I have rode many bikes in my 59 years. I always come back to the Suzuki. Reliable, fun and not expensive. I just bought a GSX-S750 and love it. Power to keep up with the pack. Handles great. MT-10's sorry I had to pass you. I don't wish to hack on your opinion but, I have found in my many years of riding. I always go back to the Suzuki's because they just build great bike's.
Yep, best bottom ends in the world. Suzuki has dominated drag racing with the GSXR1100/Bandit1200/Hayabusa engines because you can lay 200 hp on their stock cranks and engineered easy to build. Anything but boring.
[Did the tidey tail and bat-mobile wind screen today and has that nice gsx-s750 logo radiator grill. Will ecu flash and possibly slip on at some point. Very nice 👌]
Suzuki is as good as it gets. Shopping for a used bike requires choosing a Japanese brand. Thats all it takes, if it is good when you buy it, you take care of it. it will stay that way. Suzuki inline fours are top notch.
A police rider once told me the best bike you can have is the one you like. I have owned all the brands and ended up with three bikes which are Yamahas, they seem to tick all the boxes for my needs.
True, I use my '17 honda grom for deliveries, it's got 43k miles and counting. It has never given me any engine problems. Just been replacing worn out parts, back bearings, chain, tires, throttle and clutch cables, kickstand and the usual maintenance.
Appears to me you have a very narrow-minded vision of some of the manufacturers in terms of what they have accomplished with design and performance over the last 60 years. Suzuki has totally dominated drag racing for the last 40 years because of engineering superiority and design excellence. Boring? You obviously have never twisted the throttle of a Bandit 1200 with a simple jet kit and free breathing muffler...or a Hayabusa. They also dominated 24 hour endurance racing in the 80's, bullet-proof and fast. I've owned Kawasaki 750 turbo, Bandit 1200, Bandit 1250, hayabusa, and currently a mt09 sp and cb500x....just to mention a few. If any one brand is to be labelled boring it would be Honda, but I love Hondas too.
In my opinion the company that makes the best motorcycle is the company that makes the motorcycle you want to ride. Personally I ride a Harley, but I would love to ride them all.
Ride them All! I have reviewed a few of them here in sunny tropical Thailand 🇹🇭. Honda GROM 125 cc. Outstanding beginner bike for old persons like me. Johnny BikeSanooK! Born in 1949. This dinky 125 cc gave me the confidence to ride in Mega City BANGKOK. Thereafter BMW Motorrads, Suzukis, Triumphs, Harley-Davidsons, Ducatis. All of them built in Thailand. The most memorable RIDE? “Beeh Emm Veeh” as they say in old Europe. BMW R 18. The big dog. 1800 cc Boxer Engine Berlin Built Muscle Cruiser. Curb weight 345 kg.
Honda ftw. At the end of the day the engine is the heart of the machine - any machine. Honda is an engine company, not a car or motorcycle company. Even my mechanic on my Honda car said “the body will rust before your engine dies”.
Thanks for the video. I agree with you. There might be a "best bike" out there but overall Honda is the best for all those reasons. Huge company and they can afford to make a lot of bikes and experiment with new idea's. I own an older Yamaha VStar and very old Honda Rebel. Between the two, even with the Honda being much older, its the more reliable bike. It just works. :) Be safe out there.
I have to agree Honda make great reliable everything and has the biggest selection of different styles of motorcycles. I've owned a couple and liked them a lot. The best bike manufacturer is the one that makes the bike that fits you best. I love and still have my Yamaha FZ6 I bought new in 2007. It has been my constant bike that I've ridden 55k miles with no issues. I recently replaced it with a 2018 DR650 as my daily. Yes it's the same as they've made since 1996 😆. I wanted something with the old school feel that is easy to maintain and I could explore off road without getting a hernia picking up after dropping it. The Honda XR650 is to off road oriented for me to daily and KLR to heavy and road bias. I'm into low tech stuff and most bikes (or anything) are getting so much tech it takes away from the riding experience I'm looking for. One upcoming brand to watch out for is Royal Enfield. Not a huge selection like Honda, but the build quality and value is there and they focus on motorcycles only. It's a company that has a big enough demand to produce in mass quantities and makes real world usable bikes like Honda started out doing.
Going back a few years, my son purchased a DR650 after I purchased a KLR. I took a ride on his DR and realized that I bought the wrong bike. The DR was light, nimble and would go like hell! Nothing bad to say about a DR.
Without a doubt Honda is know for their reliability. They make lots of different style bikes. I just think they don't have much character and are kind of boring.
I totally agree Honda makes the best bikes. I've only ever owned Honda bikes. I was able to pick up a 2022 CB500X this year as well and I love it. I own lots of other Honda products and have never been disappointed
Am a Kawasaki man but I admit Honda takes the biscuit...though I like the versey over the Honda version coz I don't like mag wheels and rather have alloy and spoked...thanks sir for you upload ...
One thing Honda did and I think they made a mistake was discontinuing the st 1300 sport touring bike. Yamaha has the fjr 1300 and what a nice motorcycle. I did have a st 1300 long ago but like an idiot I sold it for a gl1800 and I don’t have that bike anymore. I bought a ultra limited touring bike in place of the goldwing because it has a slightly lower center of gravity and the seat height is lower. The last bike I bought a few months ago was that Yamaha fjr. I still have the Harley for longer trips and two up riding. You are right in that Honda makes a lot of quality bikes just none that I find interesting.
I own 3 Harleys, so I am kind of biased there. However, for the money, I have to agree about Honda. I personally liked the 250. That is what I took my MSF course on and it got me my endorsement. Cool, forgiving little bike. But now I have a Harley Heritage and a Harley Electra Glide Standard and a Harley CVO. Thanks for your great videos. I love riding along.
Ever tried a naked bike with some real power? It'll change your life, go try out an mt09/mt10 or duke 890/superduke 1290 or the zh2 or the gsxs1000, the handling and power is addictive ASF, they can stop in like half the distance of the best Harley, cost thousands less and run longer 😂
I believe the best motorcycle,is what you like and what really fits your riding or life's commute, myself I've always liked Harley I started off with a little Honda twin star very reliable bike very good learning bike, but I jumped into the Harley world with the colors and definitely the sound their just like having an old hot rod.
