The Worst Bike YOU Have Ever Ridden?

Flip109
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Flip109 11/27/2016 9:56am
11/27/2016 9:56am
2001 KTM 125
Madmax31
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Madmax31 11/27/2016 2:02pm
11/27/2016 2:02pm
1984 YZ 125. No exaggeration, 80's were faster.

1) 1984 yz 125 - horribly slow
2) 2001 Cr 250 - felt like the motor had a rag in the airbox, and the chassis beat the shit out of me.
68
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68 11/27/2016 2:10pm
11/27/2016 2:10pm
2001 RM250.. wow

The Shop

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mikec265
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mikec265 11/27/2016 2:23pm
11/27/2016 2:23pm
68 wrote:
2001 RM250.. wow
What was so bad about it? I had one new and loved it, especially after motor and suspension work. It was pretty good stock.
KMC440
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KMC440 11/27/2016 2:29pm
11/27/2016 2:29pm
Bigfoot wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/11/16/160260/s1200_61294_1633587123618_8343402_n.jpg[/img] No,[b] I[/b] never rode it. But ya gotta wonder how much of a handful this thing must have been.


No, I never rode it. But ya gotta wonder how much of a handful this thing must have been.
Isn't that the early Harley cr250 prototype from late '74?

I kid ....

I've ridden the '77 production version, bery interesting bike . I highly recommend one if you get the chance.
Sir Roostsalot 11/27/2016 3:30pm
11/27/2016 3:30pm
WS728 wrote:
After being a lurker for years, I guess this is a good first post as one of the few who actually owned one of these things...
After being a lurker for years, I guess this is a good first post as one of the few who actually owned one of these things... lol I picked this 2002 C440 earlier this year as a project to turn into an enduro bike. I figured it would probably be OK for light trail use. Fact is, the later one (which this one is) with the re-designed airbox and other updates is actually a pretty decent off-road bike, but I can't imagine how they tried to market it for MX use. It is WAY too heavy for that.



I rode the 2003 X440 model which was the full on MX version with Ohlins suspension and MX mapping. 2nd worst bike I ever rode. My stock 2001 YZ426 smoked it in every aspect.
Sir Roostsalot 11/27/2016 3:33pm
11/27/2016 3:33pm
WS728 wrote:
After being a lurker for years, I guess this is a good first post as one of the few who actually owned one of these things...
After being a lurker for years, I guess this is a good first post as one of the few who actually owned one of these things... lol I picked this 2002 C440 earlier this year as a project to turn into an enduro bike. I figured it would probably be OK for light trail use. Fact is, the later one (which this one is) with the re-designed airbox and other updates is actually a pretty decent off-road bike, but I can't imagine how they tried to market it for MX use. It is WAY too heavy for that.



Sir Roostsalot wrote:
I rode the 2003 X440 model which was the full on MX version with Ohlins suspension and MX mapping. 2nd worst bike I ever rode. My...
I rode the 2003 X440 model which was the full on MX version with Ohlins suspension and MX mapping. 2nd worst bike I ever rode. My stock 2001 YZ426 smoked it in every aspect.
Except turns, the Cdale actually cornered better.
reded
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reded 11/27/2016 5:25pm
11/27/2016 5:25pm
That Cannondale is an awful looking motorcycle, wtf were they thinking?
JPT
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JPT 11/27/2016 8:38pm
11/27/2016 8:38pm
Unless I missed it looks like nobody in this thread ever rode a CanAm. Fast, but shook it's head like a pitbull.
burn1986
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burn1986 11/27/2016 9:02pm
11/27/2016 9:02pm Edited Date/Time 11/27/2016 9:02pm
Man, I just had so much fun riding all the bikes I owned. I did have this old Yamaha 100 (before the IT, maybe 77ish) that never ran right. Then a 78ish KX125 that never ran right and stayed locked up. Other than that I had a blast on my KE100, some kind of Harley Davidson 100, slow as heck 83 YZ125, heavy as heck 89 XR250, etc etc
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 11/28/2016 1:00am
11/28/2016 1:00am
94 RM250. I rode it for 15 minutes and couldn't wait to get back on the 97 CR250 that I had just gotten off of. And the 97 CR250 is probably #2 on my list. Riding the CR250 back to back with a 98 KX250 really ruined it for me, that KX was incredible. I thought maybe I just forgot how to ride until I got to have a go on the Kawi.
Plugga
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Plugga 11/28/2016 1:20am
11/28/2016 1:20am
This bitch. 92 KTM600LC4. Couldn't start her sitting on the bike. Left side kick. When I finally got it going I would pray for it not to stall. Game over when hot.

