Yam or Suzuki 200hp?

[Esperanza-time]

Looking into buying a new 200.
25” mechanical.
-Both use the same block from 150-200hp.
-Suzuki has bit bigger displacement and holds twice the oil.
-Maintenance? Suzuki requires valve shim/check.
Yamaha needs a 1000hr balancer change?

Any Japanese motor is good, I have owned smaller Suzuki and Yamaha before.
But am I missing anything here, any insight is appreciated!

 

[Gallivanter]

you can swing a bigger prop and there was a 6year vs 3 year warranty with the Zuke

 

[kaelc]

Slightly more torque reported with the Yami but way less than the larger displacement/weight merc/honda.
Price and friends/guides experience puts me on the Suzuki.

 

[scott craven]

Pretty sure the Yamaha has a 5 year warranty, unless they recently changed

you can swing a bigger prop and there was a 6year vs 3 year warranty with the Zuke

 

[Pineapple Express]

If I were in your situation I'd be basing my decision on the following:

1. Who are the local dealers? Are they well regarded? If you have warranty issues you'll need to be working with the dealer (hopefully no warranty issues)
2. What boat? The Suzuki can swing a larger-diameter prop which could help push a heavier boat.

Also, check the details of the warranties offered. A few years ago the Suzuki warranty was 3 years by manufacturer, then 3 extra years by a third-party insurance outfit. There are numerous reports online of the third-party warranty being nearly useless for denied claims and exclusions.

 

[Enniberg]

Nitpicking, I know, but the Yamaha requires half the oil and the oil filter is way easier to replace, especially if you need to do an oil change with the boat in the water at any point. I have a Suzuki 150 and that is probably about the only gripe I have about it. Some say that more oil is better for longevity, and in theory that may be true, but I don't know that Yamaha has issues with longevity.

 

[Esperanza-time]

View attachment 115987
Slightly more torque reported with the Yami but way less than the larger displacement/weight merc/honda.
Price and friends/guides experience puts me on the Suzuki.

Big difference on the inline4 to the Merc V6 forsure!
But no mercs for this guy, once bitten,twice shy!

Thanks

 

[kaelc]

Nitpicking, I know, but the Yamaha requires half the oil and the oil filter is way easier to replace, especially if you need to do an oil change with the boat in the water at any point. I have a Suzuki 150 and that is probably about the only gripe I have about it. Some say that more oil is better for longevity, and in theory that may be true, but I don't know that Yamaha has issues with longevity.

That isn't the first time I've heard complaints about the suzuki oilfilter. What year is yours? Thanks for sharing, I've got an repower on my mind. How are the Suzuki parts prices?

 

[Max123]

Anyone know how/if the 'current' tariffs will affect outboards. I believe the larger Mercs are made in the US (likely still a lot of global parts), and the larger Suzukis are made in Japan.

 

[Max123]

@kaelc - on my 2019 DF40 the spin on oil filter was mounted horizontally, so always a PITA to change the filter without spilling some oil into the engine housing. Once you drain the oil, you pack the area around the filter with rags, then take off the filter.

To drain the oil, it has a nice hex head plug on the side of the engine, however as soon as you open the plug, the oil will pour out but a lot will wick down the side of the leg and make a mess. The trick is to cut yourself a small piece of flexible plastic (use a pop bottle) and curve it underneath the drain plug so that the oil can't wick down the side of the leg. The opening for the oil drain screw even has a circular recess - so it almost seems like it was built to hold a funnel (which I improvise with the plastic)

Maybe if you use an evac pump it would be cleaner - otherwise I can't see a way of doing this with the boat in the water and not making a god-awful mess.

 

[Olde School]

That Yam 200 is the same as the Yam 150. Research the balancing shafts. Nightmare.

 

[Samnjoe]

No balancer issues on new Yamaha 150s. Plenty of oil 4.5 liters. My 06's ran perfectly since new. Just bought a new pair this year from GA. 6 year full warranty. Bullet proof.

 

[Bill 310]

We have a pair of the Suzuki 200's and have had them for a little over two years.

So far they have been excellent motors, they are very quiet and provide what I consider to be excellent fuel economy.

Lots of torque.

I still run across to Nanaimo and get my motors serviced by Breakers Marine when they are coming to Nanaimo.

 

[kaelc]

Anyone know how/if the 'current' tariffs will affect outboards. I believe the larger Mercs are made in the US (likely still a lot of global parts), and the larger Suzukis are made in Japan.

I think dealers have inventory on hand, but in 3 months those tariffs had better be long settled.

 

[wolf]

I guess im lucky as I always change oil in water I have a manual sucker you stick a tube down the dipstick cleans it out great and my filter is easy . changing any filter is alot easier if the system is drained . but like others said put some ragsin or bilge matts they soak up great.
With my motor filter is in front left in a cup and no mess whatsoever.

AS for motor Ive run them all yammy mostly(lodge boats) but on my boat a zuk (350 DP) I think they are all great I think over the last 8 years or so zuk has really taken over the market . it all comes down to what shop you can trust to do any if needed warrenty work and service and ease ...I personally used vevtor marine and have never had any issue with the guys there to me they have really helped me out...

 

[Thunder21]

I have had no issues with my Suzuki 200s over the last 6 years and 450 hours. I had one sensor mess up but it was my fault. I have read that Suzuki is bringing back a v6 200 this year and still offering the I-4 . That V6 might be worth a look.