Great review & I totally agree with you but Honda started as a motorcycle company, that’s why they are the best. I would have like to have you rank BMW’s cause I think they make phenomenal machines. I adore my NC750x DCT & S1KRR Brentuned. My Honda is like a full sized scooter that gets +50 mpg & my Beemer is a widow maker having +200 whp.
I ride a Harley Electra Glide and a Honda GoldWing and have ridden many other bikes since 1970. I am actually thinking about buying a new Royal Enfield Himalaya as a third bike. But honestly, if it has two wheels, I’m a fan….
In my limited experience, I agree on Honda.Have owned mowers, pressure washers, generators by them, then Monkey and a couple of Rebels. Reputation and reliability are the bomb. Ride safe.
Currently, newish is for new riders, royal enfield makes the best for this year. As for total manufacture is Honda. I still got two kawasakis and love them. Like you said, it's you opinion which makes complete sense. But it really comes down to what a person wants and their needs are. Then money. Good video
I agree that *overall* Honda is the best brand with the most types to offer, reliability, affordability, etc. I own a Harley, a Yamaha, and a Honda. My favorite to ride is my Harley because it fits the type of riding I do most, though, the others are like specialized tools. Now, one of the next bikes I have my eye on is a Pan America Special. Seems like it’d be a good Swiss-army-knife of bikes (and fun too). There could possibly be others before it, but I most definitely see the Pan America in my future. That, and maybe an electric bike, but an e-bike may be further down the road, when they get better.
I suggest you wait for the 3rd production model. Have one, and while I have no qualms with the motorcycle itself, Harley needs to work on the electronics of the damn thing.
My first real dirt bike growing up a racing red Honda XR-75 with the victory wings on tank. You can ride that bike until the second coming. Nothing has changed. Still the best. Enjoyed your video.
I got a brand new 1977 Honda XR-75. I bet I put 100,000 miles on that bike, other than pinched throttle cables and cleaning the points it always ran. I sold it and two brothers rode it, I think they sold it after they were done with it. They got a customer for life. Drive a Honda car, Have. 2002 ST1100 with 95,000 and have no plans on getting rid of it anytime soon. My pressure washer, lawn mower all Honda.
KAWASAKI Vulcan 650 S. Hands down. Da Best! case in point. I’m a 74 years old double TKR survivor. Four years of operations and revisions) in Sweden and 🇹🇭 THAILAND, where I live. Two years ago I bought a light cruiser: Royal Enfield Meteor 350 cc, made in India. After 30,000 km mileage . Enough of the nasty vibrations! Wry neck and neuropathy after two hours in the saddle. Dec 2023 I bought a new KAWA Vulcan 650. Now 3,000 km all over northern Thailand and back to Bangkok. Greetings Johnny BikeSanooK!
I ride a Harley but any Japanese bike is the best for me. Why do I have a Harley you ask. Had a Honda and sold it for a Harley. Yup, I down graded, too late now. I’ll just have to love it.
Yeah my wife and I have the Honda cb500x had them 3 years now very good bikes do everything we ask of them. The new one has improved brakes and suspension. Anything bigger would simply be heavier and use more fuel and cost more to buy.
Owned a big Harley cruiser. Nice bike but just too damn heavy for around town. Have a Honda XR650L and just can’t bear to part with it. Reasonably cheap, light, tall (I’m tall) and pulls like a tractor. Also have a BMW GS and a KTM 1290 SAT. I love the “adventure tourers” but they’re definitely not cheap to fix or maintain.
I'm partial to Yamaha that's why I got a 2nd generation vmx17 vmax love that bike since the 80's disappointed that Yamaha stop manufacturing them in 2020
I agree. I've had all of the big 4 products and in terms of quality, fit and finish, and reliability Honda wins. Honda does not always make the best in terms of features, or highest HP, but if you are buying for the purpose of keeping a long time (and almost always going to start and go) it's the Honda. The others do make good products, and sometimes like the KLR it's just a proven design that works (thus little change over the years). I do have to give Suzuki some love as their King Quads are great machines.
In addition to cruisers Harley also has the largest lineup of touring bikes of the 5 manufactures you mentioned. None of the other manufactures you mentioned make the variety of touring models as Harley does, 9 models. Honda has 2 models. Suzuki no longer sells a touring bike. Yamaha lists the FJR1300 as a touring bike, but it's actually a sport/touring model vice an actual big touring bike like the Goldwing or say the Road Glide. Kawasaki lists their 2 Vaquero models as cruisers when in fact they are touring bikes much in the same vane as the previously name Goldwing and Road Glide. In the last 47 years I've owned all of the Japanese brands, as well as KTM, BMW, Triumph and Harley. Other than having to replace a starter relay on one of my BMW's I had zero other issues with the 4 of that brand I've owned, and I still own one of them. I've had 2 Harleys, still have one, and have had zero issues of any sort with either of them. Also, zero issues with my KTM and Triumph. With my Japanese bikes I had a more issues, but nothing catastrophic. Surprisingly everything I've owned that wasn't Japanese have actually been my most reliable bikes. I've no loyalty to any specific brand. I find a bike that catches my eye, regardless of who's badge is on the tank, and I buy it. I ride it till I find something else that catches my eye then I shift it for something new. If they keep building them I'll keep buying them, it's all good and heaps of fun. Ride what you like and like what you ride.
@@tomtemple69 No luck involved, just lots of research before buying. I'm a dealer or sellers worst nightmare, I tend to know more about the bike they're selling then they do.
