Aren't you the guy that told me consumer reports found that European bikes were three to four times more likely to break in the first 4 years? Also KTMs are all crap, they all break immediately after you buy them
Saw someone tear down a harly oil filter and thier build quality has gotten worse, but that is one part and my just be a case of them thinking no one will ever see it.... Also a shame you don't mention triumph at all.....
i owned an aprilia bike and people around me keep telling ill regret buying it because of its reliability issues. First 2 years was really hell for me, because it kept giving me problems. I went to different workshops for fixing, as much as 10 different workshop, but problem still persist. I started to believe aprilia bike sucks. But one day i went to this workshop and the mechanic only work on aprilia bikes. He fix my bike and so far no issue for 4 years. Finding the right mechanic is soo important especially when it comes to italian bikes guys.
You are spot on....finding a good mechanic is the way to go. Mine passed away a few years ago, Ed LaCruz at Dana Reno in Rena Nv. I would drive up from Las Vegas to drop of my bike and come back to pick it up. 2000 miles total driving but well wort it!!
Working at a dealership that sells and services Triumph, Ducati, and KTM...the biggest problem we see is people not riding properly. Buying a V4 or hypermotard, or super duke, and riding around town in 4th gear at 30 mph...they are built to be run in higher revs. Then they bring it to us, we beat on it for 5min and they run perfectly again.
@@neemyn407 it the states we don't get the street 125. I'm speaking of the larger displacement bike that people try to ride like a Japanese bike. I do have customers that travel overseas a lot and 2 customers that live both in India and the U.S., both of them have the rc125 for when they go to India and they love them.
I bought a Ducati Hypermotard for its looks comfort and performance.While expensive to maintain I am extremely pleased with the ownership experience.It’s a simple air/oil cooled engine and is lightweight,so much so that on roads with dips and rises when powering thru the gears it has been known to go skyward ! A feature that I LOVE !!! Plus people will cross the street to admire it.Over my life I’ve had 17 different models of M/C’s , the Duc is my favorite.I was faster on my KTM but the Ducati has the nod !!! People’s choice award👍💪✊❤️Ride On‼️
I go by documented information from the NHTSA (U.S.) and recall numbers say a lot about the reliability that should be expected. The brand with most recalls from 2016 through October 2021 was BMW with 174, Harley 120, Ducati 119, Indian 105, Triumph 88, Yamaha 74, Honda 48, Kawasaki 44, KTM 25, Suzuki 25, Moto Guzzi 12, and Royal Enfield 6. The recall numbers aren't affected by units sold either. Recalls are issues affecting safety whether it hits one model or ten, whether it is five bikes or five million. Most new issues take a year or so to show as recalls. A new bike may have recall because it has the same issue as a bike sold two years ago. One issue that the recall doesn't explain is customer complaints. Some companies like Honda and KTM have a large percentage of complaints before they take action so their recall numbers are artificially low. Aprilia, Suzuki, Moto Guzzi and Indian have a low customer compliant percentage meaning the are quicker to respond to issues. The biggest recall item across the board are front and rear brakes -25.66%. Electrical controls is next at 13.41%. Overall 71.1% issues are mechanical the other 28.9% is electrical or other.
Recall doesn't equate to a reliability issue. Recalls are often unrelated to reliability, or what most would think of as actual safety issues. An Australian version going out with a sticker stating "PSI" for tire pressure instead "kPa" triggering a recall says nothing about lack of reliability.
Interesting numbers but I don’t think they strongly correspond to reliability. For example I know of a recall with BMW GS bikes where they changed software that controls how torque gets outputted from the engine to protect the drive shaft from jumps. That doesn’t mean that tons of people were having issues with their bike but a few brave souls probably were 😄. Recalls can definitely be connected to systemic problems but I think the signal is lost just looking at counts.
I own an 09' Aprilia Tuono, 07 Moto Guzzi Griso, and an 03 BMW R1150RT. After owning dozens of Japanese sporty bikes for over thirty years, I wanted something different. I have found my Aprilia to be just as reliable as any Japanese bike. I have had only one issue with my Guzzi, a simple valve cover gassket leak. My BMW however, seems to always need something. I enjoy working on my own stuff, so I have not required dealer help with any of my issues thus far. I buy my Aprilia and Guzzi parts from AF1 Racing and so far it has never taken more than a few weeks to get the little things I've needed. The Aprilia is the most exciting bike I've ever owned, and the Guzzi is the coolest bike I've owned, and I love riding both of them.
my daily ride to work is a 2019 KTM 390 Duke. Nearly 2 years old, ridden in mixed conditions (including heavy traffic and warmer weather here in the Phils), 18k kms and counting, no issues at all.
18,000 km in 2 years is not a lot, it's tiny. Not a figure you cite to showcase reliability. 18,000 km doesn't even pass most bike's warranty mileage. Especially considering that you daily it. Only ~37.5 km per day assuming 5 days work week AND any fun/stroll rides. Which means you don't ride much to determine that it's a reliable bike.
Out of curiosity how has it held up after another year? I also want one because I think they look great, I just don't have money to put into it if it's a money pit
@@asianskywalker mmm I don't think so. 90's to early 00's I would agree, but BMW really really stepped up their quality and reliability after about 2014 I'd say.
I had 1 BMW over the last 15 years... in fact I still own it. It proved very reliable. And before someone shouts "BMW fanboy"... Before that i owned a Kawasaki for 18 years.
Having owned a BMW S1000RR and now a K1200S + Ducati Panigale V4: zero issues in 6 years of ownership in total. Fresh oil every year, never skip/cut costs on maintenance and never ever thrash them within the first 20 minutes of riding.
A few years ago when KTM made the RC8, I only knew of one guy that had one and he told me the engine had to be replaced after something like 3k miles. The Panigale had six recalls in its first year of production. When the BMW S1000RR first came out, I recall reading a story about seized engines. I test rode a new Tuono a few years ago and before I even left the parking lot, I had to turn around because the rear brake was inoperable. A couple years ago, someone at a Euro dealership was telling me that they've been waiting for months on a part they needed to fix someone's Aprilia that was only a couple years old. I've heard of MV Agustas constantly having issues with one thing or another. Now to give credit where credit is due, Italians know how to make some really good-looking bikes. Oh, and I remember reading that the 1098 and 1198 needed valve adjustments every 6k miles and that the belts had to be replaced every two years regardless of miles.
Despite the issues my RS660 has been rock solid. Only issue I had was that they accidentally installed smaller valves from the factory but that was a day long fix and she’s been great
I own an RS660 an is really the worst bike I've ever owned... Its reliability is inversely proportional to its beauty... I owned Suzukis, Yamahas and Hondas without any issues
I own 2 Ducatis. a 2012 streetfighter and a 02 monster. both have about 17k on them with no issues. im ahead of the curve as i do my own maintenance including valve services. love these things and wouldnt trade either of them for anything. ...i wouldnt be against owning an R1 some day. but if i had a choice between an R1 on a Penigale, id take the Duc.
After being a faithful Japanese bike guy for most of my life, I recently crossed over to the dark side. First, I sold my faithful Versys 650 and bought a Husqy fe501s. Then I bought a Ducati Monster 1200s. I love them. Not to say I'll never have another Japanese bike (I do love a good inline 4), but the Husqy and Duc are next level good... No problems so far. Definitely some quirks, but every vehicle I've ever owned has quirks.
I'm still going to ride Japanese bikes. If you consider something like the new Honda Hornet, it's more than adequately fast enough to serve my needs. It's an incredible bargain in England which leads me to believe that it will be an incredible bargain in Canada when the price is released, and it comes with Honda reliability. For those people who think it's boring, you have my permission to buy a Ducati.
I live in England & ordered a new Honda Hornet at launch, after seeing the bargain price; also my local Honda dealer is the best motorcycle dealer in the county
Yeah, the legendary Honda reliability. Africa Twin 1000: 25K Km, serious rust issues on the frame in multiple spots, corroded rims and spokes, multiple gremlins with the electronics, faulty forks not replaced under warranty, failed fuel pump, $1,800 24K Km service where all exahust valves were way out of spec. Oh well, the engine was reliable, it's everything else attached to the engine that falls apart after two years.
