Motorcycle media and press never talk about motorcycle build quality and reliability, because they all rely on advertising revenue. Basically, everything is awesome.
They do however, love to reinforce myths and reputations that could be 30 years out of date.
Consumer Reports decided to start collating reliability data from owners a few years ago and released the first report last year. CR gets no advertising revenue, and they get their data directly from polled customers.
I can't post the actual link because its for subscribers only, but you can see a report about the report here:
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/22/consumer-reports-motorcycle-reliability-report/
Basically, Yamaha has least major problems, one in ten bikes. BMW, by far the worst, at one in three, close to Harley at one in four. They only had enough statistically significant data to report on BMW (30%), Harley (25%) , Yamaha (10%) , Kawasaki (13%) and Honda (14%).
Strangely, 75% of Harley owners say they would buy a Harley again, and 74% of BMW owners.
Rare problems: engine and transmission (<5%). common problems: brakes and electrical (>20%).
Over to you, internet.
They do however, love to reinforce myths and reputations that could be 30 years out of date.
Consumer Reports decided to start collating reliability data from owners a few years ago and released the first report last year. CR gets no advertising revenue, and they get their data directly from polled customers.
I can't post the actual link because its for subscribers only, but you can see a report about the report here:
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/22/consumer-reports-motorcycle-reliability-report/
Basically, Yamaha has least major problems, one in ten bikes. BMW, by far the worst, at one in three, close to Harley at one in four. They only had enough statistically significant data to report on BMW (30%), Harley (25%) , Yamaha (10%) , Kawasaki (13%) and Honda (14%).
Strangely, 75% of Harley owners say they would buy a Harley again, and 74% of BMW owners.
Rare problems: engine and transmission (<5%). common problems: brakes and electrical (>20%).
Over to you, internet.
Last edited: