Actually Hondas are much better now than they have been. The 300/400/450s were reliable. Come 2005/6 Honda came out with a 500 manual that had an unreliable gearbox, and the old model 420 which had a dreadful rear axle. They did fit a good IRS rear end on the 420 auto but as I wrote above, everyone fought shy of an Auto using a manual box with electronic override, and Honda resolutely refused to sell manuals with the better, IRS rear end. They quietly improved the 500 gearbox and made a better rear axle for the new model 420 in 2014, so are a lot better now. Suzuki 400 engines are more fragile than Hondas, Suzuki 500/750s engines are bullet proof unless you run them out of oil but frames are fragile, 450/700s lower frame tubes used to break on all of them. 500/750s are a bit better but I have just welded a newish one up which had a front A arm pull out of the chassis tube. As I rarely do Yams, I can't comment on their reliability.

 

Ok thanks, good to know.