The Worst Bike YOU Have Ever Ridden?

JW381
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JW381 3/28/2013 8:52pm
3/28/2013 8:52pm
chuckie108 wrote:
Wow, I get maybe not a favorite but the worst bike ever? Just started riding again after a 7 year lay off, and this is my...
Wow, I get maybe not a favorite but the worst bike ever? Just started riding again after a 7 year lay off, and this is my current ride- has 20mm clamps and RG3 Diamond Kit Suspension and I think it's great- every bit as good as my buddies '12 KTM. I guess this thread shows that a guy's taste in bikes can be like their tastes in women- diverese. Fun thread though.
I guess this thread shows that a guy's taste in bikes can be like their tastes in women- diverese. Fun thread though.

I couldn't agree more, riding styles and preferences are so different, just like those bitches lol But for real, this is why I only put so much stock into magazine reviews and other personal rider reviews. They can really only give you a baseline of how it performed, but they may hate that baseline, and you might think it sounds awesome.

That being said, I haven't rode a 450 I every really loved. I've rode a 125, and they're fun, it's just sort of a violent ride. 250Fs are good for a lot of rider abilities I think. 250s with the big expansion chambers are still fantastic bikes, just easy to get in trouble on. I had an '09 YZ250 that I bought brand new, and people talk like it is the greatest bike ever, and while I did love that bike a lot, I like the overall feel of my 04 CR250 more. Once I get my jetting dialed on my new Air Striker, it will be my favorite bike I've ever owned. Most people would not take an 02-07 CR over the 06+ YZ, from my online gatherings.

To each their own.
malachi177
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malachi177 3/28/2013 11:02pm
3/28/2013 11:02pm
mx510 wrote:
My worst motorcycle that I ever owned, easily my 2000 RM 250. That bike was a turd, no top end, blew up all the time, handled...
My worst motorcycle that I ever owned, easily my 2000 RM 250. That bike was a turd, no top end, blew up all the time, handled HORRIBLY. Its only redeeming quality was that it turned really good.
" handled HORRIBLY. Its only redeeming quality was that it turned really good"......BlinkBlinkLaughing
Rodrigo_de Castro 3/29/2013 3:54am
3/29/2013 3:54am Edited Date/Time 3/29/2013 3:56am


This one a was complete piece of crap. The 1991 YZ 125
Slow, slow, slow when compared with the Suzuki and and Honda of that year
FoxPlatinum_12 3/31/2013 5:52am
3/31/2013 5:52am






Here's the 'X - Stream' 150 (or 200). Can out-turn anything on the market and out drag a factory 450 with the help of its Norton performance exhaust, so shouldn't really be on this list at all.

The Shop

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Kartwheel84c 3/31/2013 10:17am
3/31/2013 10:17am Edited Date/Time 3/31/2013 10:18am
Bikes newer than the Cannondale or the '04 Kawa-Zuki 250 are ineligible for "worst bike ever". Period. If you say a bike newer than that is the worst bike you have ever ridden, then you dont know what a bad bike really is.

