FAZER 0 vs FALCO 1

Message

back_marker · #16 Post by **back_marker** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:38 pm

A few years ago when looking for a job as a car mechanic, when I asked how much actual engine work was involved, the guy pointed out that a modern engine should be able to do over 200 000 miles without any problem if it is looked after properly due to the tolerances in manufacturing and modern oils.

Modern bike engines are built to higher specs and tolerances than cars as they are essentially performance engines but are still tuned for longevity in standard form. Not to mention that new engines are supplied with mineral oil in them specifically becuase modern synthetic and semi-synth oils are so good that they do not allow the engine to bed in properly. If properly maintained and not constantly ragged there is no reason why they shouldn't manage 100 000 plus miles, especially in detuned motors like the Fazer.

The reason a lot of people don't like looking at bikes above 20k miles is because everything else (suspension, brakes, bearings etc) will be getting past it's best and will require replcement through fair wear and tear.

BikerGran · #17 Post by **BikerGran** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:35 pm

I think the only reason that most bikes nowadays have less mileage on the than cars is because the majority are used for recreational purposes. My old Superdream had about 95000 on it when I parted with it.

Willopotomas · #18 Post by **Willopotomas** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:09 pm

My dads old CB250N Superdream covered 75,000 miles before it was retired. The engine was solid but everything else was falling off around it.

MartDude · #19 Post by **MartDude** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:36 pm

My first bike ('57 Triumph Thunderbird, bought 1973) had 52,000 on the clock when I bought it; apart from worn valve guides & a bent valve stem (removed after heating the head in my mum's oven - didn't go down well), there was little wrong with the engine; out of curiosity I took the timing side cover off to look at the timing gears and oil pump - very little wear evident. It would still do an indicated 90, with a sidecar.

blinkey501 · #20 Post by **blinkey501** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:41 pm

I have in my time had one or two c90 cubs, one had 56,000 miles on the clock but yhe frame was fooked

blinkey501 · #21 Post by **blinkey501** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:44 pm

Dusty wrote:I've never heard of such high miles on abike; very impressive. There does seem to be a perception amongst motorcycle buyers and dealers that anything with over 20k on it is heading for trouble. My K1200 has 28k and I'd like to pile e lot more on. This thread has given me confidence. OK. who's going to burst my bubble and tell me that the BMW won't be good for a few more miles?

No BMWs are bullet proof so you will have no problems. Keep changing the oils and it will give long service

randomsquid · #22 Post by **randomsquid** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:46 pm

My Guzzi had 140,000 on it before I scrapped it. To be honest though it was utterly shagged. I had a c90 with 40k on, which wasn't much better.

D-Rider · #23 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:33 pm

What a difference a comma can make

blinkey501 wrote: No BMWs are bullet proof .............

Or

blinkey501 wrote: No, BMWs are bullet proof .............

That'll be a "comma" and not one of these

Dusty · #24 Post by **Dusty** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:58 am

I think blinky should be advised to leave the comma out of that sentence, drider! The Comma(er) in your picture takes me back to happy days on childhood holidays in our Commer van that my Dad converted to a 4 berth camper. It had a Perkins diesel and was rather slow. I recall that we had some unplanned stops due to a persistent sticking throttle and a failed water pump near Hatfield. Great fun though.

I'm a paranoid oil changer, so it would be good to see a big mileage on my BM if I don't get bored fist. I still miss that Falco.....

HowardQ · #25 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:00 pm

Bloody hell that takes me back.
Many years ago, whilst between jobs, I took a fill in job as a night delivery driver. and the van was a Commer Walkthrough with a Perkins engine, possibly the same type. A big square box thing bigger than a Transit etc..
It was OK around town but the "governer" came in somewhere just over 45mph and that was it. I had to cover a lot of country roads so used to have it flat out everywhere around South Yorks in the early hours to try and make deliveries on time. All was OK until I hit black ice at about 3am one morning and it spun a full 360 degrees in a fairly narrow road without hitting anything, just ripped up a grass verge.
I did need a to pop home for a trouser change before going back to the depot!

Nooj · #26 Post by **Nooj** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 10:12 pm

Not wanting to piss on your fireworks... but they're not called Bee-Emm Trouble-you for no reason

Most of the Bee Emms I get in have had at least one warranty job done, often more, usually for corrosion but also drivetrain and ECU breakdowns.

These have all been the newer bikes though, I get the impression the older ones were built a lot better.

BikerGran · #27 Post by **BikerGran** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:13 pm

A friend of mine bought an older BMW as he thought it would be more reliable for touring than his old Honda 750/4. He's been a mechanic for many years and does all his own work and trials an old Triumph.

When the BM broke down the second time he joined the BMW owners' club for advice on sourcing parts etc, and discovered that most of the members have two - one on the road and a spare for when it breaks down!

MartDude · #28 Post by **MartDude** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:15 pm

BikerGran wrote:A friend of mine bought an older BMW as he thought it would be more reliable for touring than his old Honda 750/4. He's been a mechanic for many years and does all his own work and trials an old Triumph.

When the BM broke down the second time he joined the BMW owners' club for advice on sourcing parts etc, and discovered that most of the members have two - one on the road and a spare for when it breaks down!

Had two old BMWs before the Futs. 1979 R65 with, IIRC, 39,000 on the clock when I sold it, and 1981 R100RS with about 53,000 on. No major problems with either - the R100 needed it's carbs balancing when I sold it, and I'd had to replace the shocks, but that's all.

Falcorob · #29 Post by **Falcorob** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:28 pm

The thing is that Aprilia more or less got it spot on with the Mille/Falco/Tuono family in terms of build quality and reliability on release. It seems to be that the problem with them is/was that if something did go wrong it went in a major way, or the parts to rectify a minor issue took so long to arrive that it turned into something major.

Talking to mates with other marques seems to bear this out with them having more issues but them getting them resolved far more quickly.

However you look at it though, the Falco is a brilliant motorcycle.

Nooj · #30 Post by **Nooj** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:44 pm

Talking to mates with other marques seems to bear this out with them having more issues but them getting them resolved far more quickly.

Exactly what we've found out with the various Fazers we've both owned over the last decade or so.

I don't think the new Aprilia engines are as reliable as Rotax ones from what I've heard, a mate and a customer have both had issues with their Dorso's that is a 'known thing' to other owners as well.