News! No one shocked! "BMW & HD Are Less Reliable than Japanese

[Slide Panda]

OMG consumer reports, you've unlocked the secret of the universe!

Consumer Reports: BMW & Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Are Less Reliable than Japanese OEMs
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/consumer-reports-motorcycle-reliability/

Also in no big shock, folks are less likely to repeat buy the Japanese brands vs BMW or HDs
"In its May issue, Consumer Reports dives into the topic of motorcycle reliability, and confirms what many of us already knew: bikes from BMW and Harley-Davidson were reported to be less reliable than those from the Japanese OEMs.

Interestingly enough however, BMW and Harley-Davidson owners were also far more likely to make a repeat-purchase with their chosen brand than were owners of Japanese motorcycles, sans those of Hondas, which scored just slightly lower than BMW and Harley-Davidson on customer retention."

[Dry Martini]

For BMW owners, this says it all:

[triangleforge]

I'm as happy to bag on Beemers & HD as anybody (ask my friend George, who switches from one to the other every ten years or so, and whose best stories all start "I was broken down fifty miles from...").

But to bash them for unreliability on a Ducati forum has just a bit of special to it. 

FWIW, George's favorite rejoinder is to ask me how the electrical system renovation is going on my 1998 ST2.

[Slide Panda]

Oh I felt a touch of irony posting here.

Though I must say that my 900 has been a champ. The only real ailment it's had is that the starter solenoid started to crap out a bit ago- and that's in almost 40k miles. $45 later and that (should) be that once the part arrives.

[Dry Martini]

My Ducati monster has been just as reliable as my Yamaha FZ6, well not exactly. The Yamaha had a faulty TPS. So my Ducati has been more reliable than the Yamaha.

[Dirty Duc]

The 06 monster leaks a bit under load (out the breather box), and the clutch pushrod seal gave up the ghost after 37k (10 minute fix with a box full of o-rings handy).

The 12 V-strom is going in for it's second pushrod seal replacement (this time including the pushrod) in 11k (and it's a special order).  Piss poor design in my opinion.  Apparently all Suzukis have the clutch pushrod in the open right in front of the chain... so if you actually ride it, it collects dirt and ruins the seal.  The second one lasted less than 100 miles.

The real problem with BMWs is the catastrophic level of the failures.  Driveshafts, final drives, and leaking cylinder heads.

[SpikeC]

 And don't forget clutch splines!

[Dirty Duc]

And don't forget clutch splines!

and replacing the clutch/lubing the clutch splines is more involved than replacing the clutch in a car.  You have to disassemble the entire damn bike!

[Speedbag]

But to bash them for unreliability on a Ducati forum has just a bit of special to it. 

This.

[ungeheuer]

I'm as happy to bag on Beemers & HD as anybody......

.....But to bash them for unreliability on a Ducati forum has just a bit of special to it. 

+1 on this.

But it is fun bashin' 'em anyway though 

[koko64]

+2

Question though, how good are HD and BMW with recalls and warranty compared to Ducati? More goodwill or no better?

[Dirty Duc]

BMW just makes it too difficult to work on their stuff to make mechanics out of riders! 

[JohnEE]

^^^ Nice

Every brand has stories of "never had one problem" and "its been at the shop more than in my garage". I really wish Ducati was included in the sample size. We would be right up there for loyalty. One thing I've noticed with Ducs is that they seem to have less problems the more miles you rack up, Am I crazy or correct?  Most of the gremlins get sorted out early. Also Ducati is making strides in quality and service intervals. It also helps to have a great community surrounding your choice of ride   

[Dry Martini]

BMW has had and continues to have problems.

As for me, I have spent far more on BMW maintenance than I have spent on my Monster. Because of this, I no longer own a BMW bike. If I were to buy another BMW, it would be a late 70s airhead.

[Dry Martini]

+2

Question though, how good are HD and BMW with recalls and warranty compared to Ducati? More goodwill or no better?

Perhaps this will help answer your question WRT BMW:

http://www.affordablebeemerservices.com/bmwthoughts/