TEN Worst Dirt Bikes Of All Time

M-M
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M-M 10/28/2009 12:51pm
10/28/2009 12:51pm Edited Date/Time 10/28/2009 1:17pm
pitbike502 wrote:
2000-1 cr 125.
2004-5 rm-z 250
I had a 2000 cr 125. Handled pretty good, and held together ok. Just the slowest 125 out there unless you had the engine tuned up.


With my new liberty n-style graphics eating chicken wings.

SEEMEFIRST
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SEEMEFIRST 10/28/2009 1:55pm
10/28/2009 1:55pm
Highsider wrote:
The '81 CR450 had a little brother, the '81 CR250R.The transmission gears were made of cool-whip and the goofy 'supercross' front number plate tilted up, so...
The '81 CR450 had a little brother, the '81 CR250R.
The transmission gears were made of cool-whip and the goofy 'supercross' front number plate tilted up, so if you were sitting in the clock at the LA Coliseum, you could read the number!

ps- Honda Parts division had no replacement gears to sell.

Luckily, the guys in our area, who bought them, got a 'rocket fuel' deal on them.
The baby brother had it's issues too.(125)

Ugly little creature, but I had to have one.

It was reliable enough, but got killed by the yellow bikes until you worked the cylinder over.

The thing carved well, but this led to serious problems at the big end. It would wait until there was no more power, and shake violently.
JPT
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JPT 10/28/2009 2:12pm
10/28/2009 2:12pm
Ing wrote:
Hey JPT, would that friend be Leo? I remember him riding one at 34 raceways in the early 70's. He was sitting on the line with...
Hey JPT, would that friend be Leo? I remember him riding one at 34 raceways in the early 70's. He was sitting on the line with the motor running and when the rubber-band let loose he let out the clutch and zoom, backwards. LOL That was the only time I've seen anything like that. Bike ran just as good backwards as forwards. Other than that it seemed to be a decent machine.
It was the same bike, but I rode it after Randy Van Osdol bought it. I think that was the only one I ever saw. I did a bunch of those meets at 34 Raceways. Surprisingly fun track for such a small area.
coolhand
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coolhand 10/28/2009 2:18pm
10/28/2009 2:18pm
96 KTM SX 360! GD what a POS.

The Shop

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OldGuy
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OldGuy 10/28/2009 5:37pm
10/28/2009 5:37pm
I traded my POS 1970 360 yamaha, for a bigger POS 1971 TM400. Mine was Yellow but my bud that I rode with had a 1970 TM400 that was Orange.
After a few times over the bars and thru the wire fence. I went down in size to a 125 Suzuki
and my lap time went up and the winning began.
Hell it was no problem to hang to that 125 after manhandling that 400. Thinking back it made me a better rider. (3) 45 minute moto's was no problem. I have a tuft time with 4 laps twice now.
FLmxer
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FLmxer 10/28/2009 5:47pm
10/28/2009 5:47pm
When i first saw this thread the 97-98 cr 250 popped into my head. I have had a lot of bikes and those two were the worst.
Madmax31
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Madmax31 10/28/2009 6:03pm
10/28/2009 6:03pm
Personally my 1984 YZ 125 was the worst bike I ever owned. It wasn't unreliable but horribly slow and nothing seemed to help. I think my 1980 KX80 was faster!
jmc2
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jmc2 10/28/2009 7:12pm
10/28/2009 7:12pm
Highsider wrote:
The '81 CR450 had a little brother, the '81 CR250R.The transmission gears were made of cool-whip and the goofy 'supercross' front number plate tilted up, so...
The '81 CR450 had a little brother, the '81 CR250R.
The transmission gears were made of cool-whip and the goofy 'supercross' front number plate tilted up, so if you were sitting in the clock at the LA Coliseum, you could read the number!

ps- Honda Parts division had no replacement gears to sell.

Luckily, the guys in our area, who bought them, got a 'rocket fuel' deal on them.
I had one of those...trimmed the front number plate underneath and bent bracket forward facing (normal).
Also had the shifter forks break on it....
mx295
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mx295 10/28/2009 8:07pm
10/28/2009 8:07pm
1986 kx 125
Dropbear
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Dropbear 10/28/2009 8:23pm
10/28/2009 8:23pm
I hated my '81 pro-link CR125. GUTLESS

My '80 twin shock was so much better, even the infamous 1979 23" wheel CR was better.
Wandell
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Wandell 10/28/2009 8:31pm
10/28/2009 8:31pm
I remember reading about how bad the 1979 CR125 was.
WhipMeister
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WhipMeister 10/28/2009 9:56pm
10/28/2009 9:56pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 2:59am
Best go fast tip ever: practice every day on a TM400.

