Motorcycle quality: Honda?

[Schadenfreude]

Well, the weather's starting to thaw (or it seems for the moment, at the very least) so some of goobers only have one thing on their minds . . . outside of what's normally on every (male) goober's minds.

Motorcycles!!!

Alright, here's the gist - this particular goober's been out of the country, new job, newly married w/ no finances to speak of, got rid of the 1st bike - an '01 SV650 - before he left; but a man can dream, no?

Well, I've been bugging the heck out of my wife about "alright, 'XXX' is the next bike I'm going to get", with 'XXX' changing almost daily ever since we've been out of the country . . . let me get off-topic for just a sec';

A couple weeks back, we get to go to the Chicago Auto Show - and like I said, we've recently returned to the country w/ no real finances to speak of, but maybe outside of living in NYC, you're going to need a car - so we're looking at potential vehicle we can buy, which realistically, would be the subcompacts; we have our options down to 3; the Toyota Yaris, the Nissan Versa, and the Honda Fit. The Toyota is veeeeery spartan in design, think "generic box packaging" - the Nissan, well; the Nissan is a wee bit better, but the "upholstery" in the back is the stuffing/lining material under a cheap piece of fabric that when I lifted up to see (my wife can attest to this, I just lifted the fabric), tore in my hand (no one saw me? Good just walk away . . ..)!

The Honda, by comparison, is a revelation. It's well-designed, doesn't feel spartan or cheap, and is, well, nice! Really nice! I can genuinely say - even though I currently drive a Civic - that I got to compare and contrast to the competition and there was no question!

So, the $64,000 question is; I'm truly impressed by the quality of Honda in their autos, either in comparison w/ their Japanese competition or by themselves - and reading up about Honda motorcycles, I read the same thing over and over again - but in the AT Garage's collective opinion, is Honda's reputation for quality of fit and finish well worth it?

- By the by, this is more for future reference/discussion, as I currently do not have the funds for a recreation vehicle (in this region it'd completely be a rec veh, let's be honest) for the forseeable future.

Oh, and in case you're wondering; the "XXX" bike of this moment would be a this beaut hurr thanks to what I saw at the auto show!

 

[Kelvrick]

I'd personally say that anything from the big 4 from japan would be similar. Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, it would just be personal preference for which specific bike you prefer.

Of course, I only have experience with the sport bikes.

 

[Schadenfreude]

I'd personally say that anything from the big 4 from japan would be similar. Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, it would just be personal preference for which specific bike you prefer.

Of course, I only have experience with the sport bikes.

Now, this may be an "unfair" comparison, but basing it purely on fit and finish(and I'm a greenhorn at a lot of things, including this so forgive me if this is common knowledge) how do the other, non-Japanese makes compare, for instance the euro brands, like BMW, KTM, Ducati etc. . . hell, even Buells?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Honda builds some exceptional motorcycles, though I will forever be upset with them for discontinuing the magnificent Valkyrie.

As far as fit and finish goes, it depends. IMO, recent Harleys are slightly superior in terms of the overall "spit and polish", but for the price premium that a Harley demands over an equivalent Honda the Harley had damn well better have a nicer finish. Bear in mind that I'm talking about small things here, like using chromed metal instead of chromed plastic and having smoother paint and slightly tidier welds in the frame.

As far as actual functional build quality goes, Honda is meticulous and their bikes, as their cars, feel solid and well put-together. There is a certain feeling of "I trust this machine" from Honda's motorcycles, just as there is from their cars.

ZV

 

[Vette73]

My first Bike was a Honda VT700. I am not up to date on bikes but Honda had some great cruisers but I was not a hugh fan of their sport bikes.

Got my Vt700 for $1000 and rebuilt the carbs and had to strip and clean it up but was a very fun and much stronger than I thought it would be as well.

 

[waggy]

I have owned many many honda's. from 50 cc's to 600cc sportbikes. EVERY one has been a great bike.

