Author Topic: General stereotypes about different Japanese makes? (Read 2685 times)

GroovieGhoulie · « **on:** February 08, 2006, 11:38:50 AM »

Are there any general differences/stereoypes between Japanese makes that you can point out to people who ask the difference? Most Japanese bikes look similar (especially today, I damn near can't tell 'em apart in all thier plasticky glory) and I'm wondering if there are any general stereotypes.

Anyway, does each make have it's own peculiar strengths and weaknesses, like "Kawasaki's are real fast in a straight line, but Hondas handle better, Suzukis tend have a cramped riding position and forget getting parts for a Yamaha", for example?

Or is each make nearly interchangeable as far as performance, feel and styling, the only difference being the name on the side? I mean they all LOOK the same...

ElCheapo · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2006, 12:29:48 PM »

I would have to say 80's Suzukis and Kawasaki's are worthless in bits. If one becomes parts, you will almost have to pay someone to haul it all off for you. You cant give the damn parts away. The same part for a same year and size is worth at least tripple on a Honda. ALL of my Yamaha customers to date have been a pain in the ass. They frequently make me want to kill something fuzzy. In conclusion=Hondas rule the metric bike market.

Something else is just that, something else.

Harley's hate to ride them. Shake worse than tractor missing a piston. Love to part them out.

It never ceases to amaze me with what these round heads will pay for parts. You could stick one in a shredder, burn it, and then smash it all back together and some idiot would give you more than you would be willing to pay for a running bike.

I like stupid people

They make me rich

Buffo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2006, 01:47:56 PM »

Hondas are the Golden Retriever of the sport bike world. Very ridable and forgiving but at the same time Kawasaki and Suzuki have left them in the dust with their speed machines...Kawasaki now makes a 1400cc supersport bike! That means that next year we may se a 1600 'busa...

Darwinism at work?

But in all honesty, today all of the big 4 super sportbikes are so good (handling and speed wise) that i would be willing to bet that 90% of the riders on the road today would not be able to use any of them to 50% of the bikes potential.

Jonesy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2006, 02:38:44 PM »

I heard the problem with finding parts for the Yammys is that they kept changing the designs so often that there was never really a good surplus of parts produced for service work in later years. The parts ran out quick.

ElCheapo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2006, 02:41:30 PM »

1600 Busa?

Just crazy....

6pkrunner · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:41:08 PM »

In the late 1960's and up through the 1980s there were quite large differences between the makes as far as quality and engineering. That has narrowed considerably today - well for the Japanese bikes anyway. That I have no interest in the new bikes could be a large influence in that feeling. I don't give a passing glance to any new bike. Sad, but true.

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:47:56 PM »

Quote from: 6pkrunner on February 08, 2006, 03:41:08 PM

In the late 1960's and up through the 1980s there were quite large differences between the makes as far as quality and engineering. That has narrowed considerably today - well for the Japanese bikes anyway. That I have no interest in the new bikes could be a large influence in that feeling. I don't give a passing glance to any new bike. Sad, but true.

What would you say those differences were? I am insanely interested.

dusterdude · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2006, 04:09:18 PM »

Quote from: ElCheapo on February 08, 2006, 12:29:48 PM

I would have to say 80's Suzukis and Kawasaki's are worthless in bits. If one becomes parts, you will almost have to pay someone to haul it all off for you. You cant give the damn parts away. The same part for a same year and size is worth at least tripple on a Honda. ALL of my Yamaha customers to date have been a pain in the ass. They frequently make me want to kill something fuzzy. In conclusion=Hondas rule the metric bike market. Something else is just that, something else.

Harley's hate to ride them. Shake worse than tractor missing a piston. Love to part them out. It never ceases to amaze me with what these round heads will pay for parts. You could stick one in a shredder, burn it, and then smash it all back together and some idiot would give you more than you would be willing to pay for a running bike.

I like stupid people They make me rich

cheapo,if you`re giving away kaws,ill take a kz750 or a 1000.

