Changing brands, and why?

[AndyB]

I bought a year old CX500 with under 1,000 miles on it in 1979 because it intrigued me and actually went better than it looked but when the cam chain tensioner disintegrated within another 1,000 miles it started to sap my will to live

Even though they were good when sorted the very early ones caused a lot of heart ache for owners. After that Honda went to pot with the V4 engines until they used gear driven cams and those fully enclosed discs mentioned by Richard were nothing short of a joke. I gave them another chance when I bought an FT500 but that was such a horrible bike that I've never had another Honda.

hi about the same time I looked at the cx500 ,nickname the flying pig . I opted for a yam XS650 twin .ok a jap Bonnie . A great bike apart from it ate chains , and vibrated like hell. I still travelled to the isle of creatia with Janis my girl friend , now my wife.ps I still don't know how she puts up with me ,till this present day? Al : :whistle:

I sold my XS2 (early XS650) about a year before I bought the maggot and that can be put down as yet another mistake.

I'd still buy an XS650 now because they were so simple to work on yet so much better than the Brit equivalents it's unreal.

The chain was a bit flimsy though and I broke one resulting in a cracked casing and a bent clutch push rod but both were repaired inside a couple of days and I was back on the road.

[AndyB]

I bought a year old CX500 with under 1,000 miles on it in 1979 because it intrigued me and actually went better than it looked but when the cam chain tensioner disintegrated within another 1,000 miles it started to sap my will to live

Even though they were good when sorted the very early ones caused a lot of heart ache for owners. After that Honda went to pot with the V4 engines until they used gear driven cams and those fully enclosed discs mentioned by Richard were nothing short of a joke. I gave them another chance when I bought an FT500 but that was such a horrible bike that I've never had another Honda.

Knock Knock, who`s there?, CX500 :laugh: can`t believe they are customising them now :whistle:

I couldn't believe it when they fitted turbochargers to them :pinch:

[Toe]

Every bike I've had has been from a different brand. I'd have no trouble buying another Triumph or Suzuki which are my current two. After my personal experience with my Honda, I'd think twice.

Just sold a BMW R1100GS and its Replacement is a Sporty little Suzuki. Why? Felt like a complete change. Watch this space. Still shaking off the feeling of being a BMW person.

My brand loyalty goes to MZ, I've had a few and my current little 251 is a keeper. Had it 3 years, love the bike, the brand and its quirky history.

Strongly recommend a visit to the DDR Bike museum in Berlin!

I bought an MZ ETZ 251 today, just got it home an hour ago (thumbs)

I had a ETZ250 for a while and it was a great little thing. Quirky is definitely the right term but it was solid and ploughed on happily.

[waynecoluk]

As I am on my 4th Kawasaki in 2 years I suppose you could say that I have a brand loyalty however, I think it is more that the local Kwaka dealer is so good and helpful. Plus with a Kwaka I always feel it will never break down (famous last words...).
Tried Ducati once, never again. Anybody who says they are now as reliable as Jap bikes have either never owned one for a sustained period or are liars...Still the most beautiful bikes ever made but lost trust in them.

[V_King]

I prefer european or european build jap bikes to the rest, but if there is something really fun to ride from whereever it is made with whatever dress it is, the badge means nothing to me. don't have time for snobism. banter - yes B)