If you're still alive come race day, switch to *any* other bike and you'll ride the wheels off of it.

You're welcome. Tip jar is over there -->
DJ KC
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DJ KC 10/28/2009 10:14pm
10/28/2009 10:14pm
1977 and 78 Honda CR 125's were total turds box stock.
wreckitrandy
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wreckitrandy 10/29/2009 5:23am
10/29/2009 5:23am
over the hill wrote:
A poor craftsman blames his tools. I've never ridden a terrible bike. Even the KX420 that Larry sold me could trophy. That sucker could go damn...
A poor craftsman blames his tools.
I've never ridden a terrible bike. Even the KX420 that Larry sold me could trophy. That sucker could go damn fast...especially in a straight line. Billy Liles beat just about every pro in the SE on a KX420.
Just Sayin.
Truth.
SMITH201
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SMITH201 10/29/2009 6:11am
10/29/2009 6:11am
2001 YZ426- My buddy had that pig. Handled like a Pinto in the corners and weighed as much as one! Another buddy scored a 2004 YZ450. That thing also had some handling issues, but that F'er hit super hard! Sucker wanted to rip your arms off! That just made it not fun to ride at all.

Never rode these but are noteworthy of the list..

Cannondale MX440
Early 90's WR500
Torando


-eagle-
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-eagle- 10/29/2009 8:30am
10/29/2009 8:30am
96 rm 125 was awful
mosslander
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mosslander 10/29/2009 11:27am
10/29/2009 11:27am
78 cr 125 was my first bike and it make me be a good mecanic
neysbo
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neysbo 10/29/2009 11:32am
10/29/2009 11:32am
for me the worst was a 1984 KTM SX 125 , I had been on Jap bikes all along and had a local dealer give me a sweet deal but man that bike sucked. Right up there as a 97 CR250- terrible handling and vibration.

I did have the 1998 YZ400 and it was ok except for starting it and finding TDC

Pit Row

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Gunsdad
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Gunsdad 10/29/2009 12:14pm
10/29/2009 12:14pm
85 YZ 125............my blender makes more power than it did.
TerryB
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TerryB 10/29/2009 12:31pm
10/29/2009 12:31pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2009 12:38pm
My '81 KX125 sucked pretty bad, but in it's defense, I didn't know ANYTHING about bike setup or jetting.

I don't know what I was thinking. I had been riding an RM80 that I loved, and let some salesman talk me out of the '81 RM125 and into the a KX.
Racer92
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Racer92 10/29/2009 12:38pm
10/29/2009 12:38pm
SMITH201 wrote:
2001 YZ426- My buddy had that pig. Handled like a Pinto in the corners and weighed as much as one! Another buddy scored a 2004 YZ450...
2001 YZ426- My buddy had that pig. Handled like a Pinto in the corners and weighed as much as one! Another buddy scored a 2004 YZ450. That thing also had some handling issues, but that F'er hit super hard! Sucker wanted to rip your arms off! That just made it not fun to ride at all.

Never rode these but are noteworthy of the list..

Cannondale MX440
Early 90's WR500
Torando


The Cannondale MX440 handled great and had awesome suspenders. I had a friend who owned one and I rode many times. I saw Robbie Reynard completely smoke the field at Cycle Ranch on that bike at the 4-Stroke Nationals. I mean he totally checked out! I talked to him after one of the motos and he told me it was one of the best handling bikes he had ever ridden. (up til that time)

Cannondale just coudnt afford the learning curve on their fuel injected mill.
BUTCH
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BUTCH 10/29/2009 12:52pm
10/29/2009 12:52pm
SMITH201 wrote:
2001 YZ426- My buddy had that pig. Handled like a Pinto in the corners and weighed as much as one! Another buddy scored a 2004 YZ450...
2001 YZ426- My buddy had that pig. Handled like a Pinto in the corners and weighed as much as one! Another buddy scored a 2004 YZ450. That thing also had some handling issues, but that F'er hit super hard! Sucker wanted to rip your arms off! That just made it not fun to ride at all.

Never rode these but are noteworthy of the list..

