I want to buy a vintage motorcycle, late 70's early 80's. Which is better, Honda or Yamaha?

I think you should get some motorcycle books and look for the model you like the best. Honda's are usually built better than Yams but are considered a bit dull. Saying that though I don't call 70's or 80's bikes vintage they are just modern classics.

It really depends on what type of vintage bike you are looking for, but Honda is perhaps your better pick.

The 1970's Honda Goldwings were quite nice and had quite a bit of technology that still has not made it into many bikes of today (and for various reasons, some good some bad). The Goldwing we know today didn't start its form until 1980, you should look at some pictures to see what I'm talking about.

Suzuki also made some nice bikes then as well.

Honda is the more dependable set-up than the Yamaha.. Easier to find parts for also.. I would say a CB550 or a CB750 would be your best bet on durability and part availability…

With a bike that old, the better bike will not be the brand name, but the one that is in the best condition.

Some parts for older bikes may be difficult to find so it is important that the bike is complete and has been well maintained, that alone may limit your choices.

I have owned both, and it really comes down to personal preference on what you are looking for.

Quality wise – Honda
Yamaha wasn't very popular back then, their bikes weren't up to Honda's standards.
Yamaha didn't get it's act together until the 90s
The parts availability will be better with Honda.
Even if the part is discontinued, you'll have a better chance of locating the part for your model at a salvage yard.
There were more than twice as many Hondas on the road back then.

Honda in those days yamaha had more bugs than a mexican motel

Buy a 4 cylinder goldwing, get a vulcan tank, harley back fender, early 750 or first year goldwing f fender, some aftermarket exhaust pipes that turn up, a harley vertical tail light (reproduction). remove all the goldwing plastic, remove the back shocks of the wing off, cut rear frame rails off some so you can add some small aftermarket shocks, lower the front tubes by 2 inches, get a early kawasaki police seat, put a lawnmower battery crossways in front of the rear tire under the seat. & you will have a cool looking goldwing that's light and goes pretty fast. I have done 2 of these.

For street bikes Honda was a whole lot better in that era, then came Kawasaki then Yamaha.

Well back then honda blew it out the water … back then yamaha had more rats than a mexican motel !

Hondas are built better and yamis are not.

Some dealers or let me rephrase that,…most dealers won't even work on them if they are older than 1990 so you want to check with your local dealer or shop to see what bikes they work on.

I've seen (see video below) guys get a bike and then nobody will touch it..

i have owned both. i'm not sure which is better to be honest. if you maintain it well and are patient about searching for parts online or figuring out ways to use different parts off of different bikes you should be good with either brand. i'm currently into a 76 yamaha xs650 and am starting to get a little more involved with my '79 yamaha xs1100. parts are available for both of these bikes and if they aren't the forums are full of advice and tips for using different aftermarket parts and such. it's been a while since i've worked on a honda so i can't really say as far as parts reliability but there are people out there who keep the old hondas running too.

i have a late 60s early 70 yamhaha V70 scooter.
the honda was four stroke mine two.
i can still buy every part for it through a yamaha dealer.
it is the original motor untouched.
it had not been going for many years before i got it.
i put fuel and oil in it and it started first kick.
do that with a honda.
one of my first bikes was a newer model. V90 late 70s early 80s.
i have never owned another bike as reliable after that one, my brother sold that one on me.
so i am glad to go back.

I ride a 29 year old Harley And don't want any thig else But to answer your question if you can find a Honda CB 750 they are fast and are very dependable. Considered by most to be the first " super bike". They're actually not a bad looking bike either.They're hard to find but you might try cycletrader.com. Good luck & Ride safe!