TEN Worst Dirt Bikes Of All Time

queen of spodes 10/26/2010 10:12pm
10/26/2010 10:12pm
Good thread.

Since nobody else mentioned, the 1987 YZ125 was gutless and beat me to death. Horrible dirt bike.

The 1986 RM250s I rode were two-wheeled jackhammers.. the bike's hardware sucked.. Seemed like there were a dozen parts to hold the front sprocket guard in place!

Another vote for the 97 CR250 and 01 CR125.
shmoo 10/26/2010 10:47pm
10/26/2010 10:47pm
Bret wrote:
Super Hunky single handedly destroyed the reputation of the YZ490 simply because he didn't like it. While not the best bike in the world, it certainly...
Super Hunky single handedly destroyed the reputation of the YZ490 simply because he didn't like it. While not the best bike in the world, it certainly isn't the worst. I have been racing mine for the last 4 years with no problems at all. The engine most certainly can be jetted correctly and Al Holley knows how to fix the cylinder head. The suspension can be revalved and works just fine for a nearly 30 year old motorcycle.

Rupert X wrote:
Bret, do you have an endless supply of kick-start return springs ? Think I broke a dozen over the few wretched years I owned my 82...

Bret, do you have an endless supply of kick-start return springs ? Think I broke

a dozen over the few wretched years I owned my 82 490. I did have some fun

on that pig, I'll admit that. I think the brakes were merely cosmetic, pretty sure

they didn't actually do anything.....
And here I thought my 84 YZ 490 was my 2nd favorite bike ever.
But what led me to this grand illusion?

Was it because I undoubtedly set my fastest laps whenever the shifter fell off (which was often) and I remained stuck in 3rd gear?

Was it the aforementioned speed suggestion levers known to some as brakes?

Was it the fact that it handled better and sat comfortably low after you broke the frame at the steering head (inevitably and easily), and re-welded it?

Was it the kickstarter (and yes return spring) that would catapult violently from under your boot and shred your medial malleolus?

Was it because it was easier to bump than kickstart?

Was it the no extra charge vibraplatform handgrips?

Was it because, even though the 85 was virtually identical, I simply could not, would not, and felt in my heart of hearts should not, ride it and had to sell it after 2 running hours?

One man's garbage another man's gold.
avidchimp
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avidchimp 10/26/2010 11:30pm
10/26/2010 11:30pm Edited Date/Time 10/26/2010 11:31pm
How hasn't the '96 KX250 been mentioned yet??? That bike contributed 90% of my injuries, and I have been riding MX my entire life. Emig even hated that bike and pretty much refused to ride it. If I remember correctly his race bike was a '97 spec bike.
Kinetic1
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Kinetic1 10/27/2010 3:58am
10/27/2010 3:58am
It must be "dig up an old thread" week.

I guess if you are going to dig these up it may as well be good ones like this though.

The Shop

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petegrath
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petegrath 10/27/2010 4:36am
10/27/2010 4:36am
avidchimp wrote:
How hasn't the '96 KX250 been mentioned yet??? That bike contributed 90% of my injuries, and I have been riding MX my entire life. Emig even...
How hasn't the '96 KX250 been mentioned yet??? That bike contributed 90% of my injuries, and I have been riding MX my entire life. Emig even hated that bike and pretty much refused to ride it. If I remember correctly his race bike was a '97 spec bike.
My buddy had a '96 KX 250. The bike was fast but very awkward feeling.

I couldn't ride it to save my life. It was too tall and too long. I had a '89 KX 250 that I restored, and both of us preferred my dinosaur to the '96.
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Madmax31 10/27/2010 5:05am
10/27/2010 5:05am
The 2 worst bikes I've ever owned....and I've owned a lot. 1984 and 1985 YZ125's. The 83 and 86 were decent but the 84-85 were HORRIBLE. No power, air leaks, etc.

I got sponsored one year on a Cagiva 250, can't remember year maybe 1989 or 1990? It broke almost every time I rode it. Seized three times, broke a hub, ignition problems, etc. The fifth and last time I rode it at Kenworthy's I rode it to the owners truck, jumped in my car and left.
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adamdf 10/27/2010 5:29am
10/27/2010 5:29am
queen of spodes wrote:
Good thread. Since nobody else mentioned, the 1987 YZ125 was gutless and beat me to death. Horrible dirt bike. The 1986 RM250s I rode were two-wheeled...
Good thread.

Since nobody else mentioned, the 1987 YZ125 was gutless and beat me to death. Horrible dirt bike.

The 1986 RM250s I rode were two-wheeled jackhammers.. the bike's hardware sucked.. Seemed like there were a dozen parts to hold the front sprocket guard in place!

