So, what IS the most durable bike engine design..

[cowpuc]

I propose a brainstorming session about everyones thoughts on what engine design/designs, all things being equal (same maintenance care) - (my economics professors favorite saying), are most durable..

I have always been told that opposed cylinders by design are most durable BUT I have also been told that the V design (like Guzzi) are..

 

Hey,,,, its winter and lots of time to ponder...

 

Puc

 

Oh yea,, this is brainstorming - all thoughts welcome

Edited November 27, 2013 by cowpuc
forgot a word

[cowpuc]

OHHH,, and just to pick on Freebird and beat alllllllll my buddys on our site to it,,, we already know its not HD :cool10::cool10::rotf::rotf:

[Peder_y2k]

One with an electric motor, like ZERO bikes have. That's because the battery will always be low/dead and the motor just sits there, so the bike never wears out.

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

[bill in mn]

I think the opposing cylinders is the best so far. BMW has had that in their line up for years. Subaru cars have the same design with opposing cylinders and they go for years to. Subaru engines are a Fuji motor the same ones the use in small aircraft. I don't know much about engines but if it says Yamaha I have just had to put gas and oil in and that's about it.I wonder about the Wankel rotary how that does.

[Bubber]

I remember hearing about a Harley Sportster that went back and forth across Canada and the guy actually put one million miles on the original engine. That was a lot of years ago.

I am sure BMW are long lasting bikes also. But I have no specific examples to share.

Bubber

PS Happy Thanksgiving to all

[cowpuc]

OHHH,, and just to pick on Freebird and beat alllllllll my buddys on our site to it,,, we already know its not HD :cool10::cool10::rotf::rotf:

 

 

I remember hearing about a Harley Sportster that went back and forth across Canada and the guy actually put one million miles on the original engine. That was a lot of years ago.

 

I am sure BMW are long lasting bikes also. But I have no specific examples to share.

 

Bubber

 

PS Happy Thanksgiving to all

 

Crow for thanksgiving for dinner,,, yuck...

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Caterpillar ...

 

Will go 1.6 million miles without major problems.

 

 

:-)

 

 

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 4

[10spd]

my caterpillar has 1.5 million on it

[Yammer Dan]

Well... I can't seem to destroy this V-4. It seems to like the way I ride. You know slow and easy like a Old man......

[Cowboy]

Not sure that I have ever had an engine fail. However it is the surrounding parts.

1. Carbs

2. Stators

3. Starter Clutch Gears

4. Rear Ends

Who & What experience with engine failures do we have out there? Inquiring minds want to hear!

Personal experience with the following

Fathers then Mine 1968 CB750 235,000 miles no motor issues found out how nice a ride a Goldwing was

 

Fathers 1981 GL1200 248,000 miles no issues just wanted an upgrade.

 

Mine 1981 GL1200 175,000 miles no issues just wanted an upgrade

 

Fathers 1984 GL1200 125,000 miles stator problem

 

Fathers 1986 GL1200 148,000 miles stator problem

 

Mine 1987 Venture Royale 1300 125,000 miles no issues just crashed out

 

Uncles then Mine 1986 Kawasaki Voyager 1300 58,000 miles just did not like the ride. Not a good fit! No problems

 

Fathers 1991 GL1500 191,000 miles no motor issues crashed out

 

Fathers 1994 GL1500 145,000 miles no motor issues still running strong

 

Mine 2004 Midnight RSV 98,945 miles no motor issues still running strong.

Carb Floats & continuous Carb Syncs

Rear Shock

Stator & Rectifier

Valve Adjustments

This is the only bike that I have done any maintenance on other than Changing Oil & Filter & All Fluid. Brake Pads, Plugs & Tires

 

Seems like a pretty good run of bike history running strong.

[wrenchrob]

I propose a brainstorming session about everyones thoughts on what engine design/designs, all things being equal (same maintenance care) - (my economics professors favorite saying), are most durable..

I have always been told that opposed cylinders by design are most durable BUT I have also been told that the V design (like Guzzi) are..

 

Hey,,,, its winter and lots of time to ponder...

 

Puc

 

Oh yea,, this is brainstorming - all thoughts welcome

I believe the 2005 midnight rsv is the one your talking about:rotf:

[motorcycle_1300]

I remember hearing about a Harley Sportster that went back and forth across Canada and the guy actually put one million miles on the original engine. That was a lot of years ago.

 

I am sure BMW are long lasting bikes also. But I have no specific examples to share.

 

Bubber

 

PS Happy Thanksgiving to all

 

Probably looking for the parts that fell off

[Sylvester]

The BMW designed opposed twin sure last for many decades, and still continues in some copies. I had an R 65 many years ago. Not blinding speed but ran very well with good mountain power.

 

[GeorgeS]

Would be hard to beat !! About 100,000 milles between valve jobs, and about

300,000 between lower end overhauls.

Maby a new clutch every 100K also.

 

I remember hearing about one fellow, ( around 20 years ago this was ) had a 650 twin,

that had 3 million milles on it. Useing the above Overhaul schedule !!

 

Not sure where he went, but must have been just about everwhere !!

 

I remember back around 1968, I used to stop in at a Beemer dealer, in Van Nuys Calif, and Droolllllll over the New, " Black " 650's and (well whatever size they were) That were sitting there, which I could not afford at the time

 

In 1982, I finally bought an R-1000. Ahhhh, Seatle to LA, back and forth for 10 years on that bike !!!