[Mike02048]

I went to a dealer yesterday. He told me that as far as reliability goes, Honda, Yamaha and Kawi were very reliable, but Suzuki bikes are in the shop a lot. BTW-He sold Yamaha and Kawi, but not Yamaha. So his comments weren't totally self-serving. Any truth to this? What do you all think about the relative reliability of the various manufacturers' bikes?

 

[SamanthaSchou]

BTW-He sold Yamaha and Kawi, but not Yamaha.

I feel they are all on par with each other. Honda is having issues with their 1000 and suzuki has issues with the "Herky-jerky" but not all Suzuki's. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasaki, all are great machines.

 

[porky786]

Within the brands , individual bikes can vary from year to year.

But I'd also rate Honda and Yamaha at top of the list over a Historic period of time on reliability.

Its also in seeing some of the internal quality of engine designs, of direct comparible models amongst brands. Some designs may have many wear points, and some designs may have zero wear points, which would you prefer, they both cost the same?

 

[jim schmidt]

None of those brands are bad. Honda has traditionally been the quality and fit and finish leader, but over the last two decades the differences have become entirely insignificant.

 

[RayOSV]

How can Honda lay any claim to superb reliability with the cam chain tensioner and regulator/rectifier issues they had several years running?

Those were both poor (weak) designs that resulted in low reliability.

 

[benroe]

I think Suzukis are in the shop more b/c they tend to draw the noobophile that either abuses his bike, does not take care of his machine or simply does not know how to work on it. I don't know why that is, that is just what I have seen around here.

 

[Stick N Move]

I think Suzukis are in the shop more b/c they tend to draw the noobophile that either abuses his bike, does not take care of his machine or simply does not know how to work on it. I don't know why that is, that is just what I have seen around here.

+1!

Gixxer effect.

 

[inpayne]

How can Honda lay any claim to superb reliability with the cam chain tensioner and regulator/rectifier issues they had several years running?

Those were both poor (weak) designs that resulted in low reliability.

Yeah that's been around forever for some reason.

Does anyone know if it fails can cause catostofic faliure? I never heard of an instance of that.

 

[Gimpdiggity]

I think Suzukis are in the shop more b/c they tend to draw the noobophile that either abuses his bike, does not take care of his machine or simply does not know how to work on it. I don't know why that is, that is just what I have seen around here.

I agree with this.

For some reason Suzuki seems to be the bike that morons flock to. I'm NOT saying that all Suzuki riders (or even the majority of them) are morons, just that morons seem to like Suzuki the best.

If you have a higher percentage of jackasses riding Suzukis than the other brands, then there's a good chance that a higher percentage of Suzukis will be in the shop for some kind of issue.

 

[NattyDrez]

+2 to the squid effect on Suzukis.

Theyre all great manufacturers though, and as much as people bash one company or another, they all do the same job of producing nice, well-performing motorcycles. People just tend to lean towards specific companies, while talking shit on others.

 

[Justice06RR]

How can Honda lay any claim to superb reliability with the cam chain tensioner and regulator/rectifier issues they had several years running?

Those were both poor (weak) designs that resulted in low reliability.

Although it is somewhat true about the R/R issue, i've never had the cam chain tensioner problem nor do any of my buddies who ride Honda. Each brand normally has its own quirks because there is no perfect bike, but Honda is generally known for the best reliability and build quality. Not saying that any of the other manufacturers are inferior.

And like others said, more noobs are attracted to Suzuki's (GSX-R's in particular) so there is a higher probability that they dont know how to maintain and repair their bike.

 

[g34343greg]

suzuki riders are douchebags.

 

[fzr1rider1]

I agree with this.

For some reason Suzuki seems to be the bike that morons flock to. I'm NOT saying that all Suzuki riders (or even the majority of them) are morons, just that morons seem to like Suzuki the best.

If you have a higher percentage of jackasses riding Suzukis than the other brands, then there's a good chance that a higher percentage of Suzukis will be in the shop for some kind of issue.

+1 My bro's 06 750, my 08' 750 suzukis ARE AWESOME! No issues! But ever new scab around school are all buying GSXRs!

***Honda bikes are not Honda cars! There bike have titanium exhaust valve issues, CCT issues from day one on, and the F2 and 600rr are the same package for looks, the frames look almost identical! Look at a F2 next to F3 next to F4 next to RR. Honda changes the least. Dude told me I traded my F2 for F3... I just asked why? They looked identical.

 

[fzr1rider1]

Suzuki's big bikes have some issues though. Busa's have continuous starter clutch issues. Some 1000+ cc Suzukis also have clutch trouble if abused, but so does any bike pushed to hard.

 

[User Name]

Suzuki's big bikes have some issues though. Busa's have continuous starter clutch issues. Some 1000+ cc Suzukis also have clutch trouble if abused, but so does any bike pushed to hard.

50,000 miles and counting on my Busa, and I've not experienced either problem.

 

[Darksheer]

...I've noticed no ones picked out any particular "issues" with the Yamahas...
...However I'm biased...

...The Hondas seem to be getting crapped on in this thread though...

 

[smashbox]

I feel they are all on par with each other. Honda is having issues with their 1000 and suzuki has issues with the "Herky-jerky" but not all Suzuki's. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasaki, all are great machines.

If this herky-jerky issue you're referring to is about the throttle you're right. However, if you're smooth on the throttle it really is a non-issue.. when i first got the bike (07 GSX-R 600) the throttle was jerky because i wasn't used to it.. after a few rides it was just fine.

 

[fzr1rider1]

...I've noticed no ones picked out any particular "issues" with the Yamahas...
...However I'm biased...

...The Hondas seem to be getting crapped on in this thread though...

Regulator/ Rectifier and the R1 used to be the squid bike of choice! :neener
Now your not left out! Feel better? :grinbounc

50,000 miles and counting on my Busa, and I've not experienced either problem.

There's always THAT GUY YOU KNOW! This time you're THAT GUY! The man that runs Cycle Concepts in RVA specializes in those repairs for those bikes and all other things chrome! You probably also don't dog the bike like most people that own them though!

 

[Mike02048]

I think Suzukis are in the shop more b/c they tend to draw the noobophile that either abuses his bike, does not take care of his machine or simply does not know how to work on it. I don't know why that is, that is just what I have seen around here.

I can relate to this. When I bought my first Camaro in 1992, all my friends told me I was crazy because they had the worst reliability and maintenance record. But I chalked that up to the fact that most were owned by kids and they beat on them. I put 135K on that car and it ran as well the day I traded it in on a 2000 Camaro SS (my current car) as the day I bought it. Never paid for anything more than regular mainteance and things just wearing out.

 

[porky786]

If you knew some manufactures were using plastics gear parts inside a motor, would that raise an eyebrow?

Lets talk cylinder coatings, who has the best?