Thread: A long-lasting Japanese motorcycle

Since reliability between japanese motorcycle manufacturers is similar, I would suggest to look at the big four (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki) and see what options they have in the "standard" and "sport touring" categories. These types of motorcycles would fit your comfortable for a long ride (they have more upright riding positions) while being nimble for crazy taiwanese streets (they are lighter than cruisers and normal touring bikes). Some examples might be: Honda CB or ST or VFR, Suzuki Bandit, Yamaha FZ or FJR, and maybe even a Kawasaki Z1000.

There are "crotch rockets" & there are "sport touring" bikes. I agree that the crotch rockets are quite uncomfortable, but the sport touring bikes are a bit different. I have had two Honda CBR1100xx "Blackbird"'s and they are quite comfortable to ride any distance you want.

As far as lasting 25 years, it's mechanical, so the mileage and wear & tear are what will determine the life of the bike. If you don't mind tinkering here and there, I have no doubt that any of the Japanese bikes would take care of you fine & easily give you 100,000 miles. I will tell you that a VTX1800F3 is great, but too big and heavy for the traffic you are talking about. The lightweight sport touring bikes might be just the answer...

I'm selling my 78 Suzuki GS 550 if you want to make a trip to Santa Barbara ;-)

Lots of bikes will last, including Harleys, if you take care of them. They're machines. Parts wear and fatigue over time.

I just sold my 16 year Harley 1200 Sportster with a hot rodded motor. The kid that bought it needs to do some maintenance type work to it, but he will be able to run that bike for another 16 years or more if he takes care of it.

I started on Japanese bikes, a Yamaha 850 and Suzuki GS 750 and 1100. Before the Sporty, I had a Kawasaki two cylinder (sort of a Japanese version of a triumph) that was my main commuter for years. The GS Suzuki's were some of the best bikes I've ever run next to the Sporty. They were reliable and smooth.

I agree with Sailor that a 650cc is a bit small for two-up riding, but that's just my opinion. I wouldn't look at anything less than 1000cc as well--750cc at the very least.

A 1200 Sportster might be a possibility (the 1200cc, not the 883). I toured many places with my wife on the back of mine for a many years -- from LA to San Francisco many times and such. That said, it was she who has pushed for a bigger more comfortable ride. Hence why the Sporty had to go (only room for one bike at a time in the garage...). I don't know you're age, but if you're relatively young (or at least young at heart) and not too tall, a 1200 sportster could do the job pretty fine.

Originally Posted by Wullie

Gold Wing BIG AND BULKY?

Not really if you rip all that plastic off 'em.

This is a '79 model with the 1000CC engine. Still does everything it was designed to do.


They can be had for a song too. That one might bring $1000 bucks on good day.

Something to think about.

Wullie, that naked GW looks SWEET! It's got me hankering for one. I had a friend who had an early one about that year or so, naked like that. Really nice bikes. Brings back memories....

Love that Knuckle is mighty fine too --- though I wouldn't wish a knuckle on anybody that didn't have some grease in their veins....

That's why I started on the Japanese bikes....all my Harley buddies were busy in the garage wrenching while we were out riding! A riding buddy used to call his shovelhead, the "troublehead".

That changed a lot, though when HD came out with the EVO motor. Great motor, very reliable as they go.

I've had several "trouble heads". Got a project "pan from HELL" languishing in my shop right now. Kind fo got out the mood to mess with it for while. IF I ever finish it, it'll be about 450lbs and right at 100HP. Ought to be sure nuff murder-siggle.


Funniest part is the only real HD stuff on that thing right now is the tranny and the rear wheel. Engine is a 10.5 to 1, 93"CI $&$ stroker and the heads are $TD with shovel intake and exhaust valves and all that high zoot go fast, make noise, high speed, low drag crap you can stick in one of those things. LOL I think I've got the cam figured where it will still light with a kicker. Get too crazy on cams and the overlap makes it tough to light with the leg.

I've got a juice front end for it now. Another buddy wanted that older Paughco springer bad enough to pay way too much for it. IT was 6" over and the rake and trail wasn't quite right for that stock Paughco frame.

I intend to have my painter buddy put "SEE NO EVO, SPEAK NO EVO, FEAR NO EVO" on the rear fender which just happens to be the front fender from a Yammy V-Star. LOL

Originally Posted by Wullie

I've had several "trouble heads". Got a project "pan from HELL" languishing in my shop right now. Kind fo got out the mood to mess with it for while. IF I ever finish it, it'll be about 450lbs and right at 100HP. Ought to be sure nuff murder-siggle.


Funniest part is the only real HD stuff on that thing right now is the tranny and the rear wheel. Engine is a 10.5 to 1, 93"CI $&$ stroker and the heads are $TD with shovel intake and exhaust valves and all that high zoot go fast, make noise, high speed, low drag crap you can stick in one of those things. LOL I think I've got the cam figured where it will still light with a kicker. Get too crazy on cams and the overlap makes it tough to light with the leg.

I've got a juice front end for it now. Another buddy wanted that older Paughco springer bad enough to pay way too much for it. IT was 6" over and the rake and trail wasn't quite right for that stock Paughco frame.

I intend to have my painter buddy put "SEE NO EVO, SPEAK NO EVO, FEAR NO EVO" on the rear fender which just happens to be the front fender from a Yammy V-Star. LOL

Ahh, you're a better man than I.... Kickin' ten and halfs? You best be sure that beast doesn't kick back or you'll be hobblin' on the polite side, and on crutches on the nasty side... I'll still kick if the compressions low and the starting sequence is consistent....but I was glad for a strong starter and battery on the Sporty with my 10.5's.

Enjoy that retro rocket! Make sure the tail end looks good, that's mostly what everyone's going to see....

Probably been more knees blown out kickin those damn sporty's than all the rest of 'em put together. Those quad cam bastards are evil. LOL

Worst problem I had with a big inch shovel kicker was the kicker gears shelling out at inopportune times. Like when I'd had few too many to drink.

Tight laced lineman boots saved my ankle on more than one occasion.

I've quit drinking and riding nowadays. All I can say is that back in the day there was more than one occasion when the Good Lord must have had his quota of fools and idiots for the day and didn't need any more because I was sure a good candidate on many a night.

Maybe one of these years it'll beller. Hopefully I won't be TOO old and feeble to enjoy it.

Why do you want a motorcycle to last 25yrs? I have a 30yr old Moto Guzzi and an 8yr old BMW. I love the Guzzi, but time has moved on and it's strictly for short afternoon rides only. The BMW is still good for long trips and will be for some time. When I ride something right up to date I find that the difference between that and old motorcycles is like night and day. Many motorcycles will outlive their owners, but how long you will want to keep one depends on what you want to do on it.

I bought my Yahama Virago750 new in 82 and it still runs fine,just take of them and change the oil.