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Bikes you know are krap, but other guys love.

4K views 48 replies 32 participants last post by  Greaser 
#1 ·
having had lots of models of various brands that I thought I'd really like there were a few kraptastic ones in there that gave me grief and I unloaded ASAP then bought another one that I really liked and that one would be fantastic. Sell it for some reason and the next one I thought would be a good fit would be .... again .... a pretty unspectacular POS for me.

I'd meet other guys on the road and see what they had and I used to ride and they would be in love with the thing.. I'd think to myself what's to love, I had one and it ain't lovable for sure.

Of course there were times I'd be riding and hook up with a guy who had the bike I was on and we'd confab about what was great about that particular model.

But all in all there's all sorts of people out there with different tastes and loyalties. Even if they know they're riding a POS they won't let on because it's disloyal somehow.

C'mon guys. You know it's true. Any of us who have been riding for a few have bought bikes that weren't exactly our cup of tea.

lets hear what bike was a good fit for you and one you wish you'd never laid eyes on.
 
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#4 ·
'84 Honda VT500 Ascot. Water-cooled V-Twin with a shaft drive and 6 speed gearbox. Sounds promising right? It was boring. Left street bikes for a couple of years after that one (learner bike) because I found it was more fun to drive the Mustang convertible than ride that bike.

There are people who love them, though.

My Thruxton brought me back.
 
#6 ·
I have to disagree a bit and present the following:
.
. a) A motorcycle is somewhat similar to sex , in that , the worst I've ever had was still a remarkable experience !
. b) There is no such thing as bad sex or cycles----only varying degrees of good !
. c) Sex or cycles----offered either , you'll be hard put to say "NO THANK YOU " !..............................................................
 
#12 ·
Hi
1983 HD FXST, started out great, made me feel free and easy on the great American Freedom Machine,:Chopper
Kacked itself in a big way, four time's in 4,000ks, first time I had to get a mate with a ute and drive two hours to a shop, ended up they had to send it to Sydney at my expence cause nobody had the tools or knowledge. Did it three more time's before we parted company, kicking myself for trading my Commando!:(
1984 K100RS, I felt like a factory test rider, kept haveing to ride 3hrs to the dealer to get things fixed, I thought I would go with BMW for what I had presumed was german reliability.:(
Swore off buying new bikes, bought a busted arse 860GT Duke and restored it, never had a problem, and she went like a train on rails.:D
Just to prove that getting older hasn't really made me too much wiser, I've just not long sold a Roadking that I couldnt feel safe on, handled like a shopping trolly.:eek: krap I'm getting all depressed, best take the Bonnie Wee Lass for a ride.:D
Cheers Doug:motorbike2
 
#14 ·
I've been riding for quite some years and have had different bikes. I can truthfully say that they all were good bikes in their own way. I've had dirt bikes as a kid. As an adult, a Honda Magna VF700, Yamaha FJ1100, Honda Nighthawk 700, Suzuki SV1000 and the Speed Triple.

While I love my current bike, it's been a frustrating situation dealing with parts and dealer support. That part has taken away from my experience. However, it's my favorite of all of them.

If I was going to vote the most craptastic, it would have to be Harley. I'm not a Harley hater but for the money, it's really a ripoff. I can't stand when people ask, "do you ride a Harley?" I say "no". Then they say, "oh wow, that's such a great American bike. It's always from non riders or wannabes.

If I wanted to spend a lot of money on American, I'd probably buy a Motus.


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#15 · (Edited)
Ouch!! One of my favorite bikes was an 85 Harley FXRP. I bought it at the police auction in SoCal. Drove thousands of trouble free miles and the FXRP actually handled pretty well, a floorboard scraper (NYUK). Very comfortable. I knew that the original batch of CHP bikes were assembled in the race shop of Harley, so things were tweaked a bit, the Electronic ignition had higher revs, the heads were milled and a couple of other things I can't recall. A very good bike. When I had to sell it my brother bought it and has it to this day. Been in the family for 26 years.

I thought I wanted a cooking single so I bought an SR500 Yamaha. It was pretty much a piece of junk. Never could keep it running well.

I have a cousin who bought a Victory, I think it was a Vegas. Now that's a bike that $hits and gets. Very fast, but I was kinda put off by hearing the clunk in the tranny every time he shifted the thing. I don't think you're supposed to be able to hear the tranny shift 50ft away and in the wind.
 
#16 ·
I'm a Triumph owner/rider thru and thru. I've had a Triumph since the 70's. I love the make. BUT this Harley bashing isn't about the bikes but some of the owners. I've had my Sporty since 2005 and never one minutes trouble with it. C'mon guys get over the bashing.:cool:
 
#28 ·
It sounds cliche but I have friends that ride Harleys. Sure, there are Harley riders that are jerks. However, I've seen plenty of jerks on Sport bikes too. My bashing has more to do with the value of the bike. Way over priced. I've ridden a few Harleys and wasn't impressed. If they were in line with the price of other bikes, I don't think I would include Harley. Well, at least not the current lot. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle.com App
 
#17 ·
These threads always seem to start out bad and get worse. If someone has a bike that puts a smile on their face and that they love to ride then so be it for them it is a good bike. Who cares if someone else does not like it.
The Rocket is a good example to some it is a beast and butt ugly , but I love it . I love the power and the way it handles for such a large bike. I could give a rat's arse what someone else thinks about it.
I suggest toning down the HD bashing before the thread gets censored or locked. Just some friendly advice.
 
#23 ·
These threads always seem to start out bad and get worse.
I suggest toning down the HD bashing before the thread gets censored or locked. Just some friendly advice.
So what you're saying is we should complain about all bikes we've had and didn't like as long as it's not a Harley? Never owned one so I have nothing to say about them.
I've only owned 6 bikes in my short riding life so far, can't say I disliked any of them.
 
