Quality - Honda vs. Kawa (and others ?)

[17-CB-002]

I ride my EX in dry (90%) and wet. Just been in the garage to check: absolutely no rust under the fenders after 6y. Could it be that Honda improved their quality with the 17 model ? Would be curious to hear from other EX owners.

Sorry to disappoint you Gecko, mine is a 17' and has rust under both fenders and planned to work on it this spring.

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

I've been a Honda fan forever, but nothing is perfect. I learned to ride on a Honda 350, and it never let me down. My Honda CL450 developed a quirk of running great, then barely running. I futzed with it for weeks and a dealer/mechanic couldn't find a problem, then one day, it was in it's fussy mood. I looked it over, nothing was obvious, until I shined a flashlight between the cylinders at the two carbs. I saw a pieced of a shaft sticking out of the starboard carb. It had a groove in it for a clip. I looked at the port carb, and there it was, the curved piece of metal that linked the carbs together. There was a hole in it for another carb, the starboard one. I got it back in place, but had no clip, and put a hunk of bailing wire in the groove and twisted and trimmed it. Viola! It ran like a Honda again. My current CB1100 developed a slipping clutch and the lever felt odd. I took the cap off the hydraulic reservoir, and the diaphragm was all bunched up in there. I pulled it out, straightened it, put it back, added about a tablespoon of fluid, and all better. I drive a Honda Accord V6 Coupe, my wife drives a CR-V, and I've had Honda generators and outboard engines. Not perfect, but very, very good. If Honda built a biplane, I'd take flying lessons.

[Gone in 60]

Regarding Honda as a brand, nothing will make you more enthusiastic to be a Honda owner than the first five minutes of the Rose Parade. Honda is the main sponsor, and the first few minutes of the parade always features Honda's newest models. This year, people were dancing on a CRV and a DJ was DJ-ing in the bed of a Ridgeline.

I've always had at least one Honda motorcycle in the garage and always will. While I've driven Fords for years (goes with the job), Mrs. G has been a Honda driver since before we met. If Honda sold a bike in the U.S. like a W800 or a Bonneville, I'd get one. The CB1100 was the last "modern classic" we got, so I'm keeping mine.

Last night after work, I went on a long hike to meet up with Mrs. for dinner. Along the way, I passed "dealer row" and strolling into the Honda showroom, the two cars I'd most likely buy for us were sitting next to each other. A dark blue CRV for her, and a Civic SI with manual for me. Got me dreaming for the rest of the walk.

[the Ferret]

No problem on my NC 750 which has plastic fenders lol. I imagine the swingarm and centerstand are susceptible though

[GoldOxide_imp]

... I think on my NC750 the rear shock was exposed to the washing of the rear wheel action.

Did they shroud that up with some plastic on your NC, Ferret?

[Gone in 60]

That was an issue on my GS. But, luckily one of the high-end German accessory suppliers came up with a shroud to solve the problem.
Just a few hundred dollars.

[the Ferret]

... I think on my NC750 the rear shock was exposed to the washing of the rear wheel action.

Did they shroud that up with some plastic on your NC, Ferret?

Nope, it's still wide open to water and dirt.

[GoldOxide_imp]

... I think on my NC750 the rear shock was exposed to the washing of the rear wheel action.

Did they shroud that up with some plastic on your NC, Ferret?

Nope, it's still wide open to water and dirt.

Nope, it's still wide open to water and dirt.

[The Gecko_imp]

I ride my EX in dry (90%) and wet. Just been in the garage to check: absolutely no rust under the fenders after 6y. Could it be that Honda improved their quality with the 17 model ? Would be curious to hear from other EX owners.

Sorry to disappoint you Gecko, mine is a 17' and has rust under both fenders and planned to work on it this spring.

Sorry to disappoint you Gecko, mine is a 17' and has rust under both fenders and planned to work on it this spring.
Let me know if you find a real good solution, pleaee.

[17-CB-002]

I ride my EX in dry (90%) and wet. Just been in the garage to check: absolutely no rust under the fenders after 6y. Could it be that Honda improved their quality with the 17 model ? Would be curious to hear from other EX owners.

Sorry to disappoint you Gecko, mine is a 17' and has rust under both fenders and planned to work on it this spring.

Sorry to disappoint you Gecko, mine is a 17' and has rust under both fenders and planned to work on it this spring.
Let me know if you find a real good solution, pleaee.

Sorry to disappoint you Gecko, mine is a 17' and has rust under both fenders and planned to work on it this spring.
Let me know if you find a real good solution, pleaee.
Planning & Doing are two different things ).