Bike or Brand?

[SteveJoll]

It occured to me I kinda have a soft spot for almost all the Japanese brands, but it's much more about the bikes. There's at least one I love from every manufacturer. Do we loooove a brand, or do we save that for specific models?

I hope that makes sense.

[GrayWolf]

I've owned all 4 Japanese, Guzzi, BMW, and 'old triumph'...
For me it's about the particular bike I want/fancy at the time.... I'd admit pricing can also factor into the equation if there are similar bikes on offer.

I would say my most 'owned' brands are Yamaha and Kawasaki.

[Maha]

Personally I just buy what gets the juices flowing at the time (cruisers don't even start a trickle) but yet to own a Kawasaki, that may or may no change soon. It basically comes down how damn cool I look, and the style. Coolness wears off but style is forever!!
Suzuki a Yamaha then a Triumph, a Honda then another Yamaha then a Suzuki. (four were brand new)

Would love another Triumph but will probably opt for a Yamaha or Kawasaki Tourer next.

[haydes55]

I have zero prejudice of motorcycle brand unless reliability, parts or servicing is compromised. So personally I will shy away from Ducati (I'm just too poor for servicing), Yamaha and aprilias under warranty.

I've owned 2 kawasakis so far, loved both of them. Hard to fault them.

If I'm looking for a 1000cc sports bike, I'll go for which ever is the newest/lowest ks/best condition within my budget, I could end up with a ZX10R or a CBR1000rr. Don't really care about most differences. A couple hp either way isn't a worry, style wise, most bikes look good enough for me not to care much. I might be swayed by what brand have better electrics/accessories

[Stirts]

It's all about the looks and whether it makes my arse look fat. :bleh:

But seriously...I don't think I am a brand slut. Owned a Honda, Kawasaki and now a Trumpy and loved them all for different reasons. But this is the bike I am infatuated with.

305567

Yet to test ride one though. So that infatuation may die a horrible death. We will see.

[Gremlin]

3 Kawasakis, KTM and now a BMW.

For me, it's about the bike. I can easily call another BMW crap (although, most current ones are quite tasty - but soo much money :weep:). Close second is dealer/distributor support. I won't touch brands if I won't deal with the local dealers or distributors. Pity, as it rules out some tasty bikes again... but just not worth the hassle...

[R650R]

For me, it's about the bike. Close second is dealer/distributor support. I won't touch brands if I won't deal with the local dealers or distributors. Pity, as it rules out some tasty bikes again... but just not worth the hassle...

This is me too, no matter what Suzuki brings out next I wont be willing to deal with the less than excellent service. By contrast go the Honda dealership for odds and ends and 100% top service and support.

I've had 1 Yamaha, 2 Kawasakis, 4 Suzukis.

[neels]

Definately about the bike, not the brand.

Looked at a lot of bikes for my last upgrade, took a while to find something that suited me and mrs (who usually comes along for the ride, or tells me it's time we went for a ride), so after much searching I ended up with a bloody Ducati.

Have previously owned honda, yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki, puch, zundapp, and currently have the ducati and 2 suzuki's, so I think I'm close to qualification as a brand slut.

[Stylo]

As above, If it's a nice bike and you like it , been well looked after and it all feels good , buy it.

Do your research and bargain to get a good price, don't pay the asking but you already know that

[nzspokes]

Brand does not bother me but parts back up does.

I seem to end up with Hondas. But have a Kwaka traily.

[EJK]

Colour. Yep, definitely the colour.

[98tls]

Owned plenty in my time ie 39 and long ago gave away any interest in new stuff other than to get a semi whilst flicking through the mags,looking back the only time i guess i was enamoured by a brand name was when a young fella i fell in love with the succesion of bevel drive Ducs the old man owned,grew up and had the misfortune to own a couple of the fuckups built by Cagiva which quickly ended any faith i had re the name on the tank.

[mikeey01]

Snort... Cagiva years..

Some of the most iconic bikes to ever come out of the Ducati factory happened to be round those years u speak of.
Other than the 900ss they tried to re invent and failed on, what models u talking about?

1985–1996 – Cagiva Group ownership

[98tls]

Snort... Cagiva years..

Some of the most iconic bikes to ever come out of the Ducati factory happened to be round those years u speak of.
Other than the 900ss they tried to re invent and failed on, what models u talking about?

