Are HONDA going OFF the RAILS?!

[@Mushin-Flowstate]

This comment may mean nothing to you, but in a depression quite a few years ago, I stumbled onto one of your videos about your dad's Zephyr. I listed after that bike, and you are the first moyovlogger I had ever seen. You inspired me to get out and get a bike and ride. It was a long journey to get a dependable bike considering my financial problems those many years ago, but I wanted to thank you again for introducing me to a new and better view of the world. I'll never go back. I just purchased a Dyna Wide glide, my first Harley, and I am loving it. I'm customizing it to my taste now. Thanks again Andy, Godspeed

[@AndyManCam]

I’m really happy, humbled and honoured to hear that mate. It most certainly does not mean nothing. We only get one go round and motorbikes make everything more bearable! 😎 Keep on living it!

[@Mushin-Flowstate]

@@AndyManCam absofreakinlutely

[@AndyManCam]

🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@michaelbdoherty]

Been in the motorcycle industry for 32 years. Your experience is common today with almost every brand. Dealerships are hiring unqualified, poorly trained "mechanics ". Honda has suffered over the years. Cutting corners and the use of China to outsource manufacturing is why we are facing these issues like your having. I will say that my personal experience has taught me that yamaha has the highest quality out there followed by Suzuki then kawasaki. Attitude varies from dealer to dealer. It's amazing that any asshole with money can become a dealer. As far as your sticky shaft goes, the fix is to disassembly the linkage, then polish the pivot shift with 1500 grit sand paper. Then polish the inside of the shift lever. Make them shine. Then lubricate them with a mixture of 75% Bell-Ray assembly Lube, and 25% Bel-ray waterproof grease. Your shift linkage will be perfect there after. Your welcome 😉🙃

[@chewie8]

How do you find Triumph bikes, considering a tiger?

[@anderseriksen2282]

@@chewie8 Hi there - I have a Triumph T120 Bonneville 2017 - dude: buy a Yamaha

[@andychurches7280]

@@chewie8 I have 2 Triumphs, a 2013 Tiger 800, and a 2018 Thruxton 1200 r. No problems with either - paint or mechanical.

[@michaelbdoherty]

@@chewie8 Triumph is on of those brands that some people have great luck with them and some people have nothing but bad luck. I have worked on a few over the years. Older ones ... run away as fast as you can. Newer ones... I would buy one over a BMW or KTM any day. Stay away from those unless you have lots of money. Parts are outrageous and Dealers charge a fortune to work on them because they are specifically designed not to be owner friendly. Unless you have rocks in your head never by an Italian made bike. Chinese bikes are ok, if your thing is 1990s technology.

[@BN1960]

@@michaelbdoherty I've had something like 12 BMW's from GS's to RT's to K's to an S1000XR currently. Nothing you've said is true about outrageous parts or workability compared to anything else. Nor is it true about Italian bikes In the past maybe but not now. Not sure you know what you're talking about mate.

[@Athandatu]

This is my first time watching any of your videos, and your genuine and honest, no BS, critique of customer service and general attitude of some Germans has made me subscribe to your channel. I plan to watch ALL of your videos, so keep posting!

[@ianwilliams4832]

You are in for a treat. Andys latest touring videos are a work of art. Enjoy 👍👍

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks very much Athan and welcome aboard! Hope you enjoy the vids. Cheers very much indeed for the kind words Ian! 😘

[@viewer62]

Bit of an eye opener. Thanks for posting that content; you’ve possibly helped potential Honda buyers from suffering the same poor service. I’m glad I went down the pre-owned Yamaha route. Would be interested to see, in this thread, which countries have the best and worst after sales service.

[@AndyManCam]

That would be interesting. I’m pretty sure that Germany will be high on the naughty list! Though it also seems like a lot of the door closing, cold-shoulder action is coming from within the central Brand. But hopefully many shared experience will help others to go into it with their eyes wide open.

[@syitiger9072]

Basically the same for all bike dealerships

[@AndyManCam]

Seems like there are actually some that make their customers very happy. Sadly I’ve yet to experience this magical happenstance!

[@gomertron6329]

I've had mixed results in the past with dealers and new bikes. The best dealership by far was a Yamaha dealer, I had two new bikes from them, the support and servicing was superb. Unfortunately they closed when the owner retired. Mixed dealings with Honda, one dealership were hopeless & the second was very good. The worst dealer experience was a Triumph dealership. I knew things were not going to end well when they tried to tell me the rust on my bike was caused by salt on the road whilst riding in the winter. When I pointed out I bought the bike at the beginning of the summer and it was only 6 weeks later he retreated and got the manager. Hopefully you get the problem resolved and enjoy many more miles on the CB. Have a good Christmas & New Year.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s an appalling tale! Talk about being caught in your own company’s bullshite! It’s the unending tail covering that kills me. Had the same with our Nissan Qashqai. Suddenly when the battery died, the dodgy fix to the stop start wiring was not done by them and i couldn’t prove otherwise! Swines! Merry Christmas to you too mate!!

[@davidmassey3364]

I have owned many brands over the past 55 years of riding. At present I own two Harley-Davidson’s. I have never been turned away, or lied to at Harley. While traveling on a Harley and need some work done, they take your bike to the front of the line because you are traveling. I had a Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 that had a problem so I took it to the nearest dealership. They told me that they could look at it in six weeks because I didn’t buy it from them. I told them that I tried to buy it from them but they would not take my trade in. So I went seventy miles away to another dealership and they did take my trade and gave me my asking price. He told me to take I back to them. I went across the street and traded it in on a Harley-Davidson FLHTCU Electra-Glide. The paint, chrome, fit and finish on the Harley mades the Kawasaki look like a cheap bucket of bolts. The Kawasaki was faster, but my Harley is fast enough. 13 years and 90,000 miles my Harley is running like new and is still beautiful. I do have a few small rock chips on the fairing though. I don’t see myself saleing it. My other bike is a 2021 Harley Pan America. I really love it. It hauls ass and on the highway handles like a sport bike. Off road with a touch of a button I have a nice soft cushy ride. With a premium bike like a Harley, you get a warrantee that means something and service as well.

[@AndyManCam]

@@davidmassey3364 That’s the way to do it! I kind of wish I’d immediately traded the Honda in out of spite! But then again there’s nothing at the moment that totally grabs me. Plus I’m currently allergic to starting the process again, regardless of which brand!

[@stephencallil6512]

@@davidmassey3364 David you are right .The build quality is top class plus they are easy to work on

[@AndyManCam]

Seems like they’re getting back on top of their game. Refreshing to see such a turnaround. 👍🏻

[@andresousaism]

Here I am, just lined up to get a CB650R and you're making me second guess. I was going to get a Triumph Trident 660 but was met with a rather cold response from the only local Triumph dealer (there's only 3 in Portugal) and I've been waiting for 2 months to get a test ride on one. Unsurprisingly, I've made the decision to not pursue a bike I cannot test ride. I've heard nothing but good stuff from my local Honda dealer (5m from where I live) and was always warmly welcomed and they're giving me an excellent offer. I hope I don't regret it though... Best of luck with your CB Andy - hope you can get better service and still enjoy your bike.

[@AndyManCam]

I agree. Always ride one first. I was ready to trade in for a Tracer 9 or a Tiger 900 but was left uninspired after riding both of them. Maybe call your Honda dealer out in the part in the warranty where it says paint isn’t covered and see what he says. If you’re happy with the answer, could be ok. At least the weather is a bit better where you are!!! 😂

[@kb34958]

I've got a CB650R. Had it since June 19. No problems at all, lovely bike, especially with the quick shifter and an Akro exhaust . Hope that helps.

[@andresousaism]

@@AndyManCam That's actually a good idea. About the gear lever, I saw something yesterday that might help, it's the Racetorx Shift Assist. People claim it helps with the false neutrals and makes the lever more positive, for a lack of better words. I don't see any listing for the CB1000R but it might be worth to drop them a line.

[@andresousaism]

@@kb34958 Thanks mate, good to know! I'm ready to make the plunge :D

[@chombi84]

Great honest video Andy, as its been mentioned I think customer service in general is poor as unfortunately a lot of people don't take pride in their work anymore.

[@AndyManCam]

It’s a sign of sad times. Nobody really cares about what they do any more. Unless they’re posting about it on social media! 😜

[@jerryandjamie2up]

That is crazy! Sorry you are having those issues. It is so odd how dealers can change our thoughts about a brand. The pandemic has made dealership forget what good customer service looks like. Hang in there. Keep making great content and ride safe!

[@AndyManCam]

Cheers Jerry. Seems like a bit of a double team with honda tying the dealerships hands and the dealerships not caring about their work. I’ll do my best mate! 😁

[@carlemerson8674]

@@AndyManCam hi no bike is perfect always some issue but my triumph is 3 yrs old same and looks rough compared to my cb

[@AndyManCam]

Maybe it just depends on which shift is on the day your bike is made?! Seems everybody has very mixed experiences.

[@martinfairhurst9569]

I can really sympathise with this, I've also been disappointed by Honda's approach to their own warranty, in fact the (UK- based) salesman I bought from prepared me for this (in an offhand anecdotal way) at the time i was signing the paperwork, emphasising the need to follow maintenance schedules or warranty is invalid. Sure enough, when the chain failed after just a few thousand miles it was "down to lack of maintenance" despite my being able to show the records I made of every time I'd cleaned and re- lubricated it since new. In fact the 'sealed' pert of the chain had allowed water in. I love the bike, and I'm glad for its mostly-good reliability, because the dealerships are basically obstructive and the warranty is essentially not worth the paper it's printed on.

[@AndyManCam]

It’s crazy that i bought my bike, because the safety net of the warranty made me feel relaxed about my ‚investment‘ . Now i find myself looking forward to when the warranty is over! In fact i now wish I’d bought a bike AFTER the valve clearance service so that i could forget about the warranty and just get on with looking after it myself!

[@Alfuckett]

Yamaha for the win !!!

[@AndyManCam]

I’m tending to think that the best thing is to remove the dealerships completely and go for low mileage second hand bikes with no fascist need to dance to the warranty‘s tune!!

[@jwcgroup]

@@AndyManCam and save yourself a few k in £'s leaving you with more for fuel and fun times 🤣

[@AndyManCam]

Sounds good to me!!

