Bikes With All the Looks but None of the Performance
Possibly the most liberating vehicle you can possess is a motorcycle. Furthermore, bikes, whether they are modern or traditional, are often sleek, fashionable, and painstakingly designed. Unfortunately, they don’t always look as good as they perform. Continue reading to uncover 35 retro bricks that look cool but ride terribly.
Harley-Davidson V Rod
We thought we’d start this list on a high note, which is ironic because Harley’s issue is its low height. Although it appears to be powerful and strong, the stooping build makes it extremely uncomfortable to ride, and dangerous when turning a corner.
Buell Blast
Despite its amazing appearance, this 2000 Buell bike didn’t live up to the hype. It is known to be slow, underpowered, and suspension-deficient - all of which are bad qualities in a bike. Which, as you can imagine, isn’t desired by riders.
Ducati Paso 750
We could spend all day admiring the Ducati Paso 750! Unfortunately, we are unable to ride it smoothly. The Weber carburetor, which is not recommended for bikes and has caused multiple major fuel and electrical issues, is the reason for its poor performance.
Honda Shadow Spirit 750
In terms of appearance, the Honda Spirit lives up to its fascinating moniker, but not when it comes to rideability. When the engine is running, the exhaust sputters, and the bike frequently stalls. When riding, it could also overheat.
Suzuki Hayabusa
How could a once-dubbed “fastest production” be so unfun to drive? The twin-cam engine of the Haybusa is probably to blame. Twin-cam engines are notorious for frequently melting cam chains, which makes riding the Suzuki Hayabusa a dangerous experience. With this, the clutch is absolutely cumbersome.
Cannondale X440
Cannondale rushed the X440’s manufacturing despite giving it a striking, distinctive appearance, which sparked considerable criticism. Many individuals found that the rod bearing was surprisingly weak, and the bike’s mass made it undersprung.
Yamaha YZF-R1
The YZF-R1 is a very boring bike to ride, despite its creative and exhilarating appearance. The controls have been referred to as “garbage” by several riders, and clutch issues are undoubtedly frequent when riding.
Kawasaki Z250
Although the Z250 is a decent and stylish entry-level motorcycle, experienced riders would like a more exciting ride. Many of its issues include twisted wires, hydraulic locks, and engine failures that occur during transit.
Harley-Davidson SX 250
During the 1960s off-road bike craze, Harley-Davidson introduced the SX 250, and the design proved to be a success. However, the two-stroke engine made this bike extremely unstable, which is undesirable when riding over rough terrain, making it a miserable experience.
Ducati 916
The 916 has undoubtedly earned its reputation as a legendary motorcycle. Is it as nice as it appears, though? No, it's not. Due to their age, they struggle with a smooth ride, and numerous riders have reported issues with the clutch, electrical malfunctions, and loose bolts.
Benelli Tornado Tre 900
As one would anticipate from a legendary Italian manufacturer, the 900p looks magnificent. However, because some elements are so susceptible, many drivers find it to be extremely unreliable. For example, on some models, the alternator shaft just completely snapped off.
Kawasaki Vulcan 2000
We can understand why this potent V-twin cruiser was inspired by the Roman Greek God of Fire and metalworking - it looks great! Regretfully, the ride isn’t nearly that divine. A common problem is ignition, which can cause the bike to stall or fail to start.
Suzuki GSXR 1000
Although Suzuki produces a few of the most beautiful motorcycles, not many of them are comfortable to ride. Even the boldest daredevils find the GSXR's random power loss problems concerning. At that point, you’ve got to wonder how it’s even allowed on the road.
Honda DN-01
It’s impossible not to take a second glance at the DN-01, but its stunning build belies a poor ride quality. It’s an absolute headache to handle because, as you might expect, it’s a pretty hefty vehicle. Some riders have even complained about grinding sounds when turning.
BMW S1000RR
The S1000RR can be visually appealing, but several issues have impacted its ride quality, compromising its overall performance. These include fasteners breaking loose while in motion, unsecured wiring, and sudden engine seizures.
Vincent Black Shadow
It’s clear why the Black Shadow was a popular superbike in the 50s; how can you not love its design? However, it doesn’t ride well, which was a significant disappointment to enthusiasts. When riding, the clutch is a major issue because it frequently slips or seizes up.
