Top 10 Japanese Motorcycle Engines that last Forever

[@jonbromfield7643]

I personally think Suzuki engines are some of the best. I have a DRZ400 with 51,000 miles the heads never been of. A 650 v strom. And probably the best bike engine ever made the gen 2 hyabusa.

[@1990-t1j]

I had a B-King. I bet it chould do 500,000 miles.

[@kobebryant3830]

Suzuki is like Aprila shouldn be japanese as a crap .Kawa honda Yamaha

[@TommyTucker0]

I was a full time bike instructor for 27 years, I had a Kawasaki GT550 as my bike and when I eventually sold it it had 240,000 miles on it with just one clutch and one cam chain, was a gem of an engine

[@Paul630sqdrn]

I purchased a DL650 V STROM because the engines have proved to have reliability and longevity.

[@ralphcantrell3214]

It is good to see that Suzuki's 645cc 90 degree V-Twin ranks as number one, especially since only two street bikes currently reside in my garage - an SV650 and a DL650 V-Strom Adventure, and both use this engine. The SV is 18 years old and the V-Strom is 11, and either will start right up and take you to the end of the earth and back.

[@billd.6684]

I'll never sell my SV650. I'll have it when I die. And it'll still run just fine, no doubt.

[@simonfowler7561]

I loved my FJR1300. I rode all over and that bike never missed a beat! Wonderful machine.

[@curthenry9398]

My 2020 V-Strom just turned over 40,000 miles. Been a good bike.

[@HondaWanderer]

40,000 isn't a lot really, especially if you look after it.

[@omniautowerks6239]

owned a DR650 for years. never once disappointed me in terms of realibility. now i own a v-strom 1000 and loving it

[@atilathesonofdanubius4277]

My FJR1300 is going on over 59000 miles and still running like I had purchased yesterday.

[@MarcHillM]

Mildly surprised the Honda VFR750's not included. My 1994 Gen 4 has done over 234,000k with minimal stuff going wrong and this is not unusual. One went to 600,000k in England. There's no cam chain to be replaced either and the valves on mine were last adjusted in 1995

[@Buzz.Scholz-vi1ed]

My 2007 dl650 v strom has 165,000km on it and counting. My 2011 klr 650 has 108,000 km and counting. Zero problems. No aftermarket doohickey. No oil burning or leaking. All maintenance is done by myself using Castrol oil and genuine parts.

[@alancarpenter4904]

Congrats on 165,000km. My 2006 DL650 has been a champ. Have 71,200 miles so far and it shows no sign of giving up the ghost. I bought it used in 2015 with 20,000 miles on it.

[@Buzz.Scholz-vi1ed]

@@alancarpenter4904 Well done! Yep, the dl 650 has served me well, and continues to do so. Never seen a bike mechanical shop. I have performed all my own maintenance using Castrol oil and genuine Suzuki parts. It still goes great, but when i upgraded, no one would give me 10 cents for it because of high km. So I kept it! Happy trails

[@magichatake]

hello, the castrol oil you're using is the power racing one?

[@Buzz.Scholz-vi1ed]

Yep. Castrol 4t power 1. Every 5,000km. Not a km more or a km less. Filter change every time as well. Zero problems. Happy trails

[@mytyhor]

Got me a yamaha fz1 2007 very durable love that bike owned it since 2017 until now never gonna sell it.

[@craigg4246]

There is a video here on KZbin about a guy measuring his clutch plates at 304,000 miles from his Suzuki Vstrom 1000. He was upset that he had replaced his clutch too early….

[@calvinlondt3037]

Where are Honda VFR? Some of the most reliable high mileage machines that can reliably make it past 100k miles.

[@MujoNovak]

well its a stupid video anyway.

[@SteveMuir]

What I was thinking. Especially the gen 5 gear driven cam model.

[@calvinlondt3037]

@@SteveMuir I used to have that, but unfortunately it had electrical gremlins that weren't attended to and too expensive for me to prevent or fix. ie. failing stator after I had already replaced the Reg/Rec. So I sold it, but the motor was still 100% and that's what this video is all about. I'm on a VFR1200 now, which i believe has similar reliability with a low stress 1200cc V4.