[@liamtaylor93]

I had a bad experience where the Chinese Sinnis Apache I owned basically melted on the way home from work. I had just passed my CBT, spent a ton of money getting the bike used and got it through its MOT. 2 months after I fixed it up it died. I went strait to my Honda Dealer determined to have a bike I could rely on. The total cost for the Honda was 2.5 times the price of a Chinese equivalent and I though I would get 2.5 times the bike. I was mistaken. The first thing that surprised me was the "made in china" sticker under the saddle. Then there was the cheese paint that had completely peeled itself off the rear swing arm. Then all the paint on the Exhaust fell off and everything started to rust. The chrome started to come off and more rust took hold. Then there were the electrical issues. The bike would randomly cut out while I was riding, I would have to coast to the side, remove the key and then restart it. The Rev counter would fade in and out. Lights would randomly stop working. I took it to my dealer to speak to them about it and was not only informed that I would be responsible for the bill but that the bill would be outrageous. The cost alone for a service on a 125cc bike at £245 every 2500 miles also became an issue and I started doing it myself. All of this in the space of 7 Months. I passed my test and brought a Yamaha and so far haven't had any issues. I don't know what Honda are doing but they are very quickly ruining a reputation they had worked hard to get.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s another sad story mate. Playing on their reputation to get your money and then afterwards you can get stuffed! I know how you feel! Fingers crossed the yam keeps going mate!

[@scottwang16]

Thanks for your honest review. I was so tempted to buy the CB1000R. After watched your review and some other negtive reviews, I think I shouldn't take the risk. The 20222 Yamaha XSR900 looks better to me now.

[@AndyManCam]

My pleasure. It’s the kind of thing you can’t get from a quick and dirty ride review video or even a month long loaner! But needed to be shared. Owning the bike is more important than buying the bike! Good luck with the Yamaha!

[@matthewjackson3034]

Go for a Yamaha, you won't regret it. I have the new MT09 SP. 👌

[@TheRoadWarrior96]

I had similar issues with my local Honda dealer a couple of years ago, no test rides policy for under 25's and a general feeling of coldness towards us. Although had a great experience with another Honda dealer 60 miles away, so it really varies per dealer I think, for any manufacturer. Sounds like Honda have gotten a bit complacent in the QC department, I was also interested in the new CB1000's at one point but got put off by the horror stories.

[@AndyManCam]

It is odd how they can be so different. Also so inconsistent. During my 10k service i asked if i could have an Africa twin. I was told that CB i could have it for an hour, but would then have to bring it back and swap it for their 125cc scooter. „Because customer demand was so high“. I was like „what do you think I am?“ I love my CB to ride, but i still wouldn’t buy another. It’s going to look properly shit by the time it’s got 50,000 on the clock! 😩

[@daveshakespeare1610]

Enlightening!! I've always considered Honda to be one of the premium manufacturers, although in light of this, I doubt now that I'll be enquiring about the new NT1100 as I'd planned. The "we have more customers than machines" attitude has been around for sometime, I've experienced this from BMW on more than a couple of occasions. Great vid 👌

[@mrvwbug4423]

I've already seen a few QC related red flags in NT1100 reviews, which is a major red flag given it's virtually impossible to get an impartial review these days as manufacturers buy reviews or threaten to sue over bad reviews.

[@AndyManCam]

I used to think so too Dave. Typical that as soon as i jump on board, i discover that it was all a farce perpetuated by fanboys! Astonishing that they works carry the quality issues over from the AT to the NT1100. Seems they’re just not learning or listening.

[@AndyManCam]

You’ll always get impartial from me! 😎

[@kb34958]

I use Dobles in Coulsdon. Both sales and service are excellent.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s good to hear the somewhere is holding the fort and keeping people happy!

[@roryosullivan5278]

This video has been quite an eyeopener. I hope Honda see this report and do something about it. I currently run a Honda CB900F Hornet from 2005 which is brilliant. I was considering replacing it with a CB1000R Black Edition which is a thing of beauty but now will recondsider. I'd heard of reports about the tank paintwork but the other bits are a bit worrying. Such a shame because I've always had such respect for Honda. Reminds me how Mercedes screwed up on the late 90s when they stopped over engineering their cars. Now I can convince myself to keep the Hornet as daily transport and get a MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR for fun!

[@AndyManCam]

It’s a strange time when Italian and British bikes are better put together than Japanese ones! Just shows that you’re only as good as your last game. I totally understand that regs have banned the use of non water based Paint, but all the other manufacturers seem to have it down!

[@HoraceFogsworth]

I've had corrosion issues with both Hondas and Suzukis in years gone by. The Suzuki dealer's reaction was no better than your local Honda shop. For the past three years I've owned Yamahas (R3 and Tenere 700) and am currently much more impressed.

[@AndyManCam]

Seems the corrosion complaints against yamaha are in the minority, so that’s good to know!

[@whatsstefon]

Every bike I’ve owned, I’ve had rotten luck with dealers. So I became a mechanic. Now I fix them myself. I’m no longer a mechanic, but still do my own work no matter how in depth it is. The last two bikes I purchased second hand I found so much wrong that I even went to the trouble of contacting the previous owner to say not to take his bike to the shop on the service history. The faults are too long to list here. Let’s say some of the workmanship was downright dangerous. My Harley I bought second hand, clutch slipping with some unusual groans, I pulled it apart to find two steel plates and no friction plate between them. Top work!

[@AndyManCam]

I think that’s the only clever way to go. If you can’t trust the pros, why spend the extra money in order to get the warranty?! Although what happens when nobody buys new bikes any more?! Will the manufacturers cut more corners, or will they learn their lesson and change the tune?!

[@whatsstefon]

@@AndyManCam it’s one of the only ways to ensure a quality job done right. But as you say, it leaves that conundrum of who then buys a new bike. I have owned three new bikes in my life. I serviced them all myself, warranty been dammed. Fortunately, I didn’t experience any poor quality finishing surfaces or poor quality paint and coatings like you unfortunately have. In my opinion, the paint didn’t matter so much to me. The huge pitting and what appears to be holes did concern me. That’s poor alloy casting. Honda, in my past experience knows better than that. They have generally always been of the highest fit and finish when it comes to Japanese marques at least.

[@AndyManCam]

I know right. It’s immediately obvious that it’s a bad casting, but they didn’t want to hear it. If i hadn’t been tenacious (and also known a little about production methods) they’re have been happy for me too live my life believing it was indeed boomerang stonechips! 🤣 The secondary problem in Germany is that potential buyers like to see official service stamps in the book. So if i fob honda off and do it myself, I’ll potentially be reducing the resale value of the bike. But then again, small price to pay to know it’s running right!

[@EuroBikerUK]

I was once chatting to a head mechanic at my local Honda dealership about damage to the finish on the wheels of the new Goldwing. He said not to worry Honda know the issue, and as they were within the two year warranty, they were happy to replace them. I said, can’t be fairer than that, have they figured out what the issue is. No, he said. But by the time the replacement wheels start to show the same issue the bike will be out of warranty !

[@AndyManCam]

That’s now officially the most horrific thing I’ve heard so far! Lucky they replaced, but what’s it all for if you’ll end up In the same place in a year!? I hope that’s not what the new engine case will be like 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@EuroBikerUK]

@@AndyManCam me too m8 I hope u get it installed correctly while the weather is bad and your back out with a beautiful looking bike in the new season

[@AndyManCam]

Fingers crossed EB. The front of the and the sump will sadly continue to annoy. But at least they’re not super visible!

[@EuroBikerUK]

@@AndyManCam like me, I am sure you will get more and more bothered by it, even though you can’t see it and no one else will notice, I feel a rattle can and masking tape episode coming soon 😀. Happy New Year to you and yours

[@AndyManCam]

I fear that you could be very correct!! Or maybe a far larger project involving a complete restyle?….

[@michaelfiala2127]

Haha you just made me think of all the phone calls i am still missing since i bought my first bike 20 years ago. Must be around 50. As a mate of mine once stated : It's sometime puzzling how hard it is to get rid of money at a shop ;)

[@AndyManCam]

It’s nuts isn’t it!! „Here take my money!!“ and they still don’t want to help you out!! 😅

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

I’ve had a BMW for several years now after 40 odd years riding mainly on Japanese bikes. It’s all down to the dealer my first experience of BMW was terrible but found another a bit nearer and they have always been excellent in work, support contact etc. An example of the service is during lockdown last year when they had to close I sent an email hoping they’d pick it up at sometime. Within five minutes I had a phone call from the manager who was happy to discuss my query and said I could just call him if anything else came up, that’s only one of many.

[@digger8180]

I must admit and to give credit where credit is due BMW have looked after me also. Bike rear crown bearing went at the start of the first lockdown last March they came out, gave me a replacement bike and repaired same. However out of warranty and after taking the extended warranty insurance with BMW; which is NOT, AND I REPEAT NOT, BMW warranty service I decided not to renew as it's not anything to do with the dealership. Cnuts!

[@AndyManCam]

Definitely seems like BMW are doing something right. The bikes may go mechanical wrong a little more often but you certainly can’t fault them standing by their products. Impressive.

[@njohnson3331]

I bought a 2014 CB500F as my first new bike. I had had a used bike prior to that. It was definitely a budget bike, but I loved it. I did have two problems with it. There was a recall of the fuel pump or something, which left the fuel gauge less than accurate. The other problem I had was that at bout 1,200 miles it got stuck in 2nd gear! This is a bike that is assembled in Thailand I think, which is fine. The dealer I bought it at did all the necessary warranty repairs, but it too 2 months, and Honda apparently dragged their feet the whole time. On their end they are probably just trying to keep up with claims, but it was frustrating to wait 2 months for a warranty repair. It worked great after that, but then I wrecked it.

[@AndyManCam]

Certainly doesn’t seem to be the fastest or most willing company when it comes to warranty claims!

[@bikersquest]

Yeah I remember getting the first service for my Inazuma 250 and the guys forgetting to tighten some of the cosmetic bits up, made me question their workmanship especially for the rip off price they wanted. Probably trying to get too much done in a short amount of time. The paint on the wheels are chipping like crazy now I think it was due to legislation changes on type of paint, my FZ1 still looks great and is mechanically sound according to the MOT guy, I think it'd be more of a headache getting a new bike than it is to maintain an old one now days.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s very disappointing. Your probably right about the hassle of a new bike! Vs keeping the old!

