HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE BIG 4 FROM JAPAN?

[Jamie (RIP)]

Give us your opinion of the overall standings of the 4 biggest Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. Select only your favourite

Options are listed alphabetically

[Bernardo]

I have had Yamaha and Kawasaki, but I think Honda is the leading company in Japan, which mark the future of the others. Also I think the 4 companies are excellent, an example to take into account the rest of the world industries.

[GeeBee]

Only three votes so far, but already a trend....

[Paratus]

Yamaha overall, I particularly like their engine design - but my next bike, it it were from Japan would be the Kawasaki ZX6-R with the Showa Big Piston Forks.

[GeeBee]

Ouch for Kwak

[motorbikez]

Kawasaki are still a good and inovative company just the poll is too broad, certain bikes from all the manufacturers have appeal to me although nothing to steer me away from the K13

[badger]

I've owned many more of each brand than BMWs - only had 4 BMW's so far.

No suprise that Honda is ahead in this poll, but it is funny in a way as I personally have the impression that Honda have slipped over the last few years? It's a hard one though as for the last 15 years I've only really had supersports (since giving up dirtbike racing). Most fun - Kwak ninja, what a raw machine and complete hoot! Had to get used to bits breaking/falling off, and not fitting right even on a new bike.
The build quality on new Yamaha's is simply amazing, well the R1 anyway. Still love Susuki gixer thou though

[FreedomRider]

Hondas have always proven as maintenance intensive as most refrigerators; but the Yamahas have proved equally dependable along with a definite panache in styling.

Dependability/durability issues with a Suzuki has forever tainted my opinion of them.

Never owned a Kaw.

[Matso]

I like the R1-09 Yamaha.
I am renting one next spring for a 1000km trip

[andy griff]

Honda seem to have developed a reputation for no soul. Their bikes seem clinically excellent but with all the character dialled out. You look at a VFR and think 'Yep, that'll never break down' but nothing grabs you and says 'Wow'. The new VFR is an excellent example of this. With BM, when I saw the K1200s the forks were different, the shaft was different and the styling was unique.

[FreedomRider]

Honda seem to have developed a reputation for no soul. Their bikes seem clinically excellent but with all the character dialled out. You look at a VFR and think 'Yep, that'll never break down' but nothing grabs you and says 'Wow'. The new VFR is an excellent example of this. With BM, when I saw the K1200s the forks were different, the shaft was different and the styling was unique.

When I first became aware of BMW motorcycles back around 1966 I was intrigued by the "Typically BMW" drive shaft final drive; but overall I thought it the most ungainly, agricultural looking bike I'd ever seen. In 1973 after owning a very entertaining; but finicky Yamaha RD350 I purchased a used R/75/5 (which I still considered "ungainly" looking). After 5 years and considerably more trouble free miles than any other bike owned at that point the BMW's "ungainly" appearance had definitely gotten deep under my skin.

When BMW introduced the K1200R I thought the designers had gotten their styling cues from the insect world; but once again BMW had shown the courage to defy conformity, and incorporate what TRULY worked!

[cryptmod]

Honda VFR1200F |Kawa Ninja ZX™-14| Yamaha FJR1300 = Honda VFR1200F

======================

Honda VFR1200F | BMW K1300s = BMW K1300s

[Fido]

Reliability ratings posted a year or so ago...showed Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki...in that order. They were not separated by a great margin.

[Child in Time (RIP)]

Honda is the only one I would even consider owning. I am so anal agaisnt the other 3 . I can't stand them.

Been that way since I saw my 1st 3 cylinder 2 stroke Kawker back in the late '60s early '70s I think. Sort of like the feeling that Ford and Chevy guys have about the Mustang vs the Camaro from the '60s.

Just blind hatered. Stupid but it's there.

RAN

[sundog]

My next bike would probably be a Kawa. Either the zx-r14 or the Z1000SX.

I have owned one Suzuki before my k1200s and that was problem-free for 33,000km and probably had another 100,000km in it – EASY, so i cant say a bad thing about them. I have never owned a honda or yamaha, but Yamaha is the brand with the least appealing models in my opinion.

[Fido]

I've owned them all...including the finicky RD350 mentioned earlier. They all have some plusses and minuses. My last 3 bikes have been BMW's. My next may be as well. So far...the beemers have been very reliable...and 'relatively' reasonable to maintain.

[dbradleyb]

I wish Honda would bring back another blackbird!

[FreedomRider]

I wish Honda would bring back another blackbird!

I think Honda blew it by discontinuing the "Valkyrie" . One of my all-time favorite motorcycles.