http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/04/who-makes-the-most-reliable-motorcycle/index.htm
Makes for some interesting reading.
Lies, damn lies and statistics
The fuller report here http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/05/motorcycle-reliability-and-owner-satisfaction/index.htm
‘Among those bikes needing repair, 45 percent incurred no expense—suggesting that many riders are performing the work themselves or having the bikes repaired under the original manufacturer’s warranty’ and 50% of the things that go wrong appear to be service items! Isn’t that the cost of motoring rather than a reliability issue.
It seems to me the survey should have isolated unexpected repair costs from the routine service and maintenance costs. Then again if it is the case that many of those surveyed are doing their own servicing, maintenance and repairs that could be the cause of many of their reliability issues?
Maintenance != repair != reliability issue!