As will probably come as no surprise to most members of this forum, Honda (and other Japanese brands) ranked among the top 3 motorcycle makers in reliability.
American brands were mid-pack followed by Brits, Italians, and Germans.
Kinda glad now I didn't go for that Thruxton.
The Can-Am rated lowest in handling? You don't say?
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magaz.../index.htm
All brands can make cars last a very long time, but it is not good for economy
Reliability is number one on my list when looking for a bike. I use motorcycles for daily transportation and I don't have the time, resources or patience to be repairing stuff beyond the normal consumables (i.e. tires, oil, brake pads...)
I started out on reliable Japanese bikes. In my naive youth, I wandered into the world of American and British made bikes, looking to increase my "cool factor" (note : this was in the early 80s). I was horrified at the difference in reliability. I went from never having been stranded on the side of the road, to that being a regular (and embarrasing) occurrence. I happily returned to the world of ultra reliable, but less cool Japanese bikes. No regrets.
My attempt at cool was an 81 Kawasaki KZ550 Ltd. Dang seat nearly killed my bum. Should have bought the standard or the Gpz version.
But that wasn't cool.
The Griso and CB1100 were bought because they looked cool, not because I look cool on them (I'm pretty sure I reduce their cool factor when sitting on them
).
It was pretty reliable, the CJ360T was too. So far the CB1100 has been too. The 650L, not so much.
My CB1100 has been in the shop for 5 days now, and I bought it new 3 weeks ago. My Triumph Scrambler (Thruxton's sister) has 7K, and has never been in the shop... My '08 Harley Sportster 883 was bullet proof. I'm sure the CB will get better, but for my first Honda, I have yet to be impressed. My '13 Accord has had complete new brake, including rotors, and calipers under warranty, new rugs after 5k (hole through), and a new fan motor blower.
(04-08-2015, 11:55 AM)Flynrider_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Reliability is number one on my list when looking for a bike. I use motorcycles for daily transportation and I don't have the time, resources or patience to be repairing stuff beyond the normal consumables (i.e. tires, oil, brake pads...)
I started out on reliable Japanese bikes. In my naive youth, I wandered into the world of American and British made bikes, looking to increase my "cool factor" (note : this was in the early 80s). I was horrified at the difference in reliability. I went from never having been stranded on the side of the road, to that being a regular (and embarrasing) occurrence. I happily returned to the world of ultra reliable, but less cool Japanese bikes. No regrets.
car or motorcycle have been around for a long time, it is absurb that some fail repeatly. Ford Victoria have 2 versions, one for consumer the other for police. The police version have much larger radiator to make the car engine last much longer, why don't they make it for consumer version? Japanese car / motorcycle make other makers more honest to their customer.
It is all economic reason - even in Japan, you can't register an old car, must buy new car.
(04-08-2015, 01:01 PM)Ghis_imp Wrote: [ -> ]My CB1100 has been in the shop for 5 days now, and I bought it new 3 weeks ago. My Triumph Scrambler (Thruxton's sister) has 7K, and has never been in the shop... My '08 Harley Sportster 883 was bullet proof. I'm sure the CB will get better, but for my first Honda, I have yet to be impressed. My '13 Accord has had complete new brake, including rotors, and calipers under warranty, new rugs after 5k (hole through), and a new fan motor blower.
Wow sorry you are having issues with your Hondas Ghis. FWIW my Bonneville clutch went out on way home from 600 mile service and a couple weeks later a spoke broke taking out rear wheel, hub, rear master cyl and rotor. All covered under warranty by Triumph of course.
I have had 9 Honda cars,van,suv,truck. None have failed to go over 200,000 miles and a couple have gone over 300,000 with only normal maintenance. No unexpected repairs. My wife's current Accord just turned over 205,000 the other day. 1 set of front brakes and rotors, a battery, some filters, windshield wipers, tires, 1 muffler from the cat back, 1 tune up, and lots of oil changes. That's it. She plans on retiring in 2 or 3 years and plans on driving this car until she retires, at which point she plans to buy another Accord with money she has already saved.
I have also had 9 Honda motorcycles. None have had issues other than a couple of thermostats on my ST 1300 ( first one covered under warranty) and none have failed to bring me back home.
Any car/ motorcycle can have issues. I wish none of them did. I had a new Chevy truck that cost a boatload, and 2 Dodges all of which I would have happily rolled over a cliff, while others swear by the Chevys and Dodges including my brother who won't drive anything but a Dodge. Luck of the draw I guess. I trust when yours gets straightened out, they will be among the best vehicles you have ever owned.
Fingers crossed
(04-09-2015, 12:06 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (04-08-2015, 01:01 PM)Ghis_imp Wrote: [ -> ]My CB1100 has been in the shop for 5 days now, and I bought it new 3 weeks ago. My Triumph Scrambler (Thruxton's sister) has 7K, and has never been in the shop... My '08 Harley Sportster 883 was bullet proof. I'm sure the CB will get better, but for my first Honda, I have yet to be impressed. My '13 Accord has had complete new brake, including rotors, and calipers under warranty, new rugs after 5k (hole through), and a new fan motor blower.
Wow sorry you are having issues with your Hondas Ghis. FWIW my Bonneville clutch went out on way home from 600 mile service and a couple weeks later a spoke broke taking out rear wheel, hub, rear master cyl and rotor. All covered under warranty by Triumph of course.
I have had 9 Honda cars,van,suv,truck. None have failed to go over 200,000 miles and a couple have gone over 300,000 with only normal maintenance. No unexpected repairs. My wife's current Accord just turned over 205,000 the other day. 1 set of front brakes and rotors, a battery, some filters, windshield wipers, tires, 1 muffler from the cat back, 1 tune up, and lots of oil changes. That's it. She plans on retiring in 2 or 3 years and plans on driving this car until she retires, at which point she plans to buy another Accord with money she has already saved.
I have also had 9 Honda motorcycles. None have had issues other than a couple of thermostats on my ST 1300 ( first one covered under warranty) and none have failed to bring me back home.
Any car/ motorcycle can have issues. I wish none of them did. I had a new Chevy truck that cost a boatload, and 2 Dodges all of which I would have happily rolled over a cliff, while others swear by the Chevys and Dodges including my brother who won't drive anything but a Dodge. Luck of the draw I guess. I trust when yours gets straightened out, they will be among the best vehicles you have ever owned.
Fingers crossed
the worse thing can happen when you are stuck with failed motorcycle at night in a remote area where cell phone can't be used