MyBB Motorcycle Owners Thread

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memphis32 said:
Quick question, I'm looking at some brands of bikes, and I'm reading that suzuki doesn't have the best build quality, whereas Honda is the king for build quality... Any of you guys have experience with suzuki, especially the gsxr series?
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Have owned Yamaha and Honda MX bikes and worked on them extensively. Have worked on a few Kawasaki and Suzuki MX bikes. Build quality on all the big four Japanese (mx) bikes is about the same IMO. Can't comment for road bikes as Ive only owned and worked on Yamaha. Nothing to compare it with. Sorry...
 
memphis32 said:
Quick question, I'm looking at some brands of bikes, and I'm reading that suzuki doesn't have the best build quality, whereas Honda is the king for build quality... Any of you guys have experience with suzuki, especially the gsxr series?
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I would say that opinion doesn't hold any water at all. I think the quality depends on a per bike basis. Some of suzukis stuff is good, some isnt. Same applies to all the japanese brands. Over all, I would rate them as the same.
 
crysis said:
I would say that opinion doesn't hold any water at all. I think the quality depends on a per bike basis. Some of suzukis stuff is good, some isnt. Same applies to all the japanese brands. Over all, I would rate them as the same.
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I actually heard the same thing from guys here in the office during the week, some study or something. Basically Honda and Yamaha quality is very very good and consistent whilst Kawasaki and Suzuki very inconsistent even between same model bikes.

I have not seen or read this study myself though.
 
crysis said:
I desperately need an F800GS. Its become something of a requirement for my survival. I love their sound, character, and BMWness. However, I want to ask the opinion of a forumite who may have possibly ridden one offroad. How is it on the gravel? Any opinions out there?
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Skip the 800, and go straight for the 1200 :p So many people do that upgrade! However, in really loose stuff (like sand) the 800 will always be better because it is lighter. Everything else that is not tar they seem equally good. On the trips I do they are not common but I rarely see the 800 riders struggle. Then again most of the 1200 guys are not "serious" riders while the 800 guys chose that bike because it is lighter, 21" wheel etc since they understand what is good on the dirt
 
Hamster said:
I actually heard the same thing from guys here in the office during the week, some study or something. Basically Honda and Yamaha quality is very very good and consistent whilst Kawasaki and Suzuki very inconsistent even between same model bikes.

I have not seen or read this study myself though.
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I think you call this water cooler science. Where the subject is brought up by the water cooler in an office, and everyone agrees it's fact. It's not though. Also these people will generally own one of the aforementioned bikes while slagging off the competition to boost their own credibility. Its also called bro science. He owns a bike so it must be true.
 
crysis said:
I think you call this water cooler science. Where the subject is brought up by the water cooler in an office, and everyone agrees it's fact. It's not though. Also these people will generally own one of the aforementioned bikes while slagging off the competition to boost their own credibility. Its also called bro science. He owns a bike so it must be true.
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I tend to agree with you, just saying heard the same thing that guy said. Personally I find I'm one lucky bastid - my stuff never breaks, call centers are generally helpful and takealot never screws up my orders. Others have the worst luck and their Kawasaki's always break (if you get what I'm saying).
 
Hamster said:
I tend to agree with you, just saying heard the same thing that guy said. Personally I find I'm one lucky bastid - my stuff never breaks, call centers are generally helpful and takealot never screws up my orders. Others have the worst luck and their Kawasaki's always break (if you get what I'm saying).
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I think if you treat a bike properly, it will last. Sure you get lemons, but the vast majority of bike failures I've seen are user error.
 
memphis32 said:
Quick question, I'm looking at some brands of bikes, and I'm reading that suzuki doesn't have the best build quality, whereas Honda is the king for build quality... Any of you guys have experience with suzuki, especially the gsxr series?
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Firstly it's not that Suzuki or Kawasaki have bad bikes, and theirs engines are probably the best.

The difference comes in with the little touches like less cable ties used or at least less obviously visible ones.

Honda and Yamaha will often have foam padding on the inside of their fairings for instance while Suzuki and Kawa will just have straight up molded plastic showing.

Generally these things are invisible to everyone but the mechanic working on them.

Honda overall is the "easiest" bike to ride though and generally less extreme. More road friendly if you will.

Kawasaki had a high failure rate at one point, largely due to people pulling wheelies and the sump running dry.

Yamaha over the years have had more recalls (that I know of) than the other three and also tend to break more badly or cost more when they simply fall over.

My own Suzuki GSX-R600 did a rock solid 30000km odd under my ownership without any major drama. The little issue I did have took a while to find and was related to the fuel injector wire pulling out of its crocodile clip. Could have been build quality, could have been ham fisted mechanic. Don't know if many Suzuki's with big issues.

Honda are generally spot on with their perceived quality. Can't recall a single major drama with them in recent years.

Then you have cases like mine where everyone says don't buy a Triumph they have electric/electronic issues. Guess what...none of that but it threw big end bearing at 34500km after being perfect until then except for a paint related problem.

So you really just can't tell.

As long as you don't buy Chinese you'll be fine.

Or my "unreliable American bike" before that in my Buell. Did almost 50000km without spilling a drop of oil or having any major issues. Only warranty claims on that one were wheel and neck bearings.
 
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SauRoNZA said:
Firstly it's not that Suzuki or Kawasaki have bad bikes, and theirs engines are probably the best.

The difference comes in with the little touches like less cable ties used or at least less obviously visible ones.

Honda and Yamaha will often have foam padding on the inside of their fairings for instance while Suzuki and Kawa will just have straight up molded plastic showing.

Generally these things are invisible to everyone but the mechanic working on them.

Honda overall is the "easiest" bike to ride though and generally less extreme. More road friendly if you will.

