Re: Honda v/s Yamaha 4 stroke
The dealer where I bought, 3-4 months ago, sold both Honda and Yamaha. The salesperson told me that after the second year the Yamaha warranty starts dropping coverage on some electrical components. The Honda warranty was the same throughout the 3 years.<br />Everything Bear (another Honda owner)posted was identical to what I've been told about the Yamaha. It was dead on about what I've experienced with my Honda. I have to tell you, when I cold start it's pump the bulb, lift the choke/fast idle lever, turn key and it's less then a 2 second crank to a smooth idle.<br />I don't know about the friend of a friend, but here in N. California I've idled smoothly for hours with out a "funny" idle and it's been 98-102f lately. ( It's been noted by some Honda techs, and I agree, the BF40/50 base idle should be 11-1200 rpm and should be set that way for optimum performance.)<br />Ordinarily fuel injection is miles better. But it is miles more expensive, weighs more and is more complicated. If I can go 6-8 years before needing a carb(s) o'hauled, the bill will be 2/3 less then a MAF sensor, pump, ECM or injectors that will likely fail in the same time frame. Consider diagnosis time/abilities also.<br />Honda manufactures more engines then any one else in the world today. I've been told on this board my BF50 won't last long because I have to use it hard and fast with my jetpump. However, Honda knew I'd be using it this way. Think back, Honda has a long history of having abused engines that just keep on going. <br />I've done the search, on this forum and others. In all fairness and consistant honesty,faults or problems are rare in this forum. I've read very few complaints with either one, Honda or Yamaha. <br /> I don't and never have owned a Suzuki, Dihatsu, or a Peterbuilt. I won't be able to give you a qualified opinion on them.<br />Already I know a great deal about the BF50.<br />It sure is going to be easy to work on. Oil change, valve adjustments, timing belt, or even a valve job, so easy to work on. <br /><br />Take all the info you've collected and go pull the cowl off of the Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki, just look, look them over real good.<br />There are some time tested rules; <br />1.Simple is usually more reliable. <br />2.Quality is noticable.<br />3.A good reputation is hard earned.<br /><br />I'm confident that no one is going to say "not" to buy one. <br />I like the thought that Bear's owned one for better then a decade and went back for more <fun>.