@@sspirito3130 Very true My CB650 came from the factory RUSTED! And honda just said "nah no big deal" My VFR 800 had a uneven brake disc after 500 KM of riding Took honda 6 MONTHS before they replaced it under warrenty, horrible brand. Never ever had serious mechanical issues, but my god they are simply "above" fixing problems under warrenty, i'v mailed with the head of customer service from Honda (in Denmark) He was a very small man to be honest, 0 respect.
I've owned many Japanese bikes (R6, ZXR400/750, SV650, GS550) and found that they are all good, no complaints, I now own two Ducatis as well 750SS and M696, I had an SV650 along side these and enjoyed the quirks of them all. Being simpler platforms they are easy to work on myself and only marginally more expensive/frequent. The Monster IS more refined than the SV, but you pay more you get more quality, the SV is a totally brillant, fun and reliable bike don't get me wrong, but brakes, suspension and weight play a big part in the experience, for me this is where the M696 has it. I do feel a bit more 'special' on a euro bike, but is that bias because I'm european, subconscious or real, who knows but placebo is real and I experience the novelty on a more 'high end' branded bike.
3:40 Whilst this is very very true, many people moan at "reliability" but don't actually realise what the word actually means. Yes, a KTM may have electronic gremlins, but it's other components are vastly higher quality than an equivalent japanese bike. You'll almost never hear issues regarding suspension and brakes from a KTM. Same with BMW, there may be the odd grenading engine, which is extremely rare nowadays, but corrosion is neigh unheard of and the quality of engineering that goes into protecting semi wear items like bearings and bushings is far superior to that of a japanese bike. On a Japanese bike it's perfectly accepted to replace a wheel bearing after 20-30k miles, especially on the lower end models, whereas you'd be surprised if it wasn't original bearings inside a 50k+ BMW. Difference also lies in actual feel of the components when brand new. Of course you'll notice sticky brakes on a Brembo Stylema + RCS17 combo, how are you gonna feel the same thing on the wooden Nissins used on a Ninja 650? Something that's sharp, and precise you'll feel the degradation much quicker than on something dull and sloppy to begin with.
I just finished a bunch of winter maintenance checks on my BMW k1200R And man you are so right, the quality of the build is just stellar. Super low torque specs on most items as they just FIT perfectly. Very high quality bearings everywhere, places where on my Honda i'll just find bushings that are NOT 1% as nice. The satisfaction on working on a bike that was clearly built with "spare no expense" as part of the build, is just lovely. until i have to buy new parts, less fun! :(
Likely many of the guys that complain about the reliability of a said euro bike, probably don't follow manufacturer procedures when it comes to regular service intervals, only change oil, maybe other basic consumables and expect it to work indefinitely. That is to say that they don't take proper care, and still expect it to work as intended.
@@sspirito3130 That’s a trend that applies to everything, the ones that haven’t owned said thing tend to be the ones that complain the most about said thing.
But if neglect is a legitimate excuse for having problems, why do Japanese bikes take neglect to a much higher level and still continue to work? Because using neglect as an excuse for unreliability is bogus. Japanese bikes are likely neglected more because owners know they can get away with it. It’s the same thing when comparing Japanese cars to European.
Well, oil and filter changes are pretty much all that you need to do to Jap bikes. Euro bike owners call them quirks, but I call it a pain in the ass when I had to trailer my Ducati in for service. I bought mine new in 2012, and it was at the dealership 3 times for electrical issues. Ended up selling it after only one year because I just didn't trust it. If you've ever been stranded on the side of a road, then you'll understand.
My Dad loved his MotoGuzzis but the two he owned both had major problems arise in the 70's The first one had a starter motor that was slightly less powerful than needed most of the time. It was replaced with a Bosch motor under warranty eventually. It also had a soft camshaft and riding with my older brother to Laconia NH, he stopped on the NYS throughway to adjust the valves which clattered again and he had to turn back and go home. The later Eldorado bike had a recall on the transmission where the dealer replaced the entire transmission. The color of the transmission metal was greener looking than the engine case and you always noticed it. The bike never had a transmission problem. Dad graduated from the Guzzis to Gold Wings but never got to get a flat six Wing. He rode until he was 84 years old.
I can relate. In 1972, i bought a new 850 Eldorado and the voltage regulator stuck open and the battery overflowed and ruined the paint and took the chrome off the mufflers, immediately. Sold it soon after. I'm 74 now and ride a ZX-14r and love it. Bought it new in 21 and so far, no issues.
After 9 months of a 2022 Aprillia 660 Tuono I traded it following 3 warranty claims in that period. Two replaced front wheels due to casting issues, and the gear shifter had problems. Needless to say, the time it spent in the garage got frustrating, so it got traded for a MT09 (which has character). Japanese bikes do have character, take any of the v-twins produced as an example
Suzuki and Honda also has 5 year warranty on new bikes at affordable prices, which is a big selling point for average people that can't afford things like a Ducati Panigale V2 or BMW S 1000 RR.
My R 1200 at 60,000 mi. Achieves original speeds, has better brakes pads, better tires, better lights and better shocks than new and is always ready to go.
My father has two Ducati's. One of them has done nearly 100k miles and both have been very reliable. They take a lot of maintenance but look after them right and they're as reliable as anything else.
I just got into riding motorcycles this summer. My first bike was a Chinese dual sport (TT250) which I sold after about 1.5k miles. My second bike which i wanted to be freeway capable, was ideally a yamaha R3 or kawasaki ninja 400. But the market for new and used bikes was HORRIBLE and I was getting quoted 8-10k for a new R3. I luckily found a deal for a brand new 2022 KTM Duke 390 for 7k out the door (no dealer fees, only freight and sales tax, documentation, etc.) and so far I have put 4k+ miles on it with no problems whatsover.
I have a 2015 monster 1200 and only had two build quality problems with it in 28000 kms. Headlight lens discoloration and a ride by wire throttle problem. Other than that, it's been great.
Bought a '96 Ducati Monster 750 brand new. In 6 years of ownership, the one and only problem was my fault - corroded battery terminals. Loved that bike, miss it dearly....... My valve adjustment was $350.
Dealerships don't pay very well. Inexperienced as well as young (and inexperienced) employees are the norm. Auto dealerships have the same problem. Plus the labor "shortage".
As someone who works at a euro dealership, it's also a huge problem when most customers expect discounts on everything from the bikes or the service work. These things put a lot of dealerships out of business which leads to less dealerships in rural areas.
@Joe Plem there aren't many kawasaki dealers here in Wisconsin either to be fair. I work at engelhart motorsports in Madison and have been trying to convince the owner of picking kawasaki up again since we already have Honda and yamaha
Red 1999 Ducati ST4 still going strong, starts right up, never let me down yet. Two electrical modifications taking about 3 hrs total to modify and all good. Timing belts easy to change. Valve adjustments were still within spec after 25k but easy enough to set to tighter tolerances. Fun and cheap to insure and to ride. Still get many thumbs up even with the hard paniers attached. A reliable commuter bike for me for over 14 years.
I would buy a Japanese bike if they all weren't so boring and common, I like having something you don't see 50 of out on a ride. I own a 2020 Panigale V4S and a 2021 RSV4 1100 Factory and the only issue I've had on them was the gear position sensor on the panigale overheating which was fixed by a recall and the Aprilia started leaking oil which was fixed by my local Polaris dealer. Both my Ducati and Aprilia dealers are an hour and a half away from me but that's a small price to pay for the enjoyment these bikes give me. Definitely picking up a KTM Superduke as a next bike
In 1977, if I had the moolah for a 900ss, I’d buy it! I would do everything for something like that. So, in 1989, I purchased a 1982 Ducati, still own it, still ride it. It cost exactly the same as it did in 1982, I bitched about it. After all this time. I’ve had less problems with it than any other bike I’ve ever owned.
Had a 2016 ktm superduke r. During the break-in, the rear view mirrors flung all over place whenever I went over 50 mph. The annoying situation eventually lead to me using loctite to keep the mirror brackets in place because I wasn't trying to replace them. It was the only bike that I owned that had plastic footpegs, and the only brand that gave me some electrical issues due to my tail-light assembly breaking off because the housing bracket that was used to attach it to the back of the bike was also made of cheap plastic. For a bike that cost so much, I didn't expect that much plastic! The ktm superduke r is an awesome looking bike and I see that they upgraded the lastest version with a newer and bigger engine. The new LED headlight looks wicked as well, but I will never buy another ktm again no matter how cool they get!
