02-13-2014, 12:16 AM
I'm a bit confused my self. Given proper maintenance and not abused most bikes will live well beyond 100,000 miles. Alas, we don't have the hard facts to back up our arguments one way or the other, just a few data points from personal experience. Which is better than nothing I suppose but don't and can't show what the general trend is for the life of modern motorcycles.
But from what I saw at the Honda shop I worked at in the early 80's and what I hear about from fellow riders on the Guzzi site; bikes are better made now than then. BMW might be the exception. Looks like they got too clever by half and forgot their roots. From what I see in the market place today; you will have to try real hard to find a stinker in the lot. Even the "bad" ones are typically much better than what was produced in the 70's. Not saying they are trouble free nor easy and cheap to fix compared to back then, but electronic ignition is heads above points and condensors. EFI has it all over carbs. Frames and tires from back then can't hold a candle to current kit.
That said, seats may be the only thing that has gone backwards. Looks are subjective and what looks good for one generation will be different than a different generation; but there are damn few bikes that look good to my eye. Transformers have an influence that I find difficult to explain. I'm ready for it to pass.
But from what I saw at the Honda shop I worked at in the early 80's and what I hear about from fellow riders on the Guzzi site; bikes are better made now than then. BMW might be the exception. Looks like they got too clever by half and forgot their roots. From what I see in the market place today; you will have to try real hard to find a stinker in the lot. Even the "bad" ones are typically much better than what was produced in the 70's. Not saying they are trouble free nor easy and cheap to fix compared to back then, but electronic ignition is heads above points and condensors. EFI has it all over carbs. Frames and tires from back then can't hold a candle to current kit.
That said, seats may be the only thing that has gone backwards. Looks are subjective and what looks good for one generation will be different than a different generation; but there are damn few bikes that look good to my eye. Transformers have an influence that I find difficult to explain. I'm ready for it to pass.