Has A Bike Ever Made You Want To Give Up Riding?

Since I've always loved riding I'm pretty much happy riding anything. Started on a lawnmower minibike and couldn't ride it enough and was overjoyed to get my first 125 Hodaka with paper route money.  That lead to quite a few mx bikes over the last 50 years and still having a blast and I always appreciated whatever it was I was riding at the time.  If someone doesn't get enjoyment out of riding any of the new bikes out there,  maybe riding isn't their cup'o tea? 

Two strokes hold value better than four strokes. Just the nature of the beast on that. I don't think the YZs have the same short seat to peg distance that the four strokes have. The YZ seem to have high seats at least compared to the ground. That 2022 (?) YZ redesign isn't that big of a deal so don't be afraid to try a 2006-2021 YZ250 if you can find one in good shape. You can even convert an older one into a 2022 plus if you really want. 

Sounds to me like air forks are making you want to give up riding.

Just buy one of the single side spring conversions for $600 and get back to enjoying riding again.

No

Everyone just raved about the 87 CR250 and I bought one and hated it. It would put me on the ground for no reason it seemed. I rode a friends 88 Yamaha YZ250 and bought one of my own. Suddenly I could ride without feeling like I was going to crash at any time.

2024 Yamaha 250F really livened things up for me as someone already mentioned above.  Awesome machine. 

Stock AERs don't have enough low speed damping for your weight and height.  If you crank in the clickers or increase the air pressure to get better hold up, then things will get harsh (too much high speed damping).  With the right air pressure, right rear spring, and right valving (front and rear) things will be much more comfortable, predictable, and enjoyable to ride.  I've used Enzo many times, but would like to try out REP next time around.  Front and rear revalve of stock stuff is ~$500 or less from Enzo.  I have a 2019 Husqvarna FC350 as my main bike and its working great after getting it setup.  I ride and race motocross and off-road with the same setup.  I'm 43, 6', 200 lbs, and enjoy single malt Scotch. 

I do like spring forks better due to the better front end feel when cornering and not having to fiddle with air pressure.  But it's not necessary if you're just doing practice days.

If I were only riding for fun, I'd get a YZ250 and get it setup for me.  Has spring forks already, has an easy to ride powerband, and is fun.  My 2nd bike is a '17 Husky TC250 and it is more fun to ride than the 350, but is quite a handful in some terrain.  

Edit: I also have an XPR-mapped Vortex ECU on my 350.  Map 1 (best overall power) has a little bit softer roll on, less engine braking, very nice midrange and revs out great.  Map 2 (torque map) has a little more engine braking, is very torquey, and doesn't seem to rev out quite as easily.  The ECU helped out dramatically with my main complaints of flaming out, engine braking, and the jerkiness when opening the throttle.

I had the same with my 350, thought it would be ideal but I just plain didn't get on with it. Honestly I figured it would be a shortcut to going faster, over my 250 two stroke, but I just plain didn't get on with it. Dumb move and poor thought process on my part.

It was a '19 tc250 before the 350, excellent bike. Got an old '17 125sx with '23 air forks right now which is also very good (I'm super slow).

"Buy a Stark."

Beagle

you got the wrong bike dawg, you should have bought a 23' Model Gas Gas 450..... thats hands down the best bike i have ridden to date in production form other than the soft ass suspension.... but thats an easy fix.... KYB carts off any model 06 and up yz/yzf and thicker shock fluid and showa spring....  thats literally best bike i have ever owned, rode it back to back with aluminum twinspar chassis's and single spar, 250F's ,350's and other 450's and its just the best....

i know several people that went back to that bike after owning others, yes its a 450 but its not stupid, its smooth like a street bike.....

WP 4CS forks were horrible! Unfixable.

curious as to how it Livened things up, the 14 yz250f was a better bike than the 24' so curious how it "livened" it up... its not really a "lively" 250F to begin with.... 

This ^^^^^

I loved riding/racing moto....but I have no interest in doing it these days.   The bikes are too much work and going around in circles doesn't appeal to me anymore.   Still love watching it though.

I'd rather spend all day wandering trails...  turn key....go. 

I had an '88 Cr125 that did the same thing.  It shook so hard that it knocked my throttle hand completely off the bars.  I stiffened up the back and it went away.  I was told that the headshake came from having the front too soft in relation to the back.  So, either soften the front, or stiffen the back.  It worked!

I've never had a bike that made me want to quit riding.  I did have a bike that made me want to get another bike.