#18 ·
Where's HAP when we need him to rag on two strokes?
 
G
#24 · (Edited)
I wasn't going to comment but couldn't help myself.

Having owned and ridden lots of bikes in the last 55+ years I can attest to having bought and ridden stinkers.

No one bike brand stands out nor any single model but I have found for every rotten, break down prone model I have ridden, some one else thinks the bike is god's gift to the motorcycle world.

There are bikes that are so old tech wise they are older than me but no matter the cost the bikes sell and some folks swear they are the best. I can't fault some one for paying two times what any other well built bike would cost as we all have succumbed to that some how or other. Like "scooter rebuild," "bobber build", "one of a kind", "OCC ego only purchase" and my favorite one "I want a Motus because no one else will have one or I want a Norton for the same reason" Yep, no one will ever have one allright.

All those old classics in baskets under the bed with monsters, odd Italian opposed V-Twins, the creg's list wonders, death in the family sale of dad's 1987 BMW, cool Harley gotta haves.

Yea, we all all have bought some stinkers but hey, they are motorcycles and we are motorcycle riders.
 
#19 ·
Maybe I read the thread wrong?



Hi Fella's
I was tellin a yarn about some of the not so flash experiance's I've encountered riding bike's for the last forty years.
I thought that was the theme of the thread?:confused:
Not my fault if a Harley was in there, I must like some thing about them, I bought another one 24 years later, that was my fault, I didnt do my home work, and you can't realy get a good idea from a test ride. There was a Beemer in the story too.:D
To be honest, I wish I had that softail in the back of the shed, chain drive, kick starter, carbie, 4 speed box, simpler motor.:cool:
As I said in another thread, if I had of been born rich instead of good lookin, I'd have a big shed with all the bikes I've owned.:laughhard
Any way what is, is what is, on with the show.
PS: Hi Boldor, Pretty much west of Glen Innes, I move around a bit, prefer small rural towns, hate to live on the coast again. too much noise and humidity. Only bin to Bathhurst for the race's.
Cheers Doug
 
#21 ·
Huh? What's that? Can't hear ya.




Even their bicycle is too loud. Sorry if you own one, but I don't care too much for walrus & co. built anything. Just an opinion based on nothing more than a reality show about dysfunction.

I could be wrong.





Your friend Nort
 
#22 ·
#25 ·
Triumph Sprint. Obviously built on a Monday with a stonking hangover or on a Friday after a wet lunch.

Would own another in a heart beat but hated mine.
 
#26 ·
Not a bash; just an honest personal assessment.

I owned a 2005 Harley Soft-Tail Deuce for several months; I bought it off a buddy who was in a financial bind. Oddly enough, I was considering a Rocket III at the time. I thought that the Harley would give me a taste of how a heavier bike would handle. If it suited me; I could always trade up later. Ownership could be best described as lukewarm.

Cons:

1. Getting on and moving off feels like launching a supertanker; you
do get used to it though.

2. It's a bike that drives like a car; due to it's neutral handling
and 'wooden' brakes. This was my biggest 'turn-off' that later
influenced me to trade it in on a new truck.

3. Every component on the bike, down to the last fastener is
robust; as if it were built by Chicago Bridge and Iron. :D



Pros:

1. In the time my buddy and I owned the bike, other than
semi-regular maintenance; it never needed repairs of any kind.
Until I got it, it was stored on a front porch with a plastic tarp
thrown over it. Whatever negative issues folks may have with
the brand; I found the build quality to be on par with anything
else on the market.

2. The engine pulls like a freight train. There's no need to 'row the
gearbox'. You can be one or two gears off; just roll on more
throttle. Contrary to popular belief, the engine is not weak, it
just has a lower power-band. If you flog it, it gets up to 110 MPH
as quickly as my Thruxton; while dragging an extra 200 lbs or so.

3. The demand keeps the resale value high; not as high as before,
but still not too shabby. Auto dealers are so desperate to sell
cars that I found one that took it on trade-in for the same price
that I paid for it.

4. Riding one at parking lot speeds forces you to exploit/work the
friction zone on the clutch. It's the most effective control on the
bike. With practice they will turn tight; but you have to do your
part.

In short, Harleys aren't for everyone. They don't do much for me; but owning one wasn't a nightmare. It's more a matter of tastes in configuration and style; heavier bikes just don't cut it for the type of riding I like. There are folks who put a lot of miles on them; they're not all garage queens ridden by pretenders from bar to bar. .........................James.
 
#27 ·
I am currently riding a Harley until I get a Triumph, and I have to say that I'm not impressed. The Harley is my first road bike coming from motocross and at first I loved it, but I was comparing it to my car. Now that I have ridden a few different bikes and have studied the new technologies that are available I think that Harleys are a horrible value. The brakes suck, the handling sucks, its slow, and Harley parts are very expensive. It is comfortable crusing on the highway, but its too relaxed for my style of riding.

BUT I still ride it everyday because I would rather be on two wheels than four!
 
#29 ·
As a teenager with no money I got what was cheap. One of the cheap things I got was a 70's Bultaco. When it worked it was really fun, but it was made out of unobtainium which looked like metal but wouldn't bend, it just broke like a ceramic bowl, and couldn't be welded with any technology of the 70's. To top it all off, replacement parts were hand-carried from Spain on sailing ships!
 
#30 ·
That we all ride a bike is THE most important thing. It's just that in my experience I had some that didn't exactly light up my nose hairs as well as others did and, God help me, there's bikes out there I still want to sample and can't afford.
 
#40 ·
I will take that further: Any cruiser. Any bike where your feet are in front of your bum. Prolly 'cause I can't feel comfortable heading into a corner feet first.
 
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