[@leonardomartinez7160]

2013 Super Teneré 1200... 340,000 kilometers... Not mine, my uncle's... Zero problems... Repsol 10 40

[@albertolopez1675]

Quite a high mileage. Congratulations to your uncle! Very interesting the Repsol 10W40. Which one? Racing full synthetic, Smarter ot semi-? Thanks in advance

[@leonardomartinez7160]

@@albertolopez1675 full synthetic, have a great day

[@albertolopez1675]

@@leonardomartinez7160 Thank you!

[@richbenoit1840]

I love how you were discussing the SOHC honda while showing pics of the DOHC.

[@craigg4246]

I noticed that too

[@brunomacron8021]

how about the varadero, st 1100 and vfr 800 fi ?

[@hoomannili]

My CB1300 has done 145,000 miles and still going strong.

[@Watson2108]

What about the Honda NC 700/750 engine? Some people crossed 300.000km only using wear items and no repairs.

[@gslantis]

Right

[@richardhretczak536]

I’ve had 11 of 650. 5 of first gen.,5 of second and the last one 2017 (3rd gen.) great bikes. All of them. Never had single issue with any of them. I liked the last one the most though.

[@FrankBonessa]

Love all DL650's, but gen 3 is for sure my favorite.

[@richardhretczak536]

@@FrankBonessa and mine too.

[@empowerd1]

11... 😂 why so many?

[@39MercFlathead]

My last bike was a V-Strom 650 and I referred to it as my poor man's BMW. I sold it when I turned 75 and only had to change the oil and replace the chain at 20,000 miles. My reference for a reliable bike was a 1962 BMW R69S that I bought in 1965 with 8,000 miles on it. I sold it in 1970 with 70,000 miles and never had to do anything other than change the oil and adjust the valves every 3,000 miles. The biggest PIA was a 1962 Norton Atlas 750. It was the fastest bike in my area and as nimble as any street 250, but I got tired of the daily maintenance; something was always loose including head bolts needing torqueing.

[@RogerDiotte]

I think you MISSED the 83-84 Honda VT750C VT700C engines lol...I'm still riding the 750 today and it's still stock par for a new Stator and Clutch Plates. Yes folks she's still pumping out STRONG!

[@AK_DEO]

In my personal experience, most durable motor/ engines I've experienced: 2strokes: Suzuki AX100 4stroke: Honda Unicorn 150 / CRF150. They can last for decades with timely service.

[@FrankBonessa]

I had a '17 3rd gen VStrom 650 and reluctantly sold it. Missed it, so I bought a '22 650 Adventure DL650. Reluctantly traded it in on a '23 VStrom 1050 DE. Couldn't stand anything about that bike. Traded it in on a '24 GSXS1000GT. And to tell you the truth, the superb 650 outshined them all. Even the brakes and suspension were totally cool with me. Now I'm screwed and can't find another 650 like I had. They really are fantastic machines. And BTW, I had a GS 1200 that couldn't match the fun factor and no way the dependability factor. Live and learn.

[@josevi5835]

Had a SV650 for five years and sold it one year ago. I still miss that bike. That engine had soul and was very reliable: zero problems.

[@Marcin-nd2zl]

You should put VFR 800FI RC46 in this clip.

[@joelbrittenour8197]

mine is at 73,000 runs perfect. Strong, only regular maintenance .

[@reneerussell7823]

For sure!

[@nickbenfell4327]

There are numerous bikes today that will easily last 200,000 ks plus including my current bike a TriumphTiger 1050 and my previous bike a Suzuki Vstrom 605.

[@phillipmitchell5879]

Excellent. A few more for this list might include the Yamaha 650 SOHC Twin from the XS650 of the 70's, the Honda 1100 SOHC Shadow V-Twins, the BMW R60 - R100 Boxer Twins, etc.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

Nice video. Would include two more. The Suzuki Bandit 650 oil/air cooled and Yamaha XT600E. :)

[@mikeatack6383]

Who ever put this list together has no idea.

