Quality - Honda vs. Kawa (and others ?)

[Tev62]

Quality and Reliability issues also depend on the type of bike. There are so many retro styled bikes out there with very low mileage, the CB included, which just don't do enough to tax the bike to uncover potential issues. There are a handful with very high mileage of course but these don't represent a large enough sample. My CB just starts and runs and I expect no problems over the years, it is after all electronically simple. But the engine paint is awful on it and this bike would look a mess if I was to regularly use it during the winter.

[Ollie]

Most who I know in the business feel Honda and Yamaha are a bit above Suzuki and Kawasaki when it comes to quality. I'm trying to think back to what problems related to quality of design or manufacturing I've had with the 4 Japanese motorcycle manufacturers? About the only one was Kawasaki KLR 650 (I had 2, 1997 and 2008) with a poorly designed counter-balancer system that is well known, and just poor assembly on the 2008 which I believe was when they first started making them in Thailand. Numerous wiring connectors were not fully seated and the the head bearing seal was buggered up allowing water ingress to rust the bearing.
I've had no problems with newer BMW's or Moto Guzzi's but my 1993 BMW Airhead is a different matter...

[Yata-Garasu_imp]

My most used Craigslist search terms tell the story...

Honda
Yamaha
Kawasaki
Suzuki
Triumph
Enfield

I prefer Japanese and British style bikes.

BMW, Harley, and the various Italian makers don't even register on my radar. I'd be happy if someone gave me one of those bikes, but I don't feel compelled to shop those other brands.

[The Gecko_imp]

All your answers are interesting, but just to mention ...
@pdedse : ROFL
@Alain : thanks for this interesting reference, can't wait to get my hands on it.

[The Gecko_imp]

For those who wondered how to (not) define quality,
here is a nice example
https://www.z900rs.co.uk/index.php/topic,6401.0.html

[GoldOxide_imp]

Rust happens to the best of things. Tis' a part of nature.

But yes, more effort could have been considered for sumthin' this far deep in the 21st century.

[Cormanus]

Critical bits of motorcycles should be designed and built to be as rust proof as possible. To be fit for purpose, a motorcycle has to be able to get as wet as sustained riding in a downpour can make it. That Z900RS tank isn't fit for purpose. Nor are bits of the CB1100. They rust too easily. In my view, that equals poor quality. That's not to say the entire bike is low quality, but Honda has certainly scrimped here and there.

[GoldOxide_imp]

... rust enough and just in time to consider the next sexy Honda (or Kawasaki) in the showroom.

[Whoops]

Critical bits of motorcycles should be designed and built to be as rust proof as possible. To be fit for purpose, a motorcycle has to be able to get as wet as sustained riding in a downpour can make it. That Z900RS tank isn't fit for purpose. Nor are bits of the CB1100. They rust too easily. In my view, that equals poor quality. That's not to say the entire bike is low quality, but Honda has certainly scrimped here and there.

The chrome fenders come to mind first. Took mine off a few weeks ago just to see. Made me a bit sad.

[Ollie]

For anyone who yet hasn't, I strongly suggest removing the front fender to clean and treat the rust on the under side of it.