Complained to Honda a month or so ago cause the paint was coming off my rear seat fairing. The seat cowl is rubbing on it. They called me today to say it has arrived. They are sending it to me to fit. They will include a strip of venture shield to stop it happening again.
i bought mine as the sport pack with the bike. They fitted the rubber bits on the cowl and a clear strip toward the back of the plastics, but nothing at the front where the "rubbage" happened.
Also, they have changed some of the rubber bits (location of and amount) for the 2012 but you do still have to fit the clear strip at the rear.
more evidence of "Honda quality"! I cant understand why people call Suzuki quality - I had a Busa before the blade and it never had any paint rubbing, oil using or brake issues like a certain bike I know!
and thats where they have now added more rubber bits but why you should have to stick any protective strips or rubber bits is a laugh. Also coming from a Suzuki had no issues like this.
So how long ago did these quality gripes start coming to the fore then lads. I have to say, mine is like a cross between a tank and one of Freedom' watches and it's still one of the lightest built. The paint, fit and plastics are still of the quality that Honda built its name on.
I don't know Ken. I had a 2004 VTR1000 and the quality was fantastic. Cant say the same for the 08+ blade. I haven't heard any issues with the pre 08 models so i guess that's where the cheapness set in.
I wonder if it's throughout the range. I understand the issues with the crappy aqueous paints they have to use now, and we now know that even Hitlers 09 burnt oil, but decent fit and finish should be a given now.
I have no such issues anywhere on my 08 but the repsols do seem to suffer worse than others. must be the extra speed that is wearing the paint out
On the whole I believe they are still the best for overall fit and finish, unless you buy a CBF/CBR125 (Brazilian made). A new VFR1200X went pop the other day with a burnt out coil/plug cap which in-turn shorted the ECU. A CBF1000 threw up a EML code suggesting exhaust valve was faulty this was also an ECU. But generally fit and finish and the gripes that come with poor quality are few and far between compared with other manufacturers, a reason I've purchased a new Blade, along with the poor fitting seat cowl that I was already aware of.
This is what i really don't understand. Honda seem quite happy to replace and repair rather than identify root cause and preventive action.
ha ha good 1 .. Ill have to slip that 1 in when i speak to my mate next . He even has the bloody spray on ones