[@alexdesamsonow822]

What about GSF 1200 Bandit??? Mine had 69,000 miles ran perfect and burned no oil…

[@doughoffman9463]

The CB750 Nighthawk (1991-2003) had an oil cooler, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder, and hydraulic tappets. Maintenance is as simple as it gets with no tappet clearances to inspect/adjust. Just change the oil and external spin-on oil filter and you are good to go.

[@marktwain..1972]

Add the Transalp :D

[@simonthomas5367]

Most Suzuki and Honda engines are bomb proof. Where’s the Pan European V4 on this list? Goes further than any of your top 10.

[@A_Pt_9298]

Erm, you do know that the detuned R1 inline 4 engine in the Fazer FZS1000 (2001-05) can get over 250,000 miles eh

[@lipsee100]

Whats wrong with the human voice?

[@davidyarbrough5811]

Definitely sounds like an AI video to me

[@klrbiker]

Of my 3 motorcycles, i have 2 on this list! KLR650 w 97000 miles, FJR just went over 84k miles.

[@edouardl2]

I am more than confused by this list. The Honda 750 is last with a longevity of more than 100 k miles whereas the CRF is 6 with 50 k and the Goldwing is number 3 with 300 k. Within Japanese bikes, 50 k is rather common whereas there are many bikes able to reach 100 k or more. In other words, the ranking is weird and many bikes are missing. This makes no sense to me.

[@allanwyatt7581]

This list is one man's opinion. Doesn't need to make sense to you, but it does to him....

[@edouardl2]

@@allanwyatt7581 There is only a small issue, this video is not for him alone but intended to inform people accurately. I would agree with you if he had kept it for himself but it is not the case. When you give a report to the public it has to be accurate.

[@edouardl2]

@@Paul-kp1tu The full video is mostly crap anyway.

[@randolfo1265]

@@edouardl2 - Opinions are very accurate .

[@korva010]

Where's honda st 1300 pan european??😂

[@bmccameron7642]

The CRF 250 is a stand out in the 250 class. Those things will sing all day and never let you down.

[@dw8931]

There are three more to add to the list: 1) Honda XL 1000 V Varadero. Known to last 1,000,000 kms if maintained properly. 2) Honda CRF 1000 L Africa Twin. Robust like a buffalo. 400,000 kms without problems are the norm rather than the exception. 3) Honda VFR 1200 X Crosstourer. The successor of the Varadero not only in purpose but also in durability. All three of these motorcycles are known to rather be destroyed in accidents than given up because of technical problems.

[@fatihaksoy2190]

in my opinion, all Japanese engines can live above 100 K easily if we do the maintenance on its required time, but some engines especially inline-4 will live longer than 100 K miles for sure

[@ronaldpretlove3109]

Hate AI..........

[@ismailraja8734]

In Pakistan there is old design engine bike Honda cg 125 is very famous specially who lives in northern high mountain areas. This bike is proven strong & reliable. Even These bike are stolen and Snuggle to Balochistan & Afghanistan

[@CortinasforestalesChaco]

Yes I Agree with you , same tu suzuki gn 125 I owned one of this , excelent machines.

[@richbenoit1840]

Love the side pic of the ZX6t

[@maajde]

What about Honda CBF600????? 300.000 km?!?!

[@davidrochow9382]

Where's the XJ 900 Diversion? Reported to get over 400,000 miles from a motor.

[@marksimpson5218]

Or the CP3 with over 300k miles.

[@heatseeker8085]

Now its 220000km here :)

[@frederickjeremy]

My cb700 cratered at 47,000, my dr650 is curently at 22,000 without any issues and still going strong, i rode a sv650 for a bit tho it was a friends, didnt rack up that many miles but i can see how it is a good one. I know it isn’t a japanese engine but i also have 58,000 on my harley davidson twin cam 88, and my dad has 190,000 on his harley davidson 96ci, both still run like new.

[@jesusgonzalez3297]

I own DR 650 2023, and ❤ it

[@trevortrevortsr2]

I had an fj1200 - it got rather hot in traffic but managed 6 massive Euro tours - now I ride an SRX600 which seems happy plod on still after 38 years

[@nicholasmartin297]

Why no Honda vfr 800?

