Consumer Reports says Harley-Davidson and BMW motorcycles are less reliable

[bigguy]

                    

Consumer Reports says Harley-Davidson and BMW motorcycles are less reliable

[Moonshot_1]

Wow. An Authoritative Bashing of Harley Davidson. That's hard core bashing there.

[Robert]

Well its not totally bashing and what a black eye for BMW and exactly why I would not by the new 6 cylinder

BMW motorcycles were less reliable than Harley-Davidsons, with about one in three owners reporting problems in the previous four years. Only about one in ten Yamaha owners experienced issues during that time, followed closely Kawasaki and Honda.

[art]

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.

[BonS]

Published two years ago.

[WilliamRS]

article also said that Harley and bmw owners were the most satisfied with their rides and would purchase the same brand for their next bike

[Pappy!]

Was reading an out and out rant on the ADV site about 6 mos ago on a guy with a BMW 1200 something or other touring bike. His electrical system suffered a total melt down shortly after the warranty period.  Had a Hell of a time getting it fixed. This was after having to rebuild the final drive.
He bought another BMW.............
They can have issues with their bikes but will defend the brand to the end.

[dpcarson]

article also said that Harley and bmw owners were the most satisfied with their rides and would purchase the same brand for their next bike

drinking the kool aid

[G-Man]

article also said that Harley and bmw owners were the most satisfied with their rides and would purchase the same brand for their next bike

A family member had a Toyota that was a piece of crappola.  Next car was a Toyota because "American cars aren't made well".   

[Patrick]

article also said that Harley and bmw owners were the most satisfied with their rides and would purchase the same brand for their next bike

A family member had a Toyota that was a piece of crappola.  Next car was a Toyota because "American cars aren't made well".   

Just can't understand some people, some just don't make sense. I sure understand some vehicles/bikes,etc being crappola, but to buy another,,,,,,

[Hoser]

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.

Everybody knows that about Beemers and HD. that is not why certain folks buy bikes, it's because they like them.  My dad was always a Ford guy, I kinda like the one that has the best price, not the brand for cars.  I have owned many bikes, all Japanese.  Just like em I guess.  Hoser 

[Tx Bohemian]

article also said that Harley and bmw owners were the most satisfied with their rides and would purchase the same brand for their next bike

A family member had a Toyota that was a piece of crappola.  Next car was a Toyota because "American cars aren't made well".   

Just can't understand some people, some just don't make sense. I sure understand some vehicles/bikes,etc being crappola, but to buy another,,,,,,

Yea, I wonder too!!

A couple of years ago my brother-in-law bought a brand new F250, 4WD, Diesel (who needs that like I, or him, needs another hole in the head) and had nothing but trouble with it.  Spent half the time in the shop!

So he trades it in, on the exact thing but a couple of yrs newer!!!
Not sure how this one is as he's only had it for a couple of months so far. Guess time will tell.

I just don't get it!

[BobB]

I have always thought that riders who owned Harley's and BMWs considered themselves bad asses and elitists respectively.  Those who own Japanese bikes seam to have less specific brand loyalty.  I love the Honda Valkyrie, but I've also had really good Yamahas.  Quality wise, my '65 H-D was probably the worse new bike I ever owned. 

Most of the issues reported in the article were for minor stuff, less than $200 to fix.  That may be what the owners expect to go wrong with a motorcycle.  That may be their experience, but my experience with Japanese equipment has been completely different.

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Despite the higher number of problems, Harley and BMW owners were among the most satisfied with their bikes. When asked whether, considering everything, they would buy their bike again if they had to do it over, 75% of Harley owners said definitely yes, closely followed by 74% of BMW owners and 72% of Honda owners. By contrast, only 63% and 60%  of Yamaha and Kawasaki owners, respectively, were as emphatic in this subjective measure

If you like your bike keep your bike.

Don't throw off on another man's ride.. It may just be the last thing you do on this EARTH.

[dpcarson]

If you like your bike keep your bike.

HAHA  Well now we know you are lying!   

[bigguy]

Wow. An Authoritative Bashing of Harley Davidson. That's hard core bashing there.

Yeah, I knew this would open

Hope it's all in good fun. I've never even ridden a Harley, but all of the folks I know that have them like them. My personal observation doesn't show them breaking down any more than other bikes. And frankly, if Honda-Suzuki-Yamaha stop making what I consider touring cruisers, my next bike might have to me a Harley bagger of some kind.

[Crackerborn]

I will not claim to have owned every brand of motorcycle produced, although I have owned more than a few different brands. Some have been better than others and the brand has nothing to do with my opinion of a particular bike. From an economic standpoint alone, BMW and HD have the best resale value, which makes them a decent bike for short-term ownership (and a better choice to rebuild from a box). If I couldn’t have the Big Girl as a choice for a cross country ride would I choose a HD or Beemer? Not a chance, but I doubt the mother-ships geezer glide could attract me despite the reliability of the ride. Right now I don’t have to worry about those issues and if the Lady I now ride had a fatal demise, I would look for another Big Girl as a replacement.

