CBs OK. Look at BMW's problems

[Rebel73_imp]

As a student of Japanese/Samurai culture, martial arts, and history, I can say that their commitment to perfection and mastery is unparalleled. That is reflected to this day in their cars and motorcycles. It doesn't surprise me that the top 3 moto brands are Japanese.

[rboe]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming

[cbdtran_imp]

As a student of Japanese/Samurai culture, martial arts, and history, I can say that their commitment to perfection and mastery is unparalleled. That is reflected to this day in their cars and motorcycles. It doesn't surprise me that the top 3 moto brands are Japanese.

just read Consumer Report on motorcycle, repair frequency:

11% Yamaha
12% Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki
...
28% Harley Davidson
40% BMW , Ducati etc...

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Most satisfied customer: Victory Motorcycle

[the Ferret]

As a student of Japanese/Samurai culture, martial arts, and history, I can say that their commitment to perfection and mastery is unparalleled. That is reflected to this day in their cars and motorcycles. It doesn't surprise me that the top 3 moto brands are Japanese.

just read Consumer Report on motorcycle, repair frequency:

11% Yamaha
12% Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki
...
28% Harley Davidson
40% BMW , Ducati etc...

-----
Most satisfied customer: Victory Motorcycle

Both of them

[Novice_imp]

I really don't think an honest discussion about common problems is "bashing". In fact, I wish mechanical and reliability problems were discussed more openly. Many reviews only talk about performance...but that's only one aspect. Many times Honda takes a hit for being down on power...but a higher power bike that has mechanical issues and costs hundreds or thousands to repair while spending days or weeks in the shop is a whole lot more important than missing a few HP IMHO.

[ClassicVW_imp]

I really don't think an honest discussion about common problems is "bashing". In fact, I wish mechanical and reliability problems were discussed more openly. Many reviews only talk about performance...but that's only one aspect. Many times Honda takes a hit for being down on power...but a higher power bike that has mechanical issues and costs hundreds or thousands to repair while spending days or weeks in the shop is a whole lot more important than missing a few HP IMHO.

Agree. Calm reporting of problems that you personally, or people you know in say, your riding club have experienced should be not only appropriate, but also encouraged. To me, bashing is when you say just generally, "I wouldn't ever own one of those [insert brand] pieces of crap." or "I can't stand those do-rag wearing cretins."

OTOH, if you read every internet problem report you'd never buy ANY motorcycle. The internet brings us good info and assists us in many ways, but I understand I now hear of everything that could go wrong and hear hundreds of problems that I never would have heard of before the 'net.

[DAC]

I am in complete agreement with the opinions here. Model specific forums like this one are a valuable resource. As a VFR owner, I got a TON of great advice from VFRWorld and VFRD. Some problems with that model bike were common, such as electrical issues including R/R failures. Others were less common but thoroughly documented, such as sticking thermostats.

As for BMW, I think a R1200RT may follow me home one day once I'm comfortable they've worked out the kinks. A full-sized, 1200cc sport-tourer that weighs in at only 600lb. wet is very tempting.

[RydinFool_imp]

As others have pointed out forums like these are a great way to exchange information. I read a number of motorcycle forums. The grumbles I always take with a grain of salt as happy customers don't gripe. So, sometime the grumbles are disproportionately represented. Having said that BMW final drives kept me from buying a new one or a used one from that time period.

Modern reliability with retro looks is why I bought my CB. I can't argue regarding BMW's recent slide in reliability. I think the best BMW's were the airheads and that's why I own two. My friend Roger won't own an older bike. He can afford new and he doesn't mind spending money to get the best. He owns two of BMW's top three bikes. The top three, (imho), are the GS Adventure, the 1600 and the 1000 RR. Roger owns a 2010 Aventure and a 2011 1600 Tourer. He has had significant problems with both. I have always wanted a BMW since I was a kid. Back in the day, (here we go), if you were a long rider BMW's were the way to go. I'm 60. I could never afford one until another friend of mine offered to sell me the '86 R80. I bought it and it is everything I thought it would be. So, I had it restored and it became my cafe racer.

I'm also committed to always owning a Honda motorcycle. It's my way of Honoring Soichiro Honda. What he did for the motorcycle industry is simply wonderful. Inexpensive reliability with performance.

[rboe]

Every bike is going to have issues. Read the forums and see what the majority of issues are.

E.g. for the CB1100, according to this forum the CB1100 has the following problems:

Did not come with RLETS.
Needed a 6th gear.
Buzzes
No horsepower.
No speed.
Speed limited.
No 2015 model.

Gee, all those are show stoppers to me.

Some problems are worth putting up with, others, not so much.

[the Ferret]

I have always wanted a BMW since I was a kid. Back in the day, (here we go), if you were a long rider BMW's were the way to go. I'm 60.


I have typed those exact words lol. I'm 64