Motorcycle Forums

boybilly

my point was that the japs are currently less prone to recalls and quality issues, or so the common wisdom goes, but im saying that this is their only clear advantage now, so if it starts to slip (like here with the vfr1200) there is no clear reason left to buy a japanese bike over a non-japanese bike. As for the cruisers, HD are number 1 in terms of sales, while the Victory Hammer S is the daddy in terms of quality, performance and handling.

Surprised?

Has everyone forgotten the problems with the latest version of the GoldWing?  Frame welds that broke, heads cast without cooling passages.  We won't even go into the problems with the ST-1300. 

Yes I'm sure that Honda will sort it all out.

In the meantime, the most reliable bike I've ever owned is my '09 KTM, which so far, is just as reliable as my '04 BMW.  The BMW has 5,000 more miles than the Honda it replaced.  Unlike the Honda, the BMW is still using the original clutch, original alternator, and the forks don't leak. 

I wouldn't look anywhere other than Europe for a new bike.

Recall.

I thought they'd recalled them to get em off the road. It's definately one of the ugliest bikes I've ever seen, and deserves a recall just for that! LOL!

VFR1200

I admit when the first pictures were released I was very disappointed. But to be honest I don't mind the looks now. The truly ugly thing about this bike is the sound it makes. It's like garden machinery. If it sounded like the V4's we all know I'm sure there would be more praise for this thing. The new Yamaha R1 has the exact sound I'd expect, and that’s an I4!! If the new VFR sounded like this, I'm sure the whole bike would look better too! ;-)

Shame about the recall, but at least Honda have identified a problem and admitted it. That's got to be reassuring. Same for Toyota. There must be really good people running that company. I'd buy one when I change car just for knowing its a trustworthy company. I'm sure there are plenty of people with other brands who wish they could get a recall for a problem. Doesn't take long reading reviews sites to see that! These sites have certainly put me off certain brands and models!

And?

If that any different from your post? Will Honda sort it out? yes they will, as with all major manufacturers, they have too much to lose from not. The point of the post that you seem to have entirely missed being that all motorcycle manufacturers have and will have teething issues and recalls on all new models, its not an argument to forego a huge number of excellent models from your options when choosing a new bike. As for saying you wouldn't look anywhere but Europe for your new bike, surely any intelligent person chooses the best model available at the time? if you wanted an all out track tool, one year ago you would have bought the Fireblade, now you would have to consider the S1000RR. Same with 600cc nakeds, 10 years ago, Hornet or Bandit, they where your choices, but now you have many more options. But to discount everything from outside of Europe deprives yourself of great bikes. it doesn't make you discerning, different, or sophisticated. If I were to discount every European motorcycle and only buy Japanese motorcycles, I would miss out on the 1050 speed triple & Tiger, the excellent Thunderbird, Ducati Speedfighter, S1000RR, R1200GS, KTM SMT, Moto Guzzi Stelvio, RSV millie & Tuono etc etc etc, but you are missing out on the Blade, R1, CB1000R, ZZR & GTR1400, new Z1000, GL1800, CRF450, Bking, Hayabusa as well as the VFR1200 and all of the coming versions (and having ridden the DCT, i can tell you it is fucking awesome). But then I choose my bikes by what's the best at the time, not by the badge on the tank.