1985–1996 – Cagiva Group ownership

Dunno wtf the snorts about i said a couple one being the shitbox you mentioned and the other a 750 Sport (Snort) an even more diabolical heap.Theres a huge difference between iconic and nostalgia,they were blessed with the Pantah and what the fuck did they do with the thing turned it into something that no one in this world or next had a use for,some say theres still warehouses full Alazzuras.

[SNF]

My next bike I'm gonna try them all. Although I'm a bit of a Yamaha nut - its not a lie when they say revs your heart but god the prices for parts cause depression, fuck me!

I still beg/borrow/steal Crapple's CBR from time to time I never get off it thinking it was crap and having ridden a few other bikes I think I have a thing for Jap 4 cylinder sports ones, that said I do one day want an Indian Chief Vintage/Classic - or a Victory Boardwalk - its a nice looking bike and a bobber of some kind. I'll probably wind up with a shed full of bikes - sports, cruisers - whatever. Guess i better get a bucket and a mudder too.

I'm a little towards brand. I seem to search for R6's when window shopping. And I look at them a little longer than others. Then again if I find a ZX6R for example a bit nicer and comfortable to ride etc I'd probably get that. Although comfort on a super sports bike = lol.

[nerrrd]

250 and under three suzukis, one honda, one kawasaki; 650 and under two hondas and a bmw.

Tends to be about price for me - wouldn't buy another bmw for example as there seemed to be a constant flow of money going on parts/servicing etc (though I did feel a certain pride of ownership more to do with the brand than the bike.) Almost always have buyer's remorse too - think I might tend to blame the bikes for my own foibles.

[Edbear]

Bike......

[Flip]

Don't like jappers, pasta eaters or sausage gobbelers. Apart from that as long as its from America or the UK is fine with me, or the tossers at Triumph NZ have anything to do with it.

See, it's not the brand its the country they come from. Its bigotry not brand prejudice.

[GrayWolf]

Don't like jappers, pasta eaters or sausage gobbelers. Apart from that as long as its from America or the UK is fine with me, or the tossers at Triumph NZ have anything to do with it.

See, it's not the brand its the country they come from. Its bigotry not brand prejudice.

Well you're fucked then, arent you? :lol:


The bikes 'made'?? in USA and UK have Asian, and 'pasta eater' made components on them quite often.... :nya:

[Flip]

No not really; Triumph (Coventry), Norton, BSA, HD, HRD, Brough Superior, Victory, AJS, Indian to name but a few, even Hayosung. I really have no interest in the latest greatest disposable motorcycle. I believe they are made for disposable riders.

[haydes55]

No not really; Triumph (Coventry), Norton, BSA, HD, HRD, Brough Superior, Victory, AJS, Indian to name but a few, even Hayosung. I really have no interest in the latest greatest disposable motorcycle. I believe they are made for disposable riders.


Don't bite! It's a trap!

[GrayWolf]

No not really; Triumph (Coventry), Norton, BSA, HD, HRD, Brough Superior, Victory, AJS, Indian to name but a few, even Hayosung. I really have no interest in the latest greatest disposable motorcycle. I believe they are made for disposable riders.

I used to hear just that, "jap crap" made of cheese, wont last 5 minutes......
reality is??
There are more Honda 750/4's in untouched condition, then there will ever be 'untouched' Triumph's, BSA, HD of the same era. My 'disposable' bike? I expect to get somewhere around 200,000 from it without any 'costly' engine work. I owned old Coventry Triumph, I'd have been lucky to get 20,000 MILES without it needing something repaired.
As for Italian being 'disposable'? Guzzi's are reknowned for long lived engines, it was always the paint and electrics that used to be the Achilles heel. It was ONLY with the Evo that HD 'finally' got the motor 'right', even the Shovel would 'blow' if you hammer.ed it.

I do 'get' the 'disposable' for sprotbikes... gotta have this years xyzgsr 1000 turbonutterbastard, but there's plenty of us out here who dont aspire to htat mentality, who buy Asian, Kraut, Eyetye

[James Deuce]

Russell...

[willytheekid]

If its got two wheels...I like it!