I favor Japanese, the manufacturers just care more about quality and reputation. My first bike was a honda, currently on a yamaha. I came real close to a discounted new 2020 Speed Triple during covid times, but second guessed Triumph quality.. I've dabbled with the thought of obtaining the aprilia v4 sound or the bmw looks. But man, I know what bmw autos do after a few years and some mileage.. leaks and CEL. I just don't think I'll ever shift to forking out for anything other than a honda, Kawa, Suz or Yam. I'd liked to hear more stories of reliability and longevity out of these "other" brands bc they're all awesome machines!
My brother had an Aprilia Shiver 900 and NEVER had any issues whatsoever. He did the maintenance himself but had to sell it after 2 years and 5k miles on it, and after the dealership he bought it from checked it, it was almost immediately back on the floor for sale.
Ives owned a 2012 aprilia rsv4 for 3 years now, and will tell you that’s it’s the most fun best sounding and coolest bike I’ve owned or ridden… BUT maintenance sucks, takes specialty oil that cost about $100 per change, valve checks are every 12k miles and are about $1500 and are not simple and need $400 specialty tools so you’re better off getting it done from the dealer. The dealer will almost never ever have parts you need on hand and 90% of the time need to be shipped from Italy. Can put you out of riding for months sometimes. Also for even simple jobs like a tire change other shops won’t touch the bike. And if your bike throws a error code you’re gonna have to take it to the dealer, they won’t tell you what the codes mean or what’s wrong with it and for some codes the bike will just shut off and won’t start again until it’s taken care of. And finally EVERYTHING is EXPENSIVE!!! Which should be expected with an exotic bike like that but some things will still surprise you on the price. Even lights and plastics. Even though the attention the bike gets is unreal and the feeling you get every time you crack the throttle open and hear that v4 scream is borderline orgasmic and never gets old, If I would’ve realized all of the headaches that come with it I would’ve gotten a newer r1, with the right exhaust the cross planes sound similar to the v4 and well… it’s a yami so you can’t go wrong there. I’d say if you got the pockets, mechanical experience and patience then this bike is absolutely worth it. But if not you’re better off with a jap bike. If anyone else has an rsv4 let me know if you thought this was accurate. Thanks
This video accurately describes the experience of owning Japanese and European bikes! I had a first year KTM adventure 790 which melted into itself. Totally covered under warranty. Took seven months. Now it runs great. All my Japanese bikes have been flawless yet a little bit sterile ride. Love them all and love this video!
I am from Europe and most people ride Euro bikes here. The GS and Multistrada being the most common things you will encounter while riding. The only European brand i would not trust is MV Agusta and maybe Ducati (because of bad experience). Me and my wife have KTM and Aprilia bikes and we are very happy with them.
I own a KTM 890 Duke and recently took it from Indiana to South Carolina, then back. I put 9,000 miles on it so far this year alone and it’s held up beautifully!
Take Toyota's quality control for example, Japanese are known to find and fix issues rather than handing over the testing part to customers. Also when paying that much you would want a perfect machine.
my friend has 2 dirt ktms, ive owned an aprilia and to this day have my duke 390. i absolutely loved the aprilia. i now have a r7 instead of the rs and i have great memories with all of them
Right on the money. I owned a new K1600 Grand America, once hitting 12K on her, nothing but issues. It was unreal for me. I had to run to the dealer, 2 hrs away to do plenty of warranty work. It was always something else. I honestly had enough. The dealer kept telling me.....Well these K's could be challenging. at times. Well, got reed of it . Wanted to love it, but no way. Bought a new Goldwing DCT Tour, till today with 20K on it, ZERO problems. Never stepped at the dealer ever since got it.
The 17' RSV4 RF I owned a few years ago was the most reliable bike i've ever owned. Rode it through a few winters and never had any issues. The '04 GSXR600 I owned before that always looked really rough after commuting in the winter but the RSV4 always cleaned up really nicely and you'd never know i'd ridden it through all the shit you get on UK roads during that time of the year.
3:50 Ryan F9 did a really cool video where he professionally tested the oil from the first oil changes of bikes from all major brands. You can take it with a grain of salt, but the findings he got kinda blow the theory of Ducati having "incredibly tight tolerances" out of the water. I won't say I'd never own a European bike. I'd definitely own a Triumph and maaaaybe a KTM if the price was right.
Anyone who thinks Italian bikes are unreliable should try out a Moto Guzzi. These bikes are simply built with bomb proof engines that are every bit as reliable as anything Japanese.
Never owned a brand new bike but recently bought a used one owner S1000RR coming from Japanese sports bikes, i was very hesitant for a lot of the reasons in videos like this but so far it's been golden for me. My previous bike (ZX6R) was falling apart BECAUSE the previous owner rode it into the ground, went through 2 batteries before stator went out on a ride, fried a line with it needed rectifier too, chain needed constant adjustments, many problems with clutch, i was constantly working on it which was fun but i was always wondering "am i going to ride it without incident today?" In my experience of used bikes I've come to see that a lot depends on previous owner and how well it was taken care of.
I had a 748 and my toolbox/kit cost nearly the same as my bike - maintenance is everything and I never had any problems - well worth it cos to ride it was sublime
I have an aprilia pegaso trail 650 2005y. Starts immediately with the press of the button. So far i have changed timing chain and have the valves regulated which are considered consumatives. It has 33k kilometers if they are real. Also i live in eastern europe.
Reliability is the most important thing to me so I will stay with proven reliable vehicle brands and non-racing style naked, cruiser, touring or dual-purpose / off road bikes. That's a lot of choices, minus the insanity of 'WHAT NOW', when I hit the start button. I've owned GM's, Fords, Dodges, VW's and Kia's. I know what rolling nightmares are. No thanks.
I've owned 2 BMW's (boxers) and both were extremely reliable. I currently know 4 owners of KTM and all 4 had electrical/electronics issues in the first year. (2 x 390, 1 x 690, 1 x 1290). Can't really comment on modern Dukes and Harley's, but historically whenever we went on long rallies (in Australia) 4 out of 5 bikes seen broken down roadside were either Ducati or HD.
You’re video is spot on. I agree with virtually everything you said. I would have just mentioned European bikes and longevity must include extended factory warranty preferably 7 years. As an example on a 2023 Ducati 937 Monster a 7 year, I believe unlimited mileage warranty is $1,000. Zero deductible and transferable. After I purchased my Ducabrazi, the salesman said it’s a good thing you did because chances are you are going to have a major mechanical breakdown. Even if it doesn’t, that $1K gives me peace of mind and don’t have to granny drive it for fear of breaking something. Ducati is now owned, since 2014, by Audi which has increased reliability significantly.😎👍
I had 2 multistradas, both had a broken crankshaft at around 20.000km. If you search online you can find that there were lots of similar issues with the 2012-2014 MTS and ducati never admitted it. Never again... back to the old japanese fun
I've owned Ducati, Aprilia, and BMW. Both the Ducati and Aprilia were...um...maintenance intensive. :) The BMWs I've had have all been pretty solid. It's not uncommon to find old BMW airhead bikes with well over 100,000 miles on them. My current BMW is 11 years old and still runs like new. I've also owned several of the big 4 Japanese bikes. They were all good too. My V-Strom 1000 had a recall of the ECU and wiring loom. My FJR1300 had the recall for the under tank insulation. My KLR had the typical broken "doohickey". Most were bomb proof.
My 959 Panigale was extremely reliable. Only tiny issues I had with it in 2 years were an oil leak, coolant leak, a front caliper piston seized, the fairing cracked from buffeting, the clutch disintegrated, the frame developed a stress fracture and the seat foam needed replacing. I've since bought a mt09 sp... there must be something wrong with it as nothing has broken, leaked or cracked yet in the 6 months of owning it. 🤔
I've put over 38k miles on my old Ducati ST4, with only a single wire falling off and stranding me at the road side, in 14 years of ownership. Don't get me wrong though, moderately regular servicing for things like the belts is a must, else you'll be crying to your bank manager when your engine goes BANG!
My 2008 Multistrada 1100S has been flawless for over 52,000 miles since new, has been from S. Ga to Baniff , touring , mountain weekends and track days. A Honda is the only bike that has left me on the side of the road and riding the back of a BMW.