@@stanleydragon9548 no i meant you got lucky with those euro bikes, i had a ducati and KTM, both gave me expensive issues within 5000 miles of ownership
@@stanleydragon9548 it would shut off when you pull the clutch and blip the throttle, the valve cover started leaking oil at 2500 miles, sometime on cold starts coolant would leak out onto the exhaust manifold and start smoking
I agree to a point. I have had a few Triumphs and Beemers that I really liked and a shit ton of other bikes in between. What do I have now. I have a 2010 Triumph Bonnie that runs like a top. I have a 2022 Burgman 400 that looks the same as when they were introduced . . . Yeah, probably because it's a Suzuki. But it is a solid scooter. I have a Honda CRF300L Rally which replaced my Africa Twin (too heavy) and can go anywhere in the world (ask Itchy Boots), an ADV150 and a Trail CT 125. At 70 years young the ADV150 and the Trail 125 are becoming my favorites. The Trail 125 is an amazing bike. It can go anywhere, not real fast but it will get you there. If you have an opportunity to pick one up, don't hesitate. I do love my Honda's.
I tried to find a Trail but they’re very hard to come by. Last week I lucked out though. Dropped in my local Honda shop and they had 2 CRF300L’s sitting there. One was spoken for, the other wasn’t. It went home with me. Now it keeps my ADV150 company. 😊
@@GasWorksISO Congrats on the 300L! The 300L's aren't that easy to find either. I basically lucked out the same way you did when I got my 300L Rally. I acquired my ADV150 the same way. Timing is everything! As far as the Trail 125 goes, I had to go out of state. And even then somebody backed out of the deal for some reason and I jumped on it. I live in New Hampshire and had to go to Massachusetts to get mine. Not too bad, only 85 miles.
It would have been nice to score a Rally, but I’ve only ever seen ONE in person at a dealership since that model was introduced as a 250. That’s how rare they are around here! I’m happy with the 300L though. It feels like a big Grom, which I’ve ones in the past and really liked that bike.
No question that Honda makes absolute reliability, but truthfully, you can’t go wrong with any of the Japanese manufacturers. I’ve never been able to get excited about anything that Honda puts out. Never owned one… but I’ve never looked at one that made me look twice. And I don’t understand the automatic transmission. Fine as an option, but now they’re putting out bikes with only DCT. I think that’s a mistake. Maybe work flawlessly, but if I want an automatic, I’ll drive. And that’s only because Honda abandoned manuals in their cars, too.
Who makes the best bikes? Depends entirely what you’re looking for. I love scooters too, so I think YAMAHA makes the best variety of bikes. But for big bikes, I’ve been super happy with my Harley’s. Looking at another in fact. Ducati (which I ride now) 3rd Honda would be 4th for me (good variety, they just doesn’t tickle my pickle at all) Then Suzuki (less variety, but V-Strom is a heck of a bike and so is the SV-650) Last Kawasaki (lack of variety)
I have had over 60 motorcycle, s in my lifetime and I liked them all including several scooters learned to ride on a kawasaki ke90 2stroke but I always tend to go back to HONDA ,S FOR QUALITY AND FIT AND FINISH ,VALUE WE NEED THE XADV 750 HERE IN THE STATES AND THE 350XADV C,MO HONDA!!!
Even though I own many bikes of all types I am mainly a super sports bike guy. So in 2021 when I was in the market for a brand new bike it came down to the Honda CBR RRR thing or the BMW S1000RR m package. For me though the BMW never really had anything to worry about when it came to parting with my money so I bought it. The Honda got some very poor reviews - mainly poor low end grunt and in many of the group review video's the bike broke down and it was a few thousand euro's more expensive than the BMW. Honda's to me are like Suzuki's are to you - just too mainstream to be interesting and at least with the new CBR the reliability or competence was questionable - so of the 6 bikes I own there is not one Honda among them.
I ride Harley's and a Honda .47 years by the Grace of God. IMO Nothing looks or sounds like a Harley. BUT if you want absolute reliability and performance then Honda is number 1 followed very closely by Yamaha.
As a Suzuki guy I disagree 🙂 but frankly, I'm looking at CCC class only (I'm really not into sports / nakeds / touring bikes / dirt bikes / scooters etc..). Admitteldy, in the EU, Honda and Yamaha bikes have (or at least had) very strong brand presence and definitely a very strong brand recognition - and if I recall correctly, they still are #1 and #2 in the amount of models they ever put out. Not bad.. Not bad at all.
If largest selection is the measure, Honda wins. Personally, I only have a couple bikes. I select a bike based on what bike I think will provide me the best performance in my area of interest.
I ride a 10-year-old Kawasaki Versys 650 on my daily commute. It's reliable, cheap to run and maintain. I'd love to upgrade to a GS or HD but I can't justify it.
The worst thing about all bike manufacturers is maintenance. I can take any car to any tire shop. You can't take any bike to any dealer for tires. Why do motorcycle maintenance shops close sundays and mondays? How about hire two crews and take 3 day weekends in the winter.
Honda definitely makes the best motorcycles. Unfortunately, it's very hard to buy said motorcycles. I looked for months for a CB500X before I finally gave up. I put down a deposit for an NC750X and it never arrived. I waited months for the arrival that was "only a few weeks away" and it never actually arrived. I cancelled my order and got a Kawasaki z400. At this point, I still want an NC750X, but I still can't find one. I guess I'll just have to drop a deposit and pick it up in 6 months to one year afterwards. I've also considered the Honda Shadow, but I've never seen the newer models in a showroom in my whole time riding two years. I don't like how the Rebel 1100 feels. My legs feel like they're up in my chest. It's also too aggressive of a seating position for my style. Sadly, the Rebel 1100 is the one Honda motorcycle I see readily available.
Completely agree!!!! Honda needs to ship more bikes to the states!!!! I too wanted a CB500X but couldn’t find one without a huge markup anywhere near me! So, I drove over to the Kawasaki dealership and picked up a Versys X 300. Then I wanted a Trail 125…. AGAIN, not one to be found…. FRUSTRATING!!!! I’d have ALL HONDA’S in my stable right now if only they were available….😕
In my 58 years I’ve had many motorcycles, I’ve had dirt bikes and street bikes and I have to say that I liked Honda dirt bikes the best and I always liked Yamaha street bikes the best
Honda severly lack more mid range sporty cruisers. There should be a REBEL 800 and they should put a bigger engine into the 1100 so it would ACTUALLY BE 1100cc.