I forgot the first post, the worst bike I've ever ridden by a LONG shot, is not the TM400, but my '77 Can-Am MX-3 250.
plowboy
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plowboy 3/31/2013 10:43am
3/31/2013 10:43am
Rupert X wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/03/25/Pitbikes_4_sale_012_32662.JPG[/img]
They just don't build 'em with this kind of innovation and craftsmanship any more...shame. That step seat is the shit. My very first 2 wheeled ride was a hardware store mini. If memory serves, it was made from leftover Ginsu knife blades...everything on it was sharp and left me bleeding.
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plowboy 3/31/2013 10:55am
3/31/2013 10:55am
I never had much fun with the old CL450 but it was so heavy and had virtually no suspension that only the truly insane tried to ride it at any speed..but the absolute worst bike I ever tried to get around on was the old SC500 Yamaha. It tried to kill you when you kicked it...it vibrated so bad that people anywhere near it stepped away...the thing refused to turn...and I'm not sure the brake cables were hooked to anything. Real competition for the TM400.
Steven_Perry 3/31/2013 11:48am
3/31/2013 11:48am
'81 CR450.4 speed that ran like a top alcohol dragster.I was 14 130 lbs and raced a '81 YZ 125.My buddy had the 450 and I wanted to race the man's class.Bad idea.I prepped for a week at the local resivor that we made a track in.That thing was a handfull.We went to Huron(where Bailey got hurt years later) and I entered the 500 novice class at the Trans Cal series.I came home loopy with a concussion.Lost my visor and snap on JT mouthguard after colliding with another rider over a double picked the bike up...blew the left hander thru the banners(I was gone!) and made it to the area we were parked and ate shit again right in front of some top pro's and my buddy and his girlfriend.Bad day and that bike always was hard to keep running.
plowboy
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plowboy 3/31/2013 11:52am
3/31/2013 11:52am
Steven_Perry wrote:
'81 CR450.4 speed that ran like a top alcohol dragster.I was 14 130 lbs and raced a '81 YZ 125.My buddy had the 450 and I...
'81 CR450.4 speed that ran like a top alcohol dragster.I was 14 130 lbs and raced a '81 YZ 125.My buddy had the 450 and I wanted to race the man's class.Bad idea.I prepped for a week at the local resivor that we made a track in.That thing was a handfull.We went to Huron(where Bailey got hurt years later) and I entered the 500 novice class at the Trans Cal series.I came home loopy with a concussion.Lost my visor and snap on JT mouthguard after colliding with another rider over a double picked the bike up...blew the left hander thru the banners(I was gone!) and made it to the area we were parked and ate shit again right in front of some top pro's and my buddy and his girlfriend.Bad day and that bike always was hard to keep running.
A day/experience like that is what I call "making memories"...may not have been much fun but you (and any witnesses) won't ever forget it....lol.
tblazier
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tblazier 3/31/2013 3:11pm
3/31/2013 3:11pm
1997 KTM 360SX TOTAL DEATH TRAP. Ran like a 125 with 60 hp. Scared the shit out of me on multiple occasions
TerryB
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TerryB 3/31/2013 4:24pm
3/31/2013 4:24pm
This is easy. For most people, it is simply the oldest bike they have ridden. People forget how far bikes have come. Sure, there are a few that stand out with some glaring flaws, (for me, the '97 CR250 comes to mind), but even that bike's ill-handling, (along with the current YZ450), are dream-bikes compared to some of the stuff of yore.
ehr400
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ehr400 3/31/2013 5:33pm
3/31/2013 5:33pm
2004 SX250. My buddy had one. Retarded fast that couldn't turn. Suspension and frame were outta whack too.

2002 CR 250. Slow, jetting was funky, didn't care how it handled.

1997 CR 250. Enough said.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 3/31/2013 8:40pm
3/31/2013 8:40pm
Jordan421 wrote:
the handling was awful!!! i had an 06 yzf 250 at the time and every time i rode the crf, i thought i was going to...
the handling was awful!!! i had an 06 yzf 250 at the time and every time i rode the crf, i thought i was going to die!
chuckie108 wrote:
Wow, I get maybe not a favorite but the worst bike ever? Just started riding again after a 7 year lay off, and this is my...
Wow, I get maybe not a favorite but the worst bike ever? Just started riding again after a 7 year lay off, and this is my current ride- has 20mm clamps and RG3 Diamond Kit Suspension and I think it's great- every bit as good as my buddies '12 KTM. I guess this thread shows that a guy's taste in bikes can be like their tastes in women- diverese. Fun thread though.
user760a wrote:
. You must be joking, the 03 CRF would just about get my vote for one of the best bikes ever.The only thing shitty about the...
. You must be joking, the 03 CRF would just about get my vote for one of the best bikes ever.The only thing shitty about the 03 CRF is valve life. I can still remember the first time I rode one. I had a mildly tricked out 02 CR250 in almost new condition. Two laps on the 450 and I instantly knew my 250
was obsolete junk. when I got back on my 250 I really wanted to ghost ride it off a cliff, the 450 was so much better
Man....I agree with you so much!! I had an extremely hopped up ( Tom Morgan built ) 1999 KX250....it was one badass SOB for a 2 stroke. Had some awesome 250 INT races on that thing for a couple years.....and it's why I decided to keep it.