[@8OneOfTheNobodies8]

Thanks for sharing your experience, its nice to get a honest opinion on these big brands! ... Seems like some brands stop caring when they get too big .. shame

[@AndyManCam]

Absolutely. They really haven’t shown an ounce of caring since the second i handed over the cash! Sad.

[@randomstuff4176]

Thanks for relaying your experience. I WAS in the process of deciding between two new bikes, one a Honda, the other a Suzuki .. Decision made. No guesses which way I'm going ..

[@AndyManCam]

My pleasure. It’s the least i could do. I might not be able to squeeze any more help out of my pointless warranty, but at least others can see what they might be getting themselves into!

[@robbyclark6915]

I just started riding in September of 2020 at 52 years old. I initially went to my local Honda dealership to see what they had in stock and purchase my first motorcycle!! 😃 The experience was completely awful!! They apparently sell several different brands and had almost nothing in the showroom other than a bunch of used very expensive motorcycles. Harley touring bikes and Goldwings mostly. I asked where the new Honda’s were and was told “whatever you see here is what we got” as he never missed a beat on whatever he was doing on his phone. So I didn’t get a Honda. My wife immediately wanted to go to one of the Harley dealerships in town and I agreed and off we went. The experience there was totally different and I bought my first motorcycle, a 2020 iron 883, and they delivered to my house that night. Still have it, still riding it, still love it.

[@TonyRule]

I hope you got some professional training. I say this not to belittle you or judge your ability from behind a keyboard but I do know that those returning to motorcycling after years of absence while they had young families and other priorities are disproportionately injured and killed. And anyone can benefit from proper training.

[@robbyclark6915]

@@TonyRule Thanks. Yeah I took the MSF course through Harley Davidson. Part of the deal since I was a brand new rider. I also subscribe to several YT channels about riding safely and regularly practice my skills in a parking lot next to my house. Riding a motorcycle was indeed MUCH, MUCH, more difficult than I thought but so worth it. I absolutely love motorcycles now!

[@TonyRule]

@@robbyclark6915 Nice. Keep the shiny side up, brother.

[@robbyclark6915]

@@TonyRule 👍

[@AndyManCam]

Glad you found the service you were looking for Robby. Voting with your feet (and wallet) like that are the best ways to show these poor performers how you feel!

[@sidecarcn]

That is just weird. I'm in Taipei and when I have brought my CB1000R + for service I just bring it by and then pick it up at the end of the day or the following day. No appointment needed. I know a few that have had warranty claims and the longest they have waited for a response was 1 day maybe 2 days. Here in Taiwan Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawaski, Harley Davidson are all known for their super service. Even extending warranties by a year when there is a big problem. The worst ones we have for service are Triumph, BMW and Ducati. I'm just curious the bike you have. Do you know where it was made? Check your vin number. The ones we get here in Taiwan are made in Japan. But for some other countries they get the model, which is made in Indonesia. While they are exactly the same. The finish on the Japanese made one is much better. Here in Taiwan the CB1000R + sells for the price that you can buy two in Europe. there are some private motorcycle shops that import the version made in Indonesia. but Honda Taiwan will not service these. They will only service ones officially imported by Honda from Japan. About the Honda poor service. this is something I know all to well for overseas. I'm originally from the Netherlands and have been living in Taiwan for over 20 years. To be honest Honda service outside of Asia sucks shit. Here in Taiwan like in Japan or South Korea, Singapore and and even China. If you have a Honda motorcycle in for service and if for some reason the service takes longer than one day they automatically give you one to use until your is repaired. They also update you on all the work and send pictures of any parts that need changing or will need changing in the future. They also if it any kind of major work will keep it for an extra day and have it test ridden before handing it to the customer. A sales guy I know who works at the main Honda dealership told me how disgusted he was when he visited Honda dealerships in Europe. Saying they should all be fired. My experience dealing with Honda has only bee positive. Two months ago I was in Taimali in South Taiwan and got a puncture. I called Honda customer service gave them my GPS location, which was in the middle of nowhere. 15 minutes later the closest Honda dealership in Kaohsiung that is 3 hours away called me to say they dispatched a mechanic who will replace the tyre for me where I was. he had to drive through the mountain roads for over 3 hours to get where I was on a Sunday morning at 8am. As the tyre was still under warranty it didn't cost anything and they didn't even try to argue with anything. Service in Europe, the US, Canada and Australia suck 100% when you compare the service you get in Japan or Taiwan or other places in East Asia.

[@fabienbable]

Nice little insight into the perspective for Asian customers, thanks! I wish the dealerships and customer service were at the Asian level as well, but yeah....have to do it yourself, I guess....

[@AndyManCam]

That sounds like an absolute dream! The fantasy ownership experience! My bike was actually made in Japan, which just further baffles me with regards to the poor finish problems. Seeing as how I’ve seen several bikes of about the same age with similar problems, there surely must have been some kind of defect in the manufacturing process for a batch of bikes. Just a shame Honda don‘t seem to care about it.

[@johnbarker9448]

Nothing to do with Honda but KTM.I had a 2017 Superduke GT which had a BIG malfunction at 17800 miles and 12 months out of Warranty. The sprag clutch didn't play its part one day and ended up needing new casings, bearings, gaskets etc.The dealer, JD Racing in Cornwall, repaired the bike. KTM supplied the parts FOC and JD's charged me around £650 for labour including a full service. This was all done without question.I was also lent a Gen 3 Superduke R for the duration.Not the same problem as you had, I know, but a lot of difference in dealer support. UK verses Germany maybe? Big admirer of your channel by the way'

[@AndyManCam]

Can’t really say fairer than that! That’s a world apart from the toss I’ve been dealt! I’m starting to wonder if maybe an older KTM adventure might be a solid choice. Before all the electrical wizardry started letting the gremlins in!

[@frankspeakmore7104]

Firstly that is what I call a proper "long term review". I would imagine that most if not all manufacturers out source parts to either India or China to make the bike as cheap as possible but charge as much as they can for the finished product. The question is will the new part last as long as the old one, and is there anything that can be done to prevent any more corrosion on the bike? Like others have said Hondas might be reliable but their quality of finish has taken a dive. I hope you continue to enjoy riding it as the recent trips to the Grossglockner showed how much fun you were having on it. Merry Christmas.

[@dsimon9s29]

Next we will start hearing "it is not a problem, it is a feature". :)

[@AndyManCam]

I think they already do that. It’s called ‚character‘!!

[@whittlad]

Nothing wrong with building parts with cheaper labour but compromises in quality control and unacceptable attitudes from dealers are not acceptable - Shame on you HONDA!!!!

[@dsimon9s29]

@@whittlad Well cheaper labor/labour kind of go hand in hand with quality control. Used to work with on a company that utilized "cheaper" labor. We were experiencing a 10% turnover rate every month. The reason being that some other company down the street would offer something like $0.10 to $0.25 more per hour and everybody would try to get a job there (don't blame them) resulting in having to hire new labor which had to be trained. The following month you loose another 10% of your labor force so again you have to train new workers. Step and repeat. So you end up with a work force which is not as pricey but whose quality of work is diminished because of the constant turnover.

[@AndyManCam]

It makes perfect sense. And unhappy and poorly motivated workforce will always produce lower quality work. It’s a catch 22 really. Lose money by paying the workers more, or lose money by putting customers off through shoddy products.

[@ianwelch484]

Great video. I have been serving my bikes over 40years. For the same reason you was talking about. Do it yourself and you know that it’s been service properly. And save your money. Ride safe. 👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s definitely the best way, if you trust your own work! I worry for those who either don’t want to or don’t think that they can. They’re chained to the supposedly expert service offering of the dealerships.

[@MGman100]

What an absolutely horrendous experience and so different from the quality and service you'd expect from Honda. I'd always fancied the CB1000R as my next bike although maybe not now. You and The Likeable Rider are not having much luck. Anyway, all the best for Christmas and the New Year!

[@AndyManCam]

No we’re really not!! I kind of wish I’d acted sooner like he did and traded in. Except i do really enjoy riding the bike! His was electrical and potentially stopped him riding. ‚luckily‘ mine is only cosmetic and principle based!! Happy Christmas to you too mate!

[@shawngreenwood7825]

Hello Andy, I to have had nothing but excellent service from my local Suzuki dealer, mind you I have had zero issues with my 650 V-Strom. Hope things improve and Honda wakes up. Merry Christmas from Northern Ontario Canada.

[@AndyManCam]

Glad to hear that Shawn. That’s the kind of experience we all hope for! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@bikefever3569]

I think it's all down to how good the dealership is. One of my mates had his engine replaced on his VFR1200 and it was out of Warranty for free ( he had to cover labour) all because the dealership Honda in Japan to death. As for built quality my current bikes are 2002 SP1 no problems or paint flaking And my 2 900 Fireblades was in issue free apart from reg/rec and the engine paint was great. Always found late 90 early 00 BMW,s never lasted a good winter in the UK. Best you get your arse back to UK

[@AndyManCam]

Absolutely. Had my dealer jumped in and said ‚that’s not right & I’ll get it sorted out‘ then my experience and opinion of the company would be very different. Sadly a company is only as good as the combination between their product and the face that deals with the customer.

[@theonlyredspecial]

I love Honda too. Have several fireblades. Been a Honda guy all my life. I bought an africa twin a year ago and my dash blanked out for up to 60 seconds three times on the motorway before Honda replaced the dash (took a long time and dealer complaints to help). I got it back and then my side lights would fail sometimes when I started the bike. Sometimes they would come on and sometimes they wouldn’t. A month later there was a problem with the engine leaking oil. Rough welds when I did a bit of close scrutiny. Local dealer had to replace some engine parts. In the end I traded it back into the dealer as I feel I got unlucky and didn’t trust the bike anymore. I’d buy Honda again mind you but I think my point is that sometimes you get unlucky. My local Honda dealer is good tho. Sorry to hear about your problems.