Did you try buying Yamaha or Honda parts recently? Japanese spare parts are a total rip off, we are not in 80s anymore. I can tell you for sure that they are definately more expensive than an Aprilia or BMW to maintain
I've had Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph, KTM and Aprilia motorcycles. I buy both new and used but never more than five years old, low km and minty looking. In over twenty years the only real issues were an exploded clutch plate on the Honda and a throttle wire break on one of my KTMs.
A Duc's reliability may have improved, but that desmo valve still requires an inordinately high amount of maintenance. And... Aprilia. Jesus. I had so many issues with their RS 2-stroker that i gave up on it after a year's ownership.
I've had a 996 and now a Scrambler, plan on getting a Diavel next. Never had any major issues, maybe I'm just lucky. Are people blowing up their engines or something? Tires, brake pads, oil changes, chains/sprockets maybe a valve adjustment. What is so expensive? The parts seem to be slightly more but I think that is just because there is so much aftermarket available for Japanese bikes. For Ducati parts you just go to the dealer. If you walk into a Honda dealer the parts are around the same price in my experience.
I'm off Japanese bikes. European bikes have so much more character and fun in it. When I test ride a bike, I'm just looking how much I liked the ride and how big my smile got. Who cares about data and specs ? I had all of them. Ducati, Triumph, KTM and Aprilia. But never a big issue or long waiting time for repairs.
Unless you live near a large city, you may not be able to get service on some brands of bikes. All bikes will probably need service at some point. Living in the 4 corners area of the US I had to drive 4 hours each way just to get the fork seals done on my BMW. Twice, when they got into it a found they needed to replace a corroded bushing. I have local dealerships (not BMW) but none of them would touch that minor, common job. I suspect their attitude is, "well you should have bought a Yamaha and we could help you".
Get one! The issue is a lot of people buy these European bikes and then don't service them properly. They don't take them in for all the servicing they need (and they need more specialised care than any Japanese bike), they also require being ridden how they were created to run. Don't get a V4 Ducati if you'll be too scared to get on the throttle and rev it out high, it will develop carbon deposits and will need to end up in the shop if you're babying it. Triumphs are solid when taken care of well! Japanese bikes are cheaper because they don't require much TLC so people prefer that. If you can afford the TLC, your Triumph will run and run and run!
Japanese manufacturers also make race bikes. And they are much more reliable. And Japanese manufacturers don't sell these in the 100s of 1000s. Ktms are pretty good. But other than that, EU bikes are extremely unreliable compared to their Japanese counterparts.
After 19yrs of riding, I recently made the switch from Japanese to Austrian. And I did it mainly for a more RAW n UNCUT power administration. Doesn't even feel like I'm riding a motorcycle but like a locomotive that pulls so hard n so fast considering the 220 lbs of rider payload it's hauling. I dnt think I'll ever go back to riding Japanese motorcycles.
You’ll need two of those, when one is in the garage you can use the other. Thats a popular saying in my country for KTMs. Say all you want, but japanese bikes take the first place when it comes to reliability.
I have purchased a number of bikes over the decades, but I am struggling with one decision. I have never before purchased an ATV rider, and the reason I will be is because I will have a second home in morocco. I have been told that BMW has a pretty solid parts Netwerk over there, and that makes it a wise choice to get one. there are so many pros and cons across the spectrum of bikes though, and I spend a lot of time online seeking guidance. I’m not looking to be a dirt track racer; I just want to be able to ride into the south of morocco without worrying about the fact that some roads do not meet western standards. I’m a 52 year old writer with three decades of experience on the street, and any guidance would be welcome. So far, the most persuasive argument I have heard was from what the husband of a friend who did some vacation touring in morocco. He suggested the 800 GS.
Super Duke 1290 R owner here : just bought my third SDR in a row. Own them from 2014 - and yes i had some minor issues but NEVER with Engine. Both engines was 50k Miles + and had no issues! Plus - riding Experience on Super Duke its JustAI WOW. I have no idea - what i Will ride next
Use them for what they are intended and you’ll be fine. Don’t do burn outs, avoid high gears at low speeds, don’t use quick shifters with cold engines or at low speeds, and stop modifying them with all sorts of aftermarket junk. Do this and you will be just fine. PS. Get them serviced exactly when they should be, using original parts.
Good video, thankss. I just sold my first Ducati, a 2020 Panigale V2. The bike never gave me a problem. However, as suggested in the in video I had no real choice of dealership which would service my bike while remaining covered by the warranty/extended-warranty. The cost of scheduled services was exorbitant. I'll not buy another Ducati but that's because of the dealer not because of the bike per se.
Check out the new year new gear giveaway! @ shop.yammienoob.co
You said glooves lol
Aren't you the guy that told me consumer reports found that European bikes were three to four times more likely to break in the first 4 years?
Also KTMs are all crap, they all break immediately after you buy them
Saw someone tear down a harly oil filter and thier build quality has gotten worse, but that is one part and my just be a case of them thinking no one will ever see it....
Also a shame you don't mention triumph at all.....
Haha Harleys reliability sky rocketed when china started to produce the bikes instead hahaha
i owned an aprilia bike and people around me keep telling ill regret buying it because of its reliability issues. First 2 years was really hell for me, because it kept giving me problems. I went to different workshops for fixing, as much as 10 different workshop, but problem still persist. I started to believe aprilia bike sucks. But one day i went to this workshop and the mechanic only work on aprilia bikes. He fix my bike and so far no issue for 4 years. Finding the right mechanic is soo important especially when it comes to italian bikes guys.
So what seemed to be the problem/s???
You are spot on....finding a good mechanic is the way to go. Mine passed away a few years ago, Ed LaCruz at Dana Reno in Rena Nv. I would drive up from Las Vegas to drop of my bike and come back to pick it up. 2000 miles total driving but well wort it!!
Let’s be REAL Japanese Cars and especially Bike’s are untouchable.
MADE IN NAPAJ 🎌
I have other works to do
Sorry but i don't wanna waste my half life on a damn two wheeler
Welp. Im not going through the hassle of that lol
Working at a dealership that sells and services Triumph, Ducati, and KTM...the biggest problem we see is people not riding properly. Buying a V4 or hypermotard, or super duke, and riding around town in 4th gear at 30 mph...they are built to be run in higher revs. Then they bring it to us, we beat on it for 5min and they run perfectly again.
The 125's of KTM are good for the regular city dweller since they need higher revs with such low cc's?
No. They are just unreliable like any euro engine
@@neemyn407 it the states we don't get the street 125. I'm speaking of the larger displacement bike that people try to ride like a Japanese bike. I do have customers that travel overseas a lot and 2 customers that live both in India and the U.S., both of them have the rc125 for when they go to India and they love them.
@@messageinathrottle4046 For the same reason a Honda Accord doesn't have the same issues as a Ferrari.
🤣🤣 ok then, I guess my 20,000 mile gsxr should be getting serviced soon.
There's always a Honda parked in front of the Ducati dealer's service department. It's owned by the mechanic.
😂😂😂😂
True
I bought a Ducati Hypermotard for its looks comfort and performance.While expensive to maintain I am extremely pleased with the ownership experience.It’s a simple air/oil cooled engine and is lightweight,so much so that on roads with dips and rises when powering thru the gears it has been known to go skyward ! A feature that I LOVE !!! Plus people will cross the street to admire it.Over my life I’ve had 17 different models of M/C’s , the Duc is my favorite.I was faster on my KTM but the Ducati has the nod !!! People’s choice award👍💪✊❤️Ride On‼️
2008 Ducati 1098, starter sprang clutch, regulator rectifier, that’s it. 40,000 miles and still going! Totally worth!
I go by documented information from the NHTSA (U.S.) and recall numbers say a lot about the reliability that should be expected. The brand with most recalls from 2016 through October 2021 was BMW with 174, Harley 120, Ducati 119, Indian 105, Triumph 88, Yamaha 74, Honda 48, Kawasaki 44, KTM 25, Suzuki 25, Moto Guzzi 12, and Royal Enfield 6.
The recall numbers aren't affected by units sold either. Recalls are issues affecting safety whether it hits one model or ten, whether it is five bikes or five million.
Most new issues take a year or so to show as recalls. A new bike may have recall because it has the same issue as a bike sold two years ago.
