Yamaha bikes are far more reliable than HD or BMW
- Thread starter JimNtexas
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SoCalFJR1300
Well-known member
Well Duh!
steveoreno
Well-known member
Brainwashed is more like it.
DrWing
Well-known member
With so many great bikes to choose from it really still comes down to choices. What makes you happy and fills your riding needs. Some people buy what they like no matter what anyone else says and others fall into the"Me Too" slot.
I've been riding Yamaha's exclusively since 1968. The only time I was stuck on the side of the road is with tire problems. Not to many brands can say the same.
It's about choices IMHO.
I've been riding Yamaha's exclusively since 1968. The only time I was stuck on the side of the road is with tire problems. Not to many brands can say the same.
It's about choices IMHO.
escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
One-in-four H-D owners and one-in-three BMW owners will experience a major problem...Wow
--G
--G
painman
Well-known member
Ridden several brands of bikes over the years but I must say the FJR is one bike that gives me the impression of confidence not only riding but out on the open road this bike pounds out the miles and never complains. While there have been some recalls which is not uncommon for any ride, I just get this feeling my bike is bullet proof and that is a good thing IMO. Just my 2 peso's worth. PM.
Hudson
Well-known member
I'd like to see the other surveys that show how many of those bikes are still on the road after their in-service dates.
I've heard that 99 of 100 Harleys sold are still on the road.
The last guy made it home....
I've heard that 99 of 100 Harleys sold are still on the road.
The last guy made it home....
SacramentoMike
Not Safe For Work
I'm not surprised. While it's easy to belittle those brands, it's damn good business to have that kind of brand loyalty. Both of them have really carved out their own unique segment of the motorcycle market. As for the Japanese bikes, they're always kind of trying to leapfrog over each other with smallish-seeming changes, at least as perceived by a lot of people, maybe especially here in America. In lots of ways, they all seem like variations on a theme.
You don't see a lot of comparos in motorcycle magazines between Harleys and, um, much of anything else. And when the Japanese manufacturers produce a cruiser, what do they make it look like? When I rode a Suzuki Boulevard, I got a lot more waves from Harley riders than I do now. Fooled 'em.
You don't see a lot of comparos in motorcycle magazines between Harleys and, um, much of anything else. And when the Japanese manufacturers produce a cruiser, what do they make it look like? When I rode a Suzuki Boulevard, I got a lot more waves from Harley riders than I do now. Fooled 'em.
Falko
Well-known member
BMW and HD have great marketing depts. Ducati is catching quickly...
leedavis
Well-known member
For many people image is a major factor when it comes to motorcycles. You can picture the badass American on his Harley, a suave Italian on his Ducati, a stalwart Brit on his Triumph, a precise German on his BMW. Now, imagine a Japanese on his Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki. There's no image there...zero. Japanese bikes tend to be practical choices for people who want a bike to perform a specific function. The key is function over brand so little brand loyalty.
OK, I can understand all of these conclusions, but the brand loyalty statistics are not all that staggering in the article. For one thing the size of the survey was only 4000 total owners, and it isn't revealed how that was distributed by brand, which calls the statistical significance of the survey into question.
Yes, Harley and BMW have niche appeal and they have convinced their loyal followers that there is nothing like an HD. And they are right (for better or worse). OTOH you can buy similar purpose bikes, in almost any MC category, from any of the big Japanese 4 (curiously Suzuki stats are not mentioned in the article) which makes it incredible to me that 2 out of every 3 (a majority of) Yamaha/Kawasaki owners say they would definitely purchase another one again. To me that is the real story here. I would have never guessed it would be so high.
And why does Honda have almost (statistically the same) equal loyalty as Harley and BMW? The Goldwing maybe? It is a fairly unique model.
Yes, Harley and BMW have niche appeal and they have convinced their loyal followers that there is nothing like an HD. And they are right (for better or worse). OTOH you can buy similar purpose bikes, in almost any MC category, from any of the big Japanese 4 (curiously Suzuki stats are not mentioned in the article) which makes it incredible to me that 2 out of every 3 (a majority of) Yamaha/Kawasaki owners say they would definitely purchase another one again. To me that is the real story here. I would have never guessed it would be so high.
And why does Honda have almost (statistically the same) equal loyalty as Harley and BMW? The Goldwing maybe? It is a fairly unique model.
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gixxerjasen
Well-known member
It's funny how this brand loyalty goes. I was just thinking on my car today which is a MINI Cooper S. I'm not sure what the future holds for MINI right now because their sales are going nowhere but up. However, they are starting to spread out into the mainstream and out of the enthusiast segment. I'm in the local club and most of those folks eat, sleep, and breathe MINI's. Talk to them and they'll tell you "Yea, my car has 40K miles on it and it's had the timing chain and clutch replaced due to failure, but I LOVE THIS CAR!" Kinda like the HD and BMW guys, right? Oh yea, MINI is a BMW product.
I do wonder how the mainstream public will tolerate the reliability and cost of repairs with the word of mouth though.
No idea how they manage to instill that kind of loyalty, but I give them props for being able to do so.
No idea how they manage to instill that kind of loyalty, but I give them props for being able to do so.
CR normally surveys their subscribers to collect data. As a former subscriber (I got tired of reading about toasters...) I always had some heartburn with the methodology. I would receive their annual car survey which asked about "major" repairs. However, they never made any definition of what constituted major, leaving up to the invidividual's discretion. As such I always took their results with a big grain of salt.