[@AndyManCam]

Cheers mate. Glad to hear you had a good dealer to back you up. Shame you had to ultimately lose money though. Glad you got things ‚resolved‘ though. 👍🏻

[@kiwiabroad8390]

My advice to any bike owner is find an honest dealer and stick with them, especially for major servicing. If one does rip you off or waste your time with excuses, spread the word (as you have done) through online channels so their business withers and dies.

[@AndyManCam]

Sound advice. Bad service should always be met with a complaint and taking business elsewhere!

[@mototakahe836]

I feel your pain young man and agree with your sentiments.I have always bought used precisely to avoid the non warranty warranties. From 10 years old to under 1 year old which saved on the out the door price drop. The only brand new bike I bought was the 2015 Yamaha Tracer 900. Saw this as a peach of a bike at an irresistable price level . I live in France, kept it 4 years aand sold it for 1000 euros less than I paid not a single problem in the 4 years; lucky or just Yamaha quality. MAJORITY of bikes big engined Hondas. As I did all my own servicing work never a serious problem. Always bought the bikes in UK imported to France but Brexit has knaccckered that with 3 c. Good job I am 75 and slowing down a bit. BMW GS and a 650 Enfield Interceptor. Keep up that jolly tone love your vids.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s a great buy/sell ratio! You essentially rented a brand new bike, for 4 years, for 1000€! Bargain!! Great that it was problem free too. Used is definitely the way to go. Low mileage, first couple of services done and the standard of the finish making itself known!

[@mototakahe836]

@@AndyManCam Yes indeed.

[@AndyManCam]

I’m glad I’ve learned this lesson, but sad it’s the wrong side of 10 grand and multiple Wasted days when i could have been riding!!

[@TheSpectre223]

Very sad to hear that, I've owned two Hondas from the 90s and been very happy with them so it would be extremely disappointing if they've now taken to corner cutting. Dealer wise, well I know that GT Motorcycles here in Plymouth UK, containing Honda and a few others, are known to be swizz merchants of the highest order, partial to some skimming off the top, but I had assumed it was a local issue and not a dealer-wide standard. I tried to test ride a Grom from them a few years back, and sure I was some scruffy young lad but they still told me to sod off because they didn't want me 'putting miles on their bike for the hell of it.' I also got a quote from them to A2 restrict my CB500 and they wanted something ludicrous like £280 for the privilege (I got the kit myself from ebay for about 50 quid, which was still a rip-off for a big washer with a triangle in it but what ya gonna do).

[@AndyManCam]

Nuts isn’t it. How do they know that you don’t have a wad of cash in your scruffy pocket, burning a hole?! Money grabbing, judgemental swines!!

[@TheTrincomalee]

Oh dear. I’ve just picked up my new CB1000R. Decision was partly made on your excellent reviews of the bike. 😀 I have to say the dealer was excellent, they told me to take the test bike for a full day and the rest of the procedure and collection was faultless. I’ve had Ducatis for the last 20 years and there have been problems there. One had to have new discs on the front and one new cylinder heads for premature valve guide wear. Anyway I’ll enjoy the CB and keep fingers crossed. Best wishes for Christmas and New Year.

[@AndyManCam]

Oh dear, I’m sorry i wasn’t quicker! There are lots of happy customers too though!! I still love the bike, it just has a bitter aftertaste now due to the poor finish and the poorer service. I’m still confident the mechanicals are 👍🏻 Maybe get some paint protection for yours. But if super shield perhaps!

[@sgomez3047]

Honda....you taking note!! Bc you've lost a customer here..(me) too many other options! Thank you for this valuable information Andy!

[@AndyManCam]

That’s the baffling part. If they had the monopoly on bikes, I’d understand that they could do what they want and still sell products. But with so much competition, surely the big firms should be trying to outshine each other?!

[@iancharlton5530]

I’ve just been in for a service today. Free coffee spoken to politely loan bike provided, picked bike up all cleaned explained to me what they have done see you this time next year sir have a good Christmas. All of that from a bmw dealer.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s the stuff you want! If i got that kind of service now, I’d start wondering when i was going to wake up!

[@windingroads5199]

It's a shame you've had those problems Andy, and especially disappointing that Honda have responded with such a lack of support. I don't think that a car manufacturer / dealer would be able to get away with that. I've currently got a 2002 VFR800 VTEC and have had a few Hondas from the late 80s 90s and early 2000s and the build quality on them - especially the early 00s bikes is superb, but I don't think that they have that quality any more.

[@mrvwbug4423]

I think most of their production has moved to India. QC on the cars has slipped too, but US market Honda cars are built stateside and non-union US QC can be shit

[@AndyManCam]

It is very disappointing WR. Seems they’re acting like quality is still where it was and assuming that there aren’t any complaints!! „I can’t hear you, no no no!“

[@AndyManCam]

Apparently the CB1000R is still made in Japan. Which ultimately means location of manufacture has no bearing anymore on whether or not it’ll be good!

[@edwardmccormac9888]

I hate to say it but it sounds like a lot of what you have experienced at your local dealer is down to you being a Brit, I am Irish and have visited Germany on more than one occasion and having had to clarified my country of origin several times ( they cant tell the difference) the attitude changed immediately, of course this is only part of the problem and as a Honda rider my self ( new bike ) I am disappointed to hear how you have been treated but as some others have commented manufacturers are quite happy to take your money but when you have a problem they don't want to know and they are ALL guilty of this all of them, God knows I know ( Mercedes Addict Here ) PS have you heard of ACF50, incredible. Cheers Mate good video.

[@AndyManCam]

That would be a real shame. And if so, they definitely picked the wrong brit!! I’m assured that service is terrible regardless of nationality though! 🤣

[@Aikez]

I had rust on the welds of my Africa Twin Adventure Sports, many people with similar issues. Some owners had new frames. Quality was shocking. Very unhappy. Sneezed on welds. Now have a BMW.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s just not acceptable. They deserved for you to jump ship and change teams! This can’t go on forever. They’ll have no customers left!!

[@Aikez]

@@AndyManCam Dealer was not interested at all in any issues unless on recall. I was told for the fuel containment issue that there were no customers they were aware of with the issue. Suddenly when a recall the story was complete opposite. For the rust, well, they were to take some pictures to send to Honda but told me to not get hopes up. I'm sure the cause would be salt on the roads, not washed properly etc.. Wheels were pitted after about 4 months of ownership. I didn't have the bike long enough after the rust issue on the frame to care any further. It was a fun bike, but not worth the hassle. Now on an R1250RT which is a different beast altogether.

[@AndyManCam]

‚we haven’t heard about that‘ is my favorite cop out. Especially when they have used bikes in the showroom with the same issues!! 🤣🤣 . The place i finally had the engine casing changed oddly went the other way, but not any better. He CX said he HAD seen the paint coming off of the engine. But because he’d seen it on other bikes, it must be normal!! 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ That’s not normal, that’s a class action lawsuit!!

[@zyonsdream]

I’ve owned two Goldwings, CB500F, CRF450RL, Super Cub, NM4 Voltus, Africa Twin and a CB1000R. I’ve had zero issues aside from cam chain tensioner issues on the Africa. If you ride in adverse weather, you’re going to get corroding. I’ve owned 26 motorcycles from the big Japan 4 to Harley to European and all of them have show corrosion because I ride all year round as well as winter. In the US there are no dealers owned by major manufactures. All of the Japan, euro and Indian owned brands are repp’d by dealerships that sell multiple brands. Hard to hold the manufacturer accountable for independent shop’s attitudes and policies. I’ve had bad dealer experiences and I’ve had good. I just spend my money at the good dealerships.

[@AndyManCam]

Sure i agree that it’s normal for the dealerships to be franchises. But the manufacturers should probably be a bit more picky about who gets to carry their name. I haven’t ridden my bike in adverse conditions, just ordinary train. It’s also garaged and washed regularly. Same as all my other bikes and none of them had paint worn off down to the metal, despite being far older and having covered considerably more miles.

[@garymasterson1174]

Cheers Andy. Disappointing but but not unusual nor surprising. For me the take home messages are: - don't buy a new bike. - avoid main dealers for servicing (but check the small print wrt warranties etc) - trust your instinct in that if someone treats you like shit then the service they offer will be shit. ATVB.

[@AndyManCam]

You’re absolutely on the money there Gary. Advice to live by!

[@techo61]

This review should be essential viewing in all Honda dealership training courses (if Honda HQ hear of this from our customers anywhere in the world, the relevant dealer will risk losing their franchise).

[@AndyManCam]

I agree. There should be more control and regulation of the basic standard of service. Otherwise more and more customers are going to be buying other brands. It just amazes me that the dealerships don’t seem to put that together themselves! They’re biting the hand that feeds them!

[@riderramblings]

I bought a new Honda 11 years ago and had it serviced at the specified intervals (now has 192,000 km) at the dealer I bought it from. They have been excellent. I bought a new Yamaha FJR1300 from the Yamaha Dealer and I'm seriously unimpressed with their mechanics. I learnt a long time ago that, if you're not going to do your own servicing, you need to find a good mechanic or a Dealer who actually has a good mechanic (rarer than hen's teeth!).

[@user-on5zm2we8q]

What bike did you have that went nearly 200.000km??

[@riderramblings]

@@user-on5zm2we8q NT700 Deauville. I still have it and use it daily to commute to work

[@AndyManCam]

192,000km is very impressive! I’d hate to think how ratty my CB is going to look at that mileage. Unless I’ve changed every single part on the bike by then! Trigger‘s CB thou! 🤣

[@forthcoming-d8694]

Sincerely this Content is Gold and a bright outlook into the dark side of Honda ownership. I learned from experience that analogy wise “you don’t have to be educated with a degree to be smart” some off the path mechanics can fix your bike better than a major dealer with Out of school technicians. Some techs are just visionaries and can fix a bike with complex issues minimally and meticulously. I hope & pray your CB1000R will be protected by the divine power and you be joyous forever. My 2019 CB1000R had factory poor installation issues out the dealer with zero miles. Covered by warranty but now after warranty is off I will be seeking a well reviewed non Honda dealer who got motorcycle enthusiasts and visionaries who can Fix any brand of bikes on the fly. Not impressed by the fancy looking modern setting by Honda dealers nowadays, they are just about the look & decoration to attract buyers. Honda loves Buyers but hates after sale device believing in the narrative that Honda lasts a lifetime so if you come back for an issues it is Pretentiously a customer’s fault.