Kawasaki H1 500
Given its two-stroke engine, the H1500 appears to be a true beast. However, poor braking and handling, as well as spark issues and low fuel efficiency, have ruined the experience of many riders.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Harley-Davidson has had its share of failures, but it’s difficult to blame them. The Sportster S isn’t a bad bike, but it just doesn’t compare to other Harleys, despite looking gorgeous. Its main problems include sporadic cutouts when riding, as well as engine breakdowns.
Yamaha Niken
Where do we start with Niken? It has a fierce, large build with the most unusual wheels we’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, its design made it unstable, particularly when driving quickly, which had a negative impact on its performance.
Hyosung GT650R
Just based on its looks, the GT650R is worthy of the moniker 'superbike'. However, despite its pure power, many riders frequently struggle to start their bikes due to overheating, which can cause a number of mechanical issues while riding, making it a hazardous choice.
Morbidelli V8
Any vehicle that has a V8 engine ought to have a smooth ride, right? Wrong! This bike was a stunning, expensive, and limited-edition motorcycle that fell just short of the high standards. Many riders struggle to keep the engine in optimal condition, as it’s almost impossible to repair.
Honda Hawk 400
Although it’s not nearly as fearsome, the Hawk 400 is just as stunning as the bird it is named after. The model is particularly difficult to ride due to issues with the transmission and ignition. With this, it rides awkwardly and slowly.
Suzuki B-King
Despite its stunning appearance, this Suzuki motorcycle turned out to be a greater nuisance than its worth. In addition to lacking the anticipated “supercharged performance”, its large mass makes it challenging to maneuver, particularly around turns.
Can-Am Spyder
This bike doesn’t have 8 wheels, despite what its name might make you think. In addition to being unsuitable for daily driving, its 3-wheeled design is incredibly eye-catching. Many users have experienced issues with braking and coolant leaks, which lead to bank-breaking repairs.
Bimota V Due
Like a proper racing bike, the V Due looks flawless thanks to its simplicity. For both the company and riders, it is regrettably a total catastrophe. Due to a crankshaft issue, poor power, and oil leaks, it’s very unreliable. Knowing this, many riders end up selling their bikes.
BMW F650 Funduro
BMW is renowned for producing exquisite bikes, and this one is no exception. But not all is great. The Funduro’s appealing bodywork is prone to rust, and it is also difficult to ride off-road. What’s more is that this bike experiences intermittent engine cutouts and ignition issues. After this long list of faults, it’s easy to understand why it’s on this list.
Maico 250
Although the Maico 250 does not appear to be a fragile bike, it's a symbol of glory for dirt bike racers. Its performance was, regretfully, problematic for riders, especially due to the shaky suspension and damaged shock shafts.
Kawasaki H2 Mach IV
Take caution with the Mach IV! With its unreliable reputation, it has become one of the most dangerous motorcycles on the market. If you can get past that, you can appreciate how it looks, though! On top of this, the bike has a weak throttle, which leads to the rider spinning out, which shocked enthusiasts who dubbed it the “widowmaker”.
Indian Scout
The most ancient motorcycle on this list is the Indian Scout, which merits recognition for its distinctive look. Its age is evident in its performance, though, and it is also prone to various electrical and mechanical problems. Riders have also reported that it’s extremely uncomfortable, which makes it less than ideal for longer journeys.
Yamaha V-Max 1200
The best way to characterize the V-Max is a muscle car with 2 wheels. However, weight and power alone cannot ensure a comfortable ride. On a good day, the engine is finicky, and its weight frequently works against it, leading it to topple while riding.
Suzuki RE5
The RE5’s rotary engine and attractive appearance were the sole major selling points, despite the fact that many people admired them. Long rides were challenging to endure due to the engine’s frequent overheating. What ruins this bike even more is its low fuel efficiency.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Regretfully, you are not seeing things; Harley-Davidson really does have multiple bikes on this list! Perhaps the issue is that many people find it stiff and uncomfortable, and it lacks the strong power that its predecessors are famous for.
Kawasaki W800
Although the W800 appears to be a powerful beast, that's not the reality. Its engine is somewhat subdued, making it difficult to reach top speeds, which other competitors do easily. You could say this bike is constantly left in the dust!
Honda Fury
Despite its intimidating appearance, this bike’s performance is surprisingly lackluster. Sure, it’s a decent option for slower trips, but it’s challenging to use at fast speeds. It also has trouble turning quickly.
Ducati Scrambler
This brand is renowned for creating some of the finest motorcycles available, and this bike has garnered considerable appreciation. Nevertheless, despite its excellent design, a few of its features, like the suspension, are problematic.