Gibson · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2006, 05:36:06 PM »

Suzuki dirtbike's from the 70's are real hard to get part's for i have a TC-185 2 stroke motor that is worth rebuilding but I can't find a rod for it annywhere.

BobbyR · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2006, 05:46:01 PM »

The Kawasakis were very fast but very lightly built bikes. I have a KZ440 and the frame is identical for the most part to the guy down the streets kz900. They braced a few things, but we could swap parts. My Honda CB750 is more sturdy, and it is really as fast as I need. The Harley V Rod is the only one that gives me some problems 0-70.

Lary · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2006, 07:03:13 PM »

You know that 98% of the Harley's made are still out on the road! Only 2% have made it home!!!!! LOL!!!

mrbreeze · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:24:26 PM »

Hey Duster... so is Cheapo really givin away Kawis? Sign me up for some of those 900's!!!!

DCopp · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2006, 06:26:34 AM »

Quote from: ElCheapo on February 08, 2006, 12:29:48 PM

I would have to say 80's Suzukis and Kawasaki's are worthless in bits.

I'm sure that there are lots of GS1100 owners who would love to debate that...That bike still is amazing for dragging...did you see the one on "pink slips" on Speed TV???

ElCheapo · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:08:58 AM »

Quote from: dusterdude on February 08, 2006, 04:09:18 PM

Quote from: ElCheapo on February 08, 2006, 12:29:48 PM
I would have to say 80's Suzukis and Kawasaki's are worthless in bits. If one becomes parts, you will almost have to pay someone to haul it all off for you. You cant give the damn parts away. The same part for a same year and size is worth at least tripple on a Honda. ALL of my Yamaha customers to date have been a pain in the ass. They frequently make me want to kill something fuzzy. In conclusion=Hondas rule the metric bike market. Something else is just that, something else.

Harley's hate to ride them. Shake worse than tractor missing a piston. Love to part them out. It never ceases to amaze me with what these round heads will pay for parts. You could stick one in a shredder, burn it, and then smash it all back together and some idiot would give you more than you would be willing to pay for a running bike.

I like stupid people They make me rich
cheapo,if you`re giving away kaws,ill take a kz750 or a 1000.

This goes for the sizes under 750. Like the 80's 440 Kaw LTD- Popular but worthless in my experience unless it is complete. Some 750's are worth something and some are worthless. Anything in a 1000 is worth easy cash

AS WELL AS THE 1100's ;DI do have a ?? older Kaw 750 with title and all the goods except the keys

I would sell cheap just so I dont have to part it. I would make it worth the trip.

Gibson · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2006, 05:27:58 PM »

I seen the GS 1100 on ''pink's'' on speed I'd get one if i had the chance. I rebuilt a Kawi KH 100-E streetbike for a 100cc you wouldn't belive how quick it is.

toycollector10 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2006, 09:33:04 PM »

I was on a group run recently but wasn't sure of the route so asked around. "just follow the oil slick comming from those Harleys" one wit said..

JonnyHonda · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2006, 11:56:03 AM »

The problem with modern bikes is there is no development, ok the latest plastic coated rocket can do 0-100 in under 3 seconds, but all modern bikes of there class look the same. The '70's and '80s have gave us some great bikes, Yamaha gave us the 350LC, Kawasaki, the Z900 and Z1000, and the KH triples, Suzuki the kettles, and of course Honda the SOHC. All of theses brought some thing to the motorcycle.

Can the same be said of these lastest machines?, Not in my opinion.

Oh apart from Honda's new CB1300, now that's retro

bill440cars · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2006, 01:00:32 PM »

JohnnyHonda,
I agree with you. I would like to add a few others though. Yamaha RD350 (before LC),
Kawasaki 350 twins (A7 and A8, is that right? Can't remember) & Suzuki X6 Hustlers Pretty good
runners!! That's all I've got for now, Bill

Japbikemike · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2006, 04:37:57 PM »

Suzuki T-500 Titan, not as scary as a Kawasaki H-1/2, weight to horsepower ratio made it a nice little road racer.
I even liked the Triumph like luggage rack on the gas tank.

ofreen · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2006, 08:02:29 AM »

Here's my 2 cents worth about older Japanese motorcycles.