One issue that the recall doesn't explain is customer complaints. Some companies like Honda and KTM have a large percentage of complaints before they take action so their recall numbers are artificially low. Aprilia, Suzuki, Moto Guzzi and Indian have a low customer compliant percentage meaning the are quicker to respond to issues.
The biggest recall item across the board are front and rear brakes -25.66%. Electrical controls is next at 13.41%. Overall 71.1% issues are mechanical the other 28.9% is electrical or other.
Recall doesn't equate to a reliability issue. Recalls are often unrelated to reliability, or what most would think of as actual safety issues. An Australian version going out with a sticker stating "PSI" for tire pressure instead "kPa" triggering a recall says nothing about lack of reliability.
Recalls aren't influenced by sale numbers as such, but they are by the number of different models sold. Without this comparison, it's hard to judge.
Haha Harleys reliability sky rocketed when china started to produce the bikes instead hahaha
Interesting numbers but I don’t think they strongly correspond to reliability. For example I know of a recall with BMW GS bikes where they changed software that controls how torque gets outputted from the engine to protect the drive shaft from jumps. That doesn’t mean that tons of people were having issues with their bike but a few brave souls probably were 😄. Recalls can definitely be connected to systemic problems but I think the signal is lost just looking at counts.
The reason Royal Enfield has 6 is because 1 trip a weak to Starbucks is an easy life
I own an 09' Aprilia Tuono, 07 Moto Guzzi Griso, and an 03 BMW R1150RT. After owning dozens of Japanese sporty bikes for over thirty years, I wanted something different. I have found my Aprilia to be just as reliable as any Japanese bike. I have had only one issue with my Guzzi, a simple valve cover gassket leak. My BMW however, seems to always need something. I enjoy working on my own stuff, so I have not required dealer help with any of my issues thus far. I buy my Aprilia and Guzzi parts from AF1 Racing and so far it has never taken more than a few weeks to get the little things I've needed. The Aprilia is the most exciting bike I've ever owned, and the Guzzi is the coolest bike I've owned, and I love riding both of them.
Like an other RUclips-er said “Italian supermodel or a Japanese housewife” depends on you
LOL what a comparison. So you're saying a H2R, a Busa, or a R1 aren't super model status? Lol. I'll keep my housewife.
@@MyLife-og2krcommon dude H2 is Japanese and it's probably one of the best looking bikes ever made, especially with brocks exhaust
Without considering the Italian supermodel, a Japanese housewife sounds pretty good!
@@MyLife-og2kr Totally agree, and any year GSXR1000 is far from a boring ride.
my daily ride to work is a 2019 KTM 390 Duke. Nearly 2 years old, ridden in mixed conditions (including heavy traffic and warmer weather here in the Phils), 18k kms and counting, no issues at all.
I own the same 2014 model, faced few issues with the radiator fan failure but nothing major
18,000 km in 2 years is not a lot, it's tiny. Not a figure you cite to showcase reliability. 18,000 km doesn't even pass most bike's warranty mileage. Especially considering that you daily it. Only ~37.5 km per day assuming 5 days work week AND any fun/stroll rides. Which means you don't ride much to determine that it's a reliable bike.
Ktms give guaranteed engine problems within 5 years, do update us in the future
Out of curiosity how has it held up after another year? I also want one because I think they look great, I just don't have money to put into it if it's a money pit
I've had 3 BMW's over the last 10 years and they've been the most reliable bikes I've ever ridden.
Honestly, depends on how you treat the bikes, constant hard riding and normal maintenance wouldve probably resulted in you never buying another one :D
@@cutelittlemf I got my first 1, then sold for a bigger CC and now own 2 haha never any problems with any of them. F800R, S1000R and an RnineT
@@asianskywalker mmm I don't think so. 90's to early 00's I would agree, but BMW really really stepped up their quality and reliability after about 2014 I'd say.
I had 1 BMW over the last 15 years... in fact I still own it. It proved very reliable. And before someone shouts "BMW fanboy"... Before that i owned a Kawasaki for 18 years.
@@lorenzwiedemar1837 damn right!
Having owned a BMW S1000RR and now a K1200S + Ducati Panigale V4: zero issues in 6 years of ownership in total. Fresh oil every year, never skip/cut costs on maintenance and never ever thrash them within the first 20 minutes of riding.
A few years ago when KTM made the RC8, I only knew of one guy that had one and he told me the engine had to be replaced after something like 3k miles. The Panigale had six recalls in its first year of production. When the BMW S1000RR first came out, I recall reading a story about seized engines. I test rode a new Tuono a few years ago and before I even left the parking lot, I had to turn around because the rear brake was inoperable. A couple years ago, someone at a Euro dealership was telling me that they've been waiting for months on a part they needed to fix someone's Aprilia that was only a couple years old. I've heard of MV Agustas constantly having issues with one thing or another. Now to give credit where credit is due, Italians know how to make some really good-looking bikes. Oh, and I remember reading that the 1098 and 1198 needed valve adjustments every 6k miles and that the belts had to be replaced every two years regardless of miles.
Despite the issues my RS660 has been rock solid.
Only issue I had was that they accidentally installed smaller valves from the factory but that was a day long fix and she’s been great
ooof thats a HUUGE issue
Looking to get one as a first bike but the closest dealer is 3hrs away..
@@Butts0hboi Closest dealer Is 10 minutes from me and they have a leftover from 2021
I own an RS660 an is really the worst bike I've ever owned... Its reliability is inversely proportional to its beauty... I owned Suzukis, Yamahas and Hondas without any issues
@@javiloguaixaic well…. That’s just like…. Your opinion man
I own 2 Ducatis. a 2012 streetfighter and a 02 monster. both have about 17k on them with no issues. im ahead of the curve as i do my own maintenance including valve services. love these things and wouldnt trade either of them for anything. ...i wouldnt be against owning an R1 some day. but if i had a choice between an R1 on a Penigale, id take the Duc.
I have a 2021 Ducati monster close to 14k miles and ZERO issues
I want to hear this again at 100k. If a bike has issues before hitting 50k, I'm concerned.
After being a faithful Japanese bike guy for most of my life, I recently crossed over to the dark side. First, I sold my faithful Versys 650 and bought a Husqy fe501s. Then I bought a Ducati Monster 1200s. I love them. Not to say I'll never have another Japanese bike (I do love a good inline 4), but the Husqy and Duc are next level good... No problems so far. Definitely some quirks, but every vehicle I've ever owned has quirks.
I'm still going to ride Japanese bikes. If you consider something like the new Honda Hornet, it's more than adequately fast enough to serve my needs. It's an incredible bargain in England which leads me to believe that it will be an incredible bargain in Canada when the price is released, and it comes with Honda reliability. For those people who think it's boring, you have my permission to buy a Ducati.
I live in England & ordered a new Honda Hornet at launch, after seeing the bargain price; also my local Honda dealer is the best motorcycle dealer in the county
Yeah, the legendary Honda reliability. Africa Twin 1000: 25K Km, serious rust issues on the frame in multiple spots, corroded rims and spokes, multiple gremlins with the electronics, faulty forks not replaced under warranty, failed fuel pump, $1,800 24K Km service where all exahust valves were way out of spec. Oh well, the engine was reliable, it's everything else attached to the engine that falls apart after two years.
@@sspirito3130 Very true
My CB650 came from the factory RUSTED!
And honda just said "nah no big deal"
My VFR 800 had a uneven brake disc after 500 KM of riding
Took honda 6 MONTHS before they replaced it under warrenty, horrible brand.
Never ever had serious mechanical issues, but my god they are simply "above" fixing problems under warrenty, i'v mailed with the head of customer service from Honda (in Denmark)
He was a very small man to be honest, 0 respect.
kawasaki ZH2 2 years old from my neighbor, rust in the frame, Kawasaki refuses to fix it. Now it's a lawsuit... a bike for 22k € its a joke
I've owned many Japanese bikes (R6, ZXR400/750, SV650, GS550) and found that they are all good, no complaints, I now own two Ducatis as well 750SS and M696, I had an SV650 along side these and enjoyed the quirks of them all. Being simpler platforms they are easy to work on myself and only marginally more expensive/frequent.
The Monster IS more refined than the SV, but you pay more you get more quality, the SV is a totally brillant, fun and reliable bike don't get me wrong, but brakes, suspension and weight play a big part in the experience, for me this is where the M696 has it.
