Bikes that don't work

**Pwalo** · 24th November 2006, 10:15

Have you ever ridden a bike and just not enjoyed it?

I've been lucky enough to ride lots of different types of bikes in my time and I think that I've enjoyed riding all of them (even my brother's friends TS90), bar one.

That bike was a Yamaha XZ550 (V twin) in 1981. My RD400 was in the shop overnight and the dealer lent me the XZ overnight. I think that was the only bike that I've ever ridden where you twisted the throttle and nothing seemed to happen. Perhaps a bit more noise but that's about it.

It handled - well I can't remember.

Perhaps I'd been spoilt riding the RD, but even my mate's CB350/4 seemed more exciting. My brother's 80cc Yamaha certainly was.

Well I'm glad I got that off my chest. I just wish I could remember what made me think of that horrible experience.

**McJim** · 24th November 2006, 10:26

I hopped onto an FXR150 after a VTR250 and was completely underwhelmed. The FXR owner spent about 10 minutes hooning round the car park on my VTR and I stepped off the FXR after about 200 metres of riding and decided I was happier to just stand and wait for my VTR back.

**phoenixgtr** · 24th November 2006, 10:45

Originally Posted by McJim

I hopped onto an FXR150 after a VTR250 and was completely underwhelmed. The FXR owner spent about 10 minutes hooning round the car park on my VTR and I stepped off the FXR after about 200 metres of riding and decided I was happier to just stand and wait for my VTR back.

You should try a GN then mate

**-df-** · 24th November 2006, 10:48

jumping on my partners RG150 after riding my ZX7R...had to get it ready for her and it needed air in the tyres...definatly didn't enjoy that one bit...except for that 2stroke sound.

Leaned into a courner and just about fell off the bike...was very carefull after that!!

**judecatmad** · 24th November 2006, 10:49

Originally Posted by phoenixgtr

You should try a GN then mate

I've only ever ridden a GN and I'm definitely hoping that there's more to biking life.....LOL

Most definitely an underwhelming experience, altho so much more fun than the car!

**phoenixgtr** · 24th November 2006, 10:53

Originally Posted by judecatmad

I've only ever ridden a GN and I'm definitely hoping that there's more to biking life.....LOL

You've got alot to look forward to. Thats a bonus we "slow bike" riders have.

**grego** · 24th November 2006, 10:53

YEEEP,
the XZ 400 was the smaler brother to the XZ 550
Looked very compact nice watercooled v twinn.

I bought on brand spanking new in 86 and it was the biggest piece of crapp I ever driven in my life.
Handled like a complete c#**nt.

Sold it virtually new still and was glad to have gotten rid of it.

**forkoil** · 24th November 2006, 12:13

Mine would have to be the XR250 (waits for the flame war). I know its been an incredibly popular model, but after a succession two stroke trail bikes it just felt, well, flat ....

**Motu** · 24th November 2006, 12:29

I'm always surprised to see my predudices go out the window.So many bikes I've got on rubbing my hands together,''always wanted to ride one of these'',and am very disapointed.Other times I get on a bike telling the owner as I do so all their faults and why they were never a success - and I come back from the ride with a grin from ear to ear.Never prejudge a bike....what works for others may not for you....what others hate may be exactly what you want.

**nudemetalz** · 24th November 2006, 12:38

Like Motu says,...I always thought the 650 Savage would be a big pile of dung but I thought it was a hoot to ride, at least around town,...top gear 50 km/h , thump, thump, thump !!

**magicfairy** · 24th November 2006, 13:01

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Like Motu says,...I always thought the 650 Savage would be a big pile of dung but I thought it was a hoot to ride, at least around town,...top gear 50 km/h , thump, thump, thump !!

Yep I love mine. (Savage / LS650 -with the new styling, drag bars) But am looking to get a bigger bike (800cc) cos finding it works too hard on open road above 100k. And gets blown around a lot being light.

**Nutter34** · 24th November 2006, 14:18

Well, I've ridden a Ducati S4R and never found it particularly special. It went, stopped, turned etc but that was about it... Different but not for me...

**Bussaman** · 24th November 2006, 14:36

A friends 1990 "GSX 250 Across" pretty much takes the cake for me.
Full twist of the throttle in the lower gears just seems to make the engine noise louder.
Im not sure if his particular bike is a little fucked though due to high mileage.