Another vote for the 97 CR250 and 01 CR125.
Thats wierd u didnt like the 01 125

The 1997 CR250 was crap

But i loved the 2001 CR125
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seth505 10/27/2010 5:47am
10/27/2010 5:47am Edited Date/Time 10/27/2010 5:47am
I loved the thing when I got it because it was my first 80, but my 1990 yz80 was a turd! Racing the thing at southwick was downright scary. No power and it would bottom out on basically every whoop/bump.
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mxrose3 10/27/2010 6:17am
10/27/2010 6:17am Edited Date/Time 10/27/2010 10:20am
rmz271 wrote:
[img]http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2005/11/06/bikepics-461769-full.jpg[/img] 1993 YZ 125 was one of the worse bikes I have ever owned. Slow as molasses and had to rev it to the moon to...


1993 YZ 125 was one of the worse bikes I have ever owned. Slow as molasses and had to rev it to the moon to get any momentum. Also had a terrible bog which caused me a broken wrist. Gave up riding for awhile after riding that POS.
I agree. Somebody else mentioned the 92' model, but I did some of my own porting work on it and I could pull the holeshot on it.... really a good bike if you knew how to make it work.
I tried the same porting work on my 93' and it just made it slower... not sure what they did to the cylinder that year - it looked identical to the 92', but I couldn't make that motor do anything but make noise.

The 94' was a total redesign to a square bore (54mm x 54mm) and was much better.
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Ing 10/27/2010 7:51am
10/27/2010 7:51am
I absolutely loved my YZ490 1987 vintage. Won many races on it against 10yr. newer machines. I raced Husqvarnas forever before buying the YZ and still loved it. I'd buy another one if I could find it. (in good condition)
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TerryK 10/27/2010 7:54am
10/27/2010 7:54am
jeffro503 wrote:
HOLY SHIT RUP! You madman........did you type all that up?? One of the best God damn posts ever man! I didn't read through this entire thread...
HOLY SHIT RUP! You madman........did you type all that up?? One of the best God damn posts ever man!

I didn't read through this entire thread , so I don't know if this bike got mentioned .....But I would have to say the 97" Honda CR250. First year of the perimeter frame....and it was like riding a 2X6 with wheels! God that bike sucked!
Rup pulled this from either MXA or Dirt Bike. It appeared in the mag many years ago.
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gotwings 10/27/2010 9:45am
10/27/2010 9:45am
mr50racer wrote:
I think it was 81 or maybe 82.......The year the yamahas had the radiator behind the front number plate....Can you say over the bars?
Worst idea ever!!! The rad hoses connected to the triple clamps, and the coolant went thru those and into the STEERING HEAD of the frame. The coolant was separated from the steering head bearings by a couple of really cheesy seals that leaked in no time, causing your bearings to rust up and seize every few months!
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Mutt 10/27/2010 10:16am
10/27/2010 10:16am
'93-94 Suzuki RM............
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staycasted 10/27/2010 10:25am
10/27/2010 10:25am
not really a bad bike but the stock muffler on the 2008 yz450 has to be one of the worst designs ever made.
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Wandell 10/27/2010 10:29am
10/27/2010 10:29am
Remember Yamaha's z-spoke design from 1984? I wonder if there are any 1984 YZ hubs around still in one piece.
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Wandell 10/27/2010 10:29am
10/27/2010 10:29am
Remember Yamaha's z-spoke design from 1984? I wonder if there are any 1984 YZ hubs around still in one piece.
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NetMXer 10/27/2010 10:51am
10/27/2010 10:51am
I've got to agree with the 82 YZ490 being one of the worst. I made my pro debut/retirement in the 83 Florida Winter series on an 82 YZ490 and was beat to death by the lousy suspension. At Gatorback, I though the rear end was broken since the back tire seemed to hop all over the place and wouldn't stay on the ground. I got home and sold that POS and picked up a Maico. Too bad they went bankrupt a few months later.

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FlickitFlat 10/27/2010 10:54am
10/27/2010 10:54am
avidchimp wrote:
How hasn't the '96 KX250 been mentioned yet??? That bike contributed 90% of my injuries, and I have been riding MX my entire life. Emig even...
How hasn't the '96 KX250 been mentioned yet??? That bike contributed 90% of my injuries, and I have been riding MX my entire life. Emig even hated that bike and pretty much refused to ride it. If I remember correctly his race bike was a '97 spec bike.
petegrath wrote:
My buddy had a '96 KX 250. The bike was fast but very awkward feeling. I couldn't ride it to save my life. It was too...
My buddy had a '96 KX 250. The bike was fast but very awkward feeling.

I couldn't ride it to save my life. It was too tall and too long. I had a '89 KX 250 that I restored, and both of us preferred my dinosaur to the '96.
In all fairness the 89' KX 250 seriously kicked ass. It is weird that the 96' sucked and I agree that it did but the 97' KX 250 is one of me all time favorites. I still have mine sitting in the out building just waiting for the day to do something awsome with it.
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Rupert X 10/27/2010 11:31am
10/27/2010 11:31am
jeffro503 wrote:
HOLY SHIT RUP! You madman........did you type all that up?? One of the best God damn posts ever man! I didn't read through this entire thread...
HOLY SHIT RUP! You madman........did you type all that up?? One of the best God damn posts ever man!

