New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
I’ve owned shaft drive Honda’s, Like the CX as well as shaft drive BMW’s. It’s perplexing how Honda, who came later to the shaft drive design, can make one that easily last 100,000’s of miles. But, BMW, exclusively using shaft drive for decades, can’t design a reliable system. Rant over.
I definitely prefer Japanese motorcycles, but I have also owned a BMW, a few Triumphs and now ride a Guzzi. I had actually decided to buy a Honda, but when the one I wanted had been sold, I decided to go for the Roamer. The two did not even compete, as they were made for different uses, so it was a bit of an odd choice. I choice I am very happy to have made, because it is a very relaxing motorcycle to be on. But my somewhat upgraded 41 year old Yamaha is outperforming my Guzzi in many areas. It is faster, the suspension is both more comfortable and bottom out less, and there is more cornering clearance. There is also a lot less noise from the drive train. Front brake, though, are a LOT worse, the engine vibrates more and it is a much heavier bike.
I've never been a Honda fan, more than a few models seem over-rated to me. That said, like many riders I started out on a series of Z50 Mini-Trails (most bought as "barn finds" and fixed up), and I owned a CL100 when I was 14 and that was great fun. That was my last one except for a CB350F that I "saved" from rotting away under a tarp, and a Z50 that I fixed up - both sold as soon as they were done. Honda has made a few models over the years that have appealed to me: I considered buying a leftover VFR1000R in '86 instead of a Le Mans 1000, I'd like to try an NT650 Hawk GT and GB500. Lately I've become quite interested in the 2023 XR150L - the simplicity and low cost are appealing to me.
I always admired the risky models Yamaha produced, many of which did not sell in great enough numbers to survive.
I like the looks of the Yamaha more than the Roamer. Not sure I would say that if the Yamaha was stock.
Comparing bikes that have age differences of decades? Not doubt most of the criticism would be applicable to both us and our spouses.I remember my wife saying how much difference there was when she moved from a 1976 Kawasaki KE175 to a 1994 Suzuki DR350. I replied "Yeah. The motorcycle manufacturers have made a lot of progress in the last 18 years."
I assume you are referring to the later bikes. My 84 RT airhead went over 220,000 miles with the all original drivetrain including the U Joint when I sold it. My ‘76 LeMans needed a U Joint at 20k. Pete
Just as some bikes age better than others, there are people stronger and more fit today at the age of 70 than many current 20 year old individuals. Not sure if I make sense here at all with my attempt at analogies, but I would not be surprised if a 1973 V7 Sport would go faster around a race track than an 883 Sportster, and that would make it viable and interesting to compare them in my personal opinion Just as I would get a kick out of watching a 70 year old beat an average 20 year old in athletic challenges
Me too! The TX750, the TX/XS500, the XZ550, the XS750/850, the shaft drive Secas aimed directly at the sport bike (for its time) market, the RD250/350 L/C, the FJ1100 with 16 in wheels, the TDR250 and TDM850/900, the SZR660, the SRX-6, the TRX850 - yes, they have been bolder than the competition many times. Some failed, some succeded, most remembered.
Thank you, I take that as a compliment If you mean that we change over the decades, you are of course right. Some more than others Just as some types of bikes change more than others. A Harley Sportster from 1973 will be less apart from a 2023 Sportster than a 1973 V7 Sport from a 2023 GSX-R750. Just as some bikes age better than others, there are people stronger and more fit today at the age of 70 than many current 20 year old individuals. Not sure if I make sense here at all with my attempt at analogies, but I would not be surprised if a 1973 V7 Sport would go faster around a race track than an 883 Sportster, and that would make it viable and interesting to compare them in my personal opinion Just as I would get a kick out of watching a 70 year old beat an average 20 year old in athletic challenges
I am obviously entering dangerous territory here, but MOTORRAD magazine have done long term tests since the 1970s, everything from 25k km (16k mi) to 100k km (64k mi) before taking the bikes completely apart before measuring wear and damage to every part, from the valves to the suspenion.A surprising amount of the old airheads needed new valves and valve seats before reaching 16k miles. The primary cause was of course that, with no speed limits, they spent hours with their throttle pinned, but this also show that they could not take the punishment. Also, several of these airheads - and later oilheads and multis - destroyed their gearboxes and/or final drives, and damaged clutches, either from broken springs or sheared splines or oil ingress from a leaking output engine seal, have also been common. Again, on everything from the R75/5 until quite recent models.The drive train issues were mostly down to poor quality control, the valve was a design issue. The majority of Beemers would go on for a long, long time, but their rate of catastrophic mechanical failures far surpassed that of the Japanese brands.I also recall one of the very limited long term tests MOTORRAD did on a Moto Guzzi, Le Mans II, printed in issue 4, 1981, that was ridden 25k km. One reader said of his Le Mans that it was "kein japanischer Einhetsschrott" (no uniform Japanese crap). The statement got him a lot of flak from other readers in the following issue because of how the test bike fared.Average fuel consumption: 7.13 l / 100 km (33 mpg) (average reader value: 