[@juliancrooks3031]

This is good to know, I was thinking of buying a Honda. I think I'll keep looking cause it's sounding like they don't stand behind their products

[@AndyManCam]

That’s certainly the experience I’ve had. Your mileage may of course vary.

[@rickstark1917]

I have a 2021 Honda Rebel 500 with a couple thousand miles on it. After watching this, I went to the garage and with a flashlight, I inspected every nook and cranny on it. My bike has none of the paint issues described here and my shifter works well. I don’t doubt that this happened, but I wonder if there was a reason that the price was so good on this bike. That’s was a pretty big difference in price between the two dealerships. Perhaps this was a lemon that had been returned and resold?? Strange that there were preexisting warranty claims on the bike ?? I wonder if the dealer just put a new odometer on a bike that had been returned? Of course, That wouldn’t excuse Honda’s shitty manufacturing in this case or the slime-ball dealerships. I certainly don’t blame you for not going back to Honda ever again. I hope my Rebel continues to be trouble free, but I already have my eyes on a Triumph Trident 660 as my second bike… if I can ever find one. 😊

[@AndyManCam]

Glad to hear that yours is all good Rick 👍🏻 Everything you suggest is quite possible. 3000€ saving is not a small amount. Though it only had 2km on the clock when i took delivery and it looked immaculate (for a short while!) whichever direction the truth lies in, it doesn’t paint a great picture for Honda! (Pardon the pun).

[@brucekendall52]

Thanks for the headsup.I will stick with my existing bike brands,thks.

[@AndyManCam]

Just telling it like it was! 😉

[@dmandhelen]

I’ve got a little theory .. what do you think ??? The makers of high quality, high precision well made and durable products .. such as Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha etc.. have finally noticed how the makers of lesser quality, less reliable products are continuing to sell their products at exorbitant prices and people are still going crazy over them and buying them.. despite how expensive and frail they are ..(making excuses for the lack of engineering quality as “ character or charm “.. ).. and so they think to themselves… if they can do it and get away with it then so can we !!🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤣🤣🤣

[@AndyManCam]

I think you’re definitely on to something there. That and the knowledge that no one customer will ever ride far enough or keep the bike long enough to notice the poor quality before they trade it in and start the process again. Throwaway culture gone mad.

[@DaveDayve]

Exactly, same like when windows 95 came along (yep I'm that old 😂) once it's acceptable that computers will hang and disks will corrupt, then poor products will reign supreme. Though once there was good n bad, there's now rather poor... And mega poor... So yr kinda picking the best from the worst.. Having said that, power technology and such are something that the 80's could only dream of ..

[@AndyManCam]

Haha! I remember that too, but only just! The disaster of windows 8 hangs heavier in my mind! It is so irritating that mistakes, errors, malfunctions and shortcomings are to be expected as normal nowadays.

[@sgomez3047]

ANDY!!! Merry belated Christmas brother..good to hear from you again

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks very much! Same to you mate!! 🎄

[@HuskyRides]

If ur Reading this Honda; good PR! "Applause".. Just get a BMW premium occasion.. Got a 2018 urban GS with premium warranty.. after 4 months i found some small blisters in the paint on the front (u barely noticed it but the dealer did!) they instantly replaced the entire fueltank (costs like 2500 euro's!).. A small fog problem in the headlight? They replaced the entire headlight unit!.. Taking everything serious and never putting anything on the costumer. They also are in straight contact with BMW motorrad and put the costumer first. All stuff was fixed intantly and within a week! i could even wait for it with a cup of coffee. Never going a different brand ever again. New Honda's are not as well made as the older ones..

[@ioandragulescu6063]

well, I don't think you will be very happy if they apply the same procedures once out of warranty :)

[@HuskyRides]

@@ioandragulescu6063 Time will tell.

[@AndyManCam]

I think I might just lean away from new bikes altogether!! After a year or two, all the problems have mostly shown their faces and been dealt with!

[@MrBoybergs]

Hondas' excellent reputation is a throwback to the 90s imo. Back then, bikes such as the 5th gen vfr(800) and cbr900rr were over-engineered to such a degree that they were genuine market leaders in build quality and reliability. Present day Hondas are no better or worse than the other two Japanese giants or any BMW, Triumph or Italian bike. Yet the myth of Honda engineering superiority still clings on.

[@AndyManCam]

Strange isn’t it. How does it keep perpetuating when reports of bad fit and finish seem to proliferate the Internet!

[@SudeepC1973]

Could it be just a question of money spent and choices made by Honda?

[@malcolmpatton9314]

Hello Andy, Nice to see riding in the rain, appallingly service from your local dealer.we found our dealer very accommodating allowing drop off on a Saturday and pick up the following Saturday.but not cheap service cost so first service was done at a none Honda dealer who have good review and do a great job for a decent cost,going to check my engine casing now.I guess you could have the engine underneath repaired and fit an engine guard.Honda dealer was Peter Stevens Dandenong very helpful and accommodating.none dealer was motor heaven of Moorabbin who where just great to deal with.

[@AndyManCam]

It always seems to rain when i need to go to that dealership! Good call on straying from the official service. Go where the service is good i say. And apparently they can’t void your warranty if genuine parts are used. Good luck winning that argument though!! I think you’re right that I’m just going to have to accept defeat and get the engine and sump sorted out myself. Very annoying, but I’m losing the will to keep trying!

[@malcolmpatton7817]

Yeah one dealer say ok warranty other dealer says no what’s that all about make your minds up people make the issue go away and we may come back for more products, and yeah my garage used genuine parts.

[@AndyManCam]

I'm with you there mate. They need to at least present some kind of unified front! I imagine buying horses in the wild west was like this! 😜

[@grosbeakmc]

Hey Andy, thanks for the disappointing enlightenment. Sorry to hear you've had such a sub-par experience and I think it's a good idea to do future servicing yourself. I belong to a local motorcycle FB group. A parts and services store owner (not a new bike dealer) was lamenting about how many people are doing their own work and not leaving it to the professionals. I had the carbs cleaned on a Yamaha 650 by one of his "professionals" in the early 90s and they put the float bowls on wrong, requiring me to buy an extra-long screwdriver to drain them for winter storage. Who cares about your stuff more than you do? Nobody!

[@mickeypopa]

I always love it when these so-called motorcycle meisters talk about "professionalism", while being sloppy-ass clowns who work on your bike by following step-by-step service manuals (that a trained monkey can do) and saying how several millimeters of misalignment anywhere on a motorcycle is "no big deal" because they don't actually give a shit about it - they just want your money. A real professional wears gloves, puts protective covers on your bike, doesn't smear grease or oil everywhere, makes sure to put everything back together the way factory did (down to a millimeter) and knows what the hell they're doing without the customer having to inspect the work after or pull out excess oil. Bloody hell, when have the people who are supposed to care about getting the details perfect turned into lazy twats without an ounce of tidiness in their body?

[@AndyManCam]

It is a sorry state of affairs chaps. I wouldn’t call myself a pro by any stretch, and my garage is closer to a backstreet butcher than a working workshop! But i still appear to have higher standards than the supposed professionals. It’s obvious to me they don’t care and as a result, they don’t get any more of my money!!

[@frankmalone8389]

Sorry to hear...this will definitely give me a cause for a pause on thinking of purchasing the Honda nt1100...of the two bikes I currently own one of which is the 2012 cbr600rr..bought used, put nearly 15,000miles on it and has been flawless...so far. It's s actually been awesome...a lot of smiles in those miles.

[@AndyManCam]

Smiles in the miles is what we’re all after Frank! I’d take a very close look at any bike you consider buying. Look in all the dark hidden corners that they assume you’ll never see!! I would imagine many parts of the NT1100 will be shared with the Africa Twin, or at least come from the same plant. If they’ve sorted those issue out, good for them. If they haven’t, then they don’t deserve to sell a single bike!

[@ioandragulescu6063]

I guess I was lucky with my suzuki dealer (in southern Germany). Last time I took it for some pretty extensive work, they brought the bike and the boss noticed a small stain and immediately and with a commanding voice called a junior worker and told her to proceed on wiping off said stain. I was actually embarrassed to see a young lady, on her knees, vigorously polishing my joy toy... errrm, that came out wrong :)

[@AndyManCam]

Haha! Of course 😉 Sounds like you were very lucky. Apparently nobody, not even the guy that did it, saw how awful my bike looked when it went off the door!

[@ioandragulescu6063]

@@AndyManCam I would think the bussiness goes really well so they don't have to bother to be courteous ? Hamburg, lots of money, "middle of nowhere" and by that I mean competition ... who knows.

[@8eewee]

I had a similar experience regarding testing a CB. I had a Honda NC700 before that which I took to a dealer that I was quite satisfied with. Went in to ask for a testride, said he didn't have one. Asked if he could get his hands on one. Nope. Decided then and there to go to another dealer. I'm at a kawa shop now that's 45 minutes riding but I'm super satisfied with them. Luckily my bike hasn't had any issues as I had the tank ceramic coated (supposedly the paint was shit so decided to be proactive) 15K km on her now, best decision I ever made.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s the best way to deal with it mate. Vote with your feet and only give them one chance! Eventually they’ll have to learn… right?!

[@DankoStojanovic]

Dealers were terrible, but only Honda is to blame with engine cover, paint, and weld splatter. Such a shame. Honda used to be the quality brand...

