Honda VS Suzuki $$$

[naphazoline]

Personally I am not that loyal. The 08 CBR1000 looks like a logical successor to my K6 [in my eyes], and I would plan to own one if not for the very real oil usage issue.

Check out the Honda and CBR forums and you will find threads running over 500 pages each with literally hundreds if not thousands of owners complaining of oil use. The problem is very real and very large, I bring it up not because of a desire to slag the brand but in frustration that it stops me from purchasing.

Fair answer.

Just wonder why it (oil issue) affects some and not others?

[Elysium]

Fair answer.

Just wonder why it (oil issue) affects some and not others?

Kinda like the SV1000s were known to sometimes have a knocking sound coming from the crank case, Suzuki Bitain found the problem an fixed it freewhile te yanks did not. The V-STROMMs did not have this problem even though same engine. The GSXR..,K6 was it?, had major weld issues I understand.

Every bike seems to have a major fault somewhere that the companies eventauly recify, even if they wont admit there is a problem.

[naphazoline]

...except for the '09 Yamaha R1
Finally a Jap inline with 'personality'

This is one new bike that seriously interests me.(Specially that engine note.)

You've owned this bike for a while now,and should be over the "WOW" factor...What,if any,floors/bad points would you say it has? ( Try to be unbias )

I've read a lot of journo reviews on some of the latest bikes,but it seems to me,that they just tell about the highs,and not the lows.

Comfort is a bit of a factor for me,as i'm only 5' 7/8".That's why i didn't get a Gixxer thou,cause i found them a bit too much of a reach for road usage.

[merv]

Fair answer.

Just wonder why it (oil issue) affects some and not others?

Yeah wonder what's up here, last year we were debating oil use of KLR650 adventure bikes. Did the Japs get their rings from a bad supplier last year or something?

[Drew]

...except for the '09 Yamaha R1
Finally a Jap inline with 'personality'

Noise does not equal personality bro. IdolhomoIdyl makes loads of noise, and has the personality of a cardboard box.

About the build quality argument in favour of the Honda. Sure, the plastics are a better finish, but I believe it stops there. The engines on the Hondas, (quite a few different models too), start to smoke if ya give them a hard time. Dunno about the rest of ya, but the fact that Gixxers seem to go better if ya thrash the arse of 'em from day one, tells me it's of higher quality when it comes to engineering.

[dipshit]

About the build quality argument in favour of the Honda. Sure, the plastics are a better finish, but I believe it stops there. The engines on the Hondas, (quite a few different models too), start to smoke if ya give them a hard time.

This is exactly my view of it too. Particularly as i got into motorcycling in the mid-80s with VF1000 that developed oil burning problems if ridden hard.. not to mention the VF750's of the time!

Hondas have always rated the lowest in quality amongst the jap 4 in my books. I truly think WTF..!?!? whenever i hear some journalist or someone wanking on about Honda quality.

[cowpoos]

Yeah wonder what's up here, last year we were debating oil use of KLR650 adventure bikes. Did the Japs get their rings from a bad supplier last year or something?

its more likely to be oil coming down the valve stems merv...

[Drew]

its more likely to be oil coming down the valve stems merv...

Perhaps on the bike he refers to, but the quantity of smoke coming from two rather prominant racers CBR thou's this year, was surely coming up past the rings. Or the valve stem seals had fallen out completely.

[cowpoos]

Perhaps on the bike he refers to, but the quantity of smoke coming from two rather prominant racers CBR thou's this year, was surely coming up past the rings. Or the valve stem seals had fallen out completely.

it could be from rings...but with modern bore hooning being so acurate and cyclinder wall coatings...modern rings being so accurate also...

where as...steep included valve angles...with high vacuum on the inlet side and oil pressure in the head...at high revs the oil would probally rather travel down the valves I would have thought????

[merv]

its more likely to be oil coming down the valve stems merv...

Sharpen up and keep up with our stories mate, it was rings on the KLR http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=90799

As for the new CBR that's not one I've looked into. Valve stem seals could be a possibility for sure, but more than likely rings if you believe the running in stories.

Maybe as you'd expect, the guys that ride like Drew outta the box have had no issues http://cbrforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88741 haha.

To quote from that forum "The guys with no issue swear they beat the piss out of it from day one." I note the forums seem to be talking about the old 2008's more than the newer 2009's.

Did Craig treat his too much like a pussy then?

[Pussy]

but with modern bore hooning being so acurate

EXCEPT the '08 'Blade......

[AllanB]

The only oil burner I've owned was a Suzuki.

There was a issue with 2001/02 Bandit 1200's that Suzuki never really admitted to.

08 Blade - I heard it was a issue with some batches of the rings.

K series BMW's smoked on start-up from oil coming into the cylinder from the valve guides when on the side stand.

I've an English magazine here that killed their long term Triumph Tiger by not checking the oil for 3-4000 kms and it ran dry.........

And those bloody 2-stroke Kawasaki's pissed out smoke.........

I wonder how the makers test their engines for real world release - do they baby them through a run-in or get on and give em heaps.

I'd buy pretty much any of the big brands if I really wanted the bike - like 6-Pack I'd research any issues first and wait until they were sorted.

[BMWST?]

k bikes didnt have valve guide seal problems it was residual oil seeping past the rings when bike was on side stand,if it was seals it would have happened side stand or not.
The only bike i had that had oil burning issues was a kawasaki z1000j

[DMNTD:Me]

Noise does not equal personality bro.

Ahhhh...so much more than noise IMO man. The power delivery for one in 'real world' riding is superb. Finally an inline that has some torque....some feeeeeel and not just a screamer. I have found mine much easier (more effortless) to ride on the road.
Don't get me wrong...I have truly enjoyed my 'old' inline for what they were, but this particular inline has something 'extra'...IMO.
But did I mention the noise?

This is one new bike that seriously interests me.(Specially that engine note.)

You've owned this bike for a while now,and should be over the "WOW" factor...What,if any,floors/bad points would you say it has? ( Try to be unbias )

I've read a lot of journo reviews on some of the latest bikes,but it seems to me,that they just tell about the highs,and not the lows.

Comfort is a bit of a factor for me,as i'm only 5' 7/8".That's why i didn't get a Gixxer thou,cause i found them a bit too much of a reach for road usage.

As above plus plus plus...and it has nothing (genuinely) to do with the fact that I sell them for a living...serious.
Re the physical size thing: I've had several people trial our demo who would be about your height and have yet to have a complaint. In saying that it's a personal thing so I suggest that you demo one at your nearest dealership to make your own conclusions.