It’s interesting how your opinion differs from across the pond… 😜None of those bikes you named to judge a manufacturer by, even considered by most of European public! 🙂 Where all Naked and Sport Bikes, or Sport tourers??? 😮😅 If you throw them into mix, then you look on Suzuki differently! However “Best” Manufacturer badge goes to Yamaha! 💪🏼 With Triumph and BMW very close by! 😊 Thanks! 🫶🏼
@ljoelmchanley3676 Yup, my 2003 Bandit 1200 with a jet kit AND a stock can would really pull between 3000-5000rpm. It always felt like it out pulled all of my other Japanese in-line 4’s I have ever owned.
when it comes to bikes, I think Yamaha is the best when it comes to longevity and reliability. Honda is very close 2nd. You forgot to mention Indian. Just because Honda offers most variety, that does not make them the best, unless that is what you are only judging them on.
For me Kawasaki and Suzuki make the best motorcycles. Honda are reliable but boring, Yamaha are not serious, the mt07 is a toy to perform wheelies but not a serious bike. HD is all I despise. The gsxs1000gx is probably my next bike after my versys1000
NOT Suzuki, they have become a paint and decal applicator, only changing color and bold new graphics for the past 20+ years giving us the same tired and obsolete DR650, DRZ400’s, kick start only vintage motocross machines. The fat and heavy Vstroms, conventional forks on their latest gen3 Vstrom 650 when the Vstrom 1000 gets USD adjustable forks? A 500 pound Vstrom 800 🐽 is the newest pig in their pen.
There is zero advantage to the rider, to have a manufacturer that covers the whole range of motorcycles, from the smallest to the largest. That’s just an attempt by the company to capture market share. It has nothing to do with the “best motorcycles,” at all!
Yeah, it's Honda. Like riding a sewing machine. A reliable, quiet, sewing machine. But I believe Yamaha is next in line. After that, Kawasaki, and then Suzuki. Harley? It's primarily an American brand, for American customers...and they aren't that great.
Japan has lost its ability to build high quality, reasonably priced goods, so they use factories in Thailand and other SE Asia countries. Take a look at Chinese motorcycle company Zontes, excellent quality and low price. Many BMW bikes have Zontes engines and components. Sure, Zontes does not have same brand value as Honda, Suzuki. But times are a-changing. There was a time, maybe back in 1960's when Japanese bikes were viewed with many a jaundiced eye..
Even more recent, I remember when Hyundai cars were considered junk back in the early 90’s. Turned out they weren’t, and are now considered very good! But here’s a problem with these less known Chinese brands selling bikes in North America.. warranty and parts. They’re cheap enough, but when something breaks, good luck finding service and parts.
@@GasWorksISO Yes it's a risk when you can't find parts. I am a Honda, Suzuki rider. But I found in the last two years even Suzuki spares are hard to find, like a small light bulb for my speedo and a front axle lock nut. Ended up using generic parts from a hardware store. I feel the whole motorcycle industry is struggling, maybe high fuel prices will see more bikes sales and more investment in motorcycling? I hope so.
Dude you are on crack. Honda is good, but they are overpriced and dont have as many models as you think. It appears they use the same model in several categories, with very limited colors and options. Kawasaki to me is the value leader with love it or hate it designs but are reliable and cost effective. The whole thing is subjective.
@@GasWorksISO gsxs 750 Gsx8s Gsxr750 They still make a 600cc super sport Dr800s Drz400 the only one of its kind. Like how many North American buyers are buying the Honda mini bikes … where people go 20mph over the interstate speed limit
As you said the Honda CB 500X is the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles. Another bike that could be the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles is the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT.
@@dustinleonsky4513 agreed. in fact honda and suzuki have always been known to give us the more practical and versatile machines for street oriented purposes. leaving yamaha and kawasaki with the more extreme ride.
@@GasWorksISOAgree 100% laziest Japanese manufacturer out there. Zero pride can’t imaging the poor guy who’s worked on the DR650 assembly like for the past 25 years making the same bike different color year after year begging someone to put a bullet in his head.
I have rode many bikes in my 59 years. I always come back to the Suzuki. Reliable, fun and not expensive. I just bought a GSX-S750 and love it. Power to keep up with the pack. Handles great. MT-10's sorry I had to pass you. I don't wish to hack on your opinion but, I have found in my many years of riding. I always go back to the Suzuki's because they just build great bike's.
Yep, best bottom ends in the world. Suzuki has dominated drag racing with the GSXR1100/Bandit1200/Hayabusa engines because you can lay 200 hp on their stock cranks and engineered easy to build. Anything but boring.
V Strom engines will out survive just about everything besides a Goldwing. 3-400k miles sometimes. Love 'em. They call 'em Empty 10's. Real thirsty.
[Did the tidey tail and bat-mobile wind screen today and has that nice gsx-s750 logo radiator grill. Will ecu flash and possibly slip on at some point. Very nice 👌]
Back in the 80’s Suzuki Katana was my dream bike. I ride GW now. I have 2012 with 146k to
Suzuki is as good as it gets. Shopping for a used bike requires choosing a Japanese brand. Thats all it takes, if it is good when you buy it, you take care of it. it will stay that way. Suzuki inline fours are top notch.
A police rider once told me the best bike you can have is the one you like.
I have owned all the brands and ended up with three bikes which are Yamahas, they seem to tick all the boxes for my needs.
Do you have an mt09 sp?
No ?
True, I use my '17 honda grom for deliveries, it's got 43k miles and counting. It has never given me any engine problems. Just been replacing worn out parts, back bearings, chain, tires, throttle and clutch cables, kickstand and the usual maintenance.
