Top Chopper Brands for Culinary Enthusiasts

In today's bustling kitchen, a reliable chopper can save time and enhance the culinary experience, turning meal prep from a chore into a breeze. With a variety of options on the market, choosing the perfect one that balances efficiency and durability is crucial for any home cook. From high-end electric models to compact manual ones, there's a range of top brands that consistently receive praise from users for their performance and longevity. If you're curious to discover which brands have made the cut, explore the detailed recommendations below.

Illustration of chopper

Best brands of chopper in 2025

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson is renowned as one of the world's premier motorcycle manufacturers, particularly celebrated for its iconic chopper style. Founded in 1903, the company has a rich history, having survived the Great Depression and numerous economic challenges to become a global leader. As of 2024, Harley-Davidson holds a significant market share of around 19.9% in the U.S. motorcycle market, despite Asian brands dominating the sector. The company is known for its heavyweight, air-cooled cruiser motorcycles, and it has expanded its offerings to include more contemporary models like the VRSC and Street platforms. With production facilities in the U.S., Brazil, and Thailand, Harley-Davidson continues to define motorcycle culture and lifestyle. For more detailed information, visit their Wikipedia page.

Indian Motorcycle

Indian Motorcycle, owned by Polaris Inc., has emerged as a significant player in the motorcycle industry, particularly in the chopper and cruiser segments. Since Polaris acquired the brand, Indian Motorcycle has seen substantial growth, increasing its global market share from 2% in 2014 to 13% in 2023, driven largely by the success of its Scout model, with over 100,000 units sold globally in the past decade. The Scout, a midsize cruiser, has been instrumental in building brand loyalty and introducing riders to Indian's heavier models. Indian Motorcycle has also posted its first annual profit and is now consistently the second-largest player in the North American market behind Harley-Davidson. The brand's profitability has been on the rise, with a gross profit margin expansion of nearly 600 basis points in recent quarters. For more insights, you can read about the Indian Motorcycle's recent developments and profitability.

Victory Motorcycles

Victory Motorcycles, established in 1998 by Polaris, was a notable producer of American-style motorcycles, including choppers, designed to compete with Harley-Davidson. The brand's debut model, the V92C, introduced in 1997, featured a 92 cubic-inch (1,507 cc) V-twin engine, which was one of the largest in the market at the time. Despite achieving profitability and selling over 10,000-15,000 units in its best year in 2012, Victory's market share declined to 2% by 2016, leading Polaris to discontinue the brand in 2017. Victory motorcycles were known for their easily tunable engines and unique designs, such as the retro-look of the V92C. The brand's production was primarily based in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Minnesota. For more details, visit Victory Motorcycles on Wikipedia.

Orange County Choppers

Orange County Choppers, founded in 1999 by Paul Teutul Sr., is often misconstrued as a top producer of choppers, but in reality, the brand is more renowned for its appearance on the TV series American Chopper rather than the functionality of its bikes. Despite this, OCC has built numerous theme and customer bikes, some of which have been featured in prominent events and charity fundraisers. However, many of these bikes were criticized for being display-only and not rideable, with issues such as poor suspension and unreliable brakes. For more details about their creations, visit their official website.

Big Dog Motorcycles

Big Dog Motorcycles was a prominent manufacturer of semi-custom, mid-priced choppers, founded in 1994 by Sheldon Coleman Jr. At its peak in the mid-2000s, Big Dog held over 50% market share in the "Alternative American Cruiser" segment and produced over 5,000 motorcycles in 2005, employing over 300 people and generating $120 million in revenue. The company manufactured its 20,000th motorcycle in 2006 and was renowned for its high-quality, polished bikes with extensive customizing options. Big Dog's models, such as the Pitbull and K-9, utilized S&S V-twin engines and featured a range of custom accessories. Despite its success, the company shut down in 2011 due to market and financial challenges.

West Coast Choppers

West Coast Choppers, founded by Jesse James in the early 1990s, is renowned for its high-quality, custom choppers, producing only about 12-15 bikes annually, each priced around $150,000. Despite the low production volume, the company garnered significant attention and revenue, with 60% of its income coming from branded clothing and merchandise. The brand gained mainstream exposure through shows like "Motorcycle Mania" on the Discovery Channel in 2001 and later through "Monster Garage." However, the company faced controversies, including a $270,000 fine in 2007 for non-compliant motorcycles and bans on their merchandise due to the Iron Cross logo. West Coast Choppers closed its Long Beach shop in 2010 but continued to influence the chopper industry with its unique, minimalist designs. For more insights into the brand's history and impact, explore the hidden truth behind West Coast Choppers.

American IronHorse

American IronHorse, founded in 1995 by Tim Edmondson and Bill Rucker, was once the largest factory producer of custom motorcycles in the USA, selling around 10,000 motorcycles by 2006. The company, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, produced models like the Texas Chopper and Outlaw, and achieved $40 million in sales in 2002. Despite its success, the company faced financial downturns and ceased production in Spring 2008, leading to bankruptcy in 2009. American IronHorse motorcycles were known for their large displacement V-twin engines and distinctive designs, although they lacked in handling and amenities compared to other brands. The company's decline was exacerbated by the Great Recession of 2008 and waning chopper sales. For a detailed history, visit their Wikipedia page.

Bourget's Bike Works

Bourget's Bike Works is a renowned brand in the motorcycle industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality, handcrafted choppers. Since its inception in 1993, the company has maintained a commitment to using 98% American-made parts, ensuring superior craftsmanship. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Bourget's produces custom motorcycles with unique designs, such as the patented oil-in frame/drop seat style chassis and the innovative jackshaft design. The company has also collaborated with major brands like Avon Tyres to create exclusive tires, including the 330-17 tire. With a legacy of 27 years, Bourget's continues to offer rolling chassis builder's kits and individual components for enthusiasts. For more information, visit their official website.

Confederate Motorcycles

Confederate Motorcycles, now known as Curtiss Motorcycles, was a renowned producer of exotic and high-performance motorcycles, although not typically classified as choppers. Founded in 1991 by H. Matthew Chambers, the company was known for its innovative designs and powerful engines, such as the G3 Hellcat and the Wraith, which boasted impressive power-to-weight ratios. Despite its shift to electric motorcycles in 2017, the brand's legacy includes producing over 500 first-generation Hellcat models from 1996 to 2001 and later models like the G2 P51 Combat Fighter. The company's decision to rebrand was partly due to the historical baggage associated with the Confederate name, which affected their marketing and branding opportunities. Combat Motors LLC continued the gasoline-powered motorcycle production under the Confederate brand after purchasing its intellectual property rights in 2018.

Zero Engineering

Zero Engineering, a renowned brand in the chopper industry, has been manufacturing high-quality choppers since 1992 in Okazaki City, Japan. The company expanded into the American market through Zero Engineering USA in 2002, producing over 300 Samurai Choppers in their Las Vegas factory over the last five years. The Type 5 Samurai Chopper features a 113-inch S&S; EPA-compliant motor and Zero's original gooseneck frame, showcasing the brand's attention to detail and unique styling. With models like the Type 5 and Type 6, Zero Engineering has established itself as a significant player in the American V-Twin market. Their choppers are known for their meticulous craftsmanship and performance.