[@AndyManCam]

I know right. It should never have gotten to this stage because the parts should have been made properly from the beginning! Very disappointed 😔

[@mickeypopa]

I own a Versys 650 from brand new and apart from a slightly leaking front sprocket gasket (almost unnoticeable though) about a month before the 2-year warranty expired, which was indeed changed under warranty, the bike has been spotless so far. I bought it in September 2017 and it's now been more than 4 trouble-free years for me (or 38000+ kms). However, finding a workshop that's up to ANY kind of standard has seriously been an undertaking. Eventually, after a couple of services done in a work shop ~220km away from me (Bosnia & Herzegovina), the mechanic was too busy so I had to take the bike to be serviced in another country (I shit you not). Since I work in Slovenia, it was easier to simply ride the bike over there and get it serviced while I'm away on work than to have it done in the country I bought it in. Ridiculous, right? Luckily, Kawasaki workmanship & materials have proved to be top-notch and there was no need to do anything other than that gasket replacement and regular services. Before I bought it I was talking to a proper motorhead and he said to me that Honda has been making all the new engines out of some soft shit and that I should stay away from it. 😂 I had my eye on a Versys 650 even before that, but that just sealed the deal for me. As for my next new bike, it will be Yamaha Tracer 9. No Honda for me, tyvm. 🙂 And who knows, I might even keep the trusty old Versys 650. 😉

[@AndyManCam]

That’s a proper mixed bag Mack! Really glad you’ve managed to get a bike that was finished up to scratch! It beggars belief that you have to cross borders to get a service worth having though! I wonder if dealerships will EVER get the message, or if they’re happy with the amount of money they make and the status quo will endure? I would put my money on the latter. There are so many people on this planet now and new people are getting in to biking (or buying new for the first time) that it’ll be a long time before they’ve pissed off every potential customer!

[@mickeypopa]

@@AndyManCam Hah, future sounds bleak when you say it like that. 😂 But it is as it's always been - you have to vote with your wallet. That's about all you can do nowadays, really. And also do a thorough research beforehand. The information is out there, you just have to sift through the mountain of forums and web pages to find it. Anyway happy holidays and the new year mate, all the best and hopefully better luck with bikes in 2022! 😄

[@AndyManCam]

So true! Cheers mate and a happy new year to you too!

[@andrewdyson4255]

I was looking for a Goldwing having watched this video I’ll stick with my BMW. ( At least their warranties) are pretty good - thanks for posting Honda have just missed out on £30k

[@AndyManCam]

It certainly seems like you can’t fault BMW for their warranty service. Too bad for Honda that they can’t keep up.

[@Tanjawi0000]

Loving your content, Andy...Thanks for sharing. Someone in the comments made ref to the VFR 5th gen. I agree, they're special. I currently ride a 6th gen VFR and it's a pretty well screwed together machine in my opinion as well. By the way, I'll be picking your brains about a touring trip in a couple of months.

[@AndyManCam]

Many thanks Omar. That seems to be the general theme, that owners of older Hondas are extremely happy. Something must have changed along the way. Real shame.

[@40mosher]

Be interesting to know if you get any feed back from Honda if their bods see this video. Customer service is key in my eyes.

[@moorepower13]

I worked at a Honda dealership for a few years. They where impossible to get warranty repairs from compared to the other manufacturers. Almost as if they drank right from the "whelp it's a Honda" cool aid right from the source.

[@AndyManCam]

I can’t imagine they’ll be doing anything about it. Seems like they’re not bothered about keeping customers happy.

[@kb34958]

@@AndyManCam Andy, when a German dealer refers a warranty claim to Honda, is that Honda Germany?

[@ironmanmichael]

Oh dear, Andy. What a tale of woe. Half way through watching I was thinking of saying 'I hope you feel better after letting that out' but it kind of got worse at the end. I have only one manufacturer warranty experience to offer as a ray of hope. My old Rocket III was one of the first off the production line and suffered bubbling of the lacquer (designed to protect all that bling) on the forks and top yolk after only a couple of months. Triumph replaced the lot without a quibble. No one likes a quibble. Just saying, it can be done. Honda seem to have made a different choice. Their loss in the long run. Thanks for sharing. Have a Merry Xmas all the same.

[@AndyManCam]

I know right! I was hoping for some resolve too and just ended up more pissed off! 😖 Happy to hear that Triumph came good. Kind of wishing I’d gone that way. The triumph dealership were actually the friendliest too. Well, one of them!! 😂

[@Jbear-gy4gq]

Unfortunately it is becoming the way of the world now for people not to give a toss about quality of products and service levels. Basically dealers don’t give a shit once they have sold you the bike. Oh hold on yes they do, they want you to take your bike to them for severely overpriced services or your bikes warranty is invalid. The quality of bikes has dropped (all makes) the past year or so. A friend has a 2013 Aprillia RSV4, some limited edition thing. It is beautifully crafted and the quality, fit and finish of everything on it is astounding. We went to look at a 2021 RSV4 as he was considering an exchange. What a bag of cheap looking crap the new one is. He took 60 seconds to make his mind up to keep his old bike. Manufacturers are going cheap nowadays to save money but still charge a premium price. And don’t get me started on all the electronic crap on bikes nowadays. Takes the discipline out of being able to actually ride a bike. Especially on the U.K.s strangulated roads. I regularly show up riders at track days on new sports bikes on my fj1200. Very few of them can ride these new machines they have and when they ask “what have you had done to that mate” , I reply that I did take the tax disc holder off as we don’t need them anymore. And yes I am a 51 year old moaning tw_t. Great vlog by the way.

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks mate. I totally agree. I feel lucky that i learnt to ride before ABS and traction control. The traction control light on my CB1000R has flashed twice in all the 18 months I’ve had it. Despite riding in the utterly worst of weather! Looking at new bikes with all the trickery just makes me dread the day it all goes wrong!

[@mikek2218]

Got to say Andy, you are taking it all wayyy better than I would have. I'd be looking to chuck that bike and anything with a Honda logo on it ASAP. So thank you for sharing you experience since I will now never touch another Honda again. I've had great experiences with Suzuki, Kawasaki and Royal Enfield. I only owned one Honda for a very short time and never had reason to take it to a dealer. Sounds like I was lucky to be rid of it as soon as I was.

[@AndyManCam]

Cheers Mike. I’ve had my ups and downs believe me. One point i was ready to sell and go without a bike till i found a replacement! I’m with you on keeping my distance from Honda. I’ll do a bit more research next time!!

[@franklinwilkerson2061]

So sad to hear that such a legendary company like honda has become so 3rd rate. I've owned a cbr1000rr (repsol), cbr929rr and an rc51. Loved em all and always quite impressed with build quality and reliability. I thought the problems with the rr-r was just a fluke but apparently not. Sad 😔.

[@AndyManCam]

That is a shame. Even more so when you’ve experienced Honda at their finest, only to be disappointed by the most recent model. 😞

[@ianwilliams4832]

The grey gasket sealer on black casings was a shocker!! Anyway, enjoyable vid Andy 👍👍

[@AndyManCam]

I know right. In no world is that even vaguely OK. Cheers Ian.

[@kevinwilson8039]

Having worked in a dealership I can tell you that some dealers make fraudulent claims against bikes…for all kinds of parts on popular bikes

[@AndyManCam]

That’s a very sad thing to hear. We’re supposed to trust these people with our money, vehicles and information. 🙈

[@TonyRule]

That's disgusting. I'm surprised that the manufacturers don't require the vehicle owners to verify that replacement parts have been supplied to their vehicle under warranty, even if it's just a random audit.

[@AndyManCam]

I agree Tony. There should be more accountability. Especially in germany, where every single thing has to be checked, rechecked and then it has to be proven that it was checked! 🤣

[@frozen3409]

Way over in the US….question…where did you purchase your body gear?..jacket, heated gloves, sleeve cuffs?

[@AndyManCam]

Hey! The Jacket and trousers are Rukka Exegal. The gloves are the Keis 701S ‚shorty‘ heated gloves. 👍🏻

[@madrat5176]

I had a 2018 cb1000r and it was great, but little issues with the transmission and cosmetics (that tank paint is total shit) were turning me off. Also, in Southern CA, insurance is insane for liter bikes (well over $200 per month), so I traded for a Yamaha MT-09 and the insurance is $35 per month for a 900cc bike that’s just as fast 😂

[@mrvwbug4423]

Which is odd given the MT-09 is a legendary squid missile and most of em get wadded within a year. The CB1000R tends to be not ridden by squids

[@madrat5176]

@@mrvwbug4423 Agreed. As soon as my new exhaust is delivered and I flash it, it’ll be a proper hooligan machine

[@AndyManCam]

Crazy! Seems the insurance companies over estimate the quality of the bikes too! 🤣 That’s a monstrous saving though! Maybe I’ll take a test ride on Ab SP in the spring.

[@madrat5176]

@@AndyManCam It really is crazy. Decisions made by arbitrary numbers on paper. Nothing more. You should definitely test ride an MT-09. It's surpassingly a better bike all around

[@AndyManCam]

I’m definitely attracted by the Öhlins bouncers and the riding position. Headlight is ugly as hell, but i mostly want to be able to see in the dark! 😂 i found the tracer 9 engine a bit breathless compared to the CB, but maybe the lighter MT-09 feels different?

[@davidmatthews3093]

It’s a shape you’ve had such problems but one bad apple…. I bought a brand new Pan European in 2012 and traded it in last October. Zero problems. The bike I traded it in for was a brand new CB500X and have been amazed by the quality of the Taiwan made budget Honda. The dealer I bought it from was crap but there’s another good dealer convenient for me so I will use that for servicing. I lived in Germany for 26 years and discovered many car dealers who were bad but others who just about made up for them. Here in France the best value tyres iv3 bought have always been from the main dealers.

[@AndyManCam]

Seems more like 3 bad apples! 😜 1 dealer is dodgy, One can’t be arsed and One has apes as mechanics! I’ve seen too many CB1000r‘s with the same casting issue and terrible paint. This is a widespread problem for sure. Maybe not all, but enough that it can’t be discarded as a freak. Glad your bikes are fulfilling your expectations though. That’s all you can really hope for!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@dsimon9s29]

Thanks for posting. Sorry to hear about the problems you are having with Honda. What a mess! Unfortunately, I don't think it is limited to Honda. I am sure you are aware of the issues thelikeablerider had with KTM. I have had issues with my 1200GS and more recently an S1000RR. Here the excuse is CoVid. At least they are using a different excuse in Germany, "It is your fault for riding your motorcycle. Don't ride motorcycle and it will be fine! You dummkopf!" ;)

[@AndyManCam]

Cheers mate! Made me laugh that! Sadly because it’s not that far from the truth! How dare i get my bike wet?!

[@dsimon9s29]

@@AndyManCam It is funny because it is true. ;)

[@AndyManCam]

As is so often the case!

