Are there any really bad bikes ?

[allweatherbik...]

When reading through all the various posts I get lots of different opinions from lots of different people about which bikes are better than others. While I understand that we don't all have the same abilities as riders and need our bikes for different uses are there any really bad bikes that we shouldn't touch with a barge poll

Ian

[jay12329]

Anything that isnt my bike is a realy bad bike.
IMO
J

[stinkwheel]

Loads. Ages ago I typed up some of the worst reviews from the Used Motorcycle guide (who pulled no punches) they make entertaining reading:


Extracts from the used Motorcycle guide.

Do you own one of these bikes??

I have lifted these directly from the magazine with no alterations. Performance statistics and prices have been missed out unless particularly humerous.

Honda CD185T: Update on the CD175 which retained its reliability, was less frugal and had a quickrot chassis. Build quality astonishingly poor. In the unlikley event that you find one, put a lighted match in the fuel tank!

Honda FT500: The FT messed up completley, ending up with the same power as a 350 thumper and the same vibration as an old Brit single. Nasty! The engine also suffers rapid top-end wear and a clunky transmission. Upgrading the suspension fixes most of the handling problems, but it’s hard to know why you’d want to…..

Kawasaki Z400J: Underpowered and overweight four. Wallows on worn suspension. Durable to 40k when camchain goes, then electrics, rusted cycle parts, ruined discs and disintegrating seat, knocking mains and primary drive dies. Still only just adequate transport if very, very cheap.

Kawasaki Z750 Twin: An old horrorbag with a complex engine, too much mass and too little power even for the 1970s. Being as slow as a 250 and as expensive as a four makes it something of a dog with fleas these days, but still laid back and mostly reliable.

Kawasaki ZR-7: A missed opportunity. The Big Four must have decided that the 750 roadster category was a lost cause as they’ve made some dismal machines for it. Motor:fine. Chassis:fine. Package:fine. The best thing you can say is that the tank range is excellent. But the vibes will kill you before then. Only for the skint/desperate. Nose fairing on S improves higher speed comfort but hardly looks a pretty picture.

Yamaha RS100/125: Most rusted to death. Small-end rattles first; engines tough for 20k, tuning kills them. Handling at speed jittery, quick wear suspension wrecks the steering. Frames bend easily. Even good ones rot rapidly.

Yamaha XVS125 Drag Star: Just as with larger cruisers, the learnerbike Virago mutates into a Drag Star. But it’s longer and heavier and has no more Go. Is this progress?

Yamaha XS250/400: Gutless but simple motor combined with quick-rust cycle parts. Crankshaft and gearbox problems after 30k when the head gasket often blows. Chronic starting hassles, usually from a combination of hard to trace problems (killswitch, carbs, rotted wiring, dying ignition etc.) Also rare dohc, spine frame XS400. Are you really this desperate? It must be very cheap.

Yamaha XS500: 8-valve twin with troublesome chain-driven balancer. OK frame but engine burns valves, strips plug threads and needs constant fettling. B model has two piece cylinder head that leaks oil. C model quickest, E slowest; D model on has easier to adjust balancer chain. Ferrodo pads cure wet weather lag. Very few left that don’t have terminal mange.

Yamaha XZ550: Strange V2 with jerky power delivery, clunky gearbox and heavy clutch. Some engines OK, others leak coolant, eat valves, pistons and electrics. Handling dodgy on early bikes and wear makes later ones as bad. Definatley a mistake to try to run one on non-standard filters or exhaust, but even stock the carburation was poor. Little to recommend.

Aprillia Caponord: Oh look, it’s the Mille motor yet again. This time the bikes too high, too bulky, too heavy and far to wide. Imitating all the bad things about the Varadero. But at least it’s not much more expensive.

BMW R1200C: Completley crazed cruiser for those with vast wallets who just must be different. A total waste of technology. Does everything in an average way and looks astonishing. Depreciates faster than other BMWs. Is this some kind of Teutonic humour which doesn’t quite translate?

CZ125: Jurrasic-on, 124cc 2-str sgl. 10bhp 60mph, 60mpg, 250lb Plodding Czech-built commuter with nothing to recommend it. No, perhaps that’s being too hasty. Let’s think. Hmmm. No, nothing at all. Not even cheapness. Yuk. C1 £450, C2 £200, C3 £nothing

CZ350: Did you know that the 350 came with a rev-counter? That’s the best bit. Buy one and weep. Early ones even had a grease nipple for the engines centre main bearing. Even CZs can be tuned, you know. C1 £250, C2 £50, C3 £nothing, or less

Jawa 500R: 494cc, sohc single. NU7, no performance… (or figures) Mongrel marriage of Rotax single and 350 Twin chassis. A real bastard in the true sense of the word (honest). Buy almost anything else instead.

[/b]
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[iCraig]

You forgot the CBX550 too.

[stinkwheel]

CBX550: Extremely usefull device spoiled only by a naff camchain tensioner that can destroy camchains in 10k miles. Various fixes, eg fitting later model tensioners and give it a monthly greasing or WD40 session. Slick gearbox a sign of a good engine, goes off with mileage and beware of rattly clutches as the bearings are weak. Enclosed discs make for brake fade and troublesome wheel removal. Little choice on aftermarket exhausts and no pattern silencers

Doesn't seem all that bad a review to me.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[mr.z]

[stinkwheel]

[TheShaggyDA]

Haywards (where I just bought my Enfield) has a Jawa 350 going for £395 - tempted to get it for winter

https://www.btinternet.com/~haywards.cambs/haywards/partex_jawa.jpg
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[stinkwheel]

[Kickstart]

[billy whizz]

Crap bikes? Well now let me see.... ah yes, anything that was made in the USA or Italy both are either unreliable or unrideable, not nescersarily in that order!
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Here comes the summer!

[MarJay]

Anything that isn't British or comes from a company that has gone bust is rubbish.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.