GS-Riders International

MOTORRAD has always a couple of bikes running all year around for the 50,000 km / 31,000 miles long distance tests. For the following mini-statistics wear and defect data of 15 motorcycles have been recorded. Actually they did run many more already. But since two years ago the testing scheme was changed, only bikes falling under the new scheme are counted here.

Defects
which were registered at least 1 time within the 50,000 km distance:

Electrical : 10
Steering bearings : 6
Brakes : 6
Chassis / Suspension : 5
Clutches : 5
Wheel bearings : 5
Engine leakages : 5
Exhausts : 4
Cooling system : 3
Fuel system : 3
Bowden cables : 1
Gearbox : 1


Wear Items
found after the 50,000 km distance:

Valves not tight or valve seats expanded : 14
Clutches worn : 6
Gears worn : 6
Crankshafts worn : 4
Cylinders / pistons worn : 3
Camshafts worn : 2

Interesting is they count steering bearings and wheel bearings under defects.

.



(1) Cost per Km in Euro-Cent
Cost for service and maintenance, including service parts and wear parts like tires and chains. Excluding fuel. Reasoning: Fuel prices vary much over time. The fuel consumption is rated separately.

(2) Fuel consumption in Liter per 100 km
Calculated on basis of the average fuel consumption over the 50,000 km test distance.

(3) Depreciation
Evaluated is the average market price (German DAT) in relation to the new price.

(4) Workshop visits / Breakdowns
For each unscheduled workshop visit 1 point is deducted from the maximum of 20 points. For each breakdown where the vehicle could not reach a workshop on its own wheels the punishment is 5 points.

(5) Points for the condition
The entire motorcycle is disassembled. The engine is taken apart. Points are deducted for parts which are not in like-new condition, or for engine parts which are outside the manufacturer specifications.

Harley must have put serious efforts into improving their products. Even the MOTORRAD team was mildly amazed. Congratulations to the No. 1 position!

• In 1991 MOTORRAD increased the long term test distance from 40,000 km to 50,000 km. Since then 80 motorcycles went through the 50,000 km long term test.
  
• First motorcycle chosen for the 50,000 km test was a BMW K1. It passed unimpressed.
  
• Most motorcycles needed in between 15 - 20 months to finish the test distance. The motorcycle which took longest was a Suzuki LS650, it took 24 months.
  
• For some motorcycles the test distance was too short to show meaningful results. Therefore the MOTORRAD increased the test distance to 100,000 km. These were the Yamaha XJ 900 Diversion, Yamaha FJR 1300, BMW K 1200 RS, and the Honda ST 1100. All four of them passed well and healthy.
  
• For two motorcycles the test has been terminated prematurely, because they got stolen. These bikes were an Apriliia RSV Mille (1999) and a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 (2001).
  
• For two motorcycles the test has been terminated prematurely, because of irrecoverable engine damage. These were a Kawasaki ZX-12R (44,212 km) and a MV Augusta F4 1000 S (12,341 km).
  
• In 1990 a Suzuki workshop cheated. Cooling liquid was frequently found missing on a Suzuki VX800. The workshop stated "only a loose hose". When the MOTORRAD team opened the engine after the test distance, the rear cylinder piston and several other relate engine parts were found defect. As well the team learned, that the engine had been already opened before, and several parts had been replaced. Since then engines are always sealed for preventing manipulation.
  
• The worst problem child ever was a BMW R 1100 RS (1993). To mention only the most relevant stuff: Several blown cylinder head gaskets, malfunctioning engine case breather, a defect ABS system, rattling noises from the gearbox, and finally a blocked oil passage which caused an engine collapse at the end of the test distance. MOTORRAD describes their test motorcycle was 'through and through sick'.

source: MOTORRAD 23-2008