Are Honda outboards any good? – we get this question more often than not, and the short answer is: yes! Honda outboards are known for excellent durability and reliability, which is why they come with a 5-year direct factory warranty.
If you want to find out more about Honda outboards, you’ve come to the right place.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know into this post!
Are Honda Outboards Any Good?
Honda vehicles and engines are known for their high quality and outstanding reliability, and their outboard motors are no exception. That’s why the Japanese company is a member of the “Big Four” outboard manufacturers (Mercury, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki).
Besides a wide range of powersport vehicles, the manufacturer builds cars, aero engines, and a variety of power machines.
To expand its fleet, Honda entered the outboard market back in 1964, and since then it has been building a complete line of outboard motors.
Exclusively powered by 4-stroke engines, Honda outboards provide 2.3-250 HP depending on the model.
These motors feature the latest technologies and high-quality parts, which makes them widely popular among buyers.
If you are in doubt, you should check the innovative HondaLinke Marine app:
How Reliable are Honda Outboard Motors?
It’s safe to say that Honda outboards are among the most reliable outboards in the marketplace.
They are specifically designed to tolerate heavy loads and harsh marine environments.
Therefore, they can be used on a wide variety of boats including bass boats, bowriders, pontoons, and even houseboats.
Although Honda outboards can be used in a marine environment, their maximum engine power of 250 HP limits their use on larger offshore boats.
In contrast, rivals Yamaha and Mercury offer outboards up to 450 and 600 HP, respectively.
Another huge drawback of Honda outboards is their very narrow dealer network.
This is the main reason why you mainly see Yamaha and Mercury motors on a majority of boats, not quality issues!
What is the Life Expectancy of a Honda Outboard?
The life expectancy of a Honda outboard motor is anywhere from 1,000-3,000 hours. The lifespan of these engines depends on many factors including:
- Specifications of the boat
- Attitude of the owner
- Frequency of use
- Quality of maintenance
- Environment
- And more
As one can expect, a babied Honda outboard used in freshwater will last much longer than its abused and neglected brothers being run in marine environments.
Another concern is the frequency of use since low-use outboard motors don’t last long. This means that a lot of hours doesn’t necessarily mean a more worn out engine.
Evidence of the durability of Honda outboards is that the U.S. Coast Guard uses them on almost all its outboard boats.
Many of these motors can reach as high as 10+k hours, despite often being hammered at WOT for long periods.
How Long is the Warranty on a Honda Outboard Motor?
Believe it or not, Honda outboards come with a 5-year, factory-direct warranty.
This warranty applies to any Honda outboard purchased for recreational use from an authorized Honda dealer.
It covers everything from labor to parts for 5 years from the purchase.
Takeaways
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions on the topic:
Does Honda make good outboards?
Yes, Honda outboards are known for their high quality and durability. That’s why you can see Honda motors on almost all U.S. Coast Guard outboard boats.
Who makes Honda outboards?
Honda outboards are made by Honda Marine, which is part of the “Power Products” division of the Japanese Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
When did Honda start making outboard motors?
Honda entered the outboard motor market in 1964.
Where are Honda outboards manufactured?
As reported by the manufacturer, Honda outboards are manufactured in both Japan and China. To be more precise, the list of Honda outboard factories is as follows:
- Kumamoto Factory (Japan) – Tillers
- Hosoe Outboard Engine Plant (Japan) – Dedicated outboard engine plant
- Fuzhou plant (China) – Outboard engines and generators
References: Global.Honda
