What is a Bike you Personally had great luck with

bents
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CA
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5/24/2019 11:27am
Literally every Yamaha I have ever owned has been bulletproof. 99 YZF400, 2001 426, 2002 YZ250, 2003 YzF450, 2003 YZF 250, 2005 YZ250, 2006 YZF450, 2008 YZ250, 2008 YZF250 (put a 265 kit in this bike-worked awesome). The only bike I DIDN'T like was the 426-flamed out and stalled on the regular and was a total whore to start-never cussed at a bike so much in my life.
davistld01
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8680
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4/1/2008
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Springfield, MO US
5/24/2019 11:30am Edited Date/Time 5/24/2019 11:34am
1971 Honda trail 70w/clutch. Hey, don't laugh... you asked. If that's not what you're looking for then I guess every YZ 125 from latter 70s and...
1971 Honda trail 70w/clutch. Hey, don't laugh... you asked. If that's not what you're looking for then I guess every YZ 125 from latter 70s and early 80s I owned as well as the 87 CR 500 were all bikes that never let me down. There was the 1974 Yamaha MX 125 that while reliable.. would exhibit sudden full throttle syndrome at any time.
It's hard to pick just one with Jap bikes. They've got it down for the most part.
Haha! I can relate, Phantom! My first bike of any kind was a Honda Trail 70 Automatic...and I talked my Dad into trading it for one with a clutch. He had a 70-71 Honda SL125, and I completely destroyed both bikes eventually...but had a lot of fun doing it.

From there, I had several really great bikes...or at least I was successful on them, and they didn't break.

1972 Penton 125
1973 Husqvarna 125CR (well...ok, it broke a lot!)
1974 Husqvarna 250CR Mag (favorite bike forever)
1996 Honda CR250
1
mattyhamz2
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So Cal, CA US
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5/24/2019 11:44am
2014 YZ450
2005 YZ250
2017 RMZ450
2005 KX250F
1
1

The Shop

coastie44
Posts
545
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1/19/2013
Location
NorCal, CA US
5/24/2019 11:51am
KX450f

I had never owned a Kawi and bought one in ‘13 due to a smoking deal I got.

OMG , this was the perfect bike for me. Solved all the problems I had with my Honda’s (04, 05, ‘07) and Kim (‘13). Perfectly reliable for 100+ hrs except for chain rollers and sliders, and clutches every 40jrs or so. That was about what I got with Honda clutches anyway. I’m an abuser.

I loved it so much I bought a ‘17 when they came out. Will buy a ‘20 next year.
1
Tbteam
Posts
2799
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Ormond Beach, FL US
5/24/2019 12:18pm
Ruttman Horny Toad with a 4HP Tecumseh. I once forgot to put oil in it when I changed it and ran it till it seized. Put oil in it, let it cool down, and bam! Ran perfect.
1
crusher773
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Location
Coweta, OK US
5/24/2019 1:58pm
1971 Honda trail 70w/clutch. Hey, don't laugh... you asked. If that's not what you're looking for then I guess every YZ 125 from latter 70s and...
1971 Honda trail 70w/clutch. Hey, don't laugh... you asked. If that's not what you're looking for then I guess every YZ 125 from latter 70s and early 80s I owned as well as the 87 CR 500 were all bikes that never let me down. There was the 1974 Yamaha MX 125 that while reliable.. would exhibit sudden full throttle syndrome at any time.
It's hard to pick just one with Jap bikes. They've got it down for the most part.
No judgement those things are cool.
1
seventeen
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359
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Location
Port Saint Lucie, FL US
5/24/2019 2:49pm
CG118 wrote:
KTM 200SX. Holeshot machine, for me.
Racing against 125's??
Phantom 661
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717
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Location
Torrance, CA US
5/25/2019 9:15am
1971 Honda trail 70w/clutch. Hey, don't laugh... you asked. If that's not what you're looking for then I guess every YZ 125 from latter 70s and...
1971 Honda trail 70w/clutch. Hey, don't laugh... you asked. If that's not what you're looking for then I guess every YZ 125 from latter 70s and early 80s I owned as well as the 87 CR 500 were all bikes that never let me down. There was the 1974 Yamaha MX 125 that while reliable.. would exhibit sudden full throttle syndrome at any time.
It's hard to pick just one with Jap bikes. They've got it down for the most part.
davistld01 wrote:
Haha! I can relate, Phantom! My first bike of any kind was a Honda Trail 70 Automatic...and I talked my Dad into trading it for one...
Haha! I can relate, Phantom! My first bike of any kind was a Honda Trail 70 Automatic...and I talked my Dad into trading it for one with a clutch. He had a 70-71 Honda SL125, and I completely destroyed both bikes eventually...but had a lot of fun doing it.

