Topic: The 10 Worst Handling Motorcycles Of All Time

[Zaipai]

Saw this in a link from BikeExif.. Thought it would be fun.

http://classicmotorcycles.about.com/od/historicaldevelopment/tp/The-10-Worst-Handling-Motorcycles-Of-All-Time.htm


.: Scott :.

[Markcb750]

I would have to add the Honda 305 Dream to that list.  Its like riding a two wheeled 65 Cadillac down the road.

[Zaipai]

I would have to add the Honda 305 Dream to that list.  Its like riding a two wheeled 65 Cadillac down the road.

I have never been on one, however that is what I have heard before.. I think I would add any ridged frame bike.

.: Scott :.

[Bwana]

I would have to add the Honda 305 Dream to that list.  Its like riding a two wheeled 65 Cadillac down the road.

I have never been on one, however that is what I have heard before.. I think I would add any ridged frame bike.

.: Scott :.

Nothing in place to coax the rear wheel  into staying on the ground.  I had a friend come over with a "new"  bike he'd purchased.  He insisted I take it down the road for a test drive.   Mid 60s Bonnie with a hard tail rear section added to the stock frame.   About three miles of springer front end (no front brake).   Foot controls  in the stock location (about 5 inches below where your butt was with the frame mod).   And a giant magneto ignition sticking out the right side.   I had to make a long distance call to get the front to turn.   It didn't help that with both feet shoved up my arse I was so uncomfortable that I couldn't keep track of the fact that I was on an old brit bike with the shift on the right side.   I got about 1000 feet up the road and decided it was too painful to ride and hit the "brake" thus completing a clutch free downshift. 

I haven't the foggiest idea what possesses someone to take a fairly nice design and turn it into a contortionist's nightmare. 

As for the original intent of the question I would assume we're talking production bikes here.   The worst one I  ever rode was a Cushman Eagle.   Heavy & pig slow.   I beat the same bike in a drag race with a Rupp Sprint.

I can second the report for Kwak 750 triple two strokes.   They're hinged in the middle & over powered for the frame.  A friend that had one referred to it as The Flexiflier.   

Perhaps it would be better to break them down into categories by decade and or bike category (e.g. crosser, dual sport, sportbike, cruiser, etc).   

[MCRider]

They painted MotoGuzzi with a broad brush. Could they be that bad? Got some good looking sport bikes.

[Zaipai]

They painted MotoGuzzi with a broad brush. Could they be that bad? Got some good looking sport bikes.

Never been on one. I felt it was a rather broad stroke as well. I did once ride a 70's Bonneville also I could not tell you how it road tho, I was so busy trying to remember that the shifter etc. was all reversed from what I was used to that I did not pay attention to the ride.

.: Scott :.

[tramp]

funny, i thought they would all be harley's

[Zaipai]

funny, i thought they would all be harley's

lol

.: Scott :.

[Retro Rocket]

That sample of "poor handling bikes" lacks any credibility. By saying that Guzzi's handle bad because they vibrate is just ridiculous, and then to refer to the rubber mounted handle bars, well last time i looked shocks, forks, rake and trail, and rigidity of the frame have got to have more importance than rubber mounted handlebars.

Mick

[MidTNJasonF]

Yeah that list is a little suspect. The CX500 did have a few problems but it handled just fine by late 70's and early 80's standards. I never locked the rear of it or any shaft drive bike for that matter. I have locked the rear of my chain drive bikes several times with a misstimed downshift. The GL models and faired models might have been a bit worse but I did not find my Custom model to be all that top heavy. Under braked to a fault but not all that poor handling.

[switchum]

  I have not rode most of them to determine if those mentioned were actually really bad, but I believe that it is not fair to ride one certain model of now-a-vintage bike, which differs greatly each other depending on how it has been treated, then decide whole model was all like the one you ride. Someone commented in Bike Exif's facebook page that 72 CB750 was one of the worsts. I own 71 CB750 and and it still keep up with more recent bikes at corners. So, I am sure that he got ill-maintained one, though handling was not the strongest field of CB750...Or maybe he is comparing to modern crotch rockets?
  As for Guzzi, I read an article about a Motoguzzi fanatic, who is an expert on 60’, 70’s Guzzi, talking about how each bike were different. “variations ranges from subtle difference in paint colours to different parts on supposedly identical bikes.”  So, I am sure that you can't just circle Guzzi as crappy bikes.

I gotta say I am surprised that people assume the bike’s handling was bad just because they wrecked it. I guess you are supposed to ride it like you stole it as soon as you get on the saddle? I thought you are supposed to go easy until you know bit about the bike’s ability. You don’t go attack corners till its limit right away, right? 

I believe that most of bikes could be a great bike if it was ridden by great riders.

Well, again, you can’t make everyone happy. Someone always has to #$%*.

[donny]

always wondered about the water buffalo. ugly they look like a ox.  I have not seen one on the road, ever.

[Retro Rocket]

always wondered about the water buffalo. ugly they look like a ox.  I have not seen one on the road, ever.

None of the early Suzuki's handled very well, they finally got it right with the GS series.

The Kawasaki Z900's didn't handle all that well  straight from the shop either....

The early Yamaha XS or TX 650's also handled poorly to be rectified later in the series..

Mick

[Zaipai]

I posted this because I wanted to hear what others thought. Mostly I have only ever ridden Honda's. I did for a while own a Yamaha 650 special and a little 80 but both handled fine. I now have a GS1000 and it seems to handle well, tho its still a work in progress so I have not ridden it very far.

.: Scott :.

[CycleRanger]

funny, i thought they would all be harley's

Someone had to say it.

[Zaipai]

funny, i thought they would all be harley's

Someone had to say it.

So true.. After it was said I was surprised it was not said sooner.. 

.: Scott :.

[dave500]

ive had a lot of dirt bikes,i like the two strokes,,i had a 78 yammy it 400,never dropped a bike so much,i also had a yammy dt 400b,74?that was the same.