Cannondale MX440
Early 90's WR500
Torando


Racer92 wrote:
The Cannondale MX440 handled great and had awesome suspenders. I had a friend who owned one and I rode many times. I saw Robbie Reynard completely...
The Cannondale MX440 handled great and had awesome suspenders. I had a friend who owned one and I rode many times. I saw Robbie Reynard completely smoke the field at Cycle Ranch on that bike at the 4-Stroke Nationals. I mean he totally checked out! I talked to him after one of the motos and he told me it was one of the best handling bikes he had ever ridden. (up til that time)

Cannondale just coudnt afford the learning curve on their fuel injected mill.
I rode the trail version Cannondale 440 and it was a real turd / slow. Beautiful looking machine though.
Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 10/29/2009 12:56pm
10/29/2009 12:56pm
-eagle- wrote:
96 rm 125 was awful
I loved that bike. Felt light as can be and the forks rocked.
midpack
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midpack 10/29/2009 2:11pm
10/29/2009 2:11pm
SMITH201 wrote:
2001 YZ426- My buddy had that pig. Handled like a Pinto in the corners and weighed as much as one! Another buddy scored a 2004 YZ450...
2001 YZ426- My buddy had that pig. Handled like a Pinto in the corners and weighed as much as one! Another buddy scored a 2004 YZ450. That thing also had some handling issues, but that F'er hit super hard! Sucker wanted to rip your arms off! That just made it not fun to ride at all.

Never rode these but are noteworthy of the list..

Cannondale MX440
Early 90's WR500
Torando


Racer92 wrote:
The Cannondale MX440 handled great and had awesome suspenders. I had a friend who owned one and I rode many times. I saw Robbie Reynard completely...
The Cannondale MX440 handled great and had awesome suspenders. I had a friend who owned one and I rode many times. I saw Robbie Reynard completely smoke the field at Cycle Ranch on that bike at the 4-Stroke Nationals. I mean he totally checked out! I talked to him after one of the motos and he told me it was one of the best handling bikes he had ever ridden. (up til that time)

Cannondale just coudnt afford the learning curve on their fuel injected mill.
BUTCH wrote:
I rode the trail version Cannondale 440 and it was a real turd / slow. Beautiful looking machine though.
I actually owned a Cannondale MX440. It was one of the best handling bikes I have ridden. It was heavy but didn't feel like it untill you put it up on the stand. When I got word they were going to go under I sold it and bought a Crf.
rmgsxr
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rmgsxr 10/29/2009 2:17pm
10/29/2009 2:17pm
Gunsdad wrote:
85 YZ 125............my blender makes more power than it did.
My buddy had his new 85 YZ125 and I had my new 85 RM125. We went to set them up and get them ready to race and at the end of the day we switched bikes and we both turned right around and told each other how big of a piece of shit each others bike was. Back then different brands felt so strange. Not so much anymore.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 10/29/2009 4:39pm
10/29/2009 4:39pm
A shop gave me a 414 Montessa to race.......the further you jumped....the more sideways it went....scary!!!
Highsider
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Highsider 10/29/2009 5:09pm
10/29/2009 5:09pm
lumpy790 wrote:
A shop gave me a 414 Montessa to race.......the further you jumped....the more sideways it went....scary!!!
Never heard of a 414 and I considered myself to be a Montesa fan...back in the day(bitd)Blink

Your story scares me just hearing it.
Dropbear
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Dropbear 10/29/2009 5:27pm
10/29/2009 5:27pm
lumpy790 wrote:
A shop gave me a 414 Montessa to race.......the further you jumped....the more sideways it went....scary!!!
Highsider wrote:
Never heard of a 414 and I considered myself to be a Montesa fan...back in the day(bitd)Blink

Your story scares me just hearing it.
They look nice though
86honda
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86honda 10/29/2009 7:36pm
10/29/2009 7:36pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 3:00am
04 crf 250f Everytime my dad would come over to see us I was revalving the POS. 10 hours of seat time $800 worth of rebuild. Wooooooooosh thats the turd going bye bye>
krazee1
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krazee1 10/29/2009 8:00pm
10/29/2009 8:00pm
neysbo wrote:
for me the worst was a 1984 KTM SX 125 , I had been on Jap bikes all along and had a local dealer give me...
for me the worst was a 1984 KTM SX 125 , I had been on Jap bikes all along and had a local dealer give me a sweet deal but man that bike sucked. Right up there as a 97 CR250- terrible handling and vibration.

I did have the 1998 YZ400 and it was ok except for starting it and finding TDC
I loved my 84' KTM 125! It was a holeshot king and once you got the suspension working it was badass...But it broke nearly every race...i would go through a clutch each moto. I switched to a CR125 after a few months on the KTM and hated the CR, but it would finish every race.

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