[@motenai343]

I have a DR 650 and a V-Strom 650. Ready for anywhere:)

[@rayhully6783]

I had an FJR 1300. Yes, good engine, but, vibed my bloody hands off at 65 to 80 mph (just where you wanna be on long motorway journeys). Only kept it 2 yrs. I've had a ZZR 1100 for 25 yrs. Can't kill it - and believe me I've tried - and I'll look after it till the day I die.

[@noorazhar2209]

No Versys 650 engine? Suzuki GSXR 1000 K5 ?

[@vesasalmu]

My Honda Africa Twin XRV 750 is not in this list. Should I sell it?

[@alfonsogarcia-valdecasasca9047]

Right now

[@josevi5835]

For sure the engines you show in your video are fabulous. But there are other superb Japanese engines with small displacement like the ones that has had the Honda Cube. They have been produced for hundreds of thousands and are fantastic examples of engineering. My Honda Monkey uses the 125 cc version and it is a simple but sturdy engine with its long stroke architecture. The Yamaha 250 air cooled engine that was mounted in the SR model is another example of reliability. The Suzuki 350 cc air cooled engine that the Japanese brand mounted in the DR model was fabulous. They even sold the engine to makers like Beta that used it for its Alp 4.0 model. There are dozens of examples out there. I would highlight like you do the L650 Engine from Suzuki like the best example of a robust and lond lasting engine that it is still mounted in the SV and Strom models.

[@FastestWay.1]

I really appreciate your feedback, i would compile another list and cover most of them especailly the ones you mentioned here.

[@leos8720]

I have my honda NC 700 X... with 50000km...and zero problems...I will never sell

[@mr1bienvenu1]

I have a 2015 V-Strom 650 and I'm also looking to buy a DR650 😊

[@howard6769]

Most of these "best of " and "top ten " motorcycle reviews are from the States not from Australia or the UK where most riders are enthusiasts and know their bikes. There was NO mention of the most reliable bike out there, the mighty Suzuki Bandit 1200.

[@Mike-q1z9w]

Absolutely!. And the 1250 FI liquid cooled is great too. Not as easy to maintain though. Re: valve adjustments.

[@FastestWay.1]

Thank you for the feedback, i would be covering that as well.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

Have the 650 oil/air cooled. A keeper, definitely. Also the 1200 that you mentioned. Can check my content bro. Thanks a lot. :)

[@theovdharst6393]

Honda ST1100 PanEuropean not on this list???Virtually indestructable engine;as is the Yamaha XJ900 Diversion.Shame….

[@zmnks]

Just another "view colecting" asshole... even great Milliyard rides ST1100

[@JohannesC-c9k]

I got the pre diversion 900f.

[@jeriksson7686]

Got a versys 650 bought it new 2013 and will never sell it. Its simple, with a simple dashboard, with a bullet proof engine. Modern bikes are like modern cars - lots of electronics and screens. Not my cup of tea. Keep it simple ❤

[@TS50ER]

Saying an engine is capable of 50,000 miles in not in the 'last forever' category.

[@jamesballard6564]

True, but many of us only ride on weekends. And not during winter at all. That maybe only a couple thousand miles per year.

[@patrickbc8649]

What a ridiculous and random list og motorcycles...

[@guerricm]

😂😂Honda VFR ??? Where is it ???

[@paulalmond7366]

You left out the outstanding Bros/NTV engine. 650 V-Twin perfection.

[@cemski]

Honda XL500 could be added to the list. Many countries count on her for patrol services. Mine reaches 80k soon and runs like new :)

[@midhungopan9270]

I expected suzuki K5 engine and Honda VFR750 too...

[@richbenoit1840]

My FJR1300 had it's engine apart 3 times. New head New intake cam New oil pump New rings I couldn't trust it anymore.

[@JohannesC-c9k]

That is unusual.

[@tynubernard]

Suzuki twin 1000 : Dr, Tl, V strom, Cagiva . Even at 100 k miles still like new. I find a Cagiva Raptor running a 1000 twin from Suzuki kept outside but just with 20 k miles start at first, electric is for everybody to repair

[@howardosborne8647]

'The Yamaha FJR one three zero zero'.......was that the export model for a different galaxy by any chance? 🤣🤣

[@pierrewilliams1533]

This list is random bs. Nc750/700? VFR 750/800? TDM 850?

