However, starting from the top, the leader, as in the last 50 years is Honda. Not a surprise, of course. It is almost well known that the Japanese manufacturer dominates the industry with around one third of the industry in its hands.

Kawasaki GPZ900R Yes, this is the motorcycle Tom Cruise rode in the 1986 blockbuster movie Top Gun. It allowed the actor to show off his skills on two wheels, something he's done in many other movies since. He apparently liked the Kawasaki enough he snatched one up to add to his growing collection.

1970s 2-stroke Kawasaki 500s (KH500) were called widowmakers. Some people applied that moniker to a couple of other bikes, later. Many bikes up until the early 80s had spongey frames, poor brakes and suspension, particularly (although not only) the KH500. People died riding those.