Best build quality, Suzuki or Yamaha ?

[Ribenapigeon]

I'm possibly buying a Yammy XJ6 or a Suzuki SV650. My current bike is a Yamaha WR125X which I bought new. I must say that apart from a few scuff marks from my boot and grunge on the rear wheels spokes after 5250 miles of all weather ridingit looks brand new. So I'm very impressed with the Yamahas quality. How does Suzuki match up though?

[doggone]

I'm not sure about all suzukis but the sv650 is definitely built to a budget and it shows, or will do on a well used bike.
Expect pitted fork sliders and more in no time.

[johnsmith222]

Yamaha definitely make the better quality bikes. IMO they're definitely better than Suzuki and Kawasaki.

[Irn-Bru]

My DRZ wasn't too bad but a lot of other peoples suffered bad from rusty frames which I often hear is a Suzuki trademark.
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[flumpy7]

Id rather have an older cbr600f than either of those...much better build quality and performance for the same amount of cash.

FWIW I had an sv650s. Boring and sluggish but drinks fuel like a cunt.
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[henry hoover]

I was always under the impression Yamaha build quality was better. They certainly charge more!
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[stevo as b4]

Impossible to generalise over a long period, as all the Jap big four, have had good and bad periods and specific machines that were crap and crumbly, but some brands seem to do better that other's even at the budget end of the scale.

Yamaha, seem quite nicely put together bikes these days, but I think Suzuki's are a bit more variable between their best and worst. Kawasaki are hit and miss, but massively better than they used to be and more consistant that the big S I'd say?

[Rogerborg]

You will find good examples of either.

So buy the best example of either that you can actually find.

Simples Elementary.
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[Ribenapigeon]

The general opinion seems to be leaning towards Yamaha. I kind of thought that Yamaha build quality was better going by looking at the condition of bikes I see parked around town, but its good to have others opinions.

[carlosthejack...]

Honda.
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[Legsy.]

..600F

[Sako]

Suzuki have the more positive feeling gearboxes over the Yamaha's

[Charlie]

Honda>Yamaha>Suzuki>Kawasaki

Although I've never owned a Suzuki or Kawasaki
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[Tungtvann]

Well my fucking yamaha has got 2 bolts made of fucking butter that I've only got and bloody rounded so now can't take my side pods off to put my exhaust on. Fuck fucking you, yamacunt.

[Polarbear]

Out of those two, definatly the yam is better build quality.
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[fozzym]

Over the last couple of years I was under the impression that Kawasaki was fairly well regarded in the build quality stakes. Certainly my ER6 seems very well put together and whilst its of a budget nature it doesn't look it. Excellent paint, nice fit and finish and overall nice feel to the bike.

The Suzuki SV is old hat these days and whilst it's a capable bike it doesn't compare to newer models in most areas. Just looking at them, they seem pretty budget and not trying to hide it.

I'd say that the Yamaha XJ looks the better bike and would fair better in the longevity stakes. I've not owned one though, my brother did and it was a nice bike but nowhere near as well put together as the ER6.

[_Troy_]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Probably depends more on the owner than the manufacturer.

Go for whichever you like, then find the one in the best condition.

That said, IME Yamaha.
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[Hyaon]

Yam and Suzuki have been both pretty good for quality with me, but I must say my yam is over 10 years old and is still in great condition.
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[temeluchus]

My gsxr1100s were very well made, paint was excellent, electrics some of the best i have come across.

i would give yamaha the edge in general finish, but they have an insane need for complicated electrics.

in terms of terminal design flaws, honda has been the worst by far in my experience.
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[Polarbear]

[temeluchus]

[mpf1959]

i cant say which is best as i think they all can make good and bad. the bike i was impressed with most for finish was a yam divvy 900. it had been a instructors bike, stood outside all its life, done 98000 when i got it and ran smooth as silk with surprisingly low corrosion considering its life.

[mentalboy]

Anything over ten years old - but not a Suzuki!
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[recman]