Topic: What Motorcycle Have You Been Obsessing About Today?

[rrocket]

I can fix surface rust with a Scotchbrite and a can of paint in my garage....whereas you wouldn't be fixing the issues on a Ducati as easily.

Either way, I wouldn't want to be home fixing rust on a brand new bike.

No doubt!

[Jaeger]

I can fix surface rust with a Scotchbrite and a can of paint in my garage....whereas you wouldn't be fixing the issues on a Ducati as easily.

Either way, I wouldn't want to be home fixing rust on a brand new bike.

Deal breaker for me. Brand new not inexpensive bike that rusts if the air is a little moist? Pass.

[PJungnitsch]

Case bolts made of cheese is almost standard, but finish/metal so cheap it rusts while sitting there is a new level of cheapness and/or poor manufacture

Not like many bikes are out in salt all winter

[Fobroader]

I can fix surface rust with a Scotchbrite and a can of paint in my garage....whereas you wouldn't be fixing the issues on a Ducati as easily.

Either way, I wouldn't want to be home fixing rust on a brand new bike.

I agree...but its not a complete deal breaker for me because its easily dealt with. Plus, my bike has a cover and is stored inside during the winter.

[rrocket]

I always LOL at stuff like this.  Problems from the Euro bikes are many. And typically expensive and/or hard to resolve.  And people fluff them off like "no biggie".

But a problem with a single Japanese model?  Get out the torches and pitchforks!   

[Triple Bob]

I always LOL at stuff like this.  Problems from the Euro bikes are many. And typically expensive and/or hard to resolve.  And people fluff them off like "no biggie".

But a problem with a single Japanese model?  Get out the torches and pitchforks!   

I don't know who you're referring to, but I never said anything about the Ducati, nor compared it to anything. All I said was that the Africa Twin had had some build quality issues, re the 20 year comment from Fob.

[rrocket]

I always LOL at stuff like this.  Problems from the Euro bikes are many. And typically expensive and/or hard to resolve.  And people fluff them off like "no biggie".

But a problem with a single Japanese model?  Get out the torches and pitchforks!   

I don't know who you're referring to, but I never said anything about the Ducati, nor compared it to anything. All I said was that the Africa Twin had had some build quality issues, re the 20 year comment from Fob.

Was a general comment...an observation.

[Jaeger]

Case bolts made of cheese is almost standard, but finish/metal so cheap it rusts while sitting there is a new level of cheapness and/or poor manufacture

Not like many bikes are out in salt all winter

Yup. Don't know how one can argue with that conclusion.  All bikes don't instantly rust.  That this Honda does is clearly a sign that they have dropped the ball.

I always LOL at stuff like this.  Problems from the Euro bikes are many. And typically expensive and/or hard to resolve.  And people fluff them off like "no biggie".

But a problem with a single Japanese model?  Get out the torches and pitchforks!   

Aren't you the one fluffing off a rusting bike like "no biggie"?  Would you find that acceptable on a Toyota or Lexus?  I'm  kind of guessing that if a new Hyundai or Genesis model came out and had immediate problems with "just (lol!) surface rust" you'd be signing a slightly different tune.

Personally, I don't much care where a bike is made and have zero brand-loyalty or brand-hate for any motorcycle manufacturer.  But a brand new bike that rusts before your eyes?  I honestly have no idea how you can fluff that off.  But I don't need to understand - if you'd be okay with it - that's fine.  Your money, your bike.  I wouldn't be okay with my spending money on a ready-to-oxidize ride. Choice is good.

[Jaeger]

I always LOL at stuff like this.  Problems from the Euro bikes are many. And typically expensive and/or hard to resolve.  And people fluff them off like "no biggie".

But a problem with a single Japanese model?  Get out the torches and pitchforks!   

I don't know who you're referring to, but I never said anything about the Ducati, nor compared it to anything. All I said was that the Africa Twin had had some build quality issues, re the 20 year comment from Fob.

It's called "deflection" and "whataboutism".

[rrocket]

It's called "deflection" and "whataboutism".

Exactly.

Someone said something about Ducati reliability and the next post was "What about Honda!"   

[rrocket]

Case bolts made of cheese is almost standard, but finish/metal so cheap it rusts while sitting there is a new level of cheapness and/or poor manufacture

Not like many bikes are out in salt all winter

Yup. Don't know how one can argue with that conclusion.  All bikes don't instantly rust.  That this Honda does is clearly a sign that they have dropped the ball.

I always LOL at stuff like this.  Problems from the Euro bikes are many. And typically expensive and/or hard to resolve.  And people fluff them off like "no biggie".