I do feel a bit more 'special' on a euro bike, but is that bias because I'm european, subconscious or real, who knows but placebo is real and I experience the novelty on a more 'high end' branded bike.
3:40 Whilst this is very very true, many people moan at "reliability" but don't actually realise what the word actually means. Yes, a KTM may have electronic gremlins, but it's other components are vastly higher quality than an equivalent japanese bike. You'll almost never hear issues regarding suspension and brakes from a KTM. Same with BMW, there may be the odd grenading engine, which is extremely rare nowadays, but corrosion is neigh unheard of and the quality of engineering that goes into protecting semi wear items like bearings and bushings is far superior to that of a japanese bike. On a Japanese bike it's perfectly accepted to replace a wheel bearing after 20-30k miles, especially on the lower end models, whereas you'd be surprised if it wasn't original bearings inside a 50k+ BMW.
Difference also lies in actual feel of the components when brand new. Of course you'll notice sticky brakes on a Brembo Stylema + RCS17 combo, how are you gonna feel the same thing on the wooden Nissins used on a Ninja 650? Something that's sharp, and precise you'll feel the degradation much quicker than on something dull and sloppy to begin with.
I just finished a bunch of winter maintenance checks on my BMW k1200R
And man you are so right, the quality of the build is just stellar. Super low torque specs on most items as they just FIT perfectly.
Very high quality bearings everywhere, places where on my Honda i'll just find bushings that are NOT 1% as nice.
The satisfaction on working on a bike that was clearly built with "spare no expense" as part of the build, is just lovely.
until i have to buy new parts, less fun! :(
You are joking of course.
Likely many of the guys that complain about the reliability of a said euro bike, probably don't follow manufacturer procedures when it comes to regular service intervals, only change oil, maybe other basic consumables and expect it to work indefinitely. That is to say that they don't take proper care, and still expect it to work as intended.
Also, don't forget that the majority of people that complain on internet forums about the reliability of euro bikes have never owned one :-)
@@sspirito3130 That’s a trend that applies to everything, the ones that haven’t owned said thing tend to be the ones that complain the most about said thing.
But if neglect is a legitimate excuse for having problems, why do Japanese bikes take neglect to a much higher level and still continue to work? Because using neglect as an excuse for unreliability is bogus. Japanese bikes are likely neglected more because owners know they can get away with it. It’s the same thing when comparing Japanese cars to European.
Bruh, I had a KTM and a BMW, both services correctly, both a disaster in terms of reliability.
Well, oil and filter changes are pretty much all that you need to do to Jap bikes. Euro bike owners call them quirks, but I call it a pain in the ass when I had to trailer my Ducati in for service. I bought mine new in 2012, and it was at the dealership 3 times for electrical issues. Ended up selling it after only one year because I just didn't trust it. If you've ever been stranded on the side of a road, then you'll understand.
My Dad loved his MotoGuzzis but the two he owned both had major problems arise in the 70's The first one had a starter motor that was slightly less powerful than needed most of the time. It was replaced with a Bosch motor under warranty eventually. It also had a soft camshaft and riding with my older brother to Laconia NH, he stopped on the NYS throughway to adjust the valves which clattered again and he had to turn back and go home. The later Eldorado bike had a recall on the transmission where the dealer replaced the entire transmission. The color of the transmission metal was greener looking than the engine case and you always noticed it. The bike never had a transmission problem. Dad graduated from the Guzzis to Gold Wings but never got to get a flat six Wing. He rode until he was 84 years old.
I can relate. In 1972, i bought a new 850 Eldorado and the voltage regulator stuck open and the battery overflowed and ruined the paint and took the chrome off the mufflers, immediately. Sold it soon after. I'm 74 now and ride a ZX-14r and love it. Bought it new in 21 and so far, no issues.
After 9 months of a 2022 Aprillia 660 Tuono I traded it following 3 warranty claims in that period. Two replaced front wheels due to casting issues, and the gear shifter had problems. Needless to say, the time it spent in the garage got frustrating, so it got traded for a MT09 (which has character). Japanese bikes do have character, take any of the v-twins produced as an example
It's also Japanese manufacturing culture for why Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki are so reliable - continuous improvement.
I'll take a Japanese bike any day. I want to ride, not wait for parts or service.
Suzuki and Honda also has 5 year warranty on new bikes at affordable prices, which is a big selling point for average people that can't afford things like a Ducati Panigale V2 or BMW S 1000 RR.
My BMW R 1200 R did not have any problem at all and it was always a powerful companion which could perform better than I could ask ...
My R 1200 at 60,000 mi. Achieves original speeds, has better brakes pads, better tires, better lights and better shocks than new and is always ready to go.
@@mikestevens9455 Have you upgraded the shocks etc, or did they magically become better over time O.o?
@@Surpriseify changed oil in front fork tubes and rear is still rough
@@mikestevens9455 Fair enough
what year is your bike? The R1200R are awesome! I ride a K1200R :)
@@Surpriseify ‘98
My father has two Ducati's. One of them has done nearly 100k miles and both have been very reliable. They take a lot of maintenance but look after them right and they're as reliable as anything else.
I just got into riding motorcycles this summer. My first bike was a Chinese dual sport (TT250) which I sold after about 1.5k miles. My second bike which i wanted to be freeway capable, was ideally a yamaha R3 or kawasaki ninja 400. But the market for new and used bikes was HORRIBLE and I was getting quoted 8-10k for a new R3. I luckily found a deal for a brand new 2022 KTM Duke 390 for 7k out the door (no dealer fees, only freight and sales tax, documentation, etc.) and so far I have put 4k+ miles on it with no problems whatsover.
Should have just brought a tuono v4, save money and time not trading up so many times lol
7k for a Duke 390 🤯
Very mature assessment Yammie.
I have a 2015 monster 1200 and only had two build quality problems with it in 28000 kms.
Headlight lens discoloration and a ride by wire throttle problem. Other than that, it's been great.
Solid bike.
Bought a '96 Ducati Monster 750 brand new. In 6 years of ownership, the one and only problem was my fault - corroded battery terminals. Loved that bike, miss it dearly....... My valve adjustment was $350.
A big problem is lack of dealerships.
A bigger problem is lack of independent mechanics for these brands.
Dealerships don't pay very well. Inexperienced as well as young (and inexperienced) employees are the norm. Auto dealerships have the same problem. Plus the labor "shortage".
As someone who works at a euro dealership, it's also a huge problem when most customers expect discounts on everything from the bikes or the service work. These things put a lot of dealerships out of business which leads to less dealerships in rural areas.
Here in Wisconsin I believe there's 1 aprilia dealership...1 hence why I ride a kawasaki z900, I'll never have to worry about getting it serviced 👍
@Joe Plem there aren't many kawasaki dealers here in Wisconsin either to be fair. I work at engelhart motorsports in Madison and have been trying to convince the owner of picking kawasaki up again since we already have Honda and yamaha
Yea. Got a Triumph. Love it. But there are only 2 dealers in Wisconsin. Both are 2 hours away from me. But worth it!
I have had a streetfighter v2 for a year and until now I had 0 problems
the smiles per gallon with a ducati are over 9000
Good to know as I'm thinking of getting one here in new Zealand
Red 1999 Ducati ST4 still going strong, starts right up, never let me down yet. Two electrical modifications taking about 3 hrs total to modify and all good. Timing belts easy to change. Valve adjustments were still within spec after 25k but easy enough to set to tighter tolerances. Fun and cheap to insure and to ride. Still get many thumbs up even with the hard paniers attached. A reliable commuter bike for me for over 14 years.
This is the video I needed to confirm my want for a Ducati Monster as a daily.
I would buy a Japanese bike if they all weren't so boring and common, I like having something you don't see 50 of out on a ride. I own a 2020 Panigale V4S and a 2021 RSV4 1100 Factory and the only issue I've had on them was the gear position sensor on the panigale overheating which was fixed by a recall and the Aprilia started leaking oil which was fixed by my local Polaris dealer. Both my Ducati and Aprilia dealers are an hour and a half away from me but that's a small price to pay for the enjoyment these bikes give me. Definitely picking up a KTM Superduke as a next bike
Bruh
You all sound the same. They are great but they've had these issues.