I have also owned a few Kawasaki bikes and they were great. My KZ550 was a lot of fun


Even my step dad who is a hard core biker (only rides Harley's) got me a Honda Rebal 450 back when i was 15. he said IF i have to get anything other then a harley then get a Honda.

 

[Fenixgoon]

IMO you can never go wrong with a japanese motorcycle (note that I'm not a fanboy of their cars, but their bikes do friggin rock)

unless you really want a harley of course 😛

 

[MiataNC]

The common belief (deserved or not) is that Honda makes the most reliable motorcycles.

Personally I have never had a "lemon" on two wheels (Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph, etc)

 

[jaha2000]

Now, this may be an "unfair" comparison, but basing it purely on fit and finish(and I'm a greenhorn at a lot of things, including this so forgive me if this is common knowledge) how do the other, non-Japanese makes compare, for instance the euro brands, like BMW, KTM, Ducati etc. . . hell, even Buells?

Based on fit and finish its hard to beat the euro bikes, ducati in particular is still to this day a hand built bike (that was a good twist the throttle btw).
BMW bought husquvarna a while back which gave them some access to some real go fast engineering.
KTM are also more of a high end piece.

The euro bikes typically demand a higher dollar but also include more go fast goodies from the factory. Better brakes, suspension things like that. You dont see Ohlins stuff on the jap bikes from the factory.
That being said ( i own a triumph 675) the parts system for the euro bikes SUCKS. If have to get anything besides an oil filter or a crush washer for the drain plug its weeks in the ordering either from the dealer of from the internet.
But.. If i could have whatever i wanted, it would be a mess of ducati street bikes, a husky supermoto and a mess of ktm dirtbikes in my garage.

 

[Saga]

Based on fit and finish its hard to beat the euro bikes, ducati in particular is still to this day a hand built bike (that was a good twist the throttle btw).
BMW bought husquvarna a while back which gave them some access to some real go fast engineering.
KTM are also more of a high end piece.

The euro bikes typically demand a higher dollar but also include more go fast goodies from the factory. Better brakes, suspension things like that. You dont see Ohlins stuff on the jap bikes from the factory.
That being said ( i own a triumph 675) the parts system for the euro bikes SUCKS. If have to get anything besides an oil filter or a crush washer for the drain plug its weeks in the ordering either from the dealer of from the internet.
But.. If i could have whatever i wanted, it would be a mess of ducati street bikes, a husky supermoto and a mess of ktm dirtbikes in my garage.

My ZX10 came from the factory with a Ohlins damper and SS brake lines..

 

[jaha2000]

My ZX10 came from the factory with a Ohlins damper and SS brake lines..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2fTF4ToC8

I suppose....
There is a big difference between the ride you get with ohlins suspension parts and a damper.
The place i bought my triumph from is a ducati dealer also. Last summer i got to ride a hypermoto and a hypermoto s. The S has ohlins front and back, brembo monoblocks, the whole deal.
The way those two rode were night and day difference.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I don't think there is much difference in terms of quality between the big 4 Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. In terms of super sport bikes they are all very close in spec and performance. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and rider skill much more so than the bike itself especially when comparing bikes like the Yamaha R1 to the ZX10R, the CBR1000RR, or the GSXR1000. Of course, there is always the BMW S1000RR to contend with in this segment now too and that is supposed to be an incredible machine and priced right in there with the Japanese super sports.

BMW's other motorcycles are excellent too but they tend to require a bit more maintenance and it is more expensive both in terms of purchase price and maintenance expense.

Ducati also makes fine bikes but some models have been plagued with a few relatively minor problems and they do require more maintenance than the Japanese bikes.

I've heard mixed things about the quality of older Triumph motorcycles (oil leaks etc) but their newer bikes seem to be pretty good. I'm thinking about getting one as my next bike.

 

[Arkaign]

I don't think there is much difference in terms of quality between the big 4 Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. In terms of super sport bikes they are all very close in spec and performance. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and rider skill much more so than the bike itself especially when comparing bikes like the Yamaha R1 to the ZX10R, the CBR1000RR, or the GSXR1000.

