What is the Most reliable, least maintenance motorcycle?
Choosing a motorcycle is an exciting time; there are so many different styles and looks available that it can be hard to choose your favorite. But, whether you’re looking at a sports bike, touring bike, city bike or even a scooter you need to remember that the cost of purchasing the bike is only the first part of the equation.
Despite the average cost of a motorcycle being between $5,000 and $10,000 you also have to factor in the right safety gear, insurance, maintenance and those unexpected issues. Of course choosing a reputable Motorbike Sales firm will help with the unexpected issues.
But the best way to ensure your new pride and joy doesn’t become a money pit is to purchase the motorcycle that needs the least maintenance and will still be reliable for you. Fortunately, this is not as difficult as it may sound:
Go Japanese
The simple truth is that Japanese bikes are more reliable than any other brand. In fact a recent survey showed the failure percentage after 4 years for the following brands:
• Yamaha – 11%
• Suzuki – 12%
• Honda – 12%
• Kawasaki – 15%
• Victory – 17%
• Harley-Davidson – 26%
• Triumph – 29%
• Ducati – 33%
• BMW – 40%
• Can-am – 42%
If you want to choose the bike that is most likely to stay reliable then you need to choose one of the top 4 Japanese brands. But, this doesn’t mean that they are the ones that will make you happiest to ride. In fact the most satisfying bike to ride according to the same survey is Victory, followed by Harley-Davidson and then Honda.
You’ll need to decide whether satisfaction is worth more than reliability or perhaps aim for a good compromise with Honda that comes in 3rd for reliability and satisfaction.
Maintenance Is Necessary
It is important to note that every motorbike needs to be maintained. You will need to check tire pressures, oil level, water level and your drive components:
• Chain driven needs regular adjusting and lubricating.
• Belt driven needs inspecting for wear and tear
• Shaft driven needs occasional lubricating.
This is just a few of the jobs that won’t just help to keep your like on the road. Regular maintenance will also help to ensure you remain safe while riding. If you don’t do the maintenance the risk of your bike failing is significantly higher. Of course if it fails at high speed there is a significant risk of you being injured even if you have the right gear on.
It is worth noting that a water cooled engine requires slightly more maintenance as the water level needs to be checked and periodically replaced. But, water cooled engines are generally more reliable than their air cooled counterparts.
You can’t pinpoint an exact bike that is going to be more reliable than any other. But you can select the manufacturer that offers the most reliability and then make sure you stick to the maintenance schedule. This will help to keep you on the road throughout the year.
Oh jeez another copy and paste from Consumer Reports.While I will agree to some extent that Japanese bikes are somewhat more reliable than European bikes I must say though Japanese bikes have just as many recalls as well. Look at the Ninja 400.Slipper clutch AND head gasket failures are now starting to show up.
I know,….it is a new model,but only to a certain extent though.The bottom line is a true motorcycle enthusiasts will respect and adore all brands and models instead of being a cock with each other.For fu**ks sake…..we are on the same team……right?You can blame selling out as a major issue too.Change what worked well in the past that STILL works the wrong way and boom! your done.
If a bike is too unreliable I agree better to just move on.But if it only means a small amount more maintenance big deal.There are people who have a new Kawasaki with issues right away just like KTM,BMW,Ducati, and others while some with KTM and such never have an issue.Forums concentrate on harping and dragging a company through the mud too much.What about the owners who don’t have issues?Way more than you think.EVERY Brand has and makes lemons.
What a crappy article. Didn’t answer the question.
Sorry to hear that, I can assure you my other work is much better.
I thought your conclusion nailed it and it explained what I was looking for. I assume he doesn’t like the article because it says “what’s the most reliable motorcycle” and the conclusions is practical and not just a simple “buy a honda CRB.”
You stuck to the point and only added what you needed. Thank you.
I can’t help but wonder why Indian is not listed here? Ever since the takeover from Polaris they have an extremely high success rate. As a former owner of Harley and current Indian rider, I will attest that they are amazingly reliable motorcycles. I work away for months at a time—when I would come back my Harley would definitely be dead. Time to charge the battery. Not the Indian, she fires up first shot every time I come back. The motor seems to be extremely reliable with 5k miles, and I have had zero mechanical failure. Plus, unlike Harley, they really are American made. Only parts that are foreign are the gauge cluster and turning signals.
On the contrary, I found it most interesting…Thank you Jesus…
Good article to help make a decision for a first time buyer
I was looking for a bike name and model that would get me down India with the least probability of breakdown ease of repair 2200 mile trip.
I enjoyed the use of stats and the considerations! Good article.
Well stated man, those ol Jap bikes are said to be “boring” but that could be because they are generally very reliable PROVIDING the basic maintenance is carried out correctly. I have owned perhaps 25 Jap bikes over the years and I have never needed anything beyond oil and filters, I have made some GREAT rides thro Europe and I have never been let down.
In my experience the top 2 for quality and reliability are Honda and Yamaha which is not suprising cos they are the big 2.
A bike manufactured IN Japan is the best you can buy!!!