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Best quality motorcycle?

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palmpalm

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I am starting to think seriously about my next bike purchase and overall quality and longevity is something I find myself thinking more and more about (I currently ride a 1980 Honda GL1100i). I know it can be difficulty to compare different types of bikes but I want to compare the build-quality, quality of individual components, and how well the bike stands-up to everyday use. Which bike or bike brand do you, GTAM members, think deserves the "best quality" title? If we were talking about cars Lexus and Porsche would likely be toward the top. When it comes to bikes I think about Honda and BMW. What say you? :) To be clear, I mean to judge based on currently produced bikes, not what was in the past.
 
As soon as you throw reliability in there, I think you are confused, because BMW cars would be nowhere on that list (this is coming from a guy that loves European cars and have owned only Euro cars except for the first one).

You'd be looking at something Japanese most likely in regards to cars and bikes if reliability is a primary factor. I'd have to guess Honda but as far as I've heard all the main Japanese companies (Kawi, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki) are pretty similar for reliability.
 
I didn't say BMW cars are good quality. I said Porsche and Lexus for cars, BMW and Honda for bikes.
unL33T said:
As soon as you throw reliability in there, I think you are confused, because BMW cars would be nowhere on that list (this is coming from a guy that loves European cars and have owned only Euro cars except for the first one).
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palmpalm said:
I didn't say BMW cars are good quality. I said Porsche and Lexus for cars, BMW and Honda for bikes.
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My bad. I misread. Although I wouldn't put Porsche on there either. :p

I have heard good things about BMW's bikes as well.
 
generally things not bult on mondays or fridays tend to be of best quality....

.. your question will only be answered by sweeping generalizations, as apart from 2-3 more exotic brands on wich there may be consensus around their general lack of reliability (even here there will be arguments), there is no such thing as a measure of 'reliability' across an entire brand (esp in the motorcycle world). There are just too much variations in models, components and ODP providers that make up a supply chain for each bike and model.

Perhaps a better way would be is to identify your riding preference/style and some 'must have' features to then ask for opinion on a reliable bike that meets those criteria

Second, dont confuse reliability with strength of the support/supply chain. For example, there are some Aprilia models that (unlike overal opinion of the brand) are rock-solid (notably those with Rotax engines), but should a supporting or secondary part break/have an issue mid summer, you are toast for months without a part.... How fast and how reliably can you deal with any problems on a given model/brand should also be considered... not just 'reliability' of it it not failing.

PS: I'm also floored that you included Porsche in a 'reliable' brand list...
 
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palmpalm said:
Alright, let's go off-topic :p Why don't you guys consider Porsches high quality? http://www.gizmag.com/go/7410/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2011/04/11/Porsche-tops-Forbes-quality-list/UPI-17841302537155/ http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutpor...g=none&pool=international-de&id=2010-06-17-02 http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...ality-study-porsche-and-cadillac-close-behind
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Does "quality" include reliability? I always thought Porsches were low on the reliability list... just like BMW, VW, Audi, etc. Heck, Porsche is owned by VW/Audi and I know VW/Audi are crap as far as reliability is concerned unless you're one of the lucky people that somehow gets one that never has a problem.
 
OP - you arguably ride one of the longest lived bikes ever built.

I'd have to say over 4 decades of riding that Honda would take top honours....both from an owner and observer status tho upfront costs seem high. My 305 Honda Hawk I regretted selling to get a 250 Yamaha. The Hawk was much more durable.

My son's Honda 230 motocross bike was a stronger machine than the Yamaha he got tho the Yammie 250 was much higher stressed motor. The 450 Honda motocross he ended with was well built and reliable for such a highly stressed machine.

Of the three trial bikes the Honda TL125 was most reliable over the Yamaha and Bultaco - hell wish I had a TL now to do forest hikes on :D

That said the Suzuki Burgman 650s I've owned have been zero problems at all - not a single issue in 50k of riding over two machines in 2 years.
One guy took his 42,000 km continuous around Australia also without a single issue and there is one rider with 140,000 miles on his.
First gen of these had some issued but like many models have matured over the years. That complicates your quest.

From a model standpoint the Kawi KLR650s sure have stood the test of time. A 20 year run 1988 to 2008 with only minor changes and reliable enough for the US Marines.

My advice....stick with the Honda marque if you can afford it.
For value for reliability in a middle weight tourer - the Burgman 650 is hard to beat.
Best all around machine I've ever owned and many other owners concur.
http://www.burgmanusa.com/forums/
It's relatively low stress motor combined with a magic transmission seems the ticket.

I notice Honda and BMW are moving into the midrange with automatic category with DCT from Honda which is also offered on the VFR1200 DCT and now moving into the smaller machines.

That new Honda 700 motor with incredible mileage looks to be a winner.

Depends a lot on what you are looking for. Reliability in a midrange bike I think may be harder to achieve as they generally work harder and of course the owner has some play in this.

Some machines may be super reliable if the owner pays close attention.....others can go with minimal supervision.
 
