Hi Scotty - I'm in the market for a motorcycle. I am thinking of buying a Japanese bike, possibly a Yamaha Bolt. Out of all the Japanese brands like Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, which one would you recommend for reliability and low-maintenance cost? Also, what are your thoughts on the Yamaha Bolt?
-MikeMotors
All Japanese bikes are good. It all comes to your preference. If you want to save money, get a used bike, being a toy, people usually take care of them and you can get a good deal for them.
My go to bike would be the Yamaha FJR1300.
@Doc: It seems you like sport touring bikes. They are great.
If you haven't had that many hours on bikes, you might want to first get something that's a little lighter than the Bolt - more like ~400 pounds. Honda makes an array of 300-500cc bikes that would be good choices for first bikes.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation runs courses that are an excellent way to start on bikes, and the courses provide the bikes for the training.
https://www.msf-usa.org/brc.aspx
Motorcycles are usually hobby/toy for people and some buy one thinking they would enjoy it but then realize they don't like it so put it up for sale. Depending on where you live, fall and winter months that are rainy and cold are better times to buy a bike (they're cheaper). But yeah don't get something too heavy, otherwise those are all good bikes.
