Build Quality and Reliability

[Lupine Lacuna]

1. How has this changed over time for the various manufacturers? Everyone keeps telling me Honda is not what it used to be, for example.

2. What are some of the most reliable bikes of all time?

3. What are the most reliable brands? Is Yamaha best?

[The Artist]

Honda for reliability

Suzuki for quick sporty road bike (made of cheese)

Yamaha for nutty track bikes

Italian for fair weather riders who have deep pockets

Most modern bikes are reliable though.

[salty21]

for build quality and reliability amongst the 4 big jap brands starting with the best

1. honda
2. yamaha
3. kawasaki
4. suzuki

This is just my opinion/experience, which is probably different to a lot of peoples.

I have owned all apart from a yamaha, could never bring myself to buy an sporty yam due to the chavvy stereotype you get with it
yes i am a tart
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[Polarbear]

I think a lot of it depends on the actual bike, not just the make. My wifes Bandit 650 (watercoolerd version) had a shite finish. The paint was flakeing off the wheels and the laquer was 'frosting' after 2 years and that was kept in a garage. My Hayabusa was immaculate after the same length of time and that wasn't looked after as well as her bike. I only ever hosed it down, never bothered polishing it.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[neatbik]

Honda isn't what it used to be.

BMW isn't what it used to be either. The G650 range and the 1200GS are particularly plagued with problems if the owners are to be believed.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Depends what you mean by build quality and reliability.

Eg, if something had a thick galvanised finish which pretty much stopped any chance of corrosion but looked rubbish, would you regard that as good or bad quality?

As to reliability, if something broke down once a month, but took 2 minutes to fix with no more than a pair of pliers would you regard that as better or worse than something that broke down once every 5 years but which completely immoblised the bike and cost 25% of the value of the bike to fix?

As Polarbear says, it depends on the actual bike. Check a (for example) 1990 CBR600 and compare it to a VFR750 of the same year. The CBR will likely have poorly fitting panels, rust, failing starter relay, etc compared to the VFR.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Frost]

In terms of build quality i'd go:
Honda
Yamaha
Kawasaki
Suzuki
The rest

In terms of reliability it's much harder to say. Honda's often have awful reg/recs, but once these are changed they're great. They have made just about the worlds most unreliable bike (VF750) and the worlds most reliable (C90). All modern bikes are reliable now, but some cost more to fix than others. Ducati's have the potential to cost more than he bike to fix, as does anything VTEC, or anything expensive in the first place. So i'd say honda win again as their bikes all tend to be reasonable prices and sell if such large numbers that parts are easy to find at affordable prices.

Actually I've never heard of a BMW breaking down. So while i would guess it cost you a fortune if one did, i've never actually found out

[salty21]

[P.addy]

I wish your parents build quality was better...

[Kickstart]

[Tenko]

I find all bikes have a decent standard of finish nowadays if you don't ride in winter and keep them in a ventilated garage.

The worst bike for paint flaking off I ever owned was a Guzzi Targa. I bought it new years ago and loved it, but the silver engine paint was complete rubbish.

Hondas are still the best for finish imo, with Yamaha second and the rest tying for last. Suzukis have the cheapest plastics but more than make up for it by their gearboxes. Why Mr Honda never poached the Suzuki gearbox man I don't know...

In terms of reliability all 4 Jap makes are good. Bikes don't seem to break down like they used to provided you look after them - a bit like cars really...

[Babba]

[Rogerborg]

[Recluso]

As a noob I like this thread

It's nice to get some thoughts on reputable makes. I'll put my hand up and admit that I let myself get talked into my YBR without really stopping to do much research first as to how good it was (or maybe wasn't!).

What's the general consensus on Kawasaki? I've found myself leaning toward a couple of models, but will admit that I know nowt about reliability. You pick stuff up on the grapevine, but what do you listen to? Everyone has opinions but how much is down to unlucky bad experience or down to a real issue with a brand?

You know?
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'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[Babba]

[salty21]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Polarbear]

[Blau Zedong]

[Seb]

Reliability wise, both of my Kwaks were completely faultless, neither even failed to start in my time of ownership. Qualitywise, the ZZR was reasonable but the paint was thin in places, especially on the wheels. The ZX9 was better with neater bodywork and a better finish on the metal but again, the wheels weren't great.

The Yam is rather surprising, apart from a few furry bolts and a fork leg that isn't actually an original Yamaha one, it's incredibly rust free for a nigh 20 year old bike, the paint on the frame is spotless, the swing arm still comes up like new with some elbow grease and the only noticeable foible is that the paint on the engine is flaking off now. It was a fairly expensive model despite it's small capacity though so not really fair to compare it to my old GS500.

Oh and my experiences with Honda reliability..... Lets not go there
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[kestrel]

[salty21]