Harley-Davidson AMF-Era Models
The AMF years were not kind to Harley-Davidson. The bikes were built fast, but just not well. Bolts loosened, engines leaked, and parts didn’t fit quite right. They have lots of charm today, but back then, the poor bikes spent way more time in the garage than they did on the roads.
Bimota V Due 500
The V Due looked amazing and sounded like a dream, but it was also the bike that never behaved. This bike had a fuel injection that was a total mess. Riders spent more time trying to make it start, stay running, or not explode than actually riding it. It was one of those bikes that everyone wanted… until they actually owned one.
BMW K1200LT
BMW’s big touring bike came with a ton of features. Sadly, the electronics didn’t always want to cooperate, and it spent a lot of time in the garage. The transmission also acted up. Those who owned one probably spent half their time at the dealership trying to figure out which warning light was lying to them today.
Ducati Multistrada
Early Ducati Multistradas had a really fun engine, but the wiring and electronics were a nightmare. People joked that if you even looked at it the wrong way, something would stop working. It was a great ride, sure, but you always wondered if you’d make it back home on one of these beasts.
Triumph Rocket III Touring
The Rocket III Touring might have had a massive engine, but that wasn’t enough to keep it out of the garage and on the road. The clutch and gearbox couldn’t keep up, and some owners said it felt like the bike was slowly tearing itself apart. Amazing torque? Yes! Lots of shop time? Also, yes.
Royal Enfield Bullet
Old Bullets look incredible! They have that cool, classic charm that riders love. But they leak oil like it’s a hobby. The electrics were also weak, so the lights and signals loved to quit randomly. If you owned one, even a few years ago, you carried tools. Lots and lots of tools.
Suzuki TL1000S
The Susuzki TL1000S had a reputation for being somewhat of a widowmaker. It was powerful, but the frame and handling were awful. It wobbled at high speeds and felt unpredictable on those long rides. Riders either loved it or tried it once and said, “Never again!” Not a good look for Suzuki, right?
Aprilia RSV Mille
The RSV Mille had performance. But those early years had electrical issues that were constant and frustrating to deal with. Finding parts could also be a challenge, and most owners hated that even small repairs turned into big problems that meant hours and days at the garage. But it was amazing on the road - when it was working, that is.
Moto Guzzi V7
It’s no secret that motorcycle fans love classic Moto Guzzis for their charm. Unfortunately for them, these bikes needed a lot of tinkering. From electrical problems and odd noises to small failures, the V7s spent a lot of time in the garage. They ran best when you treated them like a project and not a daily ride.
Norton Commando
The Commando is one of the more legendary motorcycles from Norton. But only Norton owners know it needs constant attention just to keep it going. Why? Bolts loosen, parts vibrate off, and the engine can be fussy. Owners basically become mechanics by the time they’ve owned one for a year.
Victory Vision
The Vision stands out for its style, but it’s just another one of those bikes that has recurring mechanical issues. Owners reported weird failures and surprising repair bills that had them regretting their decision to buy one in the first place. And that bold styling doesn’t help when the bike keeps going back to the repair shop.
Honda CX500 Turbo
Honda tried something a little wild and different when they released the CX500 Turbo. What Honda fans didn’t know is that it was going to be a bit too complex. The turbo system broke easily, and repairs were expensive. Most owners loved the concept more than the actual motorcycle itself.
Kawasaki H2 Mach IV
The H2 Mach IV was a two-stroke rocket that was insanely fast. The handling and brakes, on the other hand, couldn’t keep up. It was unreliable, unpredictable, and a little scary. Today, riders talk about it like it were a wild animal rather than a bike, with many ending up as collector pieces that spend their days on display.
Yamaha TX750
The Yamaha TX750 had good intentions, but the engine design was nothing more than a disaster from day one. It overheated easily, and when it overheated, things inside the engine broke in dramatic fashion. Owners didn’t even get a full riding season before their beloved bike ended up in the repair shop.
Indian Scout
When Indian made its big return with the Scout, fans thought they were getting a great motorcycle. Sadly, the build quality just wasn’t there yet, and small components failed way too often. Owners kept heading back to the shop way more than they wanted to, and it felt like the bike was still figuring itself out.
MV Agusta F4
The MV Agusta F4 is one of those bikes you could stare at forever. But, riding it was more of a gamble than anything else. It ran hot, sometimes way too hot, and the electrical system had a tendency to throw surprise problems at owners. When it did work, it felt incredible.
Can-Am Spyder
Early models of the Can-Am Spyder were cool-looking machines, but the electronics were anything but cool. Sensors glitched, warning lights came on for no reason, and some bikes even went into limp mode randomly. Owners never knew if they were about to enjoy a fun ride or get stuck diagnosing yet another issue.
Hyosung GT650R
The Hyosung GT650R seemed like a bargain sportbike, but it didn’t age well. Parts wore out quickly, bolts loosened, and the overall build quality just wasn’t solid. The real pain came when something broke, and replacement parts took forever to arrive, if you could even find them. Many riders just gave up and parked them in the garage.
Benelli Tornado Tre 900
The Tornado Tre 900 had one of the boldest designs of its time. But it also had some wild engineering ideas, like those rear-mounted radiators. Unfortunately, those ideas didn’t work out in the real world. The bike overheated, the wiring caused headaches, and mechanical issues kept popping up.
Buell Blast
The Buell Blast was meant to be the perfect beginner bike, but it felt like designers cut corners everywhere. The plastics cracked way too easily, the vibrations were intense, and random parts wore out too soon. Today, it's one of those bikes people remember more for the repairs than the ride.