...but if its "special"...I love it!!:love:

Owned most brands, on road, off road, track bikes blah blah blah...the brand doesn't matter to me, the "feel" of the bike does, some bikes are just souless pieces of steel & plastic...others are down right evil bastards!...and some...some are just special!, they are the ones that you form that amazing bond & connection with, where you can feel and hear your bike so clearly that its like another appendage of your own body...:yes:its the special ones that I love :love:

...and I have been EXTREMELY privilege to have owned a few "special" bikes over the years

[ducatilover]

I like whatever I want and brand loyalism is for plebs.
I've only had 3 Hondas, 3 or 4 Kawasakis (depends how you count?), two Suzukis and a glorious Hyosung.

[mynemesis]

"Borrowing" a customers zxr400 for the evening to tear around the suffolk countryside when the boss goes away for the weekend was fun!

But after getting fired (not for borrowing the 400) and then working for dominoes pulling wheelies on a 50cc Honda Express with 6 pizza in the back box is also pretty awesome!

Point being, I can have fun on almost anything with two wheels. Anyone who chooses one bike over another based only on it's brand is a mug!

But then again, I would say that, I own a Hyosung :bleh:

[Sable]

Bike not brand. Only thing the brand has to do with it is how useless the respective importer in NZ is.

[Mike.Gayner]

I can't think of any brand that doesn't have a bike I'd own.

[Brett]

There are definitely brands I would NOT buy mostly down to poor quality and/or engineering, however outside of those brands I would and do choose a bike based on the motorcycle alone. To date I have owned Kawasaki x 5, Suzuki x 1, Honda x 1. At the moment, the bikes I am looking at as a replacement for the 2011 Honda CBR1000rr are: Ducati Hypermotard 821 or Panigale S, BMW S1000rr, 2015 Yamaha R1 or 2014/2015 CBR1000rr.

[slofox]

Bike over brand.

[mikeey01]

one being the shitbox you mentioned and the other a 750 Sport (Snort) an even more diabolical heap.

Yep know that one too, 16" wheels with a weber (http://www.weberspecialties.co.nz/) :facepalm:

750 Sport (http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/1989-90-ducati-750-sport.jpg)
900SS (http://www.ducati-tt.de/04Bilder7/900 ss.jpg)

Bike over brand

[98tls]

Yep know that one too, 16" wheels with a weber (http://www.weberspecialties.co.nz/) :facepalm:

750 Sport (http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/1989-90-ducati-750-sport.jpg)
900SS (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Ducati_900SS_Carenata.jpg)

Bike over brand

Yep,Sport i had was red/blue and silver from memory,had such high hopes when i bought the thing but the mad:eek5::sweatdrop shit you had to do in an effort to keep up with 750cc jappas over the likes of the Rimituka (spelling) made it a liability;)

[James Deuce]

Yep know that one too, 16" wheels with a weber (http://www.weberspecialties.co.nz/) :facepalm:

750 Sport (http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/1989-90-ducati-750-sport.jpg)
900SS (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Ducati_900SS_Carenata.jpg)

Bike over brand

A mate had one of them. Blew back through the carb and set fire to his leg. Was really funny.

[98tls]

A mate had one of them. Blew back through the carb and set fire to his leg. Was really funny.

:clap:Sidestand on mine decided to fall down betwwen leaving the coffee shop at the top of the Rimituka hill and the first left hander:niceone:thought the fucking thing had seized and locked up the back wheel as we hurtled towards the rock face instead of round corner,thankfully it was made of shite and the end fell off enabling me to get round the corner.:calm:

[James Deuce]

On such things are reputations of exclusivity and character built.

[pete-blen]

owned all the jap brands but 50% have been Yamaha's would be around 15 or so...
So I might lean towards Yamaha's... with Suzuki a easy 2nd....

[jeeron]

Bike over Brand, they just have to be fun. With me though, I have most fun on my Guzzi's, my dad's Norton Commando and the '07 Tuono that I had.

The list of bikes I can compare it to is just a little bit to long, but at least has all modern BMW's in there (boring as hell because they are to easy to ride), the k1600 has an awesome sound though when above 5000rpm (sounds better when riding behind it)
Jap bikes don't tickle my enjoyment gland when I ride them, same with the Triumphs I tried (though I love the sound when you close the throttle on the three cylinders). Tried some Ducati's (wanted a 999 before I went with the Tuono), but somehow it just didn't click and I hate myself for that.