[@FastestWay.1]

In this list i have covered bikes from all of japanese brands, in the upcoming vedios i will be doing the list of brands separately where you will be seeing these bikes.

[@canam6970]

Honda CBR600 1993 150 000km easily

[@MulaBatiswaHutagaol]

Suzuki's engines are actually bad! Bad for authorized workshop/ service center because they last like forever, rarely get broke down.

[@lokeshdeshwal5288]

Man! Suzuki engines are bulletproof... what are u saying?

[@maroly8342]

What about the Suzuki GSX1400?

[@travelinben1966]

If you can find a shop that knows how to sync multiple carbs,get an old classic Japanese bike.Good luck finding one.

[@GeorgeTsigkirliotisChe]

You forgot the most reliable one. The honda transalp 600/650

[@tomasandersson2182]

You forgot vfr rc 36.

[@johnkoster462]

Don,t forget yamaha's fj 1200 , bombproof engines

[@knutarvidhansen3300]

Maybe, but well known for bad gearbox!

[@yardjean]

CB 500 de 1992, Varadero, Africa Twin 2016, qui a réussi à aller au bout du moteur ?

[@StephenDonnelly-e1r]

My 1984 CB750F did 350,000 klm

[@PetSounds38]

Cp3 when he saw that top : 😂😂😂😂

[@davidbenson4489]

Lost me on the second engine with the robo-voice. Reading the list, however, the only one that comes close is the Goldwing engine. Four decades working on motorcycles. They all blow up....trust me.

[@davidv7978]

There are Versys 650 with 200k miles

[@svnnnn_wr]

Old transalp/africa twin engine entered the chat..

[@alxx1378]

My dl1000 2002 model has over 140000 klm and the motor has never been touched and only three times needed valve adjustment 😊

[@VFR12XRider]

wyh not the legendary VFR's ???? VFR 1200 Crosstourer?

[@kevinmaisey4760]

This list must be the only 10 bikes this guy knows, what a joke

[@wictorqqq]

....and the Rf900

[@motokev2727]

I'll continue to ride my 2008 vstrom 1000. Bikes have gotten so pricy.

[@BikingChap]

An obvious omission is the NC700/750. They'll last 200k miles all day long, I'm not sure a DR or KLR will manage anything like that.

[@mikewilliams9715]

Rode a '98 Kawasaki Concours. Bought it in 2010 with 37k miles. What killed in 2024 at 120k miles? The radiator fan died on the highway in slow moving traffic. It still runs but poorly. Working on rebuilding it.

[@pabloharding8323]

Anyone else think the guy sounds like George Clooney?

[@rickkrough6167]

Poorly researched, while there is certainly some good engines in here, The omission of the Honda Nc700/750 is ridiculous. You don’t have to look very far to find many of these bikes with over 100k miles.

[@ramzen1976]

Stupid AI

[@tirmikj5]

and a HONDA CBF 150 cc , is in this list.... one of a good road horse( or you may call a donkey due to his speed a reliable trusted simple and best seat, riding and efficany )

[@hamdanamin810]

Whatever.... it depends on how regular your servicing schedule, maintainance and the way you ride your bike.

[@Carlonepapa]

Yamaha XT 600 (Tenere or XT) deserves a Place.

[@christiangrendel9893]

My Moto Guzzi V7 Racer III 10th anniversary edition has done 2,5 k Kilometers and only one of the four push rods has cracked 😬

[@nikosbarnick211]

HONDA XRV 750 AFRICA TWIN .BEST MOTOR EVER MADE.

[@freedomsports3365]

I have a transalp xlv 650, from year 2000, it has 76.000 klm..., and i use daily...... !!!!

[@quimicageraleinorganicaEdison]

You forgot Yamaha Xt1200z Super Ténéré.

[@Guillaume_F]

and Honda CBF 600 ?

[@Catari73]

Yamaha CP2..?

[@danielm6507]

Sorry to be harsh but this is a badly put together list. I love my v strom, but the lack of any substantial data on this video just makes people think this is someone’s opinion, which is less useful than facts and anecdotal data to back it up. Also 50k really?