I have always loved and admired Honda motorcycles ever since I was a kid, at 14 I bought a rather tired 50cc C100 Cub for riding in the fields (it snapped in half and I had to get the frame welded back togather by our local blacksmith). I had a 1978 Honda 750 Four K6 and then a 1989 CBR1000 which was like Star Ship enterprise when it was launched in the late 1980s, I went from the 67 horses of the 750 to about 132 on the CBR1000!!
Honda for me has always represented top quality and engineering. Excellent products, well made using quality components, built to last. As well as very well balanced and easy to ride, all of that. And that is all true of two used Hondas that I have purchased recently, a lovely 2013 VFR1200F which I then sold on to Barnes plus my almost-new 2018 CB1000R. Both of these bikes are in amazing condition and both move really well, the VFR has ABS and 170 horses whereas the much newer CB1000R has a full set of electronics and all work really well! The quality of both bikes too is classic Honda, excellent.
So what am I moaning about, you ask?? Well, hear me out. I recently purchased another semi new Honda, a 2018 CRF250F with only 5k kms on the clock. She has been treated with kid gloves and has never been off road, from above she looks brand new. BUT. The underside of the bike is TOTALLY RUSTY!!! All of the fasteners need replacing or cleaning and refitting and even the exhaust pipe looks awful. Is this really Honda quality?? Sure she is made in Thailand and built down to a price, I get that, but in 5 years should a little used and much loved Honda be rusting away?
It is true that the UK uses salt on the roads to melp the snow and ice, but Honda knows that. I have ordered a full set of new fasteners…
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