[Grubber]

No not really; Triumph (Coventry), Norton, BSA, HD, HRD, Brough Superior, Victory, AJS, Indian to name but a few, even Hayosung. I really have no interest in the latest greatest disposable motorcycle. I believe they are made for disposable riders.

Ok ill bite. Todays bikes, no matter what brand, would outlast any of those you mention by 20 times. American/ Harley etc have numorous japanese/european parts on them now, as does UK bikes.
Great thing is, they all have 2 wheels.
My choice is Triumph cause I like triples. MV would be nice for the same reason.

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[Flip]

Ok ill bite. Todays bikes, no matter what brand, would outlast any of those you mention by 20 times. American/ Harley etc have numorous japanese/european parts on them now, as does UK bikes.
Great thing is, they all have 2 wheels.
My choice is Triumph cause I like triples. MV would be nice for the same reason.

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Have you ever tried to get parts for any old jap bike?

Are you trying to tell that a new GSXR1 has more up to date engineering than a 60 year old Norton 500? That also explains why the modern ones also go faster. What they don't do is interest me in the slightest.

What would I rather drive a WRX or a Lotus 7? A new Lexus or a old Bently? A new Toyota Hilux or a old Series Landrover? As a professional engineer I have an interest in old and unusual vehicles, modern mass market vehicles just don't push my button any more.

I got to drive a Bren gun carrier the other day, I can't think of a practical use for one (excpt to crush some boy racer cars) but it was the coolest vehicle I have ever driven and I want one.

[Grubber]

Have you ever tried to get parts for any old jap bike?

Are you trying to tell that a new GSXR1 has more up to date engineering than a 60 year old Norton 500? That also explains why the modern ones also go faster. What they don't do is interest me in the slightest.

What would I rather drive a WRX or a Lotus 7? A new Lexus or a old Bently? A new Toyota Hilux or a old Series Landrover? As a professional engineer I have an interest in old and unusual vehicles, modern mass market vehicles just don't push my button any more.

I got to drive a Bren gun carrier the other day, I can't think of a practical use for one (excpt to crush some boy racer cars) but it was the coolest vehicle I have ever driven and I want one.

Yea I actually get that too. I like both worlds to be fair. Give my eye teeth for a T160 Trident one day. Nostalgia id say is the cause. Certainly not common sense.

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[mossy1200]

My biggest problem is I seem to like a lot of different bikes than I used to.
Idd like to own what I have already plus a vintage, two smoke 500, motard, custom(even hardleys), bobber,h2 and idd like a trials bike also.

I don't even get time to ride one thoroughly.

[AllanB]

Bike.

But that's driven by $ each time (such is life).

Driven by the potential to alter to suit me as well.

[Ninjacookie]

For me it's a combination of both.

I say this having just been bike shopping today. I was completely willing to give up a better trade-in offer and cheaper overall cost on several bikes, for a pretty terrible trade in deal just because I'm more familiar with the brand and their reputation, the dealer was more "in tune" with my needs as a movement impaired, short, female rider, and I knew I could easily get parts and servicing done almost anywhere in the country. Those needs though make it very much about the bike.

There were several bikes from different brands which met my criteria that I was considering and I sat a Yamaha, Kawasaki, Triumph, Honda and a Suzuki... But the brand and the dealer decided it for me.

[Monsterbishi]

I'm not tied to any particular brand, but prefer certain periods when bike design was more than just 3D printing a freshly graduated design school students wet dream that resulted from watching too many Japanese cartoons whist eating a tub of cheese flavoured yogurt.

1987 - 2000 and 1975 - 1979 to be precise :-)

[Swivel]

I like all Japanese bikes, Tourers, Sports, Sports Tourers Cruisers you name it , I like British and Italian bikes too.

[OddDuck]

Bike not brand.

These days it tends to be classically styled machines with simple, flowing lines, curves, and minimal features. Whatever it is, it's got to have something that I respond to. The Transformers look that a lot of modern bikes have works for a lot of people but not for me.

I'm also put off by complex machinery and electronic trickery. If I can't fix it myself and will be a prisoner to the dealer network / authorised mechanics etc then I avoid the bike.

