comparing 4 strokes

[slake]

What engine between the Honda 90hp and the Suzuki 115hp would be a better overall motor for dependability , fuel economy and service life? Any input on either motor good or bad would be appreciated. The motor will be going on a 25 ft pontoon boat used for tubing etc...<br /><br />thanks

 

[JB]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

Hi, Slake.<br /><br />They are both very good engines, and reliable.<br /><br />I would select the Suzi DF115 because it is EFI and the Honda is carbed.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[miloman]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

I have to agree with JB as for your choices have you looked at Johnston

 

[aero320]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

Suzuki dealers are hard to find. The Johnson 115 four stroke is the same engine as the Suzuki DF115. I bought the Johnson 140 (Suzuki DF140) this spring and could not be happier. The 90, 115 and 140 are roughly the same size and weight. There is a lot of information on the Suzuki website.

 

[DanMcK]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

slake: forget about carbs, go Suzuki EFI. Check out rebate on thier website. Also a very good point was made about dealers being hard to find, keep that in mind. I have Suzuki df115, no problems. You can also compare features on Suzuki website. Do Your homework. Good Luck.

 

[slake]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

Thanks everyone for the input. Will the EFI get better gas mileage? As for dealers I am lucky there are both a Honda and Suzuki dealer less that a half mile from my house. Seperate businesses of course and both are friends of mine, so I am trying to get an outside opinion before I let down one of them!!

 

[Moving Target]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

The EFI zuki will get great gas milage, but the best thing is easy starting. No choke, no fast idle, with EFI you just turn the key Even my wife can start one

 

[BillP]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

Best reliability history probably goes to the Honda. Suzuki hasn't been doing 4 stokes as long so don't have the time to get an equal benchmark against the Honda. Don't come unglued "zuk" owners, that doesn't mean I'm bashing Suzuki. In the past, Suzuki 2 strokes (AND early 4 strokes) had corrosion problems in salt water. Early (70s vintage) Hondas were the only ones that had corrosion issues. <br /><br />I would pop the cowl and see which one looks like it has (the most) rinky dink plastic parts, check for timing belt maintenance, valve adjusting frequency and type of lifters, ease of checking and changing the oil, can you change the oil filter without spilling oil, can you get to the plugs, are the wiring harness plugs sealed well, which has the best gasket around the top cowl, which cowl has latches you like, which flushes easiest, which dealer do you trust most, etc.. <br /><br />I have a carbed 50 4s Mariner and it shows no bad signs for starting or running. But it does have lots of cheapie plastic parts under the hood. At least a carb model is simple enough to work on.

 

[slake]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

BillP<br /><br />Thanks for the input on what to look for under the "hood".. I think the Suzuki has DOHC and the Honda has SOHC not sure what the benefit of either is concerning that. I have heard the Honda uses a timing belt and the Suzuki uses a timing chain. Those are things I know I will never mess with, I will leave that to the pro's.<br /><br />I did notice the Honda has an exhaust port above the water as the Suzuki does not, that makes the Honda a little less quiet. I am not sure what that is for, but I have heard it is a back pressure port or something like that and there is constant exhaust coming from it when the engine is running. Does anyone know for sure what that is for? <br /><br />thanks again, I am making the decsion on what engine to buy this week end. After I test drive both

 

[Forktail]

Re: comparing 4 strokes

Too bad the Yamaha EFI F115 isn't one of your choices. It's a true proven winner. .