Madmax31
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Madmax31 11/28/2016 4:11am
11/28/2016 4:11am
68 wrote:
2001 RM250.. wow
mikec265 wrote:
What was so bad about it? I had one new and loved it, especially after motor and suspension work. It was pretty good stock.
I agree. I won a lot of races on an 01 RM 250. All I did was add a flywheel weight and PC pipe.
ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 11/28/2016 6:03am
11/28/2016 6:03am
Plugga wrote:
This bitch. 92 KTM600LC4. Couldn't start her sitting on the bike. Left side kick. When I finally got it going I would pray for it not...
This bitch. 92 KTM600LC4. Couldn't start her sitting on the bike. Left side kick. When I finally got it going I would pray for it not to stall. Game over when hot.

Didn't that bike have a no spring air fork ?
PRM31
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PRM31 11/28/2016 7:16am
11/28/2016 7:16am Edited Date/Time 11/28/2016 7:19am
1979 RM80. Probably just the fact that the plastic was so ugly I could never like it. I really liked the 1980.


My 2004 CR250R was a vile machine. Difficult to get jetting right, and then the power was more of a light switch. But at least the suspension was fair at best (I should have sent it off for professional help) and it didn't turn.



PRM31
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PRM31 11/28/2016 7:18am
11/28/2016 7:18am


Pit Row

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outerlimits
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outerlimits 11/28/2016 7:43am
11/28/2016 7:43am
Bigfoot wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/11/16/160260/s1200_61294_1633587123618_8343402_n.jpg[/img] No,[b] I[/b] never rode it. But ya gotta wonder how much of a handful this thing must have been.


No, I never rode it. But ya gotta wonder how much of a handful this thing must have been.
Wow! Looks like the pipe routes up by the handlebars first, then back. I wonder how they expected that rear suspension to work with that swing arm angle.
riv187
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riv187 11/28/2016 9:02am
11/28/2016 9:02am Edited Date/Time 11/28/2016 9:03am
Man it's amazing how we can agree on some and not on others...
My worst offender is a 1980 Can Am MX6,,seat junction pinched me inside my thighs. Thought I had a spider or insect stinging me in the groin till I realized the real problem. I tried to unload it but no takers so stuffed it in the corner for 15 years. Maybe I'll get courage to ride it again..with new seat foam and bicycle riding shorts under my racing pants.
Runner ups..1974 DT175,,pushed it home as often as I rode it..did build up upper body strength and staminia though. Taught me a lot about repairs as well. Carried tools and duct tape with it everywhere.
1979 CR125...one ride with that odd 23" wheel and whimpy motor was all it took to put it for sale..
KX420,,,what a sky scraper with rock hard shock,,one ride and pushed that project into corner.
1985 RM125...when new it was slower than 1985 YZ80s...I remember getting passed by a YZ80 on a long sandy straight during practice and realized we should've got a KX125,,even if it cost a whopping $200 more. Still pretty bike though.
1980 Maico 440...my shoulder and ribs are testament to the Maico Breako nick name. Sucks to highside at 80mph when the mains(4) seize up. Still she is a handler and smooth delivery...but a fortune to fix and medical bills

riv187
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riv187 11/28/2016 9:04am
11/28/2016 9:04am


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wreckitrandy
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wreckitrandy 11/28/2016 9:06am
11/28/2016 9:06am
Bigfoot wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/11/16/160260/s1200_61294_1633587123618_8343402_n.jpg[/img] No,[b] I[/b] never rode it. But ya gotta wonder how much of a handful this thing must have been.


No, I never rode it. But ya gotta wonder how much of a handful this thing must have been.
outerlimits wrote:
Wow! Looks like the pipe routes up by the handlebars first, then back. I wonder how they expected that rear suspension to work with that swing...
Wow! Looks like the pipe routes up by the handlebars first, then back. I wonder how they expected that rear suspension to work with that swing arm angle.
I don't think that's the pipe by the bars. Maybe an intake for the breather or more likely, a vent for an auto clutch.
outerlimits
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outerlimits 11/28/2016 9:18am
11/28/2016 9:18am
Bigfoot wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/11/16/160260/s1200_61294_1633587123618_8343402_n.jpg[/img] No,[b] I[/b] never rode it. But ya gotta wonder how much of a handful this thing must have been.


