| Author | Message | ||
     Junkyrddog780 |
On friday a friend and I dropped by our local Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki dealer to see their selection. As I sat on the assorted bikes it seemed that none of them had the fit and finish of my 1125r. The gauges all looked cheap, like something youd find in a JC Whitney catalog. The buttons on the bars were all way too small, the removable passenger seat cowls all flexed horribly when removed and didnt secure as tightly as my Buells. It seems like all the body panels just were thin and flimsy. I sat on a Concours 14, an 09' Busa, and some assorted GSXR's. Has anyone else had this feeling? Or am I just going crazy? | ||
| Slojon |
While at Elkhart Lake races I sat on some 'other' machines. The plumbing on one Japanese bike was hanging out like an afterthought. Also thin plastic covers for flash appeal... only Italian machines had quality appearance. Of Big Four manufactures I only see Honda retaining their build quality. So what, I'm headed out on a 2-3k ride on my 1125R....time to see how good it REALLY is. | ||
| Dave_bogue |
In the past few years I have owned all of the brands you looked at (Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki). I can assure you they are all of excellent quality. My SV1000, FZ-1 and ZX-10R never went back to the dealer for a warranty repair. My Bandit 1200 had the steering head bearing replaced (innumerable wheelies). The ZX-12R trans failed. That was major, but fixed under extended warranty. The Japanese bikes, besides being reliable, also offer current technology at a very reasonable price. Dave Bradenton Fl | ||
| Ducdood9 |
YOur just going crazy Junkyrddog780 . Not that you can really generalize about all of any category but quality of Japanese items was a pre 1970's notion now owned by China. | ||
| Junkyrddog780 |
I know they are fast, powerful, affordable ect... I own a 1970 CB750 which has been through a flood and still runs excellent. My 1200 Bandit is great all around machine. It just seems the attention to detail isnt there on the sportbikes nowadays. Disregard anything I say. Im just rambling again. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I also think the Japanese bikes tend to use some less expensive, or less expensive feeling components on some models. I wouldn't put the Concourse 14 in that group, though. Off the top of my head, the heel guards on a new GSXR look like crap compared to the Buells. | ||
| Jdugger |
> Off the top of my head, the heel guards on a new GSXR look like crap compared to the Buells. On a sport bike, this may have been an engineering decision to use lighter weight parts/materials that are also affordable. An example would be the stamped magnesium heel guards on the 1125r, vs. milled aluminum (heavy) or carbon fiber ($$$). Sometimes, lightweight/"just strong enough" can be perceived as "cheap". Production sportbikes are weird birds, full of all sorts of compromises that hopefully balance out. | ||
| Mr_incognito |
A guy I used to work with always refered to jap bikes as "disposable bikes". He said they looked like after you rode them for 2k miles you could just throw them in the trash LOL. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
i never got that out of the hondas ive been around or the yami's or the zuki's either. like jdugger put it all sort of compromises. and perception is king. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
anything to shave a pound or two off the spec sheet. Spec sheets sell sportbikes. | ||
| Dave_bogue |
"A guy I used to work with always refered to jap bikes as "disposable bikes". He said they looked like after you rode them for 2k miles you could just throw them in the trash LOL." ================================= That statement is totally unfounded, but I'm sure, as a rational thinking individual, you knew that when he said it. Dave Bradenton Fl | ||
| Ducdood9 |
This thread seems odd mixed in with the clutch weeping signal failing what flash are you on threads? I want to buy a American made bike but not because I think for a second that there is no worthy competition. I have owned enough bikes to know better. Buell buys it's engines brakes suspensions from other countries. People in glass houses? | ||
| Teach |
I have a very strong running (138 RWH) 1125R with the CR bars, dropped pegs, steering damper, etc. I am amazed at the power curve and the handling. I did have a Repsol 1000RR and it really never did anything for me, excellent bike, but no "character". The Buell is amazing Any Buellers that come out my way are welcome to take my bike around the block. Teach Mentor, Oh (Message edited by teach on June 22, 2009) | ||
| Jdugger |
As far as I'm concerned, if a bike *isn't* disposable, it's not worth owning. I'd rather cut my own throat than have some chrome hog I polish more than ride. Give me something I can throw down the track and only shed one tear. Any kind of other bike just ain't fun. | ||
| Mr_incognito |
HA! I never followed the theory I posted above about being "disposable," I just thought it was funny. Ive owned every jap bike around, R6, zx6, etc. The guy who told me that theory was a HD riding guy whos idea of aftermarket goodies was chrome button covers. I knew not to take any of his advise serious when he told me "Harley riders dont need helmets, but you crotch rocket riders do". | ||
| Ron_luning |
Overall the fit/finish on the 1125R is pretty good. However, the "flash" left on the plastic bodywork where it came out of the molds is disgusting. I know lots of people that say the boxy shape of the switchgear makes it look like Legos. Nothing's perfect. Plus, with the constant efforts to shed weight on sportbikes you can't expect them to be built like a tank. | ||
| Xl1200r |
On a sport bike, this may have been an engineering decision to use lighter weight parts/materials that are also affordable. An example would be the stamped magnesium heel guards on the 1125r, vs. milled aluminum (heavy) or carbon fiber ($$$). Sometimes, lightweight/"just strong enough" can be perceived as "cheap". Let me rephrase, then... They looked to be made out of a aluminum, and are likely very light - but they looked like they paid some high-school metal shop student to mill them out. It was a bad job - the millwork was very clean and accurate, but it was overly utilitarian, whereas the Buell heel guards have some character and shape to them. |
