How do I choose the right motorcycle for me?

Yamaha certainly has a strong brand. If I was to be asked "What are the two most recognisable motorcycle brands around, I would say Harley Davidson and then probably Yamaha. My budget probably doesn't stretch far enough to be looking at a Harley, so that automatically discounts them. Plus I'd be way to nervous to ride one, expecting that as a beginner I'm likely to have a fall or two or at least gain a few scratches!

So why do they have such a strong name? Is it just because of good marketing, or because they have been around for a long time? Is it because they actually make good motorcycles!? Anyone aware of the history there?

My local bike shop has a good range of Yamaha's, but the question is still, whether I get a trail bike or a road bike. A road bike will be great for getting too and from work, however a trail bike would be just amazing fun! I was looking at a scooter, perhaps to just give me a gentle introduction to motorcycling, but I'm pretty sure something more gutsy would be far more enjoyable!!

Well, if you happen to stumble across this lens, let me know your thoughts, advice, cautions on buying one of these Yahama motorcycles, I'd rather not have any regrets... or kill myself. :)

Ooo, there are also hybrid type bikes to consider too, not sure I like the look of them though, or is that just vain?

Yamaha History
Well in answer to my own question, why do Yamaha have such a strong name, I looked up some history. There is a concise and interesting
In brief, it basically talks about how Yamaha started as a music company and has expanded in to just about everything, including robotics! It stared in the motorcycle industry in 1955 with a two stroke that was apparently a copy of the German DKW design, which the British BSA Company had also copied in the post-war era and manufactured as the Bantam. Production in 1980 was 2,214,000, with export sales of 1,383,000. That's a lot of bikes. I wonder what it is today?

I believe a href=">Yamaha is still number two in the world as far as motorcycle manufacturing goes. Honda being number 1. I didn't even include Honda in my thinking, perhaps they are also worth a consideration? So I guess, Yamaha have earned their name, over many years and a whole lot of bikes. The history is worth a read if your a Yamaha fan. Would be nice if they updated it with a more recent history added.