The big difference between Honda and the other three Japanese companies was that, until recently, Honda supported their old models with parts. Because of this, parts availability was and is pretty good, even for some obscure models. Unfortunately, they decided a few years ago to not to support models older than 1971, so now supplies of new parts are drying up for the old stuff. I believe Honda had the resources to be a little better about having the bugs out of their products before they were released. There were exceptions, of course.

Yamaha is the worst for parts availability, in my experience. I had a '93 600 Seca that I got for my wife that I had trouble getting parts for in 1996. I sold it soon after. If Yamaha doesn't care about their bikes, why should I?

It looks to me like Honda's fit and finish on older bikes was a couple cuts above their competition. I've seen a lot of KZ and GPZ Kawasakis with some hideous welds, lots of spatter and undercutting. More care is taken with welds on a typical tractor.

Suzuki had their problems, but has always come up with some great bikes even though they didn't have the resources (money) that the other three did. They weren't afraid to try something different. They have always had some interesting engineering.

Mopar_Tony_SF · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2006, 05:21:05 PM »

During "the day" day from my experience with street racing, there was a distinct character among the big jap sport bikes.

Kaw Z1 / KZ1000 pretty much beat everybody. Seems parts were plentiful and they were easy to make go fast. I think this had to do with so many of them being out there. Many of these were half-a$$ put together but in most cases this got the job done (winning races). I always saw a lots of pot smoke coming from the kawi 4 banger guys. Rough crowd.

The typical exception to this was somebody running a GS1000/1100. Although rare, these things usually dominated the Kaw 4 cylinders. They guys racing GS bikes seems to be very serious racers whereas the Kaw guys seemed to be equally interested in getting wasted or racing for guns.

On the Honda side there was nothing realy competitive to the top 4 bangers. The big exception being the very rare, properly modified 79 CBX. With some serious money, a CBX could beat anything up until the Vmax came out (notwithstanding exotics). I remember down in Bakersfiield seeing a CBX with a pipe, pods, a slick and what appeared to be not much else hitting 10's all night long and were were in awe.

And then there was the infamous Kaw H2 "widowmaker". Whenever one of these showed up put together correctly, with a decent rider, all bets were off! Either the H2 kicked everybody's butt or exploded. However it seemed most H2 guys sniffed too much glue or something - alwasy and odd bunch with a short life expectancy.

When bikes started getting evil-fast in the mid 80's, all the classics seemed to get put out to pasture. Probably one of the reasons stock Z1, CBX and H2 are worth their weight in gold today.

dusterdude · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2006, 05:37:32 PM »

damn shame honda doesnt support drag racing anymore,it seems if you want to go fast you need a kaw or a suzi.

mrbreeze · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2006, 05:54:09 PM »

Yeah,I do miss my Kawis and would probably jump right on one for a project if the price was right. I had a 74-900Z-1 and a 77-1000LTD.Both kicked ass but the 900 had the performance edge while the 1000 easily had the looks! I won't get rid of the K5 to finance one though!

Mopar_Tony_SF · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2006, 07:54:17 PM »

Quote from: mrbreeze on February 12, 2006, 05:54:09 PM

Yeah,I do miss my Kawis and would probably jump right on one for a project if the price was right.

The Z1 pricing is through the roof right now. Lots of people in the UK buying them up and paying high prices due to partiall the cheap dollar. Same with H2 / H1. I was never really impressed with the stock Z1 perfromance compared to a H2 or CBX.

News:

Author Topic: General stereotypes about different Japanese makes? (Read 2685 times)

ElCheapo

Buffo

ElCheapo

Gibson

Lary

ElCheapo

Gibson

Mopar_Tony_SF

Mopar_Tony_SF