I didn't read through this entire thread , so I don't know if this bike got mentioned .....But I would have to say the 97" Honda CR250. First year of the perimeter frame....and it was like riding a 2X6 with wheels! God that bike sucked!
TerryK wrote:
Rup pulled this from either MXA or Dirt Bike. It appeared in the mag many years ago.

Yes, never intended to take credit it for it - think I showed the Dirt-bike link with my

opening salvo. Apologies to any that feel i was implying that it was mine...


* Don't know if anybody had the misfortune to own a ' 94 or 95 KTM 50....

Axles bent, front ends fell off - absolute trash....
motoarmageddon 10/27/2010 11:43am
10/27/2010 11:43am
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.
I know a guy who says he preferred the KX420 to the Maico's. And this guy was fast. Someone said the 1993 kx125 was slow and i think they are wrong. that bike won the MXA shootout that year, and it WAS fast. The CR was just as fast but the cr handling was referred to as having a "hinge in the middle". and terrible suspension on that Honda(Hondon't)
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mxrose3 10/27/2010 11:59am
10/27/2010 11:59am
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.
motoarmageddon wrote:
I know a guy who says he preferred the KX420 to the Maico's. And this guy was fast. Someone said the 1993 kx125 was slow and...
I know a guy who says he preferred the KX420 to the Maico's. And this guy was fast. Someone said the 1993 kx125 was slow and i think they are wrong. that bike won the MXA shootout that year, and it WAS fast. The CR was just as fast but the cr handling was referred to as having a "hinge in the middle". and terrible suspension on that Honda(Hondon't)
I think he was referring to the 92' KX125 - it was definitely a slug. The 93' was pretty fast.
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bama205 10/27/2010 12:18pm
10/27/2010 12:18pm
41NDT wrote:
anything 2-stroke
poop
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40Plus_922mx 10/27/2010 12:25pm
10/27/2010 12:25pm Edited Date/Time 10/27/2010 12:25pm
90/91 KX125 a rattle can pile.
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BDOG 10/27/2010 12:34pm
10/27/2010 12:34pm
1997 CR 250- taught me a lesson on buying first year redesigns
John_Helmsley 10/27/2010 12:54pm
10/27/2010 12:54pm
I know everyone loves the '96 CR250 but mine was a huge pile of dog shit! The motor sucked, the suspension was horrible and it handled like a turd! There was a reason why Jeremy, Doug and Steve all stuck with the '93 frame until the aluminum frame came out.
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BDOG 10/27/2010 1:32pm
10/27/2010 1:32pm
John_Helmsley wrote:
I know everyone loves the '96 CR250 but mine was a huge pile of dog shit! The motor sucked, the suspension was horrible and it handled...
I know everyone loves the '96 CR250 but mine was a huge pile of dog shit! The motor sucked, the suspension was horrible and it handled like a turd! There was a reason why Jeremy, Doug and Steve all stuck with the '93 frame until the aluminum frame came out.
compared to a Yamaha of that period- YES!!
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mdub45 10/27/2010 1:32pm
10/27/2010 1:32pm
Steve47 wrote:
The list is not complete without the 1997 CR250. That thing was the worst pos I ever rode.
YUP!!!! I had a 98
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avidchimp 10/27/2010 1:42pm
10/27/2010 1:42pm
avidchimp wrote:
How hasn't the '96 KX250 been mentioned yet??? That bike contributed 90% of my injuries, and I have been riding MX my entire life. Emig even...
How hasn't the '96 KX250 been mentioned yet??? That bike contributed 90% of my injuries, and I have been riding MX my entire life. Emig even hated that bike and pretty much refused to ride it. If I remember correctly his race bike was a '97 spec bike.
petegrath wrote:
My buddy had a '96 KX 250. The bike was fast but very awkward feeling. I couldn't ride it to save my life. It was too...
My buddy had a '96 KX 250. The bike was fast but very awkward feeling.

I couldn't ride it to save my life. It was too tall and too long. I had a '89 KX 250 that I restored, and both of us preferred my dinosaur to the '96.
FlickitFlat wrote:
In all fairness the 89' KX 250 seriously kicked ass. It is weird that the 96' sucked and I agree that it did but the 97'...
In all fairness the 89' KX 250 seriously kicked ass. It is weird that the 96' sucked and I agree that it did but the 97' KX 250 is one of me all time favorites. I still have mine sitting in the out building just waiting for the day to do something awsome with it.
Pretty amazing what a bigger swingarm, and a couple frame tweaks will do for a bikes handling.
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andymoto 10/27/2010 5:04pm
10/27/2010 5:04pm
The '82 Maicos and their problematic rear suspension.

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