Long story short.....I had a buddy that went to prison for 6 months , and he had a 2001 YZF426 and YZF250.......he said " Here....keep these , race the hell out of them....I'll get em' back when I get out" . So I rode the hell out of both of them for 6 months....on top of riding my KX250....but I was starting to fall in love with the 4 strokes and I started doing better in my races on them.

He gets out of prison and picks up his bikes. Another buddy shows up with a brand new 2002 CRF450 ( first year)....I took it a couple laps........more like 15 laps! I didn't want to get off of it! Two weeks later , I sold my KX250 and bought a new 2002 Honda CRF450........my other buddy with the YZF's was pissed!! HA!....he tried to convert me over to the Yamaha's....and I went Honda.

That 02 CRF450 got the hell ridden out of it for 3yrs . Had some solid motor work done on here , after market pipe , Hinson Clutch and so forth......one of the best bikes I ever owned. And it can't hold a candle to my 08' CRF450. Still have it.....and probably the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.
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jeffro503 3/31/2013 8:44pm
3/31/2013 8:44pm
BTW.....the biggest hunk of crap I ever rode ( back in 84' ) when I had my 1982 RM125........was this dudes brand new 1984 KTM 125. I couldn't even explain how much of a pile of shit that bike was! It was seriously like riding something that was 10yrs older than my bike......and felt loose and sloppy.......and it was brand new!
smezmx
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smezmx 2/9/2014 2:38am
2/9/2014 2:38am Edited Date/Time 2/9/2014 3:24am
headache wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/03/25/IMG00086_20100813_1340_968771.jpg[/img] 84 Kx250. done full rebuild on it and within 5 minutes of riding bolts were vibrating loose everywhere. didn't turn for shit, frontend would washout...


84 Kx250. done full rebuild on it and within 5 minutes of riding bolts were vibrating loose everywhere. didn't turn for shit, frontend would washout in soft dirt every time. motor screamed though. lets just say motor technology was way ahead of braking and chassis technology in 1984
kinda strange that the 84 250 was that bad considering the 84 kx125 was a great bike.i remember it winning the 125 shootout's in the mx magazines.as for the brakes kawasaki were the first company to introduce a front disc brake (surely better than a drum brake) on a production mx bike in 1982.the yz and rm's still had front drum brake's in 1984.kawasaki were also the first to introduce a rear disc brake on a production mx bike in 86 too.
just an observation.

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mx317
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mx317 2/9/2014 7:15am
2/9/2014 7:15am
79 RM400. That POS broke frames, hubs, clutch hubs, etc. I never had a bike that broke so much.
Redrcr34
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Redrcr34 2/9/2014 7:59am
2/9/2014 7:59am Edited Date/Time 2/9/2014 8:01am
TerryK wrote:
I must be the only guy on the planet that loved the 85' CR500 and the first generation aluminum frame CR250s! lol My 85 CR500 was...
I must be the only guy on the planet that loved the 85' CR500 and the first generation aluminum frame CR250s! lol