But a problem with a single Japanese model?  Get out the torches and pitchforks!   

Aren't you the one fluffing off a rusting bike like "no biggie"?  Would you find that acceptable on a Toyota or Lexus?  I'm  kind of guessing that if a new Hyundai or Genesis model came out and had immediate problems with "just (lol!) surface rust" you'd be signing a slightly different tune.

Personally, I don't much care where a bike is made and have zero brand-loyalty or brand-hate for any motorcycle manufacturer.  But a brand new bike that rusts before your eyes?  I honestly have no idea how you can fluff that off.  But I don't need to understand - if you'd be okay with it - that's fine.  Your money, your bike.  I wouldn't be okay with my spending money on a ready-to-oxidize ride. Choice is good.

If your only issue with a Euro bike was some rust at weld joints because the paint was (probably) too thin, you'd be doing cartwheels.      I've seen the issues Euro motorcycle owning friends have had (including my bro, who used to be a BMW slappie).  And they can be brutal. And brutally expensive.

Point being....despite whatever issue is affliction the AT (and it's a problem), Hondas (and Japanese bikes in general) are far, far more reliable and built to a better standard than most of the Euro bikes.  That's all. 

But I still like me some KTM!!   

Recalls since 2017:

Honda 7
KTM 8
Triumph ~30
BMW ~30
Ducati 40+   

[ktm525]

On the dirt side the Japanese manufacturers still bolt on inferior bars, control levers, brake levers etc and are typically 30-40lbs heavier. Easy to make more robust stuff when you have a weight problem. The Euros have pushed it to the limit the other way  by trying to shave ounces with smaller bearings etc.

[rrocket]

On the dirt side the Japanese manufacturers still bolt on inferior bars, control levers, brake levers etc and are typically 30-40lbs heavier. Easy to make more robust stuff when you have a weight problem. The Euros have pushed it to the limit the other way  by trying to shave ounces with smaller bearings etc.

Good point. 

I've always found KTMs to be expensive (duh!).  But then my KTM had Brembos, Marchesini wheels, White Power suspension, etc.....some real top shelf components that cost $$$$

I think on almost every off roader I've owned, I've changed the bars anyways.  Everyone has their preferred bend/brand for that it seems.   

[Triple Bob]

It's called "deflection" and "whataboutism".

Exactly.

Someone said something about Ducati reliability and the next post was "What about Honda!"   

Man, you really do like to make arguments out of nothing at all don't you.

This is what actually happened:

an Africa Twin does the same thing, and they will continue to do it for the next 20 years.

You say that, but Honda has had a bunch of build quality issues with the AT in the UK.

All I said was that the AT would be lucky to last 20 years with the early corrosion issues. I didn't mention, or infer that they were better or worse that Ducati. Get a grip Ron, no one is trashing Japanese bikes, least of all me (as the current owner of two).

[rrocket]

^^I dunno...all of my laughing guy emojis say I'm pretty light-hearted about it....

But feel free to be irritated with me anyways.     

 

[Jaeger]

Difference is, I haven't seen anyone here claiming that poor mechanical reliability - in a Ducati or anything else -  is no biggie.  So that's one overstuffed straw man that you can quit beating on anytime now.  But you ARE claiming that a new bike instantly rusting is no biggie.  Which I find kinda weird.

[ktm525]

Wow didn't know the Africa Twin had some rust issues on the frame.  I looked at some forums and looks pretty bad,  you  would think they would have gone the extra mile to make this iconic bike Honda reliability.   That's pretty poor quality.  The Tacomas of bike

You had to go there? oh no.

[Gurgie]

Wow didn't know the Africa Twin had some rust issues on the frame.  I looked at some forums and looks pretty bad,  you  would think they would have gone the extra mile to make this iconic bike Honda reliability.   That's pretty poor quality.  The Tacomas of bike

You had to go there? oh no.

  

[dkaz]

The rust is maybe a little concerning but honestly nothing a bit of POR15 can't fix. If it's bad enough, I hope Honda does a full on recall.

For a brand new bike to be in a shop for longer than it's at home is inexcusable.

[Triple Bob]

Wow didn't know the Africa Twin had some rust issues on the frame.  I looked at some forums and looks pretty bad,  you  would think they would have gone the extra mile to make this iconic bike Honda reliability.   That's pretty poor quality.  The Tacomas of bike

You had to go there? oh no.

  

 

I'd be pissed if I had to put POR15 on a brand new bike. In the UK they replaced everyone's wheels as the spokes and rims were rusting. Then some of the replacements also started to corrode.