Which motorcycle brand has the most owner satisfaction?

Most other satisfaction categories scored close across all brands, with handling being the other exception. Can-Am, with its distinctive three-wheeler, was rated as having average ride satisfaction, lower than all other brands. In our experience, Can-Am Spyders lack the natural agility associated with traditional motorcycles. That’s not a bad thing, but the driving experience is quite different. (The new Spyder F3 models aim to address some criticisms, increasing power and agility, and adding more adjustability for comfort.)

If you’re considering a big V-twin cruiser or touring bike, you’d be wise to take a Victory for a test drive. Victory not only excelled in owner satisfaction, but the company demonstrated high reliability, which puts it almost on par with major Japanese brands.

For a more diverse selection of models, Honda presents itself as a safe choice that performs well in both owner satisfaction and reliability.

Regardless of the brand, an important insight from our 11,000+ responding subscribers is that comfort matters. Be sure to focus on this factor during a test drive and, if necessary, explore handlebar and peg dial options to improve on the factory default setup. Many motorcycles, especially newer models, have extensive options for such adjustments.

Visit our motorcycle buying guide to see all of our reliability and owner satisfaction ratings.

—Jeff Bartlet