Groundbreaking News that will turn the motorcycle world upside down!

Could be a bit irrelevant when compared to what you like to ride.

After riding various brands I keep coming back to BMW because I like the way they ride.

I've also learned that with other "motorized" products.

Had two Seadoos once and sold them and got a Yamaha. The Yamaha never gave me any trouble. The Seadoos did. If I were to buy another pwc, I'd buy a Seadoo. Way more fun and performance.

Ah, but has your bike been without any breakdowns over those years? Not that I expect a Yamaha to go that long either, but still, I've found them to be almost unbreakable...

As an ancient piece of machinery it is high maintannce but it's easy, obvious and cheap helped by great parts availability both OEM and after market.
It does need attention sometimes during an actual ride.

It's stopped once on me due to a dodgy relay in the ignition circut.
Not immobile just too much of a hassle to ride when safe storage, easy recovery and alternate transportation was available.

In my 20s I developed a management strategy for Yamahas.
The protocols transferd well to Kawasakis & Honda
It involved ride, weld, sell, replace & repeat.

With Ducs and Laverdas I could not break them ,
They were way too fast beating me to the puch every time and self destructing before I could do any real damage.

I do acknowlwdge modern Yamahas appear to be a superior product but they still feel like a disposable consumer item to me.


Good luck with the fleet.

Hah suck it bmw!! My Kawasaki kicks your ass!!

As a 990 /Tenere /K1200GT owner, it is clear to me that the first Motorcycle to blow white exhaust smoke out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney will be God's motorcycle the Devine KTM.

The KTM speaks to me, the owner, like no other motorcycle I have owned. Before the Tenere, when I had to ride across the continent and just had to get there I always rode the KTM in lieu of the BMW.

Consumer Reports is where i turn to buy appliances like fridges, washers and cars. Motorcycles are visceral and there are so many uncontrolled variables. This is the first year of their study, and from what I have read they could have done their research in any bar or on Adventure Rider. The data will get better in the years to come.

KLR, right?

Jim

Edit:

Guess not!

Japanese bikes are more reliable? this is news?

I miss my 990


1911fan

I miss my Moto Guzzi CRAP...are we going to have to buy two more bikes?? .... smaller house, bigger garage!!!

Mrs1911fan

Hmmmm.... Perhaps we need to do our own study. How's about we get a trip to Alaska, and have one or more of each bike involved?

I'll ride the 990 R for testing...

It is funny how different people see things different. If you have ever competed a consumer reports owners survey there is a lot of room for opinion, not facts. The question is have you ever had a serious problem with your bike. I have owned 2 Hondas, combined 50,000 miles. 1 with a serious problems that was a rear wheel bearing. The thing that made it serious was it took the dealer 2 weeks to repair and I had to cancel a trip. I have had 2 Yamaha bikes no problems 2 kawa no problem and 2 beemers with 175,000 miles & no problems. I still think Japanese bike have better reliability but not as easy to fix. I however chose to ride what makes me feel the best. BMW!!!!

The only thing I find interesting is the fact that they did a similar survey a few months ago on CARS. The BMW came up DEAD LAST, followed closly behind by VW. I can attest to the validity of the data... having a son who bought a brand new VW and had nothing but trouble with it from day 1. What's up with German engineering??? They used to make some of the best stuff.

Otherwise, no surprise that HD and other non-Japanese bikes are less reliable.

I'm surprised our favorite HD salesman hasn't chimed in on this subject.

He's a great guy, and frankly I don't blame him for trying to make a sale, but he swears HD is the best bike on the road.

In fact, we just had this conversation the other day. I told him I'm interested in a Yamaha Star, and he tried talking me into an HD FHXDKXWDGSDS or whatever they're called.



Sorry, DAKEZ.

Every time I read something like this I thank doG that I got the only good one out of the thousands built. R1200GS bought new in September of 2004 and has 117370 trouble-free miles so far. Rear shock puked the oil out at 24k, replaced on warranty and an output shaft seal and a final drive seal replaced at regular service. She still has the original clutch and final drive probably due to being owned by a "mature" rider.

I can't speak to Japanese bikes reliability, BMW or Italian makes either but I've owned and ridden a bunch of Harleys and one Buell since 1970 and only had one bike strand me one time. A wheel bearing failure on my 2010 Road King. At 16,000 miles. That sorta pissed me off, last thing I'd expect to have let go at 16K. 90 miles from the nearest Harley dealer over Independence Pass, in a nice drizzling rain.

At least you have your priorities in order!

Isn't that the truth.

I sold a KLR one time that I had put lots of miles on and really over-maintained and loved. I knew everything about that bike and as I was selling it I took the time to explain all the detailed maintenance and upgrades I had done. The guy buying the bike listened to my whole explanation and then said that he didn't do much maintenance. He said he generally changed the oil in stuff every few years and didn't buy into the hype of all the other things. WTH? As I watched the bike leave on a trailer it felt like I was selling one of my kids into indentured servitude.

My relationship with bikes is different. I bond with things and enjoy doing maintenance and keeping up with them. If there is a new noise or vibration I usually pick up on it right away and fix it. That is part of the ownership experience for me.

It is all a question of priorities. I never bought a vehicle based on its consumer report and reliability. I buy them for the fun of driving/riding them or for their utility.

Fuck them all consumer rating surveyors!

I think I can get better response from the riders of that particular bike.

I am just going to cruise on my Agusyamabemhonda now!