My 85 CR500 was a super fun wheelie machine and my 98 CR250 was a killer woods weapon. (it was a former Mike Craig/Honda of Troy bike) Pro Circuit kit Suspension was amazing.
Hut wrote:
Loved the 85 CR500 only complaint was the hole it ripped in my Hallman/Sidi boot sole kicking it over. 98 not so much. Worst bike I...
Loved the 85 CR500 only complaint was the hole it ripped in my Hallman/Sidi boot sole kicking it over. 98 not so much.
Worst bike I remember riding was a '78 TM250
98 cr250 was the worst for me
Outsider
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Outsider 2/9/2014 8:35am
2/9/2014 8:35am
tblazier wrote:
1997 KTM 360SX TOTAL DEATH TRAP. Ran like a 125 with 60 hp. Scared the shit out of me on multiple occasions[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/03/31/image_990932.jpg[/img]
1997 KTM 360SX TOTAL DEATH TRAP. Ran like a 125 with 60 hp. Scared the shit out of me on multiple occasions
Totally agree! Worst bike I ever owned hands down.
Zycki11
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Zycki11 2/9/2014 10:24am
2/9/2014 10:24am
99 CR125. Thing was a pooch! Two different instances that broke my heart. I had it around 2003. Had a downhill start with some 250fs and 125's at a state race. Got a great jump and as soon as I clicked third, I watched a pack of guys go by. 1st to 8th and it hurt. Next race was a uphill start. I decided to get crafty and pick the far outside gate. Uphill left hand start. The start straight was tilled deep. Found a gate that was just grass all the way up. Ripped a great start and got almost got the holeshot. Won the race but the damage was done. It was time for a new yamaha
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mark_swart 2/9/2014 10:39am
2/9/2014 10:39am
queen of spodes wrote:
[img]http://vintagemx.com.au/wp-content/gallery/yamaha-yz125/1986_yz125.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.kellymotodepoca.com/images/Yamaha-MX400B_75.jpg[/img] [img]https://www.motorera.com/honda/h0250/cr250r/cr250r-90.jpg[/img]




I'll caveat my response with one thing: I have never had the "pleasure" of riding a YZ 490, because I've never heard anything good about them.

That being said, I'm 100 percent with you on the 86 YZ 125. Conventional / non-cartridge forks, a bottom end only powerband, the weirdest ergos ever and a drum brake to boot. Anyone who bought one of these in 1986 was at a truly unfair disadvantage to anyone riding red.

My runner up worst bike is the 97 CR 250. A twitchy blender on wheels.
Anthony Siracuse 2/9/2014 11:01am
2/9/2014 11:01am
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
[img]https://www.motorcycledaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2000/07/RM125.jpg[/img] 2001 RM125: Absolute Garbage. Hated that thing. Nightmare city. Nauseating me now just thinking about it. Yuck.



2001 RM125: Absolute Garbage. Hated that thing. Nightmare city. Nauseating me now just thinking about it. Yuck.
C'mon man. I love my 04 rm125.


Mine is KTM 450. Not sure what year it just felt so awkward.
plowboy
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plowboy 2/9/2014 12:59pm
2/9/2014 12:59pm
queen of spodes wrote:
[img]http://vintagemx.com.au/wp-content/gallery/yamaha-yz125/1986_yz125.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.kellymotodepoca.com/images/Yamaha-MX400B_75.jpg[/img] [img]https://www.motorera.com/honda/h0250/cr250r/cr250r-90.jpg[/img]




mark_swart wrote:
I'll caveat my response with one thing: I have never had the "pleasure" of riding a YZ 490, because I've never heard anything good about them...
I'll caveat my response with one thing: I have never had the "pleasure" of riding a YZ 490, because I've never heard anything good about them.

That being said, I'm 100 percent with you on the 86 YZ 125. Conventional / non-cartridge forks, a bottom end only powerband, the weirdest ergos ever and a drum brake to boot. Anyone who bought one of these in 1986 was at a truly unfair disadvantage to anyone riding red.

My runner up worst bike is the 97 CR 250. A twitchy blender on wheels.
Hey now...that '75 MX400 is the bike I took to England in '77. I was a 125 guy so the power scared me but the only real gripe I had was that stiff monoshock. I weighed about 158lbs and I'm not sure I ever got it to move. A real bucking bronc. But I do remember it cornered real good...at least for me.
Drtbykr
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Drtbykr 2/9/2014 1:27pm
2/9/2014 1:27pm
Owned, my KTM, until I put a Scott's damper and had the forks done by FC. Now, I love it some of its characteristics and will probably never sell it.

Had a TM400, never raced it but at least it had power.

Worst bike I ever rode, a friend TS185 Suzuki 10 speed, 2 @ 5. It had the most dead motor ever!!
MotoX85
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MotoX85 2/9/2014 1:28pm
2/9/2014 1:28pm
1993 YZ125, absolutely thee slowest bike I have ever ridden. I actually still owned that bike until 2 years ago and my sons KTM65SX would smoke it in a drag race.

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