Just for fun...

[Cousin Jack]

Honda
Kawasaki
Suzuki
Yamaha

I likè Hondas, they do what they say on the tin.

[Tricky]

For me it's

1. Yamaha
2. Kawasaki
3. Honda
4. Suzuki

That order is pretty much solely due to the number of emotive type bikes that they've produced that I've really connected with- There have been some great Hondas and Suzukis, and I've owned quite a few but Yamaha and Kawasakis that I've had have been way out in front of them in the fun / overall ownership experience to me

What would slightly complicate this for me is if we included European bikes- It wouldn't change my top two, but KTM would be an equal 2nd with Kawasaki, Aprilia next and Ducati would fall straight in after that before Honda and Suzuki.
I'm a bit torn with Triumph currently, but realistically, I think they would be tied with Honda.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Based on what they're currently selling in the UK

Kawasaki
Honda
Suzuki
Yamaha

Honda would be top if they sold the CB1000F Supersport bike they showed a couple of years ago, the CB1000 it's based on is a superb bike, but it's ugly (and too expensive)

Kawasaki win because of the Z900 and Z900RS

Suzuki 3rd, but the only new Suzukis I would buy are the 1000 Katana and SV650

Yamaha last because there isn't a new Yamaha I'd buy.

But in reality the only new bike I would buy is the Z900 in the retro red GPZ paint scheme.

Emotions based on old bikes is a different order

Yamaha
Suzuki
Kawasaki
Honda

Yamaha win because of LCs and the first R1
Suzuki 2nd because of GSXR750s
Kawasaki 3rd because of Eddie Lawson As
Honda last because despite making very good motocross bikes, every other Honda I've ridden has been a bit bland, especially the V4s

European bikes would be below the Japanese, but I've only owned 2, a KTM and a Husqvarna, and ridden a few Ducatis, of these the Husky was the best to ride, but fell apart, the KTM was okay, but Japanese two stroke MX bikes were hugely better in 1986, the Ducatis weren't for me, I really didn't get on with them.

And Harleys of any description below the European bikes

[wull]

I’ve went off Honda and Kawasaki, they don’t appeal to me any more, and I don’t like the new GSXR 1000’s but love the older ones.

For me it’s Yamaha all day long, the R1 is just that little bit better, I’ve owned 3 and wouldn’t mind another.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Honda, by miles. They make stuff that just works, like you should do if your job is to build bikes.

Then everyone else.

Then Suzuki.

[Demannu]

Last 4 bikes have been
Yam
Yam
Suzuki
BMW
In my 50 or so bikes I've owned, only ever had 2 Kawasaki.

[KungFooBob]

I've had three Kawasaki's

KC100 Companion - shit
GPZ600R - shit
KDX220R - not shit

Based on this large sample we can conclude Kawasaki's are mostly shit.

[Scotsrich]

Suzuki cos of my awesome GSXR 750

Yamaha

Kawasaki

In nearly 50 years biking I’ve never actually owned a Honda. Although to be fair some of you change bikes more in a week than I do in 5 years.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I've had three Kawasaki's

KC100 Companion - shit
GPZ600R - shit
KDX220R - not shit

Based on this large sample we can conclude Kawasaki's are mostly shit.

Bigger majority than Brexit

[mangocrazy]

Honda, by miles. They make stuff that just works, like you should do if your job is to build bikes.

Sez the bloke what owns an old Bonnie...

1980s and 1990s Honda, I'd agree. They made bikes that worked and were involving and had loyal followings (VFRs, Blades, CBR6s etc.) Modern day Honda make bland bikes for bland people and they're not even all that good.

[Supermofo]

Hmmm tough one as I've only owned 1 Kwak and 1 Suzuki but lots of Yamaha's and a few Hondas. It's also complicated by things like Honda having made the original Blade, the CBR6, the RC30/45 and SP1 but having pretty much nothing I'd buy now in their range.

So
Yamaha
Kawasaki
Honda
Suzuki

Having said that as a road bike the GSXS 1000 is fucking awesome and feels a heap nicer to ride than the MT09 I tested that gets consistently raved about. Seems well made, decent suspension, comfortable, great handling and has a monster motor that'll potter about or go mental pending your mood.

[Yorick]

Bottom for me is Kawasaki.
My new ZX6R blew it's engine 2nd day. So they gave me a ZX9R instead. That blew 3rd gear after 18 months.

Suzuki top as the GSXR1000 just works perfectly out the box.
Had 6 as instructor track bikes and were all absolutely flawless

[Mr. Dazzle]

Sez the bloke what owns an old Bonnie...

Technically my wife owns it and I didn't buy it.

Modern day Honda make bland bikes for bland people and they're not even all that good.

Sometimes I put butter AND marmite on my white toast, so nurrrrrr.

[KungFooBob]

New Honda's are rubbish.

[Yorick]

New Honda's are rubbish.

I like that.

[KungFooBob]

The MCN review says it does an indicated 144mph... in 2nd.

[Druid]

Japanese manufacturers, based on bike preference over the last few years?

I've owned a Yamaha and a Suzuki in the last 10 years, a 2004 R1, and a 77 GS750. The Yam was much better.

However in the last 10 years I've also owned two Triumphs, an Aprilia, a Ducati and an MV Agusta, so Jap bikes did not get much of a look in.

In over 40 years I would say

Honda
Yamaha
Suzuki

I've never owned a Kawasaki

[mangocrazy]

Posting up a pic of a stupidly expensive and ultra limited edition SP racer for the road can't hide the fact that, for the most part, Honda have been woefully short of ideas for the last 10-15 years and do seem to have lost the plot. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone on this forum who has bought a new Honda in the last 10-15 years and hear what they have to say about it. Those that buy Japanese bikes always seem to buy new Yamahas, Suzukis or Kawasakis.

Who's got a modern Honda and waddya fink about it? (I'm out cos mine is 34 years old).

[Skub]

Posting up a pic of a stupidly expensive and ultra limited edition SP racer for the road can't hide the fact that, for the most part, Honda have been woefully short of ideas for the last 10-15 years and do seem to have lost the plot. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone on this forum who has bought a new Honda in the last 10-15 years and hear what they have to say about it. Those that buy Japanese bikes always seem to buy new Yamahas, Suzukis or Kawasakis.

Who's got a modern Honda and waddya fink about it? (I'm out cos mine is 34 years old).

@ninja has a recent blade.

@Cousin Jack also has a Honda,IIRC.

[KungFooBob]

3 of the top 5 selling motorcycles of 2021 were Honda's... all 125's.