Didn't know a hayabusa was boring
@Kirinji Well, you do now
Why would you need 2 very similar type expensive Italian bikes … 😂
In 1977, if I had the moolah for a 900ss, I’d buy it! I would do everything for something like that. So, in 1989, I purchased a 1982 Ducati, still own it, still ride it. It cost exactly the same as it did in 1982, I bitched about it. After all this time. I’ve had less problems with it than any other bike I’ve ever owned.
Had a 2016 ktm superduke r. During the break-in, the rear view mirrors flung all over place whenever I went over 50 mph. The annoying situation eventually lead to me using loctite to keep the mirror brackets in place because I wasn't trying to replace them. It was the only bike that I owned that had plastic footpegs, and the only brand that gave me some electrical issues due to my tail-light assembly breaking off because the housing bracket that was used to attach it to the back of the bike was also made of cheap plastic. For a bike that cost so much, I didn't expect that much plastic!
The ktm superduke r is an awesome looking bike and I see that they upgraded the lastest version with a newer and bigger engine. The new LED headlight looks wicked as well, but I will never buy another ktm again no matter how cool they get!
I favor Japanese, the manufacturers just care more about quality and reputation.
My first bike was a honda, currently on a yamaha. I came real close to a discounted new 2020 Speed Triple during covid times, but second guessed Triumph quality..
I've dabbled with the thought of obtaining the aprilia v4 sound or the bmw looks. But man, I know what bmw autos do after a few years and some mileage.. leaks and CEL. I just don't think I'll ever shift to forking out for anything other than a honda, Kawa, Suz or Yam.
I'd liked to hear more stories of reliability and longevity out of these "other" brands bc they're all awesome machines!
My brother had an Aprilia Shiver 900 and NEVER had any issues whatsoever. He did the maintenance himself but had to sell it after 2 years and 5k miles on it, and after the dealership he bought it from checked it, it was almost immediately back on the floor for sale.
fantastic video! well articulated thank you papa yams
Ives owned a 2012 aprilia rsv4 for 3 years now, and will tell you that’s it’s the most fun best sounding and coolest bike I’ve owned or ridden… BUT maintenance sucks, takes specialty oil that cost about $100 per change, valve checks are every 12k miles and are about $1500 and are not simple and need $400 specialty tools so you’re better off getting it done from the dealer. The dealer will almost never ever have parts you need on hand and 90% of the time need to be shipped from Italy. Can put you out of riding for months sometimes. Also for even simple jobs like a tire change other shops won’t touch the bike. And if your bike throws a error code you’re gonna have to take it to the dealer, they won’t tell you what the codes mean or what’s wrong with it and for some codes the bike will just shut off and won’t start again until it’s taken care of. And finally EVERYTHING is EXPENSIVE!!! Which should be expected with an exotic bike like that but some things will still surprise you on the price. Even lights and plastics. Even though the attention the bike gets is unreal and the feeling you get every time you crack the throttle open and hear that v4 scream is borderline orgasmic and never gets old, If I would’ve realized all of the headaches that come with it I would’ve gotten a newer r1, with the right exhaust the cross planes sound similar to the v4 and well… it’s a yami so you can’t go wrong there. I’d say if you got the pockets, mechanical experience and patience then this bike is absolutely worth it. But if not you’re better off with a jap bike.
If anyone else has an rsv4 let me know if you thought this was accurate. Thanks
This video accurately describes the experience of owning Japanese and European bikes! I had a first year KTM adventure 790 which melted into itself. Totally covered under warranty. Took seven months. Now it runs great. All my Japanese bikes have been flawless yet a little bit sterile ride. Love them all and love this video!
I constantly have anxiety over my decision to wear orange.. but damn is it fun to ride! Yes, yes it is!
I’ve been daily riding my 2020 V4s for the past 6 months, and it has been fantastic!🏍️💨💨
I have a 2001 Aprilia sl1000 falco that ive beat on for the last 21k miles and ive never had a single issue. Absolutely love it.
I am from Europe and most people ride Euro bikes here. The GS and Multistrada being the most common things you will encounter while riding.
The only European brand i would not trust is MV Agusta and maybe Ducati (because of bad experience). Me and my wife have KTM and Aprilia bikes and we are very happy with them.
Love my euro bike...1998 Husqvarna TE 610. Dont care what it takes to keep it running!!
I own a KTM 890 Duke and recently took it from Indiana to South Carolina, then back. I put 9,000 miles on it so far this year alone and it’s held up beautifully!
You ride all those miles with the power cup 2s still on? Or a different tire?
Mine has continental contiroad tires 😉
Update: 15,000 miles this year. Putting it away for the season soon
I can speak for 2015+ Ktm/husky and they are definitely reliable! Do your oil changes and check your valves, you’ll be golden
@yammie_noob02 ah no way, is this really yammienoob?? Lmao
Take Toyota's quality control for example, Japanese are known to find and fix issues rather than handing over the testing part to customers. Also when paying that much you would want a perfect machine.
my friend has 2 dirt ktms, ive owned an aprilia and to this day have my duke 390. i absolutely loved the aprilia. i now have a r7 instead of the rs and i have great memories with all of them
That's why these brands should make service manuals available for the bikes they sell (at a reasonable cost)...Looking at you Ducati
Right on the money. I owned a new K1600 Grand America, once hitting 12K on her, nothing but issues. It was unreal for me. I had to run to the dealer, 2 hrs away to do plenty of warranty work. It was always something else. I honestly had enough. The dealer kept telling me.....Well these K's could be challenging. at times. Well, got reed of it . Wanted to love it, but no way. Bought a new Goldwing DCT Tour, till today with 20K on it, ZERO problems. Never stepped at the dealer ever since got it.
The 17' RSV4 RF I owned a few years ago was the most reliable bike i've ever owned. Rode it through a few winters and never had any issues. The '04 GSXR600 I owned before that always looked really rough after commuting in the winter but the RSV4 always cleaned up really nicely and you'd never know i'd ridden it through all the shit you get on UK roads during that time of the year.
3:50 Ryan F9 did a really cool video where he professionally tested the oil from the first oil changes of bikes from all major brands. You can take it with a grain of salt, but the findings he got kinda blow the theory of Ducati having "incredibly tight tolerances" out of the water.
I won't say I'd never own a European bike. I'd definitely own a Triumph and maaaaybe a KTM if the price was right.
Anyone who thinks Italian bikes are unreliable should try out a Moto Guzzi. These bikes are simply built with bomb proof engines that are every bit as reliable as anything Japanese.
Never owned a brand new bike but recently bought a used one owner S1000RR coming from Japanese sports bikes, i was very hesitant for a lot of the reasons in videos like this but so far it's been golden for me. My previous bike (ZX6R) was falling apart BECAUSE the previous owner rode it into the ground, went through 2 batteries before stator went out on a ride, fried a line with it needed rectifier too, chain needed constant adjustments, many problems with clutch, i was constantly working on it which was fun but i was always wondering "am i going to ride it without incident today?"
In my experience of used bikes I've come to see that a lot depends on previous owner and how well it was taken care of.
I had a 748 and my toolbox/kit cost nearly the same as my bike - maintenance is everything and I never had any problems - well worth it cos to ride it was sublime
But they just look so freaking sexy. Can’t beat European designs and innovation. But why can’t they make them durable 🤦♂️
Hey great vid papa yam keep up the good work
I have an aprilia pegaso trail 650 2005y. Starts immediately with the press of the button. So far i have changed timing chain and have the valves regulated which are considered consumatives. It has 33k kilometers if they are real. Also i live in eastern europe.
I agree with your perspective…so far, so good, Ducati 4 life 4 me❤
love my (2016) KTM 690 Duke. 3 years of ownership, 15000 miles and no issues
Reliability is the most important thing to me so I will stay with proven reliable vehicle brands and non-racing style naked, cruiser, touring or dual-purpose / off road bikes.
That's a lot of choices, minus the insanity of 'WHAT NOW', when I hit the start button.
I've owned GM's, Fords, Dodges, VW's and Kia's. I know what rolling nightmares are. No thanks.
I've owned 2 BMW's (boxers) and both were extremely reliable. I currently know 4 owners of KTM and all 4 had electrical/electronics issues in the first year. (2 x 390, 1 x 690, 1 x 1290). Can't really comment on modern Dukes and Harley's, but historically whenever we went on long rallies (in Australia) 4 out of 5 bikes seen broken down roadside were either Ducati or HD.
