Most Reliable Engines

Scrubs · 11-06-2007, 06:21 AM

Yes it's subjective, But Which would you consider one of the most reliable engines made? (bygone or present).
something bullet-proof, that can go the distance - easy to maintain - with globally sourceable parts (to a degree) .

Here's the consensus so far:

Bikes

Yamaha XS 650
Yamaha XT 225/500/600
Yamaha TT500

Rotax 250/650

BMW K75
BMW Airhead's
BMW Twin Shock Air Heads (points)

Guzzi Round-fin
Guzzi Nikasil Barrel

Kawasaki 400/440's (70's-80's)
Kawasaki ZX14
Kawasaki KZ1000

Suzuki GS650G/850G (Mid 80's)
Suzuki DR650

Honda XR650/250/400
Honda 750/900/1100
Honda CB750/900 (70's-80's)
Honda GL1100/1500
Honda XL650V
Honda XRV750
Honda 125/150 Step through Moped

Indian 74/80" Springfield (flathead)

Jawa CZ250

Cars

Toyota FJ40
Toyota 22R
Ford 302 straight six
60's Slant Six
Land Rover 2.25 (petrol)
Lister CS diesel
Mercedes 617.xxx series (deisel)

philp38 · 11-06-2007, 06:40 AM

The 650 Rotax motor.

sachiwilson · 11-06-2007, 06:59 AM

Norton 750 Combat. No question!

kadesean · 11-06-2007, 07:00 AM

800cc airhead

Grider Pirate · 11-06-2007, 07:05 AM

Ajax Oilfield engine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=27sL4PXF0dQ

440 Cubic inch single cylinder cross head two stroke. 20 horsepower, at 400 RPM. Weighing only 5,200 lbs.
10,000 hours (That's over 12 months continuous) between oil changes
200,000 hours between re-ring.
Typical sevice life - 40+ years
Most parts still available.
I'm pretty sure I could get 3 more HP out of it with a tuned pipe, but the pipe would be around 36 FEET long

Scrubs · 11-06-2007, 07:06 AM

shouldent make that much difference to my GS

DR650Keith · 11-06-2007, 07:26 AM

Here's a few: airhead BMW boxer twins, Goldwing GL1100 , Honda 750/900/1100 DOHC fours from the 70's/80's, Honda GL1500 six,
DR650 Suzuki, Kawasaki KZ1000 DOHC fours from the 70's, all these are pretty tough. Anything will hold up a long time these days, just change the oil frequently.

Badassbobthecattlerustler · 11-06-2007, 07:30 AM

Toyota 22R, 60's slant six, benz diesel, oh-oh the guy with the 66 volvo with acouple million miles on it .........What, you didn't specify motorcycle only? oh, okay: it's gotta be some BMW airhead or an old Goldwing.

DR650Keith · 11-06-2007, 07:33 AM

Toyota 22R- yep, that one is unkillable.

dlrides · 11-06-2007, 07:44 AM

Motorcycle - 70's era Hondas

Automobile - Chrysler Corp. slant six, hands down

Grider Pirate · 11-06-2007, 07:54 AM

This whole discussion hinges on your defination of "reliable". Reliable as in "I wouldn't hesitate to ride it across the county"? Or reliable as in "I would not only not hesitate to ride it across the country tomorrow, but I fully expect to do it every year for the next 20 years".
I had no qualms about riding my massively modified Mach III from SoCal to Ohio and back. I knew, however, that it wouldn't do that indefinately. My /5 will.

jellycow · 11-06-2007, 07:57 AM

Car: Jaguar's XK six in line

Garbln · 11-06-2007, 08:00 AM

The old Yamaha XS 650 twin.

Scrubs · 11-06-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grider Pirate

This whole discussion hinges on your defination of "reliable". Reliable as in "I wouldn't hesitate to ride it across the county"? Or reliable as in "I would not only not hesitate to ride it across the country tomorrow, but I fully expect to do it every year for the next 20 years".
I had no qualms about riding my massively modified Mach III from SoCal to Ohio and back. I knew, however, that it wouldn't do that indefinately. My /5 will.

