Highlights of key differences between bike types:

• Touring models were rated as significantly more comfortable than all other types of motorcycles and rated significantly higher for features/accessories.
• Scooters stood out for their fuel economy, but were rated lower than other types of bikes on drivability and value.
• Touring and sport motorcycles were seen as the safest types of bikes.
• Motorcross/enduro bikes were viewed as significantly less stylish than other types of motorcycles surveyed.
• There were no meaningful differences between motorcycle types for cost of maintenance and repairs.

Most respondents don't put a lot of miles on their bikes, riding an average of just 1,000 miles per year. Most (82 percent) said they used their bikes for recreational riding and 38 percent said they used their bikes for commuting. Compared with other bikes, scooters and smaller sport bikes were most likely to be used for getting to work.

Average length of ownership was six years among our respondents, with 56 percent of owners saying they had bought their cycles new.

Some 26 percent said they had needed to have some form of warranty or non-warranty work performed on their bikes during their ownership. The most common repairs involved the electrical system (29 percent) and brakes (23 percent).

Our survey was conducted late last year, and it includes responses from 1,383 Consumer Reports subscribers reporting on 1,563 motorcycles and scooters.

—Jim Travers

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