Wonder how the FJR would fare? Between valve guides on the Gen I and electrical issues on Gen II it may not actually score all that well. We do have one member with plenty of miles on both a Harley and FJR that says there has been no comparison - the Harley has been much more reliable. That said, we all know it's a solid machine even if it does need some TLC once in a while.
Hey Jason, did you realize that Mini perenially scores in the absolute bottom slot on the JD Power reliability survey? They have been there forever, far below average in terms of reliability and problems, yet continue to prosper. We bought a used Clubman S but got rid of it after only six months. Ride quality was the problem rather than reliability. On the uneven concrete pavement around here the impacts would literally cause my vision to blur. The good news is the silly things hold their value so well (why???) that it cost about $300 to drive it for 6 months and trade it in on a boring sedan.
Wonder how the FJR would fare? Between valve guides on the Gen I and electrical issues on Gen II it may not actually score all that well. We do have one member with plenty of miles on both a Harley and FJR that says there has been no comparison - the Harley has been much more reliable. That said, we all know it's a solid machine even if it does need some TLC once in a while.
Hey Jason, did you realize that Mini perenially scores in the absolute bottom slot on the JD Power reliability survey? They have been there forever, far below average in terms of reliability and problems, yet continue to prosper. We bought a used Clubman S but got rid of it after only six months. Ride quality was the problem rather than reliability. On the uneven concrete pavement around here the impacts would literally cause my vision to blur. The good news is the silly things hold their value so well (why???) that it cost about $300 to drive it for 6 months and trade it in on a boring sedan.
jayke
Well-known member
I owned a '06 Cooper S manual and a '09 Cooper S automatic. Loved them, but the continual problems finally wore me out and I traded for a CRV.It's funny how this brand loyalty goes. I was just thinking on my car today which is a MINI Cooper S. I'm not sure what the future holds for MINI right now because their sales are going nowhere but up. However, they are starting to spread out into the mainstream and out of the enthusiast segment. I'm in the local club and most of those folks eat, sleep, and breathe MINI's. Talk to them and they'll tell you "Yea, my car has 40K miles on it and it's had the timing chain and clutch replaced due to failure, but I LOVE THIS CAR!" Kinda like the HD and BMW guys, right? Oh yea, MINI is a BMW product.I do wonder how the mainstream public will tolerate the reliability and cost of repairs with the word of mouth though.
No idea how they manage to instill that kind of loyalty, but I give them props for being able to do so.
Because of my Cooper experience, I’ll never own a British or European brand again.
I want something I can turn the key and go. I have enough stress in my life, I don’t need more from a car or bike.
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Japanese stuff is good and reliable, well known fact.
So this can go on forever...
Toyota's are far more reliable than Mercedes.
But Mercedes owners are more brand loyal!
Well no da! And if you gave me the choice at even dollar I will take the Mercedes as well and sport a nice black triangle emblem jacket proudly. Would I wear a Toyota jacket?, yeah okay, NOT!
(but the Toyota is more reliable!)
So these kind of statements hold zero credibility, like as in... nutt-in
So this can go on forever...
Toyota's are far more reliable than Mercedes.
But Mercedes owners are more brand loyal!
Well no da! And if you gave me the choice at even dollar I will take the Mercedes as well and sport a nice black triangle emblem jacket proudly. Would I wear a Toyota jacket?, yeah okay, NOT!
(but the Toyota is more reliable!)
So these kind of statements hold zero credibility, like as in... nutt-in
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gixxerjasen
Well-known member
Except, they aren't even dollar. Most folks have enough loyalty to pay twice for the Merc as the Toyota.
Not me though, hence why my MINI may become a Miata very soon.
SoCalFJR1300
Well-known member
Don't know if I agree with their barand loyalty findings.
Think of all the people you know who own Japanese bikes........are they running out and buying Hardleys and BMW's and not buying Japanese anymore?? The few I know that have other brands STILL buy Japanese.
And why are Japanese cars so popular??
Think of all the people you know who own Japanese bikes........are they running out and buying Hardleys and BMW's and not buying Japanese anymore?? The few I know that have other brands STILL buy Japanese.
And why are Japanese cars so popular??
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Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Which even makes this even more brand specific to this topic. A lot of past Toyota owners will stay in line with future purchases. But ALL Mercedes peeps will not wander other brands as they will not "stoop" (lol) or back-down to anything else evah!. Now that is brand loyalty at it's fullest.Except, they aren't even dollar. Most folks have enough loyalty to pay twice for the Merc as the Toyota.
Many of the K1600 owners came from FJR's that I talk to almost everyday (forum wise) have said they would not go back down to the Feej. Me? I see the value and reliability in the Yami! ..and I wish to keep and cherish it like it's my no.1!. Do I like the BMW K1600 better? Well heck yeah, but I do feel my Feej will probably be way more reliable in the end.
So who's jacket will I sport? ...both! I'm a bike whore!
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SacramentoMike
Not Safe For Work
Excellent point. Seems like many here agree that the Japanese bikes are not as sharply differentiated as the two leading brand-loyal marques in the study. They're all good in similar ways, where the Harley/BMWs are each more unique, at least in their image. Compare it to an election where the Republicans run one candidate and the Democrats run four for the same office. The Dems will tend to split each other's votes.
Feel free to reverse the parties in my example. Not an attempt to go all "political" here.
