Everyone wants to find a bike that will run forever. And everything thinks their bike is the one. But not enough people take the time to pop by the shop and ask us our opinion, so in a recent social media post, we thought we’d address it head on. 

Our team (Stefano, Kent, and Dylan) all answered the same question on the fly:

“If you wanted a bike that will run forever, what would you buy?”

Our answers? Well, check them out for yourself below. 

Here’s a rough transcript of what each of the boys had to say. 

Dylan: Buy a Modern Japanese 1000

Dylan believe these rides are super reliable, they’ll last forever, and are easy to maintain. 

If he was building a bike stable built to last, it’d start with a modern Japanese litre bike. Think CBR1000RR, GSX-R1000, ZX-10R, R1—high-performance machines that, when maintained, just don’t quit.

These bikes are engineered to take abuse. They’re precision-built, with tight tolerances, solid cooling systems, and motors that don’t flinch at high revs. As long as you keep up with oil changes and don’t skip service intervals, they’ll go the distance.

We see it all the time. Older Japanese 1000s coming in with nothing but basic wear and tear. Still running smooth. Still making power. Still giving their owners zero excuses to upgrade.

They’re a great decision. 

Stefano: Pretty Much Anything Japanese

A little more broad, but also completely fair.

Stefano’s been around long enough to see what actually lasts. From cruisers to dual-sports to naked commuters, Japanese bikes dominate the long-term reliability game. Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, they’re all known for engines that stay tight, parts that stay available, and designs that just make sense.

You don’t need a shop manual and a priest to keep them running. And when something does go wrong? You can usually fix it without draining your savings or your sanity.

Kent: A Yamaha Stratoliner 1900

Kent’s pick was cruiser-specific, and it’s a strong one.

The Yamaha Stratoliner 1900 is big, comfortable, low-stress, and borderline bulletproof. It’s an air-cooled V-twin that doesn’t beg for attention, doesn’t hide complex electronics under the seat, and doesn’t mind running hard and long.

It’s a favourite among riders who want a touring machine without the drama. No need to baby it. Just change the oil, keep it rubber-side down, and it’ll keep rolling long after your knees give out.

The Community

One thing you probably haven’t checked out yet is the incredible response we received from our community here at Imperial on those social videos we shared. We racked up over 400 comments on our Instagram, Facebook and TikTok (yes, we have a TikTok, gotta bring the next generation into the shop) and the community gave us some pretty great insights into the bikes they think are the most dependable. 

Top mentions (aka “won’t die” bikes):

• KLR650 — the cockroach of motorcycles 
• Honda Goldwing — couch on wheels, runs forever
• Honda XR / XL series — 200/250/600/650L
• Honda Super Cub / C100 / C50 / EX5 / Wave — global workhorse
• Suzuki DR650 / DRZ400 / Bandit — bulletproof thumpers
• Honda Shadow — multiple 200k+ mile stories
• VFR800 / CB750 / Nighthawk / Rune — the quiet killers
• Yamaha SR250 / SR400 / XT / XJ900F / FZ1 — simple & solid
• BMW K75 / R80 / R90S / GS — boxers with bragging rights
• Harley Evo / Twin Cam / Shovel / Panhead — parts for life
• Sportsters & older GSXRs — ride hard, wrench light

A lot of you echoed what our mechanics said: stick with Japanese bikes. Glorida D. put it simply with, “I’m a Yamaha girl myself,” while Yamakawi N. backed it up with a straight-up “Go Japanese.” That sentiment came through again and again.

Shawn L. gave us one of the most impressive answers, shouting out his second-gen Hayabusa—nicknamed Wasabi—which has racked up over 400,000 kms. Rafi A. kept it classic with the legendary Honda Super Cub 50. Elon Y. swore by the Yamaha SR400, saying it “basically can’t die.” And Marge L. gave a practical shout to the Honda Shadow, not for style, but because she’s seen those things hit big mileage with just basic maintenance. Brakes, chains, and maybe a water pump.

Luis P. threw down with the 1997 Honda Africa Twin XRV750 RD07, another legendary machine known for its longevity and go-anywhere attitude.

Bottom line? Riders who put serious miles on their bikes tend to favour simplicity, strong build quality, and engines that don’t overcomplicate things. And nine times out of ten, that points back to Japanese engineering.

Did we ruffle a few feathers? You bet. But we don’t mind doing that to give you our honest opinion. Which is what you’ll always get here at Imperial Motorcycles. 

Final Word from the Shop

Everyone wants the bike that never quits.

But here’s the truth. No matter what logo’s on the tank, the bikes that last the longest all have a few things in common. They’re built with simple, proven engineering. They don’t rely on complicated electronics to stay running. And they’ve got parts that are easy to find and easy to replace. That’s why so many riders, including our own mechanics, often point to Japanese bikes first.

Still, reliability doesn’t stop at the manufacturer. It comes down to how the bike’s treated. Regular oil changes. Chain maintenance. Valve adjustments. Fluid flushes. Skipping the basics is how “forever” bikes turn into “what the hell happened?” bikes.

We’ve seen it all in the shop. Bulletproof Hondas neglected into oblivion, and high-strung litre bikes still running clean after a decade because someone stayed on top of service. It’s not just the machine. It’s the rider, too.

So if you’re hunting for a forever bike, start with something solid. A Stratoliner. A Super Cub. An Africa Twin. Whatever your style is, there’s a reliable machine out there for you.

And when it comes to keeping it running? That’s where we come in.

Swing by Imperial. We’ll help you keep your ride dialled in for the long haul. No guesswork, no upsells, just honest work from people who actually care.