Appears to me you have a very narrow-minded vision of some of the manufacturers in terms of what they have accomplished with design and performance over the last 60 years. Suzuki has totally dominated drag racing for the last 40 years because of engineering superiority and design excellence. Boring? You obviously have never twisted the throttle of a Bandit 1200 with a simple jet kit and free breathing muffler...or a Hayabusa. They also dominated 24 hour endurance racing in the 80's, bullet-proof and fast. I've owned Kawasaki 750 turbo, Bandit 1200, Bandit 1250, hayabusa, and currently a mt09 sp and cb500x....just to mention a few. If any one brand is to be labelled boring it would be Honda, but I love Hondas too.
In my opinion the company that makes the best motorcycle is the company that makes the motorcycle you want to ride. Personally I ride a Harley, but I would love to ride them all.
Ride them All! I have reviewed a few of them here in sunny tropical Thailand 🇹🇭. Honda GROM 125 cc. Outstanding beginner bike for old persons like me. Johnny BikeSanooK! Born in 1949. This dinky 125 cc gave me the confidence to ride in Mega City BANGKOK. Thereafter BMW Motorrads, Suzukis, Triumphs, Harley-Davidsons, Ducatis. All of them built in Thailand. The most memorable RIDE? “Beeh Emm Veeh” as they say in old Europe. BMW R 18. The big dog. 1800 cc Boxer Engine Berlin Built Muscle Cruiser. Curb weight 345 kg.
Honda ftw. At the end of the day the engine is the heart of the machine - any machine. Honda is an engine company, not a car or motorcycle company.
Even my mechanic on my Honda car said “the body will rust before your engine dies”.
Thanks for the video. I agree with you. There might be a "best bike" out there but overall Honda is the best for all those reasons. Huge company and they can afford to make a lot of bikes and experiment with new idea's. I own an older Yamaha VStar and very old Honda Rebel. Between the two, even with the Honda being much older, its the more reliable bike. It just works. :) Be safe out there.
I have to agree Honda make great reliable everything and has the biggest selection of different styles of motorcycles. I've owned a couple and liked them a lot.
The best bike manufacturer is the one that makes the bike that fits you best. I love and still have my Yamaha FZ6 I bought new in 2007. It has been my constant bike that I've ridden 55k miles with no issues. I recently replaced it with a 2018 DR650 as my daily. Yes it's the same as they've made since 1996 😆. I wanted something with the old school feel that is easy to maintain and I could explore off road without getting a hernia picking up after dropping it. The Honda XR650 is to off road oriented for me to daily and KLR to heavy and road bias. I'm into low tech stuff and most bikes (or anything) are getting so much tech it takes away from the riding experience I'm looking for.
One upcoming brand to watch out for is Royal Enfield. Not a huge selection like Honda, but the build quality and value is there and they focus on motorcycles only. It's a company that has a big enough demand to produce in mass quantities and makes real world usable bikes like Honda started out doing.
I really like what Royal Enfield has produced these last few years and would love to test ride a few. If only there was a dealership near me.
Going back a few years, my son purchased a DR650 after I purchased a KLR. I took a ride on his DR and realized that I bought the wrong bike. The DR was light, nimble and would go like hell! Nothing bad to say about a DR.
Without a doubt Honda is know for their reliability. They make lots of different style bikes. I just think they don't have much character and are kind of boring.
I totally agree Honda makes the best bikes. I've only ever owned Honda bikes. I was able to pick up a 2022 CB500X this year as well and I love it. I own lots of other Honda products and have never been disappointed
Am a Kawasaki man but I admit Honda takes the biscuit...though I like the versey over the Honda version coz I don't like mag wheels and rather have alloy and spoked...thanks sir for you upload ...
One thing Honda did and I think they made a mistake was discontinuing the st 1300 sport touring bike. Yamaha has the fjr 1300 and what a nice motorcycle. I did have a st 1300 long ago but like an idiot I sold it for a gl1800 and I don’t have that bike anymore. I bought a ultra limited touring bike in place of the goldwing because it has a slightly lower center of gravity and the seat height is lower. The last bike I bought a few months ago was that Yamaha fjr. I still have the Harley for longer trips and two up riding. You are right in that Honda makes a lot of quality bikes just none that I find interesting.
I own 3 Harleys, so I am kind of biased there. However, for the money, I have to agree about Honda. I personally liked the 250. That is what I took my MSF course on and it got me my endorsement. Cool, forgiving little bike. But now I have a Harley Heritage and a Harley Electra Glide Standard and a Harley CVO. Thanks for your great videos. I love riding along.
Ever tried a naked bike with some real power? It'll change your life, go try out an mt09/mt10 or duke 890/superduke 1290 or the zh2 or the gsxs1000, the handling and power is addictive ASF, they can stop in like half the distance of the best Harley, cost thousands less and run longer 😂
Honda needs to make 2 stroke dirt bikes, period.
again*
I believe the best motorcycle,is what you like and what really fits your riding or life's commute, myself I've always liked Harley I started off with a little Honda twin star very reliable bike very good learning bike, but I jumped into the Harley world with the colors and definitely the sound their just like having an old hot rod.
Great review & I totally agree with you but Honda started as a motorcycle company, that’s why they are the best. I would have like to have you rank BMW’s cause I think they make phenomenal machines. I adore my NC750x DCT & S1KRR Brentuned. My Honda is like a full sized scooter that gets +50 mpg & my Beemer is a widow maker having +200 whp.
I agree with you from my CT70 1971. To my Honda magna. Valkyrie.. VTX 1800. Honda fury. all were Superior products
Plus rancher four-by-four 🤠🌞
I ride a Harley Electra Glide and a Honda GoldWing and have ridden many other bikes since 1970. I am actually thinking about buying a new Royal Enfield Himalaya as a third bike. But honestly, if it has two wheels, I’m a fan….
Strangely enough my brother and sister in law both added two Royal Enfield Himalayans to their stable.
In my limited experience, I agree on Honda.Have owned mowers, pressure washers, generators by them, then Monkey and a couple of Rebels. Reputation and reliability are the bomb. Ride safe.