I did say it was subjective

However, I suppose I intended the question
as in - a long haul bike, across the country and beyond. a work horse
suitable for an RTW trip if need be.

s10rat · 11-06-2007, 08:18 AM

transalps and africa twins have proven to be very reliable too

11-06-2007, 06:40 AM	#2
philp38 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Decatur TN Oddometer: 2,932	The 650 Rotax motor. __________________ Temple Lodge,No 25.F.& A.M. Paddle faster I hear banjos

11-06-2007, 06:59 AM	#3
sachiwilson Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Sandy Eggo Oddometer: 782	Norton 750 Combat. No question! __________________ Lucky in Love http://www.yearroundriders.com

11-06-2007, 07:00 AM	#4
kadesean eyesuck Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Muskegon, Michigan Oddometer: 899	800cc airhead __________________ steve-0 1974 BMW R90/6 1992 BMW R100GS

11-06-2007, 07:05 AM	#5
Grider Pirate Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: LV, NV Oddometer: 1,669	MOST reliable Ajax Oilfield engine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=27sL4PXF0dQ 440 Cubic inch single cylinder cross head two stroke. 20 horsepower, at 400 RPM. Weighing only 5,200 lbs. 10,000 hours (That's over 12 months continuous) between oil changes 200,000 hours between re-ring. Typical sevice life - 40+ years Most parts still available. I'm pretty sure I could get 3 more HP out of it with a tuned pipe, but the pipe would be around 36 FEET long __________________ Please don't tell Mom I'm a pilot. She thinks I play piano in a whorehouse. http://griderpirate.smugmug.com/ http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhum Grider Pirate screwed with this post 11-06-2007 at 07:57 AM

11-06-2007, 07:30 AM	#8
Badassbobthecattlerustler Cheap Jap Bike Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Escondildo, Ca Oddometer: 264	Toyota 22R, 60's slant six, benz diesel, oh-oh the guy with the 66 volvo with acouple million miles on it .........What, you didn't specify motorcycle only? oh, okay: it's gotta be some BMW airhead or an old Goldwing. __________________ "All I'm asking for is a little massage on my ass. It's starting to look like a bag of ricotta cheese that a bunch of football players ran over with their cleats on."

11-06-2007, 07:26 AM	#7
DR650Keith Motorcycle Nutjob Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Oddometer: 74	Here's a few: airhead BMW boxer twins, Goldwing GL1100 , Honda 750/900/1100 DOHC fours from the 70's/80's, Honda GL1500 six, DR650 Suzuki, Kawasaki KZ1000 DOHC fours from the 70's, all these are pretty tough. Anything will hold up a long time these days, just change the oil frequently.

11-06-2007, 07:33 AM	#9
DR650Keith Motorcycle Nutjob Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Oddometer: 74	Toyota 22R- yep, that one is unkillable.

11-06-2007, 07:44 AM	#10
dlrides 1:1.618 Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Newton NC Oddometer: 4,794	Motorcycle - 70's era Hondas Automobile - Chrysler Corp. slant six, hands down __________________ I must work, millions of losers are depending my taxes for a check.

11-06-2007, 07:54 AM	#11
Grider Pirate Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: LV, NV Oddometer: 1,669	Reliablility This whole discussion hinges on your defination of "reliable". Reliable as in "I wouldn't hesitate to ride it across the county"? Or reliable as in "I would not only not hesitate to ride it across the country tomorrow, but I fully expect to do it every year for the next 20 years". I had no qualms about riding my massively modified Mach III from SoCal to Ohio and back. I knew, however, that it wouldn't do that indefinately. My /5 will. __________________ Please don't tell Mom I'm a pilot. She thinks I play piano in a whorehouse. http://griderpirate.smugmug.com/ http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhum

11-06-2007, 07:57 AM	#12
jellycow out there & loving it Joined: May 2005 Location: the Netherlands Oddometer: 481	Car: Jaguar's XK six in line __________________ [Sir Mix-a-lot mode] I like big tanks and I cannot lie [\Sir Mix-a-lot mode]

11-06-2007, 08:00 AM	#13
Garbln Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Mpls, MN Oddometer: 417	The old Yamaha XS 650 twin.

11-06-2007, 08:18 AM	#15
s10rat Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: around the world soon Oddometer: 2,017	transalps and africa twins have proven to be very reliable too

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