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[sadunbar]

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/17/is-harley-davidson-the-worst-motorcycle-money-can.aspx

[ultrafxr]

I only wish my Harley repairs had averaged $200 - closer to $2,000!.  Chit I can't get a fluid change for $200, lol.

[muddypaws]

I think the report is correct.

[BUCKNUT GREG]

Hmmmmmmmm...I believe that the percentage of those reports are on these forums     

[smkymtnboy]

4 out of 5 is not so bad. right! ...........RIGHT!!

[CVO Aqua-Glider]

I think the report is correct.

X2. The metric bikes are rock solid reliable.  It'd be nice if Harley was half as reliable as Yamaha.

[Para Bellum]

Motley Fool did say most of the problems on HD touring were with accessories.  Also, I wonder if Consumer Reports adjusted for the mileage ridden on the different brands--it's pretty clear that BMW and HD rack up the miles, although some of the GW riders do too.

[D-N-D]

This report sounds about right not surprised at all.

[Twolanerider]

Motley Fool did say most of the problems on HD touring were with accessories.  Also, I wonder if Consumer Reports adjusted for the mileage ridden on the different brands--it's pretty clear that BMW and HD rack up the miles, although some of the GW riders do too.

"Rack up the miles" is still a relative thing.  Compared to other bikes; perhaps.  Compared to the more general automotive fleet an oft ridden bike still rarely gets more miles than an 18 year girl's Escort her first year at college.  And compared to automotive standards of reliability these bikes suck.

[Boatman]

Like I have said before, the Harley is the most costly vehicle I own to maintain.

[mark]

After reading the article, I'm not sure if Consumer Reports is comparing apples to apples.  For example, they compared brand to brand and came up with Yamaha on top.  The article then states most of the HD repairs were on Touring bikes, specifically the accessories.  

Maybe they should have compared cruisers vs cruisers, tourers vs tourers, etc.  Other factors that would affect the study: Do HD riders log more miles than owners of other brands?  Are HD owners more likely to get a problem fixed/repaired than other owners?  Do HD touring bikes have more accessories than other tourers, hence there's more to go wrong?

[charles05663]

From the article:

It may help to explain why -- Harley's weak performance on the survey notwithstanding -- CR says Harley owners remain the most brand-loyal of all motorcycle owners, with an astounding 75% saying yes, they'd buy a Harley again. The occasional small repair bill may simply be a price they're willing to pay for owning the most famous name in motorcycles. (And it probably doesn't hurt that Harley goes the extra mile to take care of its customers when an issue with one of its bikes does arise.)

From what I have seen this is hit and miss depending on the dealer.

Or maybe Harley was a ghost writer for the article.

 

[110tHunDer]

... Escort ...

LMAO!  When was the last year they made those, 2002?  Makes complete sense to me, but MX-5, or something like that, might resonate better with current college freshmen.

[cambo]

There is also the fact that HD owners modify the heck out of their bikes, engine, accessories, etc., etc. (me included). I don't know of anyone who touches his/her car once purchased otherwise they will lose the warranty coverage. Back in the day you would buy a car and change out the stereo, the carbs, put in Recaro seats, install mag wheels, and the car reliability was nowhere near what you get now.

My bike has had no mechanical problem. The only issue I had was rust on the gas tank, which HD covered without any fuss. And that problem is directly attributable to the imaginative paint scheme that you won't get from any other bike manufacturer, IMO.

And when I grow up and want to buy a touring bike, it shall be a Road Glide.

HD rules is all I'm sayin'.

[gadgetz]

HD rules is all I'm sayin'.