Honda vs Yamaha Generator

[waligators]

Looking to buy a new generator and wondering what your guys' experiences with Honda and Yamaha are? I'm looking to go with either a 1,000 watt or 2,000 watt, and of course a four stroke. Which one of these brands is going to give me the most bang for my buck, and the least amount of trouble? I know Honda is kind of the "king" of generators, but with Yamaha's 4 stroke boat motors being pretty flawless, one would think there generator motors would be sweet too.

[cableguy2]

They are about the same, just get the 2000watt. This has been beat to death on here, use the search on the left to find them. I have a Honda, but I hear people like the Yamaha too.

[highlife4me]

You really can't go wrong with either Yamaha of Honda. Do yourself a favor and skip the 1000 and get a 2000. For a few bucks more it is really worth it. A 1000 can't run much more than light and tv and struggles with a microwave. A 2000 will run anything in an RV except an A/C unit. If you ever plan to run A/C get a 3000 or you can hook 2 Honda 2000 together if one is a Companion.

[PurpleFloyd]

Both are very good. Subaru also makes a great one

[Down2Earth]

I'd get the honda.

[CaptainMusky]

A buddy used a 2000 Yamaha and after hearing and seeing it in action I wouldn't get anything else. It was amazing. It ran all night charging our boat batteries in Canada and was still running in the am. No refueling.

[billro]

I have a Yamaha 2000 and so far it's great. Very quiet. I use it camping to charge boat batteries, charge a battery for a 12V cooler, run a 1KW bucket heater for a portable shower, etc. As others have said get the 2KW vs 1KW.

[Bryce]

Kind of depends. Will it be running on the tailgate of a Chevy or a Ford?

Both great units. Both have their loyalist following.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I have the Yamaha. The Honda is also fantastic.

I have had an opportunity to run them side by side for the last 3 years. The Yamaha is a tiny bit quieter, and runs longer on a tank of gas. I get 14 hours out of mine, and the Honda is more like 9. I think it might be due to a smaller tank on the Honda.

If I were buying one tomorrow I would find the cheaper one and go with it.

Get the 2,000.

[Luke_M]

They are both awesome generators. The make or break for me would be service and parts availability where it will be used. They are both engines and can fail(very unlikely). Also no doubt go with the 2000 you will be able to run just about anything you could ever want to.

[EJ]

Honda

[Ron Vroom]

Hate to throw a damper on Yamaha enthusiasm, but my Yamaha 1000 just hatched on me last weekend. I bought it used year before last, so this is second season on it. It looked brand new when I got it and I only use it for ice fishing. I changed oil at end of each season. Was running fine on second night with only TV and 1 bulb drawing juice when it stopped generating, but engine was still running. I shut it down and tried to restart but could barely pull it over. There was a burnt electrical odor. Checked oil level which was good, pulled plug to see if it would pull over easier, but no change. It is now in repair shop. I believe the engine is OK, and suspect something happened to the generator rotor or stator or magneto. In any event, I think it is going to be an expensive fix. Finding a repair shop for a Yamaha is harder than for a Honda.

[fishwater]

run a 1KW bucket heater for a portable shower, etc.

+1 on the bucket heater. Since getting one, my wife has been more than excited about our trips to voyageurs. Bucket heater dongled to either a Yamaha or Honda 2000 is the way to go.

[Hawg]

I agree they are both great products but as Ron V said, when or if you service Honda is everywhere.

[fsnrod]

Has anyone converted one to propane?

[AlligatorDundee]

My Yamaha 2000 is a champ.

Its been running non-stop since December 28.

I change the the oil, spark plug, and clean air filter every 25 days.

[Redlineracer12]

Yamaha matches my blue fish house better. Honda you can get the extended fuel tank to work easier. If you're not into that the Yamaha has a nice fuel gauge built in and if you top it off before bed it should run through the night (does for me).

Don't even consider a 1000 in my opinion.

[Grum]

My Dad bought a used honda 2000 about 15+ years ago and it still works just fine but is terribly loud, so last year he found a new Honda EU2000i Inverter Generator and is much quieter so we actually use it more and the new one is safe to run your electronics. I can't give an opinion about the yamaha but I'm sure it's very close to the same, just a different color. I'd be happy with either I'm sure, just look for the best deal and who has a service department in the area.

Also agree with the others on not getting the little 1000, just seems underpowered, unless you have to carry it a long ways to get to where you need to go.

[Tom Hubbard]

I just bought a new Honda 2000, and ran it for the first time this last weekend up on Lake of the Woods. It ran great, even through the frigid temps and high NW winds.

[toomanytoys]

so does anyone have issues starting their 2k hondas if it is left in truck and is cold?

[Ryan_V]

so does anyone have issues starting their 2k hondas if it is left in truck and is cold?

yes. Mine is terrible at that, really bad. 2 weeks ago, went to my shack on mille lacs, was in back of truck on way up, single digits. Had to start it several times before it stayed running. I get the "low oil" shutdown. I run amsoil small engine oil, but when it's cold, the oil must be too thick and it doesn't sense it. Over the weekend, I bring it in the house at night and don't have an issue. On the way up, I try and get it in the cab, just so I don't have to fight with it when I get there, that cuts into my whiskey time! Other than that, the Honda is flawless, very fuel efficient, and quiet.

Never had/used a yammy, but heard good things as well. They are both quality, just kind of a Ford/Chevy thing!

[Redlineracer12]

I bring mine (Yamaha) into the fish house for the first hour or so to let it warm up before trying to start it. Then it usually starts first or second pull and runs great in the cold weather. With it sitting outside in the cold it can be a bugger to get started.

[Ron Vroom]

Following up. The word from the Yamaha service center is they are not sure what the problem is, but it is going to cost $617 to fix it. I think they would replace the generator portion because the engine runs. I told them "no thanks", I would not put that kind of money into it because I no longer have any confidence in the generator. I have replaced it with a Coleman 1850 for $175. Twice as heavy and louder but twice the power and I am betting, more dependable! I have 2 Yamaha snowmobiles and a 4 wheeler which have served me well and this is the first Yamaha product I have been disappointed with. Anyone out there need parts for a Yamaha 1000is generator?

[Northlander]

From what I have seen they are both good units. I would give the nod to Honda though because they are a bit quiter and I have never had anyone with one complain about them.

[efgh]

I bet that if your name was Ron Linder instead of Ron Bunyan the price to fix it would be a lot different.