What's up with Hondas?

[D3ALN]

Im new to the motorcycling scene. I bought my first bike near the end of last year and have done a few trail rides since. Today and on most trail rides I have noticed that most guys riding hondas seem to have trouble starting them, keeping upwith their counterparts from other motorcycle makers and their normally the bike that is on the ground after a rider falling or on the side with a malfunction. What are your guys thoughts on this. I have a friend who is looking at starting out and has his heart set on a honda crf230. Should I let him ride a honda?

[Edbear]

The WR is a great bike! And I'd recommend either that or the Suzuki ahead of the Honda. Still, it is far more about the rider than the bike, I think. I could be wrong, though... :blink:

[kezzafish]

yeah mate they inspire gayness in their owners. It's the colour that does it

[FJRider]

Just tell him what they say about honda riders ... :innocent:

Bet he's on a Yamaha not long after ... :woohoo:

[B0000M]

it mostly comes down to poorly jetted bikes, or riders with no idea how to kick.

either way the crf230 is based on more simplistic XR technology and on these sorts of motor they dont seem to mind all kinds of improper use!

alternatively, get a 2 stroke- they'll run upside down all day long as long as they have fuel

[bogan]

hondas are a quite popular on the farm so may get a slightly different demographic of riders? dunno about trail rides but I've never noticed any one bike type struggling compared to others, is all about rider skill imo.

[morg_nz]

Just tell him what they say about honda riders ... :innocent:

Bet he's on a Yamaha not long after ... :woohoo:

I think they are all much of a muchness, I think reliability is a function of maintenance and care. Sure there can be the odd major fault but Honda are a large and innovative manufacturing company, there is no reason they should be less reliable than yam, suzi or kawi.

But, I'd recommend a full size bike though, he will hace an easier time learning on the 230, but the farm like suspension will soon hold him back from learning to ride in my opinion, I know that was the case with me anyway

[FJRider]

I think they are all much of a muchness, I think reliability is a function of maintenance and care. Sure there can be the odd major fault but Honda are a large and innovative manufacturing company, there is no reason they should be less reliable than yam, suzi or kawi.

But, I'd recommend a full size bike though, he will hace an easier time learning on the 230, but the farm like suspension will soon hold him back from learning to ride in my opinion, I know that was the case with me anyway

There's the key to it all ...

Whatever he rides ... he's riding ...

[cheese]

Any of the Jap bikes are good. Colour makes no difference. Its all down to personal preference. Everyone has had a horror story of a brand, for me I had a shithouse Suzuki. But in reality is was an old clapped out heap of shit and I can't judge a brand on my one bike I owned.

[Blagger]

Im new to the motorcycling scene. I bought my first bike near the end of last year and have done a few trail rides since. Today and on most trail rides I have noticed that most guys riding hondas seem to have trouble starting them, keeping upwith their counterparts from other motorcycle makers and their normally the bike that is on the ground after a rider falling or on the side with a malfunction. What are your guys thoughts on this. I have a friend who is looking at starting out and has his heart set on a honda crf230. Should I let him ride a honda?

If your mate is mad keen on a Honda, howabout talking him into a CR250?

[honda_power]

iv had 2 crf 250s, a cr125, a ct125 and own a xr250 and they all start piece of piss dropped or not. most 230s are electric start anyway.

hondas have the best build quality, parts arent too badly priced, no reason to not get one unless you want a smoker

[CRF119]

You only have to look around and normaly there is more red out there then any other color. Ive had hondas my whole life with no issues. If he is wanting to do jumps in future don't buy a 230f tho the engine will last forever but the suspension isn't up to abuse. You can pick up a well maintained CR125 for around 2.5-4 grand that's what id be doing.

[vr4king]

You only have to look around and normaly there is more red out there then any other color. Ive had hondas my whole life with no issues. If he is wanting to do jumps in future don't buy a 230f tho the engine will last forever but the suspension isn't up to abuse. You can pick up a well maintained CR125 for around 2.5-4 grand that's what id be doing.

Theres the answer,there are far more Hondas out there,If there was as many of the other colours you'd have the same story

I dont have any probs with my well maintaned CRF
Have had to do the valves once but they are made to be raced right?

[motor_mayhem]

When I went to desert storm in Jan I thought there were more KTM's there than any other brand, no brand particularly stood out at Tussock Buster, nor at the last trail ride I went to.

[Jay GTI]

I smell troll...

[BoristheBiter]

When I went to desert storm in Jan I thought there were more KTM's there than any other brand, no brand particularly stood out at Tussock Buster, nor at the last trail ride I went to.

Around us at DS there was more red, but orange was a close second. I would get a KTM next but they are just too expensive.
At tussock buster those stuck on hills seemed to be Yamys.

As for easiness of starting like said above it comes down to maintenance and being able to start a bike properly.
I have a XR200 and XR250, don't look after them very well, only do the basics, the 200 has been sunk twice and they both start first time and run fine.