Currently, newish is for new riders, royal enfield makes the best for this year. As for total manufacture is Honda. I still got two kawasakis and love them. Like you said, it's you opinion which makes complete sense. But it really comes down to what a person wants and their needs are. Then money. Good video
I agree that *overall* Honda is the best brand with the most types to offer, reliability, affordability, etc. I own a Harley, a Yamaha, and a Honda. My favorite to ride is my Harley because it fits the type of riding I do most, though, the others are like specialized tools.
Now, one of the next bikes I have my eye on is a Pan America Special. Seems like it’d be a good Swiss-army-knife of bikes (and fun too). There could possibly be others before it, but I most definitely see the Pan America in my future.
That, and maybe an electric bike, but an e-bike may be further down the road, when they get better.
I suggest you wait for the 3rd production model. Have one, and while I have no qualms with the motorcycle itself, Harley needs to work on the electronics of the damn thing.
My first real dirt bike growing up a racing red Honda XR-75 with the victory wings on tank. You can ride that bike until the second coming. Nothing has changed. Still the best. Enjoyed your video.
I got a brand new 1977 Honda XR-75. I bet I put 100,000 miles on that bike, other than pinched throttle cables and cleaning the points it always ran. I sold it and two brothers rode it, I think they sold it after they were done with it. They got a customer for life. Drive a Honda car, Have. 2002 ST1100 with 95,000 and have no plans on getting rid of it anytime soon. My pressure washer, lawn mower all Honda.
@@charlesprice7608 Mine was a 1978. Can’t beat’em.
KAWASAKI Vulcan 650 S. Hands down. Da Best! case in point. I’m a 74 years old double TKR survivor. Four years of operations and revisions) in Sweden and 🇹🇭 THAILAND, where I live. Two years ago I bought a light cruiser: Royal Enfield Meteor 350 cc, made in India. After 30,000 km mileage . Enough of the nasty vibrations! Wry neck and neuropathy after two hours in the saddle. Dec 2023 I bought a new KAWA Vulcan 650. Now 3,000 km all over northern Thailand and back to Bangkok. Greetings Johnny BikeSanooK!
I ride a Harley but any Japanese bike is the best for me.
Why do I have a Harley you ask.
Had a Honda and sold it for a Harley.
Yup, I down graded, too late now.
I’ll just have to love it.
Yeah my wife and I have the Honda cb500x had them 3 years now very good bikes do everything we ask of them. The new one has improved brakes and suspension. Anything bigger would simply be heavier and use more fuel and cost more to buy.
Owned a big Harley cruiser. Nice bike but just too damn heavy for around town. Have a Honda XR650L and just can’t bear to part with it. Reasonably cheap, light, tall (I’m tall) and pulls like a tractor. Also have a BMW GS and a KTM 1290 SAT. I love the “adventure tourers” but they’re definitely not cheap to fix or maintain.
Got a 10 year old Honda scooter still use it on a daily basis:D just japanese reliability
I'm partial to Yamaha that's why I got a 2nd generation vmx17 vmax love that bike since the 80's disappointed that Yamaha stop manufacturing them in 2020
I agree. I've had all of the big 4 products and in terms of quality, fit and finish, and reliability Honda wins. Honda does not always make the best in terms of features, or highest HP, but if you are buying for the purpose of keeping a long time (and almost always going to start and go) it's the Honda. The others do make good products, and sometimes like the KLR it's just a proven design that works (thus little change over the years). I do have to give Suzuki some love as their King Quads are great machines.
The Honda cb 750 wow what a bulletproof machine
I love my 96 Suzuki intruder vs1400 but Honda is a great manufacturer
In addition to cruisers Harley also has the largest lineup of touring bikes of the 5 manufactures you mentioned. None of the other manufactures you mentioned make the variety of touring models as Harley does, 9 models. Honda has 2 models. Suzuki no longer sells a touring bike. Yamaha lists the FJR1300 as a touring bike, but it's actually a sport/touring model vice an actual big touring bike like the Goldwing or say the Road Glide. Kawasaki lists their 2 Vaquero models as cruisers when in fact they are touring bikes much in the same vane as the previously name Goldwing and Road Glide.
In the last 47 years I've owned all of the Japanese brands, as well as KTM, BMW, Triumph and Harley. Other than having to replace a starter relay on one of my BMW's I had zero other issues with the 4 of that brand I've owned, and I still own one of them. I've had 2 Harleys, still have one, and have had zero issues of any sort with either of them. Also, zero issues with my KTM and Triumph. With my Japanese bikes I had a more issues, but nothing catastrophic. Surprisingly everything I've owned that wasn't Japanese have actually been my most reliable bikes. I've no loyalty to any specific brand. I find a bike that catches my eye, regardless of who's badge is on the tank, and I buy it. I ride it till I find something else that catches my eye then I shift it for something new. If they keep building them I'll keep buying them, it's all good and heaps of fun. Ride what you like and like what you ride.
Go buy a lottery ticket, you'll probably win a million 😂 lucky asf
@@tomtemple69 No luck involved, just lots of research before buying. I'm a dealer or sellers worst nightmare, I tend to know more about the bike they're selling then they do.
@@stanleydragon9548 no i meant you got lucky with those euro bikes, i had a ducati and KTM, both gave me expensive issues within 5000 miles of ownership
@@tomtemple69 Ducati's are great bikes but can be temperamental and maintenance whores. What were the issues you had with your KTM?
@@stanleydragon9548 it would shut off when you pull the clutch and blip the throttle, the valve cover started leaking oil at 2500 miles, sometime on cold starts coolant would leak out onto the exhaust manifold and start smoking
agree 100%
But… what do you really think of your little Versys? We want to know.
Love my Yamaha Star!
What do you think about the new colors on the 23 x300, really cool in my opinion.
The ‘23? Oh! I haven’t seen them yet!