[mrtappan]

Somehow it makes no sense to me if you own a brand that is known for having the most mechanical issues but then say you have the highest amount of satisfaction out of it.  Seems to me like the "image" of owning the bike satisfies you more than the experience of the ride/lifestyle..........

Kind of like when someone is wrong, you show them they are wrong, but they still won't admit it. 

[Big Al of Tennessee]

The maker of Motorcycles,,,I have had the most trouble with is Kawasaki.

Vulcan 1500 Classic carbureted got 25 miles to the gallon.

It suffered with Synchronizer Trouble from 2nd to 3rd upshift.

Sold it as a new sync would have cost 2500 dollars, to get to it you split the cases.

ZRX1200R,,brand new it quit shifting on the way home from buying it.

Kawasaki could not fix the problem and it started kicking itself in and out of gear in any gear.

Kawasaki refused to fix it, under warranty,,now beat up Harley for not honoring Dave Zeins

warranty on his factory 3-wheeler.

3rd strike,,,Concours 2005 model,,ugly,,bought it for touring capabilities.

Had a pronounced knocking sound from the bottom end,,under warranty,,Kawasaki would not

touch it..

Traded it for a Yamaha Road Star Silverado 1700,,,,,,,at 80mph my feet would vibrate off the

floor boards.

Traded it for a 2007 FLHT,,,Electraglide,,,never looked back, sold it for 12,000, bought for 15.

My extended warranty of 7 years was never used.

I ride a 2013 Electra Glide now,,,,,,,,,,103.. no problems from that either..

Rode to Texas with T-Bird in the lead,,did well over 75 to 85 all day for 2,000 miles, narry a

complaint from Ole Blue.

Yamaha has the least customer complaints by the way.

I ain't the only Rider here that rides a Harley,,or has a Valk and a Harley.

[Popcorn]

The maker of Motorcycles,,,I have had the most trouble with is Kawasaki.

Vulcan 1500 Classic carbureted got 25 miles to the gallon.

It suffered with Synchronizer Trouble from 2nd to 3rd upshift.

Sold it as a new sync would have cost 2500 dollars, to get to it you split the cases.

ZRX1200R,,brand new it quit shifting on the way home from buying it.

Kawasaki could not fix the problem and it started kicking itself in and out of gear in any gear.

Kawasaki refused to fix it, under warranty,,now beat up Harley for not honoring Dave Zeins

warranty on his factory 3-wheeler.

3rd strike,,,Concours 2005 model,,ugly,,bought it for touring capabilities.

Had a pronounced knocking sound from the bottom end,,under warranty,,Kawasaki would not

touch it..

Traded it for a Yamaha Road Star Silverado 1700,,,,,,,at 80mph my feet would vibrate off the

floor boards.

Traded it for a 2007 FLHT,,,Electraglide,,,never looked back, sold it for 12,000, bought for 15.

My extended warranty of 7 years was never used.

I ride a 2013 Electra Glide now,,,,,,,,,,103.. no problems from that either..

Rode to Texas with T-Bird in the lead,,did well over 75 to 85 all day for 2,000 miles, narry a

complaint from Ole Blue.

Yamaha has the least customer complaints by the way.

I ain't the only Rider here that rides a Harley,,or has a Valk and a Harley.

Now Al you know that's a lie. You and T-Bird were running lots faster than 75 or 80. Yea I ride a Harley to. I also have 2 Harleys, a Valkyrie interstate, an 1800 Goldwing, a Suzuki tike and a moto guzzi  trotter. You might say I love all bikes. Is it time to head west yet???

[Patrick]

article also said that Harley and bmw owners were the most satisfied with their rides and would purchase the same brand for their next bike

A family member had a Toyota that was a piece of crappola.  Next car was a Toyota because "American cars aren't made well".   

Just can't understand some people, some just don't make sense. I sure understand some vehicles/bikes,etc being crappola, but to buy another,,,,,,

Yea, I wonder too!!

A couple of years ago my brother-in-law bought a brand new F250, 4WD, Diesel (who needs that like I, or him, needs another hole in the head) and had nothing but trouble with it.  Spent half the time in the shop!

So he trades it in, on the exact thing but a couple of yrs newer!!!
Not sure how this one is as he's only had it for a couple of months so far. Guess time will tell.

I just don't get it!

Some folks stick by their favorite brand no matter what. I'm sure the dealer told him Ford had fixed the problems with the newer models, and, he believed it. Maybe it'll work out for him.

[Bighead]

The maker of Motorcycles,,,I have had the most trouble with is Kawasaki.

Amen Al I also had a Vulcan once and had it for about 2 yrs and in the shop for major work 3 times it was a Turd

[Big Al of Tennessee]

The maker of Motorcycles,,,I have had the most trouble with is Kawasaki.

Vulcan 1500 Classic carbureted got 25 miles to the gallon.

It suffered with Synchronizer Trouble from 2nd to 3rd upshift.

Sold it as a new sync would have cost 2500 dollars, to get to it you split the cases.

ZRX1200R,,brand new it quit shifting on the way home from buying it.

Kawasaki could not fix the problem and it started kicking itself in and out of gear in any gear.

