Why do most riders only like one brand?

[vifferman]

Given a less-limited budget, I have no doubt that my gargre would include bikes other'n my Honda. I didn't set out to buy only Hondas (I've had 7 now, IIRC), but every time I've been looking at buying a replacement bike, everything else I've tried just felt wrong. If you read multi-bike comparos, no matter what bike comes out top of the heap, almost invariably the Honda is praised for its ergonomics and for being easy to ride in 'real world' conditions. Yes, that can make them rather lacking in character, which is why for the past four bikes I've stuck with V-engined models, as I know that no matter how exciting the performance of an IL4 might be, ultimately I'd find it unsatisfying.

Is my VFR the best bike in the world? - No.
Is it better'n anything else on the market? - No.
But given that I'm 'allowed' only one bike, the VFR meets all my needs and criteria, and like me, is a "jack of all trades", without being particularly masterful in any.

Given a choice, where price, reliability/longevity, ergonomics and fitness for purpose didn't enter into the equation, I'd probably have something Italian. I very nearly bought a 900SS back in 1994, but dithered too long. I've had a Ducati keyring for 10 or 11 years now, and that's the closest I've got to one - I haven't even had a test-ride. But there are few bikes that stir my blood like a Ducati.

So, do *I* like only one brand?
No.
And if Honda don't bring out a 'generation 7' VFR, my next bike (if I'm 'allowed' one) won't be a Honda.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Why is this, can one not love all the different makers. Ive gone from Yamaha to Honda to Suzuki and Suzuki again. I loved them all and will for a long time to come. Is it that we are brought up to play for one side etc... (not in a sexual way)

me too... I have had, suzukis', honda, kawka's, yamahas... and loved and enjoyed them all... I don't care what you ride, what I ride, as long as if it is 2 wheels... you are enjoying your ride, and I am enjoying mine

my next bike could be anything... triumph... a duc... a hnother honda... I don't know till I see it and ride it

[Kinje]

My 2 bikes are both Honda. The reason, I liked them best from the ones I test rode.

I nearly bought an SV but then went cold on buying a new bike entirely. Then rode the CBR600 a few months later just for s**ts and giggles, and decided I had to have it.

I get hassled for riding a Honda, I hassle my mates for riding a Suzuki, but like Nighthawk says

I don't care what you ride, what I ride, as long as if it is 2 wheels... you are enjoying your ride, and I am enjoying mine

And IMHO giving your mates crap and getting it back (in good humour) all adds to the enjoyment

[Maha]

My next bike I would like to have a SV1000 maybe. I will probably stay with Suzuki but only because I like the look and the feel of them. Plus everyone gives Honda riders stick.. although I would certainly still test ride some other brands before I upgrade.

I questioned that Honda thing one night..and the answer i got was, its all shit, not alot in it between the 4 Jap 600's etc. But from my point of view, i dont really care what i have as long as suits my needs and my pillion, you can buy a brand new VFR800 for $14995.... awesome value, i took one for a test ride and if i hadn't taken the Triumph out after, things might have been different in the Maha garage...the Blackbird?...$15495.... VTR ..$11495 but im stuck with the crusty ole' Triumph for now....but i love it!...

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

And IMHO giving your mates crap and getting it back (in good humour) all adds to the enjoyment

I gotta admitt a give a bit a rib out in jest and do expect it back... but we both know its in jest

[Timber020]

Currently I have all the big four, A honda, 4 Suzukis, a yamaha (admittedly brought for the missus) and a couple of kawasakis. I have no brand loyalty, being loyal to one brand is to be blind to whats out there. I know lots of guys who are knowlegable about gear but stick to one brand when another brand would do a better job because of "brand loyalty". The only person who benifits from brand loyalty is the seller.

Make a good product for the right price and im interested. My problem is I dont sell enough of my bikes, just keep getting more.

[miSTa]

My all time fav is the Ducati I have now.

+1, fantastic bikes, should've got one sooner.

me too... my next bike could be anything... a duc...

Yep, when one starts the rest will follow...can you say baaaaaa

[McJim]

Yep, when one starts the rest will follow...can you say baaaaaa

Am I a sheep? Must I sell my Ducati to recover some semblance of self respect?

[BarBender]

Is it the same reason as to why most blokes think they like a certain type of girl? (and vice versa)

[Tim 39]

I'm not sure why people are like that, some are the same with cars. I'm more a fan of liking the models from each manufacturer that appeal to me rather than being narrow minded

[swbarnett]

I've mostly had Hondas for two reasons - looks and reliability. I've been looking around at what I'd like once I can afford to flick on the GN and it's come down to a choice between the VFR800 and the BlackBird based primarily on how they look. The FJR1300 was also in the race as far as looks go but is in a totally different price bracket so has been discarded.

It's not so much brand loyalty as the fact that I know what I want in a bike and Honda has always delivered in the past. I've had one Yamaha that I bought mostly because of price and it didn't really suit my style. I now have a Suzuki that I'm enjoying but again it was mostly a price decision given that I was looking for a 250 (nerves about being off bikes for so long were also a factor).

I'm a Honda man through and through but will consider anything from any manufacturer that I liked the look of and could trust the reliability.

I'd be genuinely interested in opinions about Honda, both positive and negative. What is it that people like or loath about the brand? (or any brand for that matter)

[jtzzr]

I ride a Honda , not because of the brand but because of the bike and the way it suits my needs , I used to own a zzr1100 and I loved that as much asI do the Bird ,ridden heaps of other bikes as well , but I guess I`m just addicted to 2 wheels , no matter what the brand.

[kiwi cowboy]

not fussed on wot brand realy have owned honda trail bikes suzuki , yamaha road. ride wot u like as long as it makes u happy. saw the first suzuki gsx400 impulse add in a paper when they first came out and i hated the look of it in the picture but called into bike shop in ashburton. saw one there and got talkin to the salesman{as ya do}and ended up taken for a test.bought the next one he got in just fitted me perfect.

[Morcs]

I like suzuki's as im yet to crash one...

But im Honda all the way!

GO THE HONDA!

[avgas]

I ride what ever i like and can afford. But for some reason....i always lusted after a Yamaha.
Cant explain why - but it could be due to the fact that dad always had an XS850 since i was born. He's a big triumph fan (has his second 955i now). But the yamaha was his stable mate and his first vehicle that he'd bought new.
When the R1 came out, i was hitting my teens. So the R1 was like the equivalent of the John Player Norton or Mac Velo when my dad was young.
Always like the Busa's. As i feel it was the first reasonable attempt by a productive bike co. to make a claim that it not only the fastest, but the most illegal.
Honda's street cruisers always grabbed my attention - as i will always remember a picture of Pop's Yoshi standing next to a 1971 CB750 stating that all exhaust systems should have 1 exhaust per cylinder......as it was in the first motorbike rag i'd read "REVS" in dads shed, i was six and the box it came out of had about 5mm of thick dust on it. It was some anniversary addition where they looked at the hero's of motorcycling. I still hold Pop's in high regard today.
Kawasaki's will always have the growl to me. The induction sound of wolf inside a big cave. I swear that for all the 80-90's Kawasaki were just building bikes that just sounded good but had shit everything else. Klowns ZXR is a testament to the Kawasaki growl.
Suzuki had two-stroke so sorted, everything from the 1970's RM's to the last of the RGV's feels good, sounds good, acts awesome. The 4 strokes are ok......but to me it doesnt feel Suzuki until it pulses like a ballbearing in an aerosol can.
Thats my thoughts anyhow.