BMW makes an excellent motorcycle too but they tend to require a bit more maintenance and it is more expensive both in terms of purchase price and maintenance expense.

Ducati makes fine bikes too but some models have been plagued with a few relatively minor problems and they do require more maintenance than the Japanese bikes.

I've heard mixed things about the quality of older Triumph motorcycles (oil leaks etc) but their newer bikes seem to be pretty good. I'm thinking about getting one as my next bike.

I can vouch for this, as many close friends had other Japanese bikes, and invariably they were stout, reliable, and for the most part easy to work on. I had a couple Magnas, and really miss them quite a bit. I replaced my last one with a Triumph Speed Triple 900, which was incredible fun, but I got married for the first time around then and I had to sell my toys and get my ass off the bikes.

I've ridden a couple BMW bikes and really liked the feel. If only BMW made a real comfy big cruiser a la the Valkyrie.

 

[saratoga172]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2fTF4ToC8

I suppose....
There is a big difference between the ride you get with ohlins suspension parts and a damper.
The place i bought my triumph from is a ducati dealer also. Last summer i got to ride a hypermoto and a hypermoto s. The S has ohlins front and back, brembo monoblocks, the whole deal.
The way those two rode were night and day difference.

jaha where are you located at? You might check out Cycle Gear. You can usually get a bunch of stuff and the turnaround is relatively quick.

 

[hanoverphist]

I've heard mixed things about the quality of older Triumph motorcycles (oil leaks etc) but their newer bikes seem to be pretty good. I'm thinking about getting one as my next bike.

old triumphs needed to be tightened after every ride pretty much back in the day. they were awesome bikes overall tho, and much worth the maintenance. my stepdad has a 1965 bonneville with 2200 original miles on it, completely original and stock. when we took it to a triumph guy, he got it tuned up and on the road again after sitting in a basement in new york for 25 years. he actually had it doing a wheelie on a trial run. he told us that the new triumphs were great bikes, way easier to maintain and more reliable than the older ones, but not nearly as fun or easy to make powerful.

my dad has old harleys, hes hooked on them. hes rebuilding one that was stroked out back in the late 70s and never actually got put into a frame, but it has since been cranked and started after sitting for 30ish years. pretty cool stuff.

my honda is on blocks due to a bad carb and some other issues and no way to justify a complete restore due to kids being a priority, but it was probably the most fun out of all the bikes i have ridden, including the old harleys and old triumphs my family has always ridden. id say honda has a decent bike overall, but i dont have much experience with any in the past decade at all.

 

[Saga]

The thing about the major 4 Jap bikes is not a whole lot has really changed with the inline four in decades, making them very reliable and solid machines where the weakest link is almost always the rider. There have been various electronic improvements (IE FI, etc) but the engine is incredibly solid overall, and they are produced to the level where replacement parts are abundant and easy to come by, even for bikes almost 30 years old. If you enjoy the sport bike look but do not feel that the aggressive forward posture is your style, look at the many sports cruisers that are available. I set a friend up with a Z700 and he's loved it ever since.

I own a 07 ZX10R and a 07 Yamaha Warrior. Both are amazing bikes, but I genuinely prefer an inline 4 to a v-twin, if anything for the major vibration difference; but that is also a preference so it will vary person to person, obviously.

If I was going to buy US, I would buy American Indian. I've owned everything from Moto Guzzi's to Ducatti's. The only bikes I will probably never buy are a Harley (or it's ridiculously comical Buell counterpart) or a BMW based on pricing and (negative) image principles. Based on the later alone I wouldn't ride either if it was given to me for free, I would sell it and buy something else.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The thing about the major 4 Jap bikes is not a whole lot has really changed with the inline four in decades, making them very reliable and solid machines where the weakest link is almost always the rider. There have been various electronic improvements (IE FI, etc) but the engine is incredibly solid overall, and they are produced to the level where replacement parts are abundant and easy to come by, even for bikes almost 30 years old. If you enjoy the sport bike look but do not feel that the aggressive forward posture is your style, look at the many sports cruisers that are available. I set a friend up with a Z700 and he's loved it ever since.