[@captango]

The VFR VTEC has an electrical problem that Honda know about but refuse to acknowledge it on the EU models. The American version had a recall and the wiring loom causing the problem was replaced. The problem is the earth wire coming from the loom connector behind the left fairing going to the headlamps isn't strong enough, this causes it to completely kill the bike. 1. Complete light failure. 2. Complete light cause engine switch off. As with the vfr, it won't run unless the headlights are on and functioning correctly.

[@AndyManCam]

Sounds a lot like the magnets in the rotor of the Fz1. Not fixed until the last generation and i heard of many people being told Yamaha didn’t know about it. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Lochwood92]

Really sad to see this mate. That engine casing replacement basically sums up in one, the kind of service you have received from the dealer. But it should never have got this bad in the first place with those holes and then theres the wear and tear of the engine casing........ I actually thought the build quality was pretty good on the CB until I started working on my old VFR750. The build quality is awesome compared to the CB and I now know why Honda got a name for themselves. Not anymore and it has already been said, most manufacturers are the same. Get that casing off pronto. It looks shit 😁

[@AndyManCam]

Cheers mate. Yeah it’s sad when you compare with older bikes, just how far everything has declined. Surely things were supposed to get better in ‚the future‘?! You’re right though that this shouldn’t have even gotten this far. Somebody ok‘d that casing to go into Paint, despite looking like an Aero bar! But for honda to then act like all is good, was the final insult.

[@quinnpeaksbiker]

Totally agree, the transalp 600 is a lot better than the 700, marginally over the 650 too. It's just better to stick to older bikes

[@AndyManCam]

That’s advice to live by. The days of needing to have the newest abs greatest are over. Companies don’t care anymore so always wait until the first wave of guinea pigs have exposed all the Cock UPS that the manufacturer missed in their impatience to get to market!!

[@teneretraveller8980]

Was eine glockenende. I have to admit my experience with a Honda dealer in the UK was the exact opposite. Just bought a 500x to travel on after hiring one abroad this summer. She loved it and said like so many things in life I shouldn't let the lack of size or displacement concern me. It was so much easier than one of those big , German panzers off road for me. Plate underneath to cover the soft underbelly and good to go. Soft extensions with squidgy vibration mounts? Didn't realise accessories from the motorcycle and entertainment worlds were interchangeable. Could save some dollars there, ta for the tip. Good one. Happy travels 👍.

[@AndyManCam]

Haha! Glad you’ve had a good experience TT. Hang on to that dealer and never let them go! Also fully understand the happiness with the CB500X. I was genuinely very positively surprised.

[@northernninjarunner5506]

Miss the FZ1 then?

[@AndyManCam]

A little bit! After smashing out 10k and then having infinitely more fit and finish problems, suddenly the 400€ rotor fix seems like a bargain!!! I still prefer the fuelling and grunt of the CB though! 😜

[@northernninjarunner5506]

@@AndyManCam Imagine the CB after three years though the resale value will be awful with a paint finish. It looks worse than an FZS forks

[@AndyManCam]

Sadly you are absolutely right. I’ll either have to get rid soon, or get ready to have everything repainted privately. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@DuncanLongden]

I have bought one new bike in my life, it was a 98 Suzuki GSXR600R (last of the carburated generation. I used it for my work as a courier/despatch rider in London. I fitted uprated jets and a ful Ackro' system on it, what a fun bike to ride although perhaps not the most practical choice. On the whole it handled everything I threw at it fairly well. However the after sales service was aweful from the then Motorcycle city, this culminated in a 3 month wait for a new clutch because they could not get a retained nut. I went to the Suzuki spares shop all of a mile away and got one which they then used to complete the clutch change. Adding insult to injury they tried to charge me for the retainer nut I had supplied them. Would I buy a new bike again? Never, I actually worked at motorcycle city after this experience and found out a lot about how the dealershops work and their attitude towards customers. My advice, be patient buy used and if you don't know what to look for take a trusted mechanic with you. Riding should not be a headache.

[@AndyManCam]

🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ Epic fail from Motorcycle City. If there were awards for terrible service, it looks like it would be a struggle to pick any winners out of the masses!! 😂 Agree with buying used and finding a good mechanic or doing it yourself.

[@FxRiderST]

Everyone is raving about Honda's quality, but to me it's not any better than Yamaha (or maybe even worse than Yamaha), or any other brand.

[@bikersquest]

I think Yamaha actually came in top for reliability few years ago

[@AndyManCam]

I think the raving is from the Honda PR machine and the die hard Honda fans of a bygone era. You’re only as good as your last game!

[@sbeck152]

Terrible experience for you Andy, but your honesty is refreshing and appreciated… I have owned Honda, BMW and Triumph over the past few years and the quality & service from Honda was by far the most underwhelming. I won’t be going back to them in a hurry… The reality of Honda is a long way from the perception of bomb-proof high quality unfortunately. Poor customer service is the final nail in the coffin! ☹️

[@AndyManCam]

I’m with you there Stuart. Shame that my first dalliance into the new bike world leaves me scarred! It’s a wonder that this reputation is still perpetuating itself!

[@bloodyhell451]

I have a mechanic buddy in France who does quite a bit of trade fixing bikes still in warrantee with dealerships in the Biarritz/Bayonne/Anglet area. Wrong oil filters fitted resulting in seized engines, you name it. All the big brands. They don't have the staff so they punt the nasty cases onto him. On Honda, I'm shocked that Honda are going wrong. Bessie (the 600F) has just broken 90,000 km and so far it's been one reg/rec and one exhaust system (last month!). They don't make 'em like they used to..... Top egg-sucking tips for sealant on casings: Remove, clean and de-grease (obvi) - apply new sealant. Apply good quality kitchen roll flat onto the mating surface, tamp gently, peel off. You have exactly the right amount of sealant to seal but no excess.

[@AndyManCam]

It’s an astonishing fall from Grace. Something must have changed for them to apparently not care about it all anymore!

[@derekholme6922]

Hi Andy, problem is these days, no pride , don’t give a toss and expect loyalty from customers, not a good mix, sometimes I have used in my case, BMW specialists and my one is superb and the warranty is not compromised as long as genuine parts are used although my guy uses parts which surpass genuine. Heated kit is ace, now have Keis heated jacket and changed gloves to shorty, didn’t like the batts in the cuff, have bike wired for jacket and gloves but made a lead to put a battery for gloves in a pocket, covered all angles, all the best for a great Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year, should be a COVID free year, there is no F in chance. Cheers and ride safe.

[@AndyManCam]

Sad but true Derek. Nobody gives a toss because some other idiot will probably try your services when the ‚experienced‘ customers have given you the finger! Good work on the Keis gear. Nothing wrong with having all eventualities covered! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@devonbikefilms]

Like you I’ve had some appalling experiences with main dealers here in the UK. My last brand new Honda, my trusty Super Cub has never seen the inside of a dealers. I have the factory manual which I bought from the USA and do all my own servicing, as I have done on all my bikes over the last 10 years. Much less stressful and saves a fortune.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s definitely the way to go! And if you plan to keep it forever, who cares about resale value?! Cheers Brian!

[@Kostek994]

Andy, thank You a LOT for this video! New Hondas are a no-go for me from now on. I hope the engine block doen't have such pitting defects!

[@kb34958]

I wouldn't condemn a manufacturer over a single issue. I have heard a lot about rust issues on Yamahas which dealers are reluctant to rectify but I wouldn't completely rule out buying one on that basis.

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks Kevin and Karol. TBH I personally will rule out a manufacturer over a single issue. For the simple reason that they’ve showed me how they would handle all issues. Blame the customer, deny the problem and if all else fails, do a shoddy fix. The quality control issue may have been a fluke (as well as the other 3 ‚flukes‘ I’ve seen with my own eyes) but the lack of support to put a manufacturing defect right tells me all I need to know.

[@TrustyZ900]

Glad I bought a '17 Suzuki V Strom 5 years ago. 35,000 trouble free miles. The only thing I didn't like was a cheap looking seat cover, which the local upholsterer replaced. Big sticker on the frame said made in Japan. I haven't found any Chinese parts anywhere.Great engine- I've seen many with over 200,000 miles on them in our club.It's not perfect, but I'm satisfied.

[@AndyManCam]

I keep hearing good things about the V-Strom. So much that i actually found myself looking at one the other day. Might have to revisit that sometime.

[@EfferusZangetsu]

Sorry to hear about all the problems you encountered. But yeah, before buying a bike, or a car it is wise to check out the reputation of your local dealer/service station. If they are shit, buying anything from them, or anything that needs to be serviced by them won't be a fun experience. That is a major reason I went with my Z900 instead of the street triple rs when I was torn between the 2 bikes. Kawi gave me 0 issues since 2018 until today and my local dealership did a pristine job with all the upgrades, adjustments and regular servicing.

[@AndyManCam]

Absolutely true. I wrongly assumed that i could expect a certain standard across the network. A good dealership is a must.

[@EfferusZangetsu]

@@AndyManCam You and me both. ;) But that is a mistake I won't make again. BTW You literally saved my wife and me when our twins were sick for the first time. They stopped crying only while watching your videos. :D

[@AndyManCam]

Haha! Really?! Was it my dulcet tones or are they just into exhaust sound!? 🤣

[@EfferusZangetsu]

@@AndyManCam Probably both. :D

[@AndyManCam]

Either way, happy it worked! I’ll put long distance baby settler in my résumé!

[@brianpreval5602]

sorry to hear about your problems, i think it is mostly the german dealers, when i was in germany with the raf many people had problems with dealers of all kinds of cars, i had problems with corroding alloy wheels and got told it was normal - after 6 months! had to get ford customer services involved , who made the garage change all my wheels. it seems to me to be german dealers in general that is the problem. i have a cbr650r and it' fantastic - quality of finish is great and the thai dealers [i live in thailand] are great, always very helpful - so much for german efficiency!!

[@AndyManCam]

Sadly they don’t call it „Deutschland, Service Wüste“ for nothing!

[@Psycrow11]

Welcome to Canada. Your ONLY option for test rides is a once a year demo day where SOME brands do a tour with a test fleet usually one day only at certain dealerships. You can’t walk in to any dealership here and get a test ride on a new bike. Second hand, maybe and if your lucky they have a demo some employee is using of a model you want to try.