AWESOME VIDEO AMAZING
I rode a Ducati Supersport as a daily for 5 years. In that time I replaced tyres and chain, brake pads etc. It never missed a beat and nothing broke.
Thats your case in particular, my KTM was a disaster. My BMW too. My Japanese Motorcycles are incredible. They just don’t die.
As someone from Europe I have no issues with Eurobike parts😇 except for the aprilia sxv550😑
Love the videos! Keep it up!
You’re video is spot on. I agree with virtually everything you said. I would have just mentioned European bikes and longevity must include extended factory warranty preferably 7 years. As an example on a 2023 Ducati 937 Monster a 7 year, I believe unlimited mileage warranty is $1,000. Zero deductible and transferable. After I purchased my Ducabrazi, the salesman said it’s a good thing you did because chances are you are going to have a major mechanical breakdown. Even if it doesn’t, that $1K gives me peace of mind and don’t have to granny drive it for fear of breaking something. Ducati is now owned, since 2014, by Audi which has increased reliability significantly.😎👍
I have an aprilia RSV4, have had zero issues with it, and live in an extremely hot environment
I had 2 multistradas, both had a broken crankshaft at around 20.000km. If you search online you can find that there were lots of similar issues with the 2012-2014 MTS and ducati never admitted it. Never again... back to the old japanese fun
It seems that it was a supplier issue with the material used to manufacture the crankshaft.
5:22 did he say "glooves"? xD
I've owned Ducati, Aprilia, and BMW. Both the Ducati and Aprilia were...um...maintenance intensive. :)
The BMWs I've had have all been pretty solid. It's not uncommon to find old BMW airhead bikes with well over 100,000 miles on them. My current BMW is 11 years old and still runs like new.
I've also owned several of the big 4 Japanese bikes. They were all good too. My V-Strom 1000 had a recall of the ECU and wiring loom. My FJR1300 had the recall for the under tank insulation. My KLR had the typical broken "doohickey". Most were bomb proof.
My 959 Panigale was extremely reliable. Only tiny issues I had with it in 2 years were an oil leak, coolant leak, a front caliper piston seized, the fairing cracked from buffeting, the clutch disintegrated, the frame developed a stress fracture and the seat foam needed replacing. I've since bought a mt09 sp... there must be something wrong with it as nothing has broken, leaked or cracked yet in the 6 months of owning it. 🤔
I want a 959 2018 you would you recommend it ?
As i live in europe i have never had problems getting parts for my KTM and it has never broken on me
I’ve had my Ducati 848 evo for 10 yrs with no issues
I've put over 38k miles on my old Ducati ST4, with only a single wire falling off and stranding me at the road side, in 14 years of ownership. Don't get me wrong though, moderately regular servicing for things like the belts is a must, else you'll be crying to your bank manager when your engine goes BANG!
My 2008 Multistrada 1100S has been flawless for over 52,000 miles since new, has been from S. Ga to Baniff , touring , mountain weekends and track days. A Honda is the only bike that has left me on the side of the road and riding the back of a BMW.
Just bought a BMW F900r today and had the same question on reliability. Heard good things but only time will tell.
The engine is pretty bulletproof despite, unfortunately, being made in China.
Conclusion, yes they are less reliable and they are more expensive to repair! But for "good" reasons
Did you try buying Yamaha or Honda parts recently? Japanese spare parts are a total rip off, we are not in 80s anymore. I can tell you for sure that they are definately more expensive than an Aprilia or BMW to maintain
@@sspirito3130yea, thats just not true and we both know that 😅
If having to be more up to date with maintenance is the price I have to pay for a lighter, faster, more fun ride, I'll pay it.
I've had Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph, KTM and Aprilia motorcycles. I buy both new and used but never more than five years old, low km and minty looking. In over twenty years the only real issues were an exploded clutch plate on the Honda and a throttle wire break on one of my KTMs.
I would love to see you talk about F.B Mondial motorcycles
good job lesson I've got 6 ducati, they're all fantastic
A Duc's reliability may have improved, but that desmo valve still requires an inordinately high amount of maintenance.
And... Aprilia. Jesus. I had so many issues with their RS 2-stroker that i gave up on it after a year's ownership.
What do y’all think about early 2000’s triumphs ?
Excellent no issues totally reliable
I've had a 996 and now a Scrambler, plan on getting a Diavel next. Never had any major issues, maybe I'm just lucky. Are people blowing up their engines or something? Tires, brake pads, oil changes, chains/sprockets maybe a valve adjustment. What is so expensive? The parts seem to be slightly more but I think that is just because there is so much aftermarket available for Japanese bikes. For Ducati parts you just go to the dealer. If you walk into a Honda dealer the parts are around the same price in my experience.
lets go new upload !!
I'm off Japanese bikes. European bikes have so much more character and fun in it. When I test ride a bike, I'm just looking how much I liked the ride and how big my smile got. Who cares about data and specs ? I had all of them. Ducati, Triumph, KTM and Aprilia. But never a big issue or long waiting time for repairs.
Unless you live near a large city, you may not be able to get service on some brands of bikes. All bikes will probably need service at some point. Living in the 4 corners area of the US I had to drive 4 hours each way just to get the fork seals done on my BMW. Twice, when they got into it a found they needed to replace a corroded bushing. I have local dealerships (not BMW) but none of them would touch that minor, common job. I suspect their attitude is, "well you should have bought a Yamaha and we could help you".
What of Triumph? I'm eye balling thier adv bikes.
Get one! The issue is a lot of people buy these European bikes and then don't service them properly. They don't take them in for all the servicing they need (and they need more specialised care than any Japanese bike), they also require being ridden how they were created to run. Don't get a V4 Ducati if you'll be too scared to get on the throttle and rev it out high, it will develop carbon deposits and will need to end up in the shop if you're babying it. Triumphs are solid when taken care of well! Japanese bikes are cheaper because they don't require much TLC so people prefer that. If you can afford the TLC, your Triumph will run and run and run!
Japanese manufacturers also make race bikes. And they are much more reliable. And Japanese manufacturers don't sell these in the 100s of 1000s. Ktms are pretty good. But other than that, EU bikes are extremely unreliable compared to their Japanese counterparts.
After 19yrs of riding, I recently made the switch from Japanese to Austrian. And I did it mainly for a more RAW n UNCUT power administration. Doesn't even feel like I'm riding a motorcycle but like a locomotive that pulls so hard n so fast considering the 220 lbs of rider payload it's hauling. I dnt think I'll ever go back to riding Japanese motorcycles.
Which KTM is it?
@@adi_1706 2010 SuperDuke990R
You’ll need two of those, when one is in the garage you can use the other.
Thats a popular saying in my country for KTMs.
Say all you want, but japanese bikes take the first place when it comes to reliability.
I have purchased a number of bikes over the decades, but I am struggling with one decision. I have never before purchased an ATV rider, and the reason I will be is because I will have a second home in morocco. I have been told that BMW has a pretty solid parts Netwerk over there, and that makes it a wise choice to get one. there are so many pros and cons across the spectrum of bikes though, and I spend a lot of time online seeking guidance.
I’m not looking to be a dirt track racer; I just want to be able to ride into the south of morocco without worrying about the fact that some roads do not meet western standards.
I’m a 52 year old writer with three decades of experience on the street, and any guidance would be welcome. So far, the most persuasive argument I have heard was from what the husband of a friend who did some vacation touring in morocco. He suggested the 800 GS.
Super Duke 1290 R owner here : just bought my third SDR in a row. Own them from 2014 - and yes i had some minor issues but NEVER with Engine. Both engines was 50k Miles + and had no issues! Plus - riding Experience on Super Duke its JustAI WOW. I have no idea - what i Will ride next
Use them for what they are intended and you’ll be fine. Don’t do burn outs, avoid high gears at low speeds, don’t use quick shifters with cold engines or at low speeds, and stop modifying them with all sorts of aftermarket junk. Do this and you will be just fine. PS. Get them serviced exactly when they should be, using original parts.
Good video, thankss. I just sold my first Ducati, a 2020 Panigale V2. The bike never gave me a problem. However, as suggested in the in video I had no real choice of dealership which would service my bike while remaining covered by the warranty/extended-warranty. The cost of scheduled services was exorbitant. I'll not buy another Ducati but that's because of the dealer not because of the bike per se.