No, I never rode it. But ya gotta wonder how much of a handful this thing must have been.
outerlimits wrote:
Wow! Looks like the pipe routes up by the handlebars first, then back. I wonder how they expected that rear suspension to work with that swing...
Wow! Looks like the pipe routes up by the handlebars first, then back. I wonder how they expected that rear suspension to work with that swing arm angle.
wreckitrandy wrote:
I don't think that's the pipe by the bars. Maybe an intake for the breather or more likely, a vent for an auto clutch.
Yeah, it could be. I thought that too, but it looked kind of like the pipe went forward after exiting the cylinder. Either way, that rear suspension looks as though it might be good for about an inch of movement before it locks up.
Dirty Points 11/28/2016 9:59am
11/28/2016 9:59am Edited Date/Time 11/28/2016 2:00pm
outerlimits wrote:
Yeah, it could be. I thought that too, but it looked kind of like the pipe went forward after exiting the cylinder. Either way, that rear...
Yeah, it could be. I thought that too, but it looked kind of like the pipe went forward after exiting the cylinder. Either way, that rear suspension looks as though it might be good for about an inch of movement before it locks up.
It will actually have tons of free swing for travel. The hydraulic dampers on the rear hatch of many cars have a similar arrangement

The bigger problem is that the leverage ratio is highly regressive in rate, which the car hatch designers are using to their advantage: The hatch is super stiff near full extension (door up). Then it swings easier near full compression; As the door closes, the weight of the door itself becomes enough to overcome the dampeners.

On the other hand, crazy stiff initial travel followed by ever-lessening dampening is the opposite of what somebody would want in motorcycle suspension

Jimmy Jingles 11/28/2016 10:24am
11/28/2016 10:24am
1985 YZ125. A motorized brick basically. Handled like ass, pathetic and slow.
C-Rock
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C-Rock 11/28/2016 2:05pm
11/28/2016 2:05pm
This boat anchor was the worst POS you ever could try...
Doing worse than the original BMW 450 X was a tough challenge, yet they did it!


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riv187
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riv187 11/28/2016 4:34pm
11/28/2016 4:34pm
Jimmy Jingles wrote:
1985 YZ125. A motorized brick basically. Handled like ass, pathetic and slow.
When I got a new "discounted" 1985 RM125 the neighbor kid got a new 1985 YZ125...I was bummed cause my 78 RM125 had more power than the 'new' RM125....then I rode his and realized why Yamaha had a even a BIGGER discount for leftover YZ125. It was so slow there was no reason to even try racing it stock. Bob Hannah couldn't win the C class if he had that one.
Andy_White
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Andy_White 11/28/2016 8:54pm
11/28/2016 8:54pm
braap981 wrote:
My 2009 KX 250f was a carburated piece of shit i was always unclogging the pilot jet and it was always backfiring, i actually laserated my...
My 2009 KX 250f was a carburated piece of shit i was always unclogging the pilot jet and it was always backfiring, i actually laserated my spleen because the bike bogged of a face of a double. so ya it's a piece of shit!
+1
CMcBain
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CMcBain 11/28/2016 9:53pm
11/28/2016 9:53pm
My worst and most disappointing bike was a old 1979 Kawasaki KD175 me and my dad rebuilt together. Two of my buddies had MX175 yamaha's and the KD was a joke of a bike compared to them.
codysimoncelli 11/8/2025 8:33pm
11/8/2025 8:33pm Edited Date/Time 11/8/2025 9:00pm

I’m gonna revive this..

I had a 97 KX125 back in the day. It was a big, wide, truck of a bike. I liked it in the woods or anything high speed, as it did feel stable, but not anywhere near a track. I was in my teens as well so being lighter didn’t exactly help my case with it. Engine wise it was midrange only.. and it was nothing to write home about there either. Had a splitfire graphics kit and blue seat cover. I thought it was ugly. I know opinions may vary on that bike but it just didn’t jibe with me. I currently have a 2000 RM125, the RM feels and handles incredibly better. 


I had a buddy in high school who had an older all white YZ125. 93 I wanna say. That bike was such a gutless turd that I wanted to light it on fire, and it wasn’t even mine. Thing would lose steam on any uphill section and wouldn’t even pull the taller gears an anything but black top. 

For comparison purposes, my younger brother had an 01 YZ125. Power wise, it blew both my RM and KX out of the water.. way better motor. But I just love how the Suzuki feels on the track.

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