[@AndyManCam]

That’s madness! So everybody has to buy blind! That’s a gamble I’d never be able to bring myself to take! I’ve thought I’d love so many bikes and then just didn’t enjoy them in real life.

[@mattmutane5502]

@@AndyManCam Indeed. I spent 10 years of test rides before I found a replacement bike I actually wanted to buy! (and some of those I was certain I was going to buy, until I test rode them...!!)

[@Psycrow11]

@@AndyManCam yup it’s caused me to make some mistakes over the years. Suzuki M109r comes to mind. You just have to wait till spring hit up the brand dealer and try and get booked in for the bike you want on thier demo day. If you can make it the one day they have available, and if they have one of the models you want to try in the fleet and if you can beat out all the other guys that want to try it. Shitty way to buy a bike.

[@Black-Country-Rider]

Another great vid Andy. U managed to make a crapy situation entertaing. Over the years I've owned 1 yamaha, 2 honda's and I'm now on my 4th trouble free suzuki. I just service them and keep them coated in scottoiler f365. I'll be sticking with suzuki. Thanks for the vid and best wishes for the new year.

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks very much mate, glad you think so! Glad you’ve found your brand. I’ve still never owned a Suzuki. Maybe I’ll take a look at what they’ve got going on, when the CB gets long in the tooth!

[@thomaskane9298]

Good video...and nicely told. Makes me want to write to Honda and tell them to up their game. I'm more than happy with my Triumph... hasn't skipped a beat.

[@AndyManCam]

I want to write to them too, but i don’t think they’d care if i did!!

[@tugainswitzerland]

yeah... that´s why I do the Service for my Honda CB500F at the local yamaha/triumph dealership.

[@AndyManCam]

I guess we all need to let go of the idea that a Honda has to be serviced by Honda! It has to be serviced by the person that will do the best job!

[@traviscarter9300]

Bummer dude. I guess I will keep an eye out for this on mine. Ughhh.. Might be awhile before I put that kind of mileage on mine tho. I am doing my own services. Dealerships are no fun. You were 100 percent right about the paint on the tank. Mine is already showing some wear and tear and it only has 600 miles on it. I used some cleaner/polish on it and got a bunch of swirls from polishing it. Smh.

[@AndyManCam]

What a nightmare! Just do what you can now to protect the paint. Ceramic coating or similar perhaps. The metal on the side Case, you just need to keep an eye on. Totally understand your self servicing though.

[@markosrides]

Not letting any dealer "mechanic" come near my BMW if it's not absolutely necessary, meaning I can't fix it myself. Although I bought it used, the guy before me was servicing it at the dealers and only thanks to his connection inside was he able to get proper service. I'm doing all the servicing myself and if I screw something up, I have only myself to blame rather then screaming on some bloke at the dealership. Got me a diagnostic tool, full BMW service manual, decent tools and I'm doing well so far. Also, shocking from Honda, and if I factor in that you are in Germany, I can only imagine what would the dealer service network look like in more of an eastern part of Europe where I live... Cheers Andy and good luck, hope that Honda makes it until you get rid of it (go for the Beemer for gods sake, stop cramping on tiny bikes :D)!

[@AndyManCam]

I think that’s the best way Marko. It’s worked for me for the last 15 years too! Don’t know why i felt the need to change it! So naïve!! Maybe this little experience is the turning point where i should finally get something that fits!!

[@vincentjohnston8789]

Great grumpy video Andy! Maybe you could augment your channel name to AngryAndyManCam?? My first ever big bike was the Deauville (sadly called the 'Dullsville' by journalists) and after a year of keeping it outside the paint underneath started to bubble and flake off to my horror!! That's going back to 2006 and it looked like a blowtorch had been applied to it. I've also had a Yamaha maxi scooter and again, after being kept outside the underneath exhaust and engine started to rust. Now i have a cbr650r which is kept in my bike lock up and i rarely ride the bike in the rain - so it will be interesting to see over this first winter what happens to the paint work. That gear shift looks awful. I once had a yamaha xj6 10 years ago that kept going into false neutral and was told it was caused by my gear changing technique......I got rid of that bike before it got me killed. Have you thought about switching to either Triumph or BMW or even Ducati?? Perhaps these other brand show rooms will have less grumpy sales staff

[@AndyManCam]

That is irritating! Not to be negative, but my bike is garaged and has never been parked outside in the winter! I did consider a triumph at the time of purchase but the insurance was way more expensive. Irony? The ducati salespeople were by far the most friendly and relaxed tbh. They let me take the Hypermoto out for as long as it took! I did have to leave a 2000€ deposit though!! 😖

[@vincentjohnston8789]

@@AndyManCam it is bad luck you’ve experienced this with your first bike, I’m wondering if something like a GS Adventure may be better re paint work.

[@AndyManCam]

The biggest problem for me, is that I want THIS bike but with good paintwork! 😆

[@henrietn]

To be honest, i have a cb500x since this February. Have 13.000km already on the clock, in all weather. Went touring, moto-camping, off-road gravel roads, highway and commuting. Not a thing went wrong and all in perfect condition. Startls every time and the paint holds up well. Maybe it's the type of type being build in different place? I found a good dealer as well. (Belgium based) Horror stories are found everywhere with every brand. You just get lucky or not unfortunately these days with new bikes. Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki , Suzuki etc... They all have issues when it comes to quality control. I bought mine new, and got lucky. But the next one will be second hand.

[@AndyManCam]

Glad you’ve had a good one Hendrik. Hopefully, despite the horror stories, that’s still the majority. There are still too many cases of the partnership of dealer and manufacturer trying to dodge the bullet and leave the unhappy customers holding the (rusty) baby! I’ll be going second hand for the next bike too!

[@henrietn]

@@AndyManCam yea I got lucky. I do understand your frustration though. When you buy a new bike, you expect excellent customer service. Honestly, you except no issues at all. (That's why you buy new in the first place) I hope you get sorted out and have no more issues in the future.

[@AndyManCam]

Cheers Hendrick, I hope so too! As long as the bike keeps running, I can sort out the cosmetics myself I suppose!

[@MOTOUK1]

Andy question on the Rukka jacket, I’m looking for one and will wear a klim airbag vest under, hows the sizing as i can only buy from FC Moto as UK does not stock it. Normally i go a size up so i can get my airbag vest under. Also Does it have a thermal liner as standard? How is it for warmth ?

[@AndyManCam]

Gladly! Sizing is pretty accurate, as I recall. Looks like Sportsbikeshop have it in stock. Apparently you can even choose a store to try it on. With this link, they’ll even give your favourite youtuber a little bonus! bit.ly/RukkaJkt 😜 The thermal liner in it is the best I’ve used tbh. Its no ordinary liner as it has Outlast material in it. I’ve been comfy down to 4 degrees with just a base layer and no heated gear. It really is an awesome jacket! My favourite by far!

[@MOTOUK1]

@@AndyManCam thanks 🙏 I will hop over to SBS and order one

[@AndyManCam]

Happy shopping!!

[@PabloT4571]

Hey Andy, remember the car park protocol 😂 I still have my Yamaha 2014 FZ1NA, over 7 years ownership now. She is sweet and no problems. Was gonna upgrade / replace with early MT10 SP but found a stark difference in build/parts quality. Like your story with Honda.

[@bikersquest]

My FZ1NA is gonna be 12 years old soon and still hasn't had a single fault on the MOT. If you haven't already I'd recommend changing the stator magnet as the stock magnets can fall out.

[@PabloT4571]

@@bikersquest My Yamaha dealer was Jax in York (no longer has Yamaha dealership). I pointed this out for ordering new part but advised not a concern! My bike registered 2014 new but did some digging with frame and engine numbers and was actually manufactured in 2011. Really wanted rear shock replacement with OHLINS but a real challenge getting right model to fit with ABS. Again Jax advised not to fit. Still not replaced it yet.

[@AndyManCam]

Yup definitely seems like the good old FZ1 was of a dying breed! Don’t build them like that anymore. I was amazed that the shock on my 15 year old bike was better than a brand spanking new one on a brand spanking new Honda! That’s a bold move for a dealership to advise against changing the rotor magnets. Considering they didn’t fix it til the last model year! I bet they would have left you holding the baby if something had gone wrong!! I couldn’t sleep until I’d looked inside mine to see if it had ready been done.

[@markt5426]

Sorry to hear of all your problems and in the past I always had Honda motorcycles. But now it's BMW every time, yes the price are higher however, you get a 3 year warranty with new or 2 years with used. I have only experienced one small problem EML came on. I made the call to BMW assist, the technician arrived at my home address. He could not sort it, arranged for a carrier to pick my bike up the following day to the dealer of my choice. Once arrived at the dealer, they call me to let me know how they were doing then reschedule my bike to be re-delivered to my home address. Outstanding service from BMW assist and the dealer I purchased my bike from are also outstanding from booking in the bike to its being serviced by the technician. The service from the dealer is exceptionally, hence I will be purchasing my new bike in 2022.

[@AndyManCam]

Can’t say fairer than that Mark. Sounds like you’ve had a great experience and as a result, BMW have won themselves potentially a lot of return business! I guess you get what you pay for!

[@cdresz]

Do you have any rides through the Cuxhaven area? I am surprised to see these Honda concerns and it would be influencing my purchase decision if I were buying a bike anytime soon.

[@AndyManCam]

I rode through the Cuxhaven area a very long time ago on my FZS600! There’s a video on my channel somewhere possibly. These problems have certainly influenced my attitude towards buying new bikes from the big H!

[@Nordkapp65]

Had a Honda as a new first bike but very expensive for parts, dealership was top notch. I think, after Likeable Riders recent Q & A it really is down to the dealership experience when you are buying and seeing how much they want you as a customer

[@AndyManCam]

Absolutely. If my first dealer had been cheerful and respectful, that could have gone differently. The second one was friendly, hindered by Honda bureaucracy and then ultimately had no professional standards!

[@TAYM]

Excellent vlog, from my own experience with Triumph I don’t think Honda are unique in providing this style of customer care package. Like you I still love my T120 which only serves to make it more frustrating. Hope no more issues arise for you.

[@AndyManCam]

It’s annoying isn’t it. You’re pissed off by the brand, but that’s THE bike that you want! 🤬