What are the most reliable/ least reliable motorcycles on the market?

Question

I like all types, but prefer sportbike. Consumer Reports doesn't give info on motorcycles. The sportbike magazines are just advertisement for the manufacturers, so I hope that experienced bikers could guide me. I've heard horror stories of tranny problems and oil leaks on new bikes.

Answer 1

Yamaha YZF600R or Thundercat as it's more well known. I've had mine for 3 yrs now and it's never let me down, even when it was sat out in the garden over winter. Started within a few turns without the battery having been charged. I get it serviced once a year and do the chain every 600 miles.

Answer 2

I think most Japanese bikes are really good, Suzuki, Yamaha, etc. If you go with a cruiser I would recommend a shaft drive, very reliable and nearly no maintenance at all.

Answer 3

For reliability anything japanese or german should be good

For UN-reliability anything chinese and cheap, Triumphs and most hd's and buells

Answer 4

Ninja's  they havn't changed them in years and its for a reason.

Answer 5

most reliable:

Honda

BMW

Yamaha

least reliable:

Harley Davidson

Buell

Aprilla

Answer 6

BMW Honda