From there, I had several really great bikes...or at least I was successful on them, and they didn't break.

1972 Penton 125
1973 Husqvarna 125CR (well...ok, it broke a lot!)
1974 Husqvarna 250CR Mag (favorite bike forever)
1996 Honda CR250
Never did get to ride a Husqvarna. Those were the bikes everyone wished they had back in the day. Penton was rare to see. I think my neighbor Tim Hart (RIP) used to race for them (Montesa or both) at one time during his career.
VetMX.com
Posts
611
Joined
5/28/2018
Location
Magnolia, TX US
5/25/2019 10:04am
1976 YZ80C
1978 RM125
1981 RM125
1992 CR250
1998 YZ400F
2003 YZ450F Dragster power, 3rd gear holeshots.
Current bikes
2005 RM125
2005 RM250
2005 RMZ450
2003 ZX10

Looking back, I wish I would have kept all of them..
kkawboy14
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11494
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6/5/2015
Location
TX US
5/25/2019 10:11am
Kawasaki’s, bigger bike for bigger guys, stable everywhere, doesn’t take a rocket scientist to get the suspension set up, and for most of my 35 years paid out the most to amateur racers!

Other brands would have a good year here or there for this or that but KXs always had the broad spectrum covered, IMHO
2
Chance1216
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Federal Way, WA US
5/25/2019 12:55pm
Ken202 wrote:
Does a 1976 Honda Z50a count? It was indestructible. I ran the transmission completely dry once (forgot to refill the oil after changing it!) and rode...
Does a 1976 Honda Z50a count? It was indestructible. I ran the transmission completely dry once (forgot to refill the oil after changing it!) and rode it to the back of the farm. On the way back it squealed like a pig, then locked up. I pushed it into the barn, filled the transmission with a couple cans of BG EPC and let it sit for a couple of days. (Remember EPC? "Extreme Pressure Concentrate", the stuff that'll make your big shift smooth but clutch plates slip like hell?

So then a few days later I went out to the barn and pushed the kick starter through the motion a few times. Then gave it a good kick. It started up! And would go into first gear! So I drained the EPC from the trans and refilled it with regular oil. And continued to beat the shit out of it until Dad decided I was too big for it and bought me a '78 RM80 which I raced regularly at the Austin night track.
Had a 69 Honda mini trail 50 as a kid
Yeah that thing just kept on ticking. Even after spraying the garden hose into the exhaust trying to wash it out. (I was eight). After my grandfather figured out what I did cause it wasn't starting he just stood it up and got the water out. Few kicks later it started and off I went.
PFitzG38
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1628
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11/6/2009
Location
Newport Beach, CA US
5/25/2019 1:17pm Edited Date/Time 5/25/2019 1:21pm
2006 Honda CRF 490 big bore. Sold last year, I used to win 50 int at REM on the reg. Finally won my class at Mammoth and at the Vet Worlds. Pulled holeshots whenever I felt like it. Finally moved to expert, led some laps a few motos. Finally gave in to KTM in 2017 and bought a 450 Haven’t so much as led a lap and can’t seem to get to the first turn in a decent manner. I know it’s me, but it been frustrating as hell

