Most reliable manufacturer?

[MJC-DEV]

It is a lot to do with how they are looked after but worst for build quality was Yamaha (XZ550 1981), Suzuki (GS500 1991) and Kawa (ER5 1996) best was Suzuki (GSX750F 1989 & 1991) and kawa (GPZ550 1989) so it more seems more related to price when new i.e has it been built down to a low price. None of these ever broke down on me (well, the XZ550 only once). I personally like Suzuki & Honda based on past experience. The SV is much better than the ER5 bty.

Mates 996 lasted 3/4 trackday before that had to be retired (just been serviced)

The same mate took his 888 to the next trackday and that lasted 3/4 day before that had to be retired too.

He now has a GSXR 750 for trackdays

[littleoldman2]

Originally Posted by hardhat_harry

Mates 996 lasted 3/4 trackday before that had to be retired (just been serviced)

The same mate took his 888 to the next trackday and that lasted 3/4 day before that had to be retired too.

He now has a GSXR 750 for trackdays

What went wrong with them?

Both rumbly engines and the guy is a mechanic who runs his own shop.

He did tell me at the time what the issues were, and both repairs were a bit expensive even for just the parts.

He still loves his Ducatis though, he has a 851, 888, 748 (2 I think) and a 996.

I'm liking all the replies, thanks guys.

I have a CG125 and it's been extremely reliable so far, over 24k from new (07 model). Only major problem I ever had was that one of the starter motor brushes kept getting stuck and it wouldn't turn, so I just replaced the brushes and their holder.

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

Good morning all.


In my experience, most Jap bikes from the nineties, are more reliable than their post 2000 counterparts. Honda & Yamaha had the edge then.

Post 2000 stuff is littered with electronics which cause reliability issues.

Funny that. At work we break bikes and sell the parts on ebay - mainly higher mileage scruffy stuff we've taken in px that won't retail without spending all the prospective profit to make them decent. The last things to sell on ebay are the electronics boxes and sensors... mainly because they don't go wrong. Also at work I deal with warranty claims for Kawasakis - electronics woes are the least of our problems. I've had to replace one ABS pump on a 1400GTR that worked but kept causing the ABS light to stay lit and a few coil sticks on ER6s that ha corroded internally causing the case to split. I wouldn't class either as electronics; in the case of the ABS pump it's a mechanical item and the coil sticks are more electrical than electronic. Aside from those I don't recall ever having to replace anything electronic.

Seriously, I have boxes of CDI units and all manner of electronics sitting around for a fair few very popular post 2000 models and we can't shift them even at give away prices cos they are never needed.

To break it down, Honda VFR 750? Many bikes more reliable than that?

My riding instructor had been riding his for donkeys years.

If you have XT600 CDI units Lozzo, get them on ebay and they'll disappear.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

If you have XT600 CDI units Lozzo, get them on ebay and they'll disappear.

I may know someone who would possibly take a frame if you've got a straight one

We'll be breaking a Gauloise blue/yellow 1986 XT600 Tenere like this one very soon.



Frame is straight and it was a decent runner when we took it in.

Only reason it's being broken is it's too old to retail and give a 6 month warranty on under the Sale of Goods Act. Same goes for the immaculate 1991 VFR750FM that's lined up for breaking.