I happen to like the new color sage green I think they call it
I agree to a point. I have had a few Triumphs and Beemers that I really liked and a shit ton of other bikes in between. What do I have now. I have a 2010 Triumph Bonnie that runs like a top. I have a 2022 Burgman 400 that looks the same as when they were introduced . . . Yeah, probably because it's a Suzuki. But it is a solid scooter. I have a Honda CRF300L Rally which replaced my Africa Twin (too heavy) and can go anywhere in the world (ask Itchy Boots), an ADV150 and a Trail CT 125. At 70 years young the ADV150 and the Trail 125 are becoming my favorites. The Trail 125 is an amazing bike. It can go anywhere, not real fast but it will get you there. If you have an opportunity to pick one up, don't hesitate. I do love my Honda's.
I tried to find a Trail but they’re very hard to come by. Last week I lucked out though. Dropped in my local Honda shop and they had 2 CRF300L’s sitting there. One was spoken for, the other wasn’t. It went home with me. Now it keeps my ADV150 company. 😊
@@GasWorksISO Congrats on the 300L! The 300L's aren't that easy to find either. I basically lucked out the same way you did when I got my 300L Rally. I acquired my ADV150 the same way. Timing is everything! As far as the Trail 125 goes, I had to go out of state. And even then somebody backed out of the deal for some reason and I jumped on it. I live in New Hampshire and had to go to Massachusetts to get mine. Not too bad, only 85 miles.
It would have been nice to score a Rally, but I’ve only ever seen ONE in person at a dealership since that model was introduced as a 250. That’s how rare they are around here! I’m happy with the 300L though. It feels like a big Grom, which I’ve ones in the past and really liked that bike.
There is a lot of great engineering from all of the big 5. I love my Harley and both my Gen 1 and 2 Yamaha V-Maxs! Ride on!❤
I ride a 15 year old Suzuki V Strom DL 1000 that only needed a new chain and sprocket besides tires and a third battery after aprox 35,000 miles.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda.
I have to agree with you Honda is number one
My opinion is i have owned all brands Honda always best quality then Yamaha then Suzuki then the others
I do not think in absolute terms like "the best", but you definitely can't go wrong with a Honda.
Honda hands down is the best motorcycle in the world.
No question that Honda makes absolute reliability, but truthfully, you can’t go wrong with any of the Japanese manufacturers. I’ve never been able to get excited about anything that Honda puts out. Never owned one… but I’ve never looked at one that made me look twice. And I don’t understand the automatic transmission. Fine as an option, but now they’re putting out bikes with only DCT. I think that’s a mistake. Maybe work flawlessly, but if I want an automatic, I’ll drive. And that’s only because Honda abandoned manuals in their cars, too.
Who makes the best bikes? Depends entirely what you’re looking for. I love scooters too, so I think YAMAHA makes the best variety of bikes.
But for big bikes, I’ve been super happy with my Harley’s. Looking at another in fact.
Ducati (which I ride now) 3rd
Honda would be 4th for me (good variety, they just doesn’t tickle my pickle at all)
Then Suzuki (less variety, but V-Strom is a heck of a bike and so is the SV-650)
Last Kawasaki (lack of variety)
I have had over 60 motorcycle, s in my lifetime and I liked them all including several scooters learned to ride on a kawasaki ke90 2stroke but I always tend to go back to HONDA ,S FOR QUALITY AND FIT AND FINISH ,VALUE WE NEED THE XADV 750 HERE IN THE STATES AND THE 350XADV C,MO HONDA!!!
I doubt we’ll see either of those models here.
@@GasWorksISO why?
Not only bikes, utv,atv and cars. Some of best dct transmission,Honda even do pretty good F1 engines.
I would expect Honda to be No one. Recently I have seen Royal Enfield in the Mix
Even though I own many bikes of all types I am mainly a super sports bike guy. So in 2021 when I was in the market for a brand new bike it came down to the Honda CBR RRR thing or the BMW S1000RR m package. For me though the BMW never really had anything to worry about when it came to parting with my money so I bought it. The Honda got some very poor reviews - mainly poor low end grunt and in many of the group review video's the bike broke down and it was a few thousand euro's more expensive than the BMW. Honda's to me are like Suzuki's are to you - just too mainstream to be interesting and at least with the new CBR the reliability or competence was questionable - so of the 6 bikes I own there is not one Honda among them.
I ride Harley's and a Honda .47 years by the Grace of God. IMO Nothing looks or sounds like a Harley. BUT if you want absolute reliability and performance then Honda is number 1 followed very closely by Yamaha.
Well, I have the new MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RS. Does that count for something?....lol...🤣
As a Suzuki guy I disagree 🙂 but frankly, I'm looking at CCC class only (I'm really not into sports / nakeds / touring bikes / dirt bikes / scooters etc..). Admitteldy, in the EU, Honda and Yamaha bikes have (or at least had) very strong brand presence and definitely a very strong brand recognition - and if I recall correctly, they still are #1 and #2 in the amount of models they ever put out. Not bad.. Not bad at all.
If largest selection is the measure, Honda wins. Personally, I only have a couple bikes. I select a bike based on what bike I think will provide me the best performance in my area of interest.
Had 19 moto, and Honda did start every morning .
I have asked this question,. how is it that a small country like japan makes the best motorcycles 4 , and i usa only one or two
I ride a 10-year-old Kawasaki Versys 650 on my daily commute. It's reliable, cheap to run and maintain. I'd love to upgrade to a GS or HD but I can't justify it.
The worst thing about all bike manufacturers is maintenance. I can take any car to any tire shop. You can't take any bike to any dealer for tires. Why do motorcycle maintenance shops close sundays and mondays? How about hire two crews and take 3 day weekends in the winter.
I am guessing Honda :). I am on the 55th second of the 1st minute
Honda definitely makes the best motorcycles. Unfortunately, it's very hard to buy said motorcycles. I looked for months for a CB500X before I finally gave up. I put down a deposit for an NC750X and it never arrived. I waited months for the arrival that was "only a few weeks away" and it never actually arrived. I cancelled my order and got a Kawasaki z400.
At this point, I still want an NC750X, but I still can't find one. I guess I'll just have to drop a deposit and pick it up in 6 months to one year afterwards.