I had really good luck on a 2006 Honda CRF for 10 years!
Oh yeah. I had some pretty good luck with an MR50 teaching my bro how to ride - of course I taught him a little to well, as he smokes me now a days
Tarz483
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Mankato, MN US
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5/25/2019 2:05pm
My 1st Race bike was 1987 CR80
My parents weren't into moto, and i didn't know anything about maintenance, i could Ride right out of the garage
So i probably put 150 hours on it in 1 summer riding every day plus tagging along with friends to the races
In 1 summer i races it probably 10 times
All on 1 set of tires, never changed sprockets or chain,
Never adjusted suspension, stock everything lol
All it ever got was, Filter cleaned every ride, i lived in a sandy area, and oil changed about once a month,
It held up well, i rode the whole season and it finally seized in the fall , pops had it fixed and Sold it and
Then I got a 1991 KX125 I didn't have anything to compare to i had never ridden any other 125 but
I was very comfortable on it, i chose the Kawasaki because my favorite rider at the time Was Mike Kiedrowski.
He killed it on the Kawasaki 125!
Same thing i barely maintain it just because i didn't know how and rode it 1 whole season on original tires , never changed the piston nothing and it held up.
SEEMEFIRST
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10965
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8/21/2006
Location
Arlington, TX US
5/25/2019 5:38pm
Ken202 wrote:
Does a 1976 Honda Z50a count? It was indestructible. I ran the transmission completely dry once (forgot to refill the oil after changing it!) and rode...
Does a 1976 Honda Z50a count? It was indestructible. I ran the transmission completely dry once (forgot to refill the oil after changing it!) and rode it to the back of the farm. On the way back it squealed like a pig, then locked up. I pushed it into the barn, filled the transmission with a couple cans of BG EPC and let it sit for a couple of days. (Remember EPC? "Extreme Pressure Concentrate", the stuff that'll make your big shift smooth but clutch plates slip like hell?

So then a few days later I went out to the barn and pushed the kick starter through the motion a few times. Then gave it a good kick. It started up! And would go into first gear! So I drained the EPC from the trans and refilled it with regular oil. And continued to beat the shit out of it until Dad decided I was too big for it and bought me a '78 RM80 which I raced regularly at the Austin night track.
I was going to add a '73 XR 75.

3-4 of us tried but couldn't kill it. We had zero maintenance skills, just rode it.
1
bvm111
Posts
9287
Joined
7/1/2008
Location
Las Vegas, NV US
5/25/2019 7:30pm
My 16 KX450 is pretty sweet
1
Phantom 661
Posts
717
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2/7/2013
Location
Torrance, CA US
5/25/2019 11:44pm
Ken202 wrote:
Does a 1976 Honda Z50a count? It was indestructible. I ran the transmission completely dry once (forgot to refill the oil after changing it!) and rode...
Does a 1976 Honda Z50a count? It was indestructible. I ran the transmission completely dry once (forgot to refill the oil after changing it!) and rode it to the back of the farm. On the way back it squealed like a pig, then locked up. I pushed it into the barn, filled the transmission with a couple cans of BG EPC and let it sit for a couple of days. (Remember EPC? "Extreme Pressure Concentrate", the stuff that'll make your big shift smooth but clutch plates slip like hell?

So then a few days later I went out to the barn and pushed the kick starter through the motion a few times. Then gave it a good kick. It started up! And would go into first gear! So I drained the EPC from the trans and refilled it with regular oil. And continued to beat the shit out of it until Dad decided I was too big for it and bought me a '78 RM80 which I raced regularly at the Austin night track.
Chance1216 wrote:
Had a 69 Honda mini trail 50 as a kid Yeah that thing just kept on ticking. Even after spraying the garden hose into the exhaust...
Had a 69 Honda mini trail 50 as a kid
Yeah that thing just kept on ticking. Even after spraying the garden hose into the exhaust trying to wash it out. (I was eight). After my grandfather figured out what I did cause it wasn't starting he just stood it up and got the water out. Few kicks later it started and off I went.
I didn't mention it in my above post but I had a 68 Honda trail 50 for a couple years. Bought it used from a kid down the block in 69 or 70. Yes, they were bullet proof. Rode it in the Mojave just about every weekend when I was 8 y/o. The Honda 70 seemed like a big upgrade and twice the top speed. Great memories on both models! Jeff Ward rode a Z50 himself as a kid.
1
mxer15
Posts
87
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1/4/2019
Location
Lady Lake, FL US
5/27/2019 8:17am
2008 kx250f I raced vet class and was pretty decent in 08 got the bike after a few years on 450s . Well after I stopped trying to ride it like it was a 450, I realized although not the fastest 250f the powerband was magic. It was a pure racer when ridin hard after 2 years of racing it and 1st overalls I sold it(had a lot of time on it) regretted ever since
Chance1216
Posts
5169
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Federal Way, WA US
5/27/2019 11:21am
Ken202 wrote:
Does a 1976 Honda Z50a count? It was indestructible. I ran the transmission completely dry once (forgot to refill the oil after changing it!) and rode...
Does a 1976 Honda Z50a count? It was indestructible. I ran the transmission completely dry once (forgot to refill the oil after changing it!) and rode it to the back of the farm. On the way back it squealed like a pig, then locked up. I pushed it into the barn, filled the transmission with a couple cans of BG EPC and let it sit for a couple of days. (Remember EPC? "Extreme Pressure Concentrate", the stuff that'll make your big shift smooth but clutch plates slip like hell?