All the Jap makes are the same reliability wise. Honda used to have the massive reputation but the others are equal. BMW has many examples of 500 000 mile machines, Harley does not.
 
Thanks for the reply but perhaps I wasn't clear; while it was my search for a new bike that got me thinking about this, I am not looking for buying advice. I just wanted to see what y'all thought was the best. Also, I wasn't thinking about the best of the past, I meant in terms of current production model bikes which have the best parts, best craftmanship, and the least number of problems.

MacDoc said:
OP - you arguably ride one of the longest lived bikes ever built.

I'd have to say over 4 decades of riding that Honda would take top honours....both from an owner and observer status tho upfront costs seem high. My 305 Honda Hawk I regretted selling to get a 250 Yamaha. The Hawk was much more durable.

My son's Honda 230 motocross bike was a stronger machine than the Yamaha he got tho the Yammie 250 was much higher stressed motor. The 450 Honda motocross he ended with was well built and reliable for such a highly stressed machine.

Of the three trial bikes the Honda TL125 was most reliable over the Yamaha and Bultaco - hell wish I had a TL now to do forest hikes on :D

That said the Suzuki Burgman 650s I've owned have been zero problems at all - not a single issue in 50k of riding over two machines in 2 years.
One guy took his 42,000 km continuous around Australia also without a single issue and there is one rider with 140,000 miles on his.
First gen of these had some issued but like many models have matured over the years. That complicates your quest.

From a model standpoint the Kawi KLR650s sure have stood the test of time. A 20 year run 1988 to 2008 with only minor changes and reliable enough for the US Marines.

My advice....stick with the Honda marque if you can afford it.
For value for reliability in a middle weight tourer - the Burgman 650 is hard to beat.
Best all around machine I've ever owned and many other owners concur.
http://www.burgmanusa.com/forums/
It's relatively low stress motor combined with a magic transmission seems the ticket.

I notice Honda and BMW are moving into the midrange with automatic category with DCT from Honda which is also offered on the VFR1200 DCT and now moving into the smaller machines.

That new Honda 700 motor with incredible mileage looks to be a winner.

Depends a lot on what you are looking for. Reliability in a midrange bike I think may be harder to achieve as they generally work harder and of course the owner has some play in this.

Some machines may be super reliable if the owner pays close attention.....others can go with minimal supervision.
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Burgman 650s are current as are the new 700 Honda's in various forms.

You can only gauge reliability from history and the answer might change depending on the use of the machine,

ie best quality adventure bike etc
 
palmpalm said:
Alright, let's go off-topic :p Why don't you guys consider Porsches high quality? http://www.gizmag.com/go/7410/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2011/04/11/Porsche-tops-Forbes-quality-list/UPI-17841302537155/ http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutpor...g=none&pool=international-de&id=2010-06-17-02 http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...ality-study-porsche-and-cadillac-close-behind
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I would imagine the Porsche owner puts very few miles on the Porcshe, putting the majority of wear on their other vehicle? Tough to gage reliability if it's not used.
 
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Can't beat a Honda in this category.
 
palmpalm said:
Alright, let's go off-topic :p Why don't you guys consider Porsches high quality? http://www.gizmag.com/go/7410/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2011/04/11/Porsche-tops-Forbes-quality-list/UPI-17841302537155/ http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutpor...g=none&pool=international-de&id=2010-06-17-02 http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...ality-study-porsche-and-cadillac-close-behind
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Google "porsche ims failure". 'Nuff said.

Anyway, the question is too broad, because every single manufacturer has certain spectacularly good models and they ALL have their share of stinkers. More commonly, the vehicle as a whole is good except for certain specific known issues (Honda CBR600 timing chain tensioners, Honda CBR1000 oil consumption problems, 2004 (and that year only) Kawasaki ZX10R alternator bearings and couplings, Yamaha FZR voltage regulators, etc etc.)

Most bikes these days will last longer than their owners are willing to keep them on the road.
 
Gummiente said:
Yeah, that's a realistic yardstick to base a purchase on. Get real. :rolleyes:
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LOL. You know I just wanted to see what kind of response that got. You were more polite than I deserved.
 
FitzR6 said:
Can't beat a Honda in this category.
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I keep hearing this parroted but have yet to see any proof. And I mean from the past 10 to 20 years. Give me a link to some proof of this statement.
 
Just stick the Honda, it's a no-brainer.
 
RedDogDarren said:
I keep hearing this parroted but have yet to see any proof. And I mean from the past 10 to 20 years. Give me a link to some proof of this statement.
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Having owned Yamaha's, Suzuki's, Kawasaki's and Honda's I can tell you the build quality is most definitely more apparent on the Honda's vs the other three. The main areas I notice this most in is in the plastics and wiring. Attention to detail shines through when the plastics are more durable and resist cracking. Then when you look at wiring clips and fasteners are more durable and sheathing is more common over electrical tape and zip ties. It's small details but when you start really paying attention it's very noticeable.
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