I've also considered the Honda Shadow, but I've never seen the newer models in a showroom in my whole time riding two years. I don't like how the Rebel 1100 feels. My legs feel like they're up in my chest. It's also too aggressive of a seating position for my style. Sadly, the Rebel 1100 is the one Honda motorcycle I see readily available.
Completely agree!!!! Honda needs to ship more bikes to the states!!!! I too wanted a CB500X but couldn’t find one without a huge markup anywhere near me! So, I drove over to the Kawasaki dealership and picked up a Versys X 300. Then I wanted a Trail 125…. AGAIN, not one to be found…. FRUSTRATING!!!! I’d have ALL HONDA’S in my stable right now if only they were available….😕
In my 58 years I’ve had many motorcycles, I’ve had dirt bikes and street bikes and I have to say that I liked Honda dirt bikes the best and I always liked Yamaha street bikes the best
Honda severly lack more mid range sporty cruisers. There should be a REBEL 800 and they should put a bigger engine into the 1100 so it would ACTUALLY BE 1100cc.
It’s interesting how your opinion differs from across the pond… 😜None of those bikes you named to judge a manufacturer by, even considered by most of European public! 🙂 Where all Naked and Sport Bikes, or Sport tourers??? 😮😅 If you throw them into mix, then you look on Suzuki differently! However “Best” Manufacturer badge goes to Yamaha! 💪🏼 With Triumph and BMW very close by! 😊 Thanks! 🫶🏼
@ljoelmchanley3676 Yup, my 2003 Bandit 1200 with a jet kit AND a stock can would really pull between 3000-5000rpm. It always felt like it out pulled all of my other Japanese in-line 4’s I have ever owned.
Suzuki m109r is not boring - also I guess the Hayabusa?
Honda #1
when it comes to bikes, I think Yamaha is the best when it comes to longevity and reliability. Honda is very close 2nd. You forgot to mention Indian. Just because Honda offers most variety, that does not make them the best, unless that is what you are only judging them on.
Love my Honda ADV 150 .... BMW makes greta bikes
For me Kawasaki and Suzuki make the best motorcycles. Honda are reliable but boring, Yamaha are not serious, the mt07 is a toy to perform wheelies but not a serious bike. HD is all I despise. The gsxs1000gx is probably my next bike after my versys1000
NOT Suzuki, they have become a paint and decal applicator, only changing color and bold new graphics for the past 20+ years giving us the same tired and obsolete DR650, DRZ400’s, kick start only vintage motocross machines. The fat and heavy Vstroms, conventional forks on their latest gen3 Vstrom 650 when the Vstrom 1000 gets USD adjustable forks? A 500 pound Vstrom 800 🐽 is the newest pig in their pen.
There is zero advantage to the rider, to have a manufacturer that covers the whole range of motorcycles, from the smallest to the largest. That’s just an attempt by the company to capture market share. It has nothing to do with the “best motorcycles,” at all!
Honda
Yeah, it's Honda. Like riding a sewing machine. A reliable, quiet, sewing machine. But I believe Yamaha is next in line. After that, Kawasaki, and then Suzuki. Harley? It's primarily an American brand, for American customers...and they aren't that great.
A 500 is a nice city bike but not heading over the mountains on one, no thanks.
When comes to big Cruisers...The Star Line of Yamaha....They have perfected the Air Cooled Vtwin....They are just not popular...
The Suzuki M109 is "bland?" hahaha
Honda. No brainer.
Only 4. All Made in Japan. End of story.
Japan has lost its ability to build high quality, reasonably priced goods, so they use factories in Thailand and other SE Asia countries. Take a look at Chinese motorcycle company Zontes, excellent quality and low price. Many BMW bikes have Zontes engines and components. Sure, Zontes does not have same brand value as Honda, Suzuki. But times are a-changing. There was a time, maybe back in 1960's when Japanese bikes were viewed with many a jaundiced eye..
Even more recent, I remember when Hyundai cars were considered junk back in the early 90’s. Turned out they weren’t, and are now considered very good! But here’s a problem with these less known Chinese brands selling bikes in North America.. warranty and parts. They’re cheap enough, but when something breaks, good luck finding service and parts.
@@GasWorksISO Yes it's a risk when you can't find parts. I am a Honda, Suzuki rider. But I found in the last two years even Suzuki spares are hard to find, like a small light bulb for my speedo and a front axle lock nut. Ended up using generic parts from a hardware store. I feel the whole motorcycle industry is struggling, maybe high fuel prices will see more bikes sales and more investment in motorcycling? I hope so.
zontes copied the engines of bmw.
@@steveh7823 High gas prices is what inspired me to get into getting a motorcycle. Got a bike .Still gotta get my license though.
Every Harley dealership I walked into I saw gangsters and/or thugs working there sold my Harley, never again
Dude you are on crack. Honda is good, but they are overpriced and dont have as many models as you think. It appears they use the same model in several categories, with very limited colors and options. Kawasaki to me is the value leader with love it or hate it designs but are reliable and cost effective. The whole thing is subjective.
The japanese brands are stagnant.
FOR THE BEAST RELIABILITY HONDA IS FIRST, KAWASAKI IS SECOND AND HARLEY IS DEAD LAST OUT OF ALL THE OTHERS.
the boring statement about suzuki is so far from the truth. that title belongs to Honda.
Which models from Suzuki aren’t boring? Their entire lineup has been stagnant for years!
@@GasWorksISO gsxs 750
Gsx8s
Gsxr750
They still make a 600cc super sport
Dr800s
Drz400 the only one of its kind.
Like how many North American buyers are buying the Honda mini bikes … where people go 20mph over the interstate speed limit
As you said the Honda CB 500X is the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles. Another bike that could be the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles is the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT.
@@dustinleonsky4513 agreed. in fact honda and suzuki have always been known to give us the more practical and versatile machines for street oriented purposes. leaving yamaha and kawasaki with the more extreme ride.
@@GasWorksISOAgree 100% laziest Japanese manufacturer out there. Zero pride can’t imaging the poor guy who’s worked on the DR650 assembly like for the past 25 years making the same bike different color year after year begging someone to put a bullet in his head.
Honda