Re earlier comments about Cagiva years Ducatis and the 900SS - the bike's put me through the wringer alright, can't deny that... don't go there if you just want to ride... but I have never had better times biking. Sometimes you've gotta go with what works for you and practicality be damned.

[old slider]

Yep I think Bike not brand sells, I wanted a Triumph from the late 60s-70 era, but the price and thoughts of repairs pushed me towards a 99 Kawasaki W650 and I love it.

An chance encounter with an old mate on his ride had me drooling.
A bike brand I never imagined owning suddenly looked, sounded and felt so right on riding that I had to have one, hence the HD "Black Mistress" that has captured my heart and soul, the wife says I talk to and caress the bike more than her, she is probably right.

[Banditbandit]

I once thought "brand" ... BSA or Triumph ... no rice rockets ...

Now I think BIKE ... and I ride Japanese ...

[Aphro_Ant]

I'll likely go with brand myself, as I have gone with Yamaha for my first bike and very likely stay with Yamaha. My silly reasoning behind this is I love their guitar design and quality, their logo being three tuning forks and they make some of the best grand pianos around. So if Vox or Gibson made a motorcycle I'd probably be riding one haha.

[rastuscat]

I love the look of Ducatis.

I think of them like a 23 year old with big tits. Great to look at, but you don't wanna take it home.

[mossy1200]

You don't wanna take it home.

Should read "You are not able to get one home".

[riffer]

I'll likely go with brand myself, as I have gone with Yamaha for my first bike and very likely stay with Yamaha. My silly reasoning behind this is I love their guitar design and quality, their logo being three tuning forks and they make some of the best grand pianos around. So if Vox or Gibson made a motorcycle I'd probably be riding one haha.

I can understand that. Although I hate to think what a Gibson motorcycle would cost. My Les Paul Custom was ridiculous. I much prefer my Stratocasters.

[James Deuce]

I'll likely go with brand myself, as I have gone with Yamaha for my first bike and very likely stay with Yamaha. My silly reasoning behind this is I love their guitar design and quality, their logo being three tuning forks and they make some of the best grand pianos around. So if Vox or Gibson made a motorcycle I'd probably be riding one haha.
You need help.

[ellipsis]

...I'm very brand conscious...I will ride any brand as long as I'm conscious...If I'm unconscious I am not very brand specific...Velocette is the brand of the machines I fell in love with when I was too young to piss straight, and still is...

[Maha]

Since my first post in this thread I have bought and sold a Triumph Tiger which was a bike I had wanted for some time. We now own a GSX1400 (my 3rd Suzuki) still yet to own a Kawasaki and looking very unlikely that will ever happen at this stage. Not sure why I not gone for that brand of bike in the past, I guess nothing grabbed by the balls at time of looking.

[Big Dog]

Since my first post in this thread I have bought and sold a Triumph Tiger which was a bike I had wanted for some time. We now own a GSX1400 (my 3rd Suzuki) still yet to own a Kawasaki and looking very unlikely that will ever happen at this stage. Not sure why I not gone for that brand of bike in the past, I guess nothing grabbed by the balls at time of looking.
So more a salesman choice than brand or bike then?

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[Maha]

So more a salesman choice than brand or bike then?

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Buyers choice...a salesman has never had to sell me a bike.

[MrMarko]

Personally I just buy what gets the juices flowing at the time

325141


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[Shane M]

I had a range of different brand bikes when I was young then liked Suzuki and that is the brand I like. Brought my new hayabusa because it was a Suzuki and a GSX. I didn't even take it for a test ride I new it would be good

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[nzspokes]

Should read "You are not able to get one home".

Or "To old to remember what to do with one"

[onearmedbandit]

Brand for me. Proudly one-eyed. And armed.

[pritch]

I used to like Honda quality, it was the best in the world, probably still is. With their Honda Riders Club there was sort of a family vibe, you could leave your kit in their truck at a race meeting, they held training days, you could tour with them, or go to Phillip Island for SBK or the GP with them. Then Blue Wing decided they didn't need a riders club and they didn't need to import any bikes. The useless twats would be happy just selling farm bikes. Fuckem!

The last two bikes I bought I took one look and thought, "I'm having that". One Ducati, one Triumph. Next time? Who knows? I'm broad minded it could even be a Honda but the odds are quite long on that.