This is my own personal view based on ownership.
I have been totally unbiased.
As I have never owned anything as glamorous as a Ducati, Laverda or Aprilia, I have deliberately not mentioned them till the end.
Out of the four main Japanese manufacturers, this is my verdict :-
(in reverse order, haha)
Based on build quality/reliability, and nothing to do with cost/performance. In 4th spot I would have to say Suzuki. In 3rd place I would say Kawasaki, although I personally rate my ZX6R as my best Bike. The runner up would be Yamaha, even though my brother and farther both have excellent Yamaha instruments. Which means in MY top spot it would have to be Honda. Which when you learn is the Bike I had my accident on, just goes to show how honest I’ve been.
As for the rest I, PERSONALLY, rather have a soft spot for a 750 Formula Laverda. What with it’s Termignoni exhausts, Brembo brakes and Paioli suspension.
Having owned a V-Twin, I would have to confess that they ARE a different ride. “I” found it to be a totally different approach to cornering, which could just be me ! ??? You kind of approach a corner at speed. Then you, forcefully, apply the brakes, while you completely shut off. Leaving the throttle alone until you are in a position to fully apply it. This could be just me though ! ???