Kawasaki had a high failure rate at one point, largely due to people pulling wheelies and the sump running dry.

Yamaha over the years have had more recalls (that I know of) than the other three and also tend to break more badly or cost more when they simply fall over.

My own Suzuki GSX-R600 did a rock solid 30000km odd under my ownership without any major drama. The little issue I did have took a while to find and was related to the fuel injector wire pulling out of its crocodile clip. Could have been build quality, could have been ham fisted mechanic. Don't know if many Suzuki's with big issues.

Honda are generally spot on with their perceived quality. Can't recall a single major drama with them in recent years.

Then you have cases like mine where everyone says don't buy a Triumph they have electric/electronic issues. Guess what...none of that but it threw big end bearing at 34500km after being perfect until then except for a paint related problem.

So you really just can't tell.

As long as you don't buy Chinese you'll be fine.

Or my "unreliable American bike" before that in my Buell. Did almost 50000km without spilling a drop of oil or having any major issues. Only warranty claims on that one were wheel and neck bearings.
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So it seems you have to play it by ear with each and every make of bike. I've read that even BMW has their issues, so not just Japanese bikes. I do read many folks saying that mechanically, all the big four are about the same, bar one or 2 cases where things just go wrong.

As was mentioned, where Honda will pad their fairings, and have dedicated wire looms and trails, the other might have them where they need them so to speak, that could lend an appears of a more completed product. I'm just thinking though, if Honda has stronger fairings due to padding of harder compounds, that could mean they body panels stands longer against the elements than the others. That could be a reason why there are so many Hondas around....

I must admit that it's tricky watching videos of test ride on different bikes, as not everyone will pick up the same things. Like the new gsxr 750. Testers report a clunky gearbox, but say it's and excellent bike, Honda testers say the bike is cramped up but rides like a dream... You really have to search long and hard to find the more honest, real world reviews and rides....
 
Fact is every person is individual and therefore no matter how awesome a reviewer says a bike is it might not be compatible with you.

And yes every manufacturer has their issues.

Just like super cars the harder an engine works the more likely it is to fail as it's pushed much harder.

So a BMW boxer based bike is going to outlast an S1000 model etc.
 
Archer said:
Skip the 800, and go straight for the 1200 :p So many people do that upgrade! However, in really loose stuff (like sand) the 800 will always be better because it is lighter. Everything else that is not tar they seem equally good. On the trips I do they are not common but I rarely see the 800 riders struggle. Then again most of the 1200 guys are not "serious" riders while the 800 guys chose that bike because it is lighter, 21" wheel etc since they understand what is good on the dirt
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I'll add to this, had the 800adv and rode the 650 twin (same as the 700). The 800 is very capable, goes bloody well and handles the dirt like a champ. The 21 front does make offroad riding a little easier than a 1200, but on road in the corners, 1200 kills it. Pros for the 800 Adv are it has great fuel economy, long range, lighter than a 1200 and very simple to operate (electronics, ESA and such). But that said, Archer is correct, most of us do the change over to the 1200. The LC 1200 is just so buttery smooth, packed with features, comfortable, powerfull, so perfectly balanced making cornering a dream. The electronics, ESA etc are mind blowing. Even offroad (and I took my 1200Adv across Lesotho twice in one weekend) its just phenomenal. 14 hours in the saddle in one day....

The things I didnt like about the 800 were; tubed tyres, engine vibration (makes your hands tingle), large tank under the seat makes pillion ride difficult when standing, sewing machine sound crap exhaust note.
 
Meeee! Test driving a 690 duke and yami tracer :) I was hoping to test drive the triumph street triple as that is the bike I'm drooling over at the moment but they don't seem to have that as an option...
 
markbdaniels said:
Meeee! Test driving a 690 duke and yami tracer :) I was hoping to test drive the triumph street triple as that is the bike I'm drooling over at the moment but they don't seem to have that as an option...
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Who is they?

And please don't drive them...ride them instead.
 
This weekend I have the Ducati Multistrada S and Ducati Diavel S booked.

The weather doesn't look like it will play along...
 
skeptic_SA said:
:wtf:

http://i.imgur.com/lvPAcVt.webm
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SauRoNZA said:
What is it with people bailing off their bikes for no good reason? All that second oke needed to do was swerve, but instead he jumps off?

Do people teach them this **** or what?
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It's the American 'had to lay her down', 'laid her down last night', 'no choice but to lay her down' BS. I have heard it out of Brits too.

IDIOTS.

If you drop the bike, you cannot steer or use the brakes. Selecting to be in that position, well - that is a bad idea. You do not choose an off.

I personally know of only one excusable elective off...

I saw my brother dump his bike, I was behind him heading up Sir Lowry's Pass (outgoing) we were following another two bikes, the one directly in front of him was is best mate and the mates wife.
The two frontmost bikes braked hard for a troop of baboons just over the top of the pass and he had two choices: run into his best mate and wife from behind or drop his bike and try slide off the road.
Hair raising to say the least, I watched him go down and thought he was fscked for sure. Luckily he got away with a fractured arm and two broken fingers. Bike written off.

Here is what makes this OK in my book: he managed to involve no other motorists in his problems. He chose to risk (and take) injury on his own. Had he run into the other bike(s) everyone would likely have been hurt.

He says that he thinks he tried to lowside by locking his back brake and throwing his weight over but can't actually remember what he did. Happened very fast.
As the nearest observer I can tell you this: it is never a good idea to do this. He slid clear across the two oncoming lanes, I literally thought I was about to watch him die quite horribly. He did the honourable thing but I can't help but wonder if there was some way it could have gone differently had he stayed on the bike and tried to come to a controlled stop.
 
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