Looks like a neat unit, we don't have these models in Australia. Larger battery, lower power motor and IGH make it a reasonable choice for touring.
Without data from manufacturers, repairers or shops it's hard to make a balanced assessment on relative failure rates. There's so many variables in the mix too: use style, weather, cleaning regime, storage conditions, ride weight, etc, etc, etc. You don't have to look far for horror stories on every brand of motor. I'm only aware of these two user surveys:
https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/spring-2020-ebike-reliability-survey-results.33641/ &
https://www.wertgarantie.de/sites/d...arantie-e-bike-repair-study-2021_final_en.pdf. While not without issues, the Bosch Performance series and Yamaha/Syncdrive motors perform well in both.
I'd argue after sales support is more important than reliability. If the failure rates in the above surveys are to be believed there's a good chance something will go wrong at some point. What counts is how the bike store and motor manufacturer support you and how quickly you're back on the road. Google reviews, Facebook groups, anecdotal evidence and transparent conversations with your bike shops should give you a sense of what brands to avoid.
For example, there's a
LOT of chatter across multiple markets of Shimano dragging their heels with warranty claims, even quite a few cases of them knocking back claims based on the [allegedly] inaccurate claim of speed limiter tampering. Who needs that sort of drama? Not good Shimano.
Specialized on the other hand has the most rabidly loyal following, including plenty of users on their third or fourth motor - there's no shortage in the eMTB forums. Why? Because they get the problems fixed quick smart, no questions asked. Textbook looking after your customer.
How do Giant fare on this scale? I'd say somewhere in between those two extremes from what I've read and experienced. They're good to a point, but don't appear bend over backwards to keep the customer happy.
I commute daily on a Giant Explore. It has been a
very wet season here on the Australian east coast and I ride regardless of weather. There have been some truly torrential rides the last few weeks. I expressly asked the dealer how the bike performed in rain at purchase - they assured me there would be no issues. And since I've had 6000 km of trouble free riding, touch wood. The bike has just passed the 2 year warranty period so we'll see if the good run continues. The only issue has been water ingress in the screen, an earlier version not fitted to the Dailytour. Giant replaced two screens under 'goodwill' (they didn't believe a leaky screen constituted a warranty issue), claiming that each replacement was the updated model with improved water sealing. Each leaked and they refused to replace any more. However I've had no error codes or electronic failure so it might be a benign fault. I keep the cockpit electronics covered with bags in wet weather as a precaution. That caveat aside it has been an exceptionally reliable, easy bike to live with. I've replaced a squeaky kickstand, regreased the motor bolts once and that's been it aside from regular drivetrain maintenance.
I wouldn't rule out the Bosch motors - the Active Line are very quite and the Performance line no louder than my Syncdrive Sport or EP8. Motor noise is a non-issue after you've had a few rides to get used to it. Much like a car motor the faint whine or whir gives you a good sense of what it's doing. Bosch also have a very solid after sales reputation, anecdotally second only to Specialized. A Bosch would be at the top of the list on my next purchase.
