Thread: A long-lasting Japanese motorcycle

I think it may be a good idea to post my question on here rather than on a dedicated motorcycle forum as the idea may be a bit offensive. No offense is intended; it's just my ignorance.

We're thinking of getting a bigger motorcycle for longer rides. I currently use a small, made-in-Taiwan motorcycle, mainly for city driving, but also for short day trips into the mountains. The problem is it's not really the most comfortable thing for trips over an hour, both for the rider and passenger.

We're looking for a comfortable bike for longer trips, but it still has to work for city driving (and please be aware that riding a motorcycle in Taiwan is not like North America or Europe. It gets pretty intense here sometimes), so something bulky, like a Goldwing, is not an option. We don't want anything designed for speed or racing, just two people going for a comfortable ride. We don't need anything big; I'd like something under 1000cc, but I imagine we'd make out fine under 900cc or even 800cc (we're pretty light--combined weight of about 125kg). Nor do we want a crotch rocket.

The potentially offensive part is I really don't know how long a Japanese motorcycle can last. I hear about Harleys from the 80s still being used, and I'm wondering if a modern Japanese motorcycle can last 25 years--of course provided it's taken care of well and not badly damaged in an accident.

And, for that matter, can a modern Harley last 25 years as well?

I'm by no means an authority on the subject but I've always had really good luck with Yamaha's. I had a V-Star Classic 650 that I took lots of long rides on and it was quite comfortable. If you'll be doing lots of two up riding I'd probably go with the 1100cc variant but it really is a comfortable ride. Large enough to be comfortable but still fairly nimble.

My brother has had a Yamaha Road Star that he's cruised the tires off of for years without anything more than periodic maintenance.

I might consider the Suzuki Blvd C50. 25 years? No, probably not.

Originally Posted by SlowRain

And, for that matter, can a modern Harley last 25 years as well?

I believe one can. I have a 2003 Fat Boy with over 80 K on it. Unless I completely wreck it, I suspect it has over 100k left on it and a good 16 years of riding left. Also, the availability of aftermarket Harley parts pretty much ensures I'll be able fix what ails it over the next 16 years. Harley's have a bad rap as far as reliability and leaking oil, but the modern twin-cam engines are dead-nuts reliable. The only time the Fat Boy has failed me is when I left the ignition (and lights) on for an extended period and ran the battery down. It also failed to start 2 weeks ago - battery is dead after 5 years. Harley also has the largest dealer network in the US of any bike manufacturer, making it pretty easy to find a repair shop when on the road. From your standpoint, Harley only makes one bike the size you want - an 883 Sportster which is roughly 1000cc. My twin-cam 88 is around 1450 ccs
and the latest models are 103 ccs. They are also heavier bikes partly due to the sheet metal used for fenders and tanks as opposed to fiberglass and plastics on most other bikes.

Most Japanese bikes are really reliable as well. I started on a 1998 Honda Shadow 750. I'm still wishing I kept it. My issue with the Japanese bikes is parts availability. After about 10 years or so, some parts can be really hard to find. I see letters on occasion in Motorcycle Consumer News about someone who needs a stator or carb rebuild kit for their 80's and 90's Japanese bike and just can't find it. I can still find new parts of old 30s, 40s, and 50s Harleys.

One thing I should make clear is that I'm in Taiwan and that both Yamaha and Harley are definitely options given that the dealership I go to for oil changes now carries both (oil changes for scooters and small motorcycles at a garage are dirt cheap here).

And, while I'm at it, we live in a small apartment, so I have no place to store any tools, nor am I particularly mechanically inclined. I'd need a bike that doesn't require a lot of minute attention from the garage, if such a bike exists.

Let me suggest Suzuki Bandit. Lasts from father to son. I've had mine for 7 years now and we've travelled all over Europe with wifey. Specially if your wife/girlfriend drives with you then 650 is too small. Do not even think anything smaller than 1000. Bandit is easy to fix and service by yourself, but have to say that it doesn't need much service either. Just change the oil and spark plugs and check the valves every now and then and go. My longest lasting bike is Italian Lambretta LD 125 '53 but nowadays only my wife rides it every now and then.
The one i had before was 99 GSXF (Katana) but i didn't like it because of it looked like a Tupperware with it's plastic fairings. Before that was ( ithink) 84 Genesis and 78 Honda Bol d'or.
There are several great bikes as well but i speak only by my experience. Some mates say BMW's (Bayerische Agricultural Engines, as we say) and Triumphs are great and long lasting bikes as well.

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.

This bike is a '47 model FL "knuckle head".




Sold it a while back. It lasted a LOT longer than 25 years. It was one of those deals that you wrenched as much as you rode and you'd better be mechanically inclined. LOL

It wasn't real fast or quick but it was fun when it ran.

No reason a new one won't last 25 years with regular maintenance and care if you don't try to run the guts out of it every time you light it up.

Thanks. I know there is a Triumph dealership in the city somewhere. Should be a BMW one, too, but I worry that a BMW would be too big.

Originally Posted by Wullie

No reason a new one won't last 25 years with regular maintenance and care if you don't try to run the guts out of it every time you light it up.

I appreciate your experience and your candor. Are you referring to all motorcycles (ie. Yamaha, Harley, Honda, Triumph, BMW, Suzuki, etc.)?

Rather than asking you for a specific recommendation, is there anything you would advise someone like myself to avoid?

And, just to add more information, I'm most likely going to buy new or just a few years old. The government here has only just recently allowed certain motorcycles to go on the main highways, so previously there hadn't been many heavy motorcycles in the country at all. There is hardly anything to choose from that's over 5 years old.

An option I do have is to save the bigger motorcycle for weekend use only and do my daily running around on a cheap little scooter. That should keep the kms quite low and help extend the lifespan of the bike a lot.

I think any of the major manufacturer's, be they Japanese, English, German, Italian, or American are building machines that will go the distance if properly operated and maintained.

Do not even think of buying a URAL, Baikal, or a Royal Enfield that are being produced today and expect them to last until you get them home.

Moto-Guzzi's are great bikes. They last forever and engine parts can be bought at NAPA as a lot of the stuff in the engine will interchange with stuff that was meant for other vehicles.

BMW's are wonderful pieces of German engineering. Try one. Some of them sit pretty tall and if you are short legged, can be uncomfortable at stop lights.

Triumph has re-engineered their line and are now fully reliable machines.

H-D has made some very significant changes in their powerplants and drivelines. As was mentioned above, they are very reliable nowadays. I do not care for the new style engines, but I'm a grouchy old fart and don't want to re-learn.

ALL of the Japanese bikes to my knowledge are dead nuts reliable. The "crotch rockets" are uncomfortable as HELL to ride for any distance. They do what they were designed for very well.

If you have your heart set on a BIG bike. Look at a TRIUMPH ROCKET III. They are HUGE, but they "handle" much smaller due to the fact that the center of gravity is very low. I rode one that belonged to a friend of mine for a couple of weeks. I was impressed. They have GOBS of power, run very smooth, handle wonderfully at speed, and stop great. Don't sound too bad either.

Just start looking and sitting on bikes. Find something that feels right and THEN start asking questions about that specific make and model. Keep an open mind and don't fall in love with something and end up buying just because you like the chrome or the color.

The Guzzi suggestion is sound (I owned one, 1995 Sport 1100 and LOVED it!), but in your case I don't hesitate to recommend anything you like that has HONDA written on the tank!