I own a 07 ZX10R and a 07 Yamaha Warrior. Both are amazing bikes, but I genuinely prefer an inline 4 to a v-twin, if anything for the major vibration difference; but that is also a preference so it will vary person to person, obviously.

If I was going to buy US, I would buy American Indian. I've owned everything from Moto Guzzi's to Ducatti's. The only bikes I will probably never buy are a Harley (or it's ridiculously comical Buell counterpart) or a BMW based on pricing and (negative) image principles. Based on the later alone I wouldn't ride either if it was given to me for free, I would sell it and buy something else.

Yet you misspelled Ducati. 😛 True, the V-twin/L-twin is lumpy at idle, they are pretty smooth once you get the revs up above 3,000rpms. BMW has been making bikes with that flat twin for decades and I don't think you'll find many people who complain that they aren't smooth.

You can find used BMW touring bikes for half what they cost new. Honestly, they are a bargain on the used market. A friend of mine had one and let me ride it a few times. Very nice bike, albeit a bit heavy.

 

[Kabob]

To the OP, Honda's bikes are VERY well made, but as a general rule any of the big 4 (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki) are going to be overall low maintenance. Yamaha especially with their 21K+ mile valve adjustments...

Eventually something will go wrong on any bike, how bad/expensive it is depends on what it is. Ducatis are well made but the cost of repairs is going to be more than your run of the mill Suzuki.

Honda 599 is a solid bike. Personally though I love the SV's, I'd get a newer SV650S with FI. I've had 2 of 'em and I loved both.

 

[Saga]

Yet you misspelled Ducati. 😛 True, the V-twin/L-twin is lumpy at idle, they are pretty smooth once you get the revs up above 3,000rpms. BMW has been making bikes with that flat twin for decades and I don't think you'll find many people who complain that they aren't smooth.

You can find used BMW touring bikes for half what they cost new. Honestly, they are a bargain on the used market. A friend of mine had one and let me ride it a few times. Very nice bike, albeit a bit heavy.

In my defense I don't usually type it. Hell, even when people talk about Ducati's most of the time they call them Ducks.

Only reason the BMW's are so cheap used is because they're stupidly overpriced new..

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Honda made my favorite bike of all time, The Magna 750. It fit me like a glove.
Buying a new sport bike, like others have said, the 4 Jap brands are all pretty close. The issue and complaints arraise when people buy them used. Most sport bikes live hard abused lives and it shows after a few years.

 

[Arkaign]

Honda made my favorite bike of all time, The Magna 750. It fit me like a glove.
Buying a new sport bike, like others have said, the 4 Jap brands are all pretty close. The issue and complaints arraise when people buy them used. Most sport bikes live hard abused lives and it shows after a few years.

High-five!

I had an old Magna 750, what a wonderful bike. Really comfortable, great visibility, plenty of power, and super reliable. They're still pretty easy to find, I think I'll grab another one in a few years if I get the time and stay out of the city.

 

[JulesMaximus]

In my defense I don't usually type it. Hell, even when people talk about Ducati's most of the time they call them Ducks.

Only reason the BMW's are so cheap used is because they're stupidly overpriced new.

😀 Of that there is no doubt.

As for the Ducati thing, wasn't it spelled on the side of your tank? I've never owned a Duck but I've ridden a few and even I know how to spell Ducati. 😛

 

[hanoverphist]

High-five!

I had an old Magna 750, what a wonderful bike. Really comfortable, great visibility, plenty of power, and super reliable. They're still pretty easy to find, I think I'll grab another one in a few years if I get the time and stay out of the city.

i have an old 79 dohc cb750 that im gonna do something like this

to when my kids fly the coop. im already starting to find parts i need and everything, hehe. those v45s were cool, but i still like my cb750 better. they were, after all, the precursor to the v45s.