Kawasaki refused to fix it, under warranty,,now beat up Harley for not honoring Dave Zeins

warranty on his factory 3-wheeler.

3rd strike,,,Concours 2005 model,,ugly,,bought it for touring capabilities.

Had a pronounced knocking sound from the bottom end,,under warranty,,Kawasaki would not

touch it..

Traded it for a Yamaha Road Star Silverado 1700,,,,,,,at 80mph my feet would vibrate off the

floor boards.

Traded it for a 2007 FLHT,,,Electraglide,,,never looked back, sold it for 12,000, bought for 15.

My extended warranty of 7 years was never used.

I ride a 2013 Electra Glide now,,,,,,,,,,103.. no problems from that either..

Rode to Texas with T-Bird in the lead,,did well over 75 to 85 all day for 2,000 miles, narry a

complaint from Ole Blue.

Yamaha has the least customer complaints by the way.

I ain't the only Rider here that rides a Harley,,or has a Valk and a Harley.

Now Al you know that's a lie. You and T-Bird were running lots faster than 75 or 80. Yea I ride a Harley to. I also have 2 Harleys, a Valkyrie interstate, an 1800 Goldwing, a Suzuki tike and a moto guzzi  trotter. You might say I love all bikes. Is it time to head west yet???

You are right,,,95-105 before we hooked up with Mack.

Thank God for Mack.

T-Bird on one gas stop had only gotten 15.1MPG on a Valkyrie,,that is moving on folks. Took 5.2

gallons to fill the tank.

May 11th,,,,,,,DEATH VALLEY on the horizon.

Until then it is going to snow.

[Donny]

Friend at work has an 02 Road King.  He told me he saw a BMW with a bumper sticker that said BMW makes aircraft engines.  Would you fly a Harley Davidson.  I asked my friend if he would and he said no.  I told him I wouldn't either without a good parachute.

[Hooter]

     I never have had a Beemer and probably never will. Don't like the looks is all.  I have owned a bunch of different brands (according to my wife, everything)  and my most problematic was a Vulcan. It would build up so much pressure in the crank case that it would blow the small side cover off by my Rt foot and oil followed. Brand new it did it 3 times. Dealership tried to find the problem and couldn't. Finally the dealership took it back and gave me another bike just like it. I rode it one summer and sold it. Just never rally trusted it even though it was a different bike.
   I have 3 bikes in the garage now...a 96 Springer, 2008 Harley Electra Glide, and my Valk. I like them all and contrary to popular belief, "Harley's don't leak anymore than any other bike". Older one's ya, newer, no. As for the price gripe about Harley's, that boat don't float anymore. All bands of top of the line touring bikes are expensive and pretty much equal.
   There is a stigma with all brands of bikes from someone that owns an opposite brand. No different than Chevy and Ford.  We ride what we can afford and stick to what has been the best. The Valk has issues to, but is one of the best scooters out there. If it wasn't I sure wouldn't even have one. I like old bikes, old people and old dogs!

[Big Al of Tennessee]

     I never have had a Beemer and probably never will. Don't like the looks is all.  I have owned a bunch of different brands (according to my wife, everything)  and my most problematic was a Vulcan. It would build up so much pressure in the crank case that it would blow the small side cover off by my Rt foot and oil followed. Brand new it did it 3 times. Dealership tried to find the problem and couldn't. Finally the dealership took it back and gave me another bike just like it. I rode it one summer and sold it. Just never rally trusted it even though it was a different bike.
   I have 3 bikes in the garage now...a 96 Springer, 2008 Harley Electra Glide, and my Valk. I like them all and contrary to popular belief, "Harley's don't leak anymore than any other bike". Older one's ya, newer, no. As for the price gripe about Harley's, that boat don't float anymore. All bands of top of the line touring bikes are expensive and pretty much equal.
   There is a stigma with all brands of bikes from someone that owns an opposite brand. No different than Chevy and Ford.  We ride what we can afford and stick to what has been the best. The Valk has issues to, but is one of the best scooters out there. If it wasn't I sure wouldn't even have one. I like old bikes, old people and old dogs!

You had to tell them the year of your Vulcan,,Kawasaki,,, to make sure it was not,, one of the ones

that blew itself apart with OIL pressure. It had a HIGH pressure filter case to keep it from blowing

apart at the seams. In fact it had a screw on cover that had a drop in filter to counteract the pressure.

[Hooter]

   All I know is they didn't fix it, x 3.  The last time they said they had it I was 3 miles down the road and wham, oil all over my foot. I'm a friend of the owner and rode it back there with oil running out of it. I told him I was done with them. He said, no no no wait I will make it right. Loren go out front and get Bruce the bike he wants, so I chose what I wanted. (Oh, at or around the same price range)
   They tried, failed,  and in the end made it right, but it was an inconviennce anyway. I think that was when I picked up my Magna? Now that thing would run and never gave me a bit of trouble.
   I have never had a problem with any of my Harleys or the Valk. Thats why I still have em! 

[Jess Tolbirt]

one thing you dont have to worry about with the harleys is high oil pressure,,