6.4 l / 100 km [36.8 mpg])Average oil consumption per 1000 km: 0.8 liter (ARV: 0.35)Service report: (numbers = how many km from new the bike had traveled at the time)676: Spark plug cap replaced1110: Number plate destroyed from vibrations2268: Fuel tank replaced due to a leak2928: Engine vent hose spewed oil directly onto the rear tire3782: Both cylinders and -heads removed and inspected due to high oil consumption, both pistons and rings replaced, cylinders bored, two valves lapped in, carbs and ignition adjusted3782: Both tires renewed, engine oil renewed, 3 bulbs replaced3848: Rev counter went out, return spring on sides stand broke4872: Oil leak from the RHS head gasket4970: Cylinder heads torqued down, valves adjusted, rev counter cable replaced5366: Two bulbs replaced5932: RHS throttle cable broken, replaced6654: Rear tire replaced7715: Single bulb replacement8831: Two bulbs replaced9886: Side stand return spring broke10036: Center stand broke in half, one bulb replaced10292: Center stand welded, oil change for engine and transmission, brake fluid change, new brake pads rear, two new bulbs10292: Rear tire replaced10843: RHS carb loose, tightened11323: Throttle cable replaced, headlight flash switch defect12231: Three bulbs replaced13630: Tank lid cover lock defect14401: Both tires replaced, new engine oil, brakes tested16030: Two bulbs replaced19080: Speedo cable replaced21350: New rear tire22102: New complete headlight due to vibration damage22489: Throttle cables replaced23750: One bulb replaced25198: Test finished,bike dismantledFindings:Compression higher than when newBoth pistons and piston rings shot (no air filter)Valve stem to valve guide clearances much too bigClutch thickness right at the wear limitPaint on fuel tank in particular badVery rusty exhaust system (after just 9 months on the road)A number of readers reported about the tank lid lock issueMost owners complained about rust and poor finish. One unlucky owner experienced paint flaking after just 500 km, another rust after just 800 km.About 1/3 of the owners experience electrical gremlins, mostly stator or rotor related in addition to bad connectorsStock exhaust robbed a lot of power between 3000 and 5000 rpm, 2/3 of the owners fitted Lafranconis that solved this (illegally)Many complained about high speed instability issues, a few even crashed due to this, one at 130 mphRear shocks too short and too soft; two-up, the rear wheel would hit the inner fenderTwo riders experienced ruined U-jointsTwo riders experienced the loss of piston cir-clip that cause the piston pin to destroy itself, the piston and the cylinder
As my late father often said: "some people can break anything".
Pretty sure a 73 V7 Sport would beat an 883 Harley and likely a modern 750 V7 Guzzi as well. 850 V7 would make it a race. Pete
My ‘84 Beemer had valve train issues but not driveshaft issues that you first referred to. I would not call my ‘84 BMW particularly reliable but driveshafts were not one of its problems.Pete
the looks on the faces of the 20 somethings on their 120+ horsepower bikes when they realize they have been following a moderately skilled 60 something rider on a 35 horsepower motorcycle thru the curves is a wonder to behold.
Interesting. Thanks for posting. Most of the BMW owners I have known (both car and motorcycle) have been very disappointed in build quality and how they have been treated by BMW dealers.
BMWConsumer Reports found that 40% of new BMWs require fairly serious repair within four years. While riders do find BMW motorcycles to be less reliable overall, this figure may be skewed by two things: Consumer Reports readers are more likely to prefer and buy BMW motorcycles and these bikes are usually ridden for more miles than, say, Kawasaki and Suzuki bikes which may skew the results.However, 68% of owners would buy a BMW again. That’s a higher customer satisfaction rate than Yamaha, ranked the most reliable motorcycle. A luxury brand with a lot of technology and sophisticated engineering, a BMW bike also comes with more things that can go wrong. Keep in mind that not only are you probably more likely to need repairs, BMW motorcycles are more expensive to repair and maintain than brands like Honda.
As my late father often said: "some people can break anything". The above list of issues proves just that.
My two sons were sharing an apartment at University. Both had M1 licensing. I bought them a used Honda CH80 scooter to get around. #1 son rode it a lot. #2 son never. I urged them to keep up the maintenance. One day #1 decided to change the oil and drained away. But he didn't have any replacement and would get some tomorrow. Guess which day #2 decided to go for a ride. Tow it home dad.Many hours of twisting the seized crank and pouring various solvents down the plug hole. Eventually got it turning enough to start and run. It was a little weak and smoked some, but we're back on the road.Now boys, you've scored the cylinder. Its going to consume and burn oil so pay attention. Each assumed the other would check the oil.Ran it dry until Seize Incident #2. Tow it home dad.Again many hours of twisting the crank and solvents in the plug hole. On the road again. Sold it away when they left school. To my knowledge it is still smoking its way around Santa Cruz.Patrick HayesFremont CA
back in the day, the version I heard was "That guy could tear up an anvil!"
a lot of the items on the above list don't seem to be failed items, but just normal wear items.
Honda makes a great lawn mower.
I’m definitely a Euro bike guy, but I love my SR500. We owe so much to the Japanese for their contributions to motorcycle technology. And Huzo, you asked quite a bit of that Honda 90 and it gave you that and more. That level of quiet reliability has its own romanticism.