So then a few days later I went out to the barn and pushed the kick starter through the motion a few times. Then gave it a good kick. It started up! And would go into first gear! So I drained the EPC from the trans and refilled it with regular oil. And continued to beat the shit out of it until Dad decided I was too big for it and bought me a '78 RM80 which I raced regularly at the Austin night track.
Chance1216 wrote:
Had a 69 Honda mini trail 50 as a kid Yeah that thing just kept on ticking. Even after spraying the garden hose into the exhaust...
Had a 69 Honda mini trail 50 as a kid
Yeah that thing just kept on ticking. Even after spraying the garden hose into the exhaust trying to wash it out. (I was eight). After my grandfather figured out what I did cause it wasn't starting he just stood it up and got the water out. Few kicks later it started and off I went.
I didn't mention it in my above post but I had a 68 Honda trail 50 for a couple years. Bought it used from a kid...
I didn't mention it in my above post but I had a 68 Honda trail 50 for a couple years. Bought it used from a kid down the block in 69 or 70. Yes, they were bullet proof. Rode it in the Mojave just about every weekend when I was 8 y/o. The Honda 70 seemed like a big upgrade and twice the top speed. Great memories on both models! Jeff Ward rode a Z50 himself as a kid.
Yep. Good ole Mojave. My family took me out there often. Back then we didn't know we were in Edwards AFB until the MPs showed up and told us to leave. Last time I rode there I was 11. (1988). My grandfather had a cabin in Frazier park near Gorman. I rode that thing all summer there. Funny cause I'm having flashbacks of doing whatever it took to ride. Wearing my uncles work boots that were a little big, getting in trouble for wearing my school pants...... But that's another thread lol. Family didn't have much money but still loved motorcycles.
HenryA
Posts
3789
Joined
12/29/2011
Location
Stockholm SE
5/27/2019 11:29am
09 CRF450. Probably the only guy in the world that liked that bike but I put 85 hrs on it and it never let me down.
2
Gravel
Posts
1136
Joined
2/22/2014
Location
Ridgecrest, CA US
5/27/2019 12:04pm
86, 88 and 92 KX500s. In the late 80s and early 90s I was buying these things used for a song, revalving the suspension and racing for cheap! Great times, solid bikes.
5/27/2019 12:26pm
mx510 wrote:
1998 YZ 125. I rode the crap out of that bike and loved it. I raced it an entire day two classes on a sand track...
1998 YZ 125. I rode the crap out of that bike and loved it. I raced it an entire day two classes on a sand track with no oil in the tranny and it lasted until the last Moto of the day before it finally let. go. That bike was amazing. After that I would say my 2007 CRF450 was an awesome bike.
1998 YZ250. I beat the shit out of that bike and it kept on going.

1
burn1986
Posts
9740
Joined
4/16/2010
Location
bossier city, LA US
Fantasy
3280th
5/27/2019 12:32pm Edited Date/Time 5/27/2019 12:34pm
99 YZ125 was the fastest bike I had, and it was bulletproof.

However, the bike I enjoyed riding the most was the 95 KX 125. Several times I had jumped and was almost sideways in the air and the bike straightened out perfect when I came down.
1
Moto520
Posts
3375
Joined
2/4/2013
Location
Schaumburg, IL US
5/27/2019 3:45pm
2013 Honda CRF250 has been a great bike. I keep it around as a backup to my race bike and it never fails me. Great bike for stadium mx tracks. Turns great and no problems after a shit ton of hard hours
Johnny Oz
Posts
139
Joined
3/26/2019
Location
AU
5/27/2019 4:04pm
* First time l ever won prizemoney - 1981 Honda CR450R.

* Most races won - 1982 Suzuki RM250Z.

* Easiest bike to go fast on at 60 years old; Modern - 2011 RMZ450, vintage - '79 KX250 chassis with KDX450 engine.
CR92
Posts
456
Joined
1/27/2010
Location
Beaverton, OR US
5/27/2019 4:10pm
2005 rm125. Bought it brand new at the end of 06' and have loved it ever since. I've only done the most basic of maintenance and have definitely abused it more times than I can count. Never had a single issue.

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