturer currently in production. Their motorcycle is built around a 650cc unit derived from Hyosung Korea which has also been known to supply motorcycles to Kinetic Motors India (Mahindra 2 wheelers). The 650cc engine is the same that is found in Hyosung Comet.  Fischer has definitely found success and have increased their sales targets for 2010. The motorcycle has been perfected with the help of various agencies and companies in the sport and racing industry and precision technology.

PS: Fischer motorcycles maiden venture has just won the Indonesia Motorcycle of the year award.

ATK

Apart from crusiers and choppers, American maker ATK has jumped into Off-road bikes and made a name for itself. The 700cc intimidator is the most power 2-stroke engine in the world. Founded in 1980 by Horst Leitner, the company has been able to make a name for itself in the performance motorcycling arena.  in 2010 ATK signed a contract with S&T motors to import motorcycles to US and expand in other segments of the motorcycles.  This will end the era of 'Made in U.S.A' tags that ATK has so proudly used in its marketing campaigns. Many of their current models are based on Maico products.

While Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles rule the rooster on the N.American market place, It is the small boutique chopper makers that carry the spirit and enthusiasm. To name a few.

1. Boss Hoss Motorcycles- Custom choppers built with the help of GM v8 engines.

2. Titan Motorcycles- First custom motorcycle company to enter mass production.

3. West Coast Choppers- The most televised Customer motorcycle assembler with various shows on air . Boast of a celebrity list including Shaquille O'Neal, Kid Rock, Keanu Reeves and Bill Goldberg.

4. Orange County Choppers: Another tv famous Custom chopper maker.

5. Big Dog motorcycles- One of the first customer bike makers boasting excellent ergonomics.

Various other motorcycles companies thrive in the North American market but their operations are mostly too negligible. Examples include Motoczysz and Roehr motorcycles.