I never gelled with my '88 Cr125.  I didn't trust the engine.  It was probably my fault. I never got the jetting right.

When I got my 2005 Yz125 I was instantly faster.

If you like everything but the forks, then fix the forks. If there is more that you dislike, eject and get something else. If you have mental doubts or you have already made up your mind, move on to another bike.

I hated my forks, got new ones and instantly got comfy and cut lap times significantly. For me it was a huge difference and worth the investment, but I liked everything else about the 350

The issue with a 125 for a lot of older riders, is you need to be hyperactive, dancing on the shifter to keep it in the power band!

Yes, but it was a street bike. 1997 Suzuki TL1000S (The Japanese attempt to copy the success - at that time - of the Ducati's style).

Freaking terrifying handling. I had more tank slappers than I had on my 96 RM, and if you had a 96 RM you've had your share. It was a surprisingly lovable bike aside from that. Sweetheart of a motor.

* For the Ducatzis out there bursting a blood vessel becasue "it wasn't a copy! it wasn't a dry clutch! it wasn't a desmo!"

Just calm the hell down. I said "style" not engineering. It was a big bore v twin sport bike on a trellis frame and they painted it bright red. I stand by my claim. 

That rotary rear shock was a major problem, and un fixable! First attempt at fuel injection and we were sending the ECM back to get re flashed monthly...

I had a real love hate relationship with my 99 YZ400. When I wasn't stalling the damn thing, I loved it but once I fell off or stalled it, I hated that f-cking thing lol! It didn't really make me want to quit but I was ready to sell it a few times. The only thing that truly made me think about quitting were a couple of brutal crashes over the years.

I bet it had blown valve guild seals. 

My 2014 KTM 300 XC had 4CS forks and I hated that suspension. I did actually give up racing that year and riding in general for a bit afterwards.  I threw everything at that garbage suspension and finally went Ohlins.  I will not buy another bike with WP suspension, not worth the gamble or $$$.  The Yamaha's I had since and now Beta reinforce that decision.

I rode yz250 smokers for a while. Took 4 years off riding, got a 2018 crf450r and it made me feel like i never rode before. Got rid of it and got a '22 kx250 and am much happier. 

I’ve kind of experienced the frustration as you are. I had about 7 years off the bike and at that time I was in my late teens racing B class and had a 08 Honda 450. When I got back into it, I sold my 450 and got a 19 KTM 350 because I was reading they are all the rage. Got it revalved from FC twice and just never could get comfortable with it at all. I even bought FCP engine mounts but that wasn’t a game changer for me. The bike always felt rigid and harsh over breaking/acceleration chop. The power was great but I was underwhelmed tbh and quite bummed out how it felt. I never felt that way on my Honda 250f’s or 450. I sold that bike for a 23 KTM 350 that already had the 6500 kit and full FMF exhaust. I got it revalved locally and it’s definitely better, more front end traction and grip. I also bought a vortex which helped the bike everywhere, engine and the frame seemed not to be bound up. However, I still feel it’s harsh and rigid. I’ve messed with all kinds of clicker/sag settings every Moto out. It’s really frustrating. I took some oil out of the forks so I’ll try that next but I’m definitely looking at trying a Yamaha 250 or 450 for the comfort of the suspension and frame and possibly switch. 

2005 kx250.. I hope it has been recycled into a can opener.

1976 Honda CR250 was the bike that made me quit racing.  I got to ride it for free.  Expert class, Full sponsorship.  Bike was outdated when released in 1975 and unchanged in 1976 except they painted it red to look like the factory bikes.  There's a reason why the starting lines were all yellow in 76-78.  My Dad was loyal to my sponsor and told me to do the best I could on it.  Eventually the best thing I could do was give it back. Didn't own a bike for 4 years.

Fast forward to my sophomore year in college and working a full time job.  Bought a 1981 RM465X and was suddenly fast again.  Sometimes, even a free bike isn't a bargain.

2009 Honda CR450F.....death trap.

You are WAYYYY over analyzing it and it even sounds like you are making excuses. Just go do something else you like doing. Why would you force yourself to ride? Its not the bike. It's just you changing. Nothing wrong with that.

Oh... and 90% of people on here dont even know what "setting up" a bike even means. They just buy it off Facespace and put stickers on it and some old lawnmower gas in the tank.

Preload to them just means loading the bike in the truck the night before "racing".

I have been a fan and owned 350s for around 6 years, had a 13 and then a 18. I too am fed up of the Ktm suspension and am thinking about going back to a jap 250f there’s something about them to me which just handle and feel better than the KTMs