Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...

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10 Jun 2015 08:05 - 10 Jun 2015 08:05 #675982 by Tyler

If I knew what I was doing all the time life wouldn't be any fun.

'80 KZ650 E 700cc, dyna ignition and coils, frame up restoration, daily driver
'81 KZ1300 A3 full restoration, custom big bore pistons, 1400cc 6 cylinder super bike
"77 KZ650 B1 - Barn Find, work in progeress
"74 Yamaha DT 400 Enduro
Last edit: 10 Jun 2015 08:05 by Tyler.

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10 Jun 2015 08:23 #675986 by Tyrell Corp
Replied by Tyrell Corp on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...
Interesting the Honda c50 and cx500 included - hardly sports bikes.

Probably the worst handling bikes were not by design but when faults had slipped through, like shock top mounts out of place as on some early CB's.

1980 Gpz550 D1, 1981 GPz550 D1. 1982 GPz750R1. 1983 z1000R R2. all four aces

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10 Jun 2015 08:42 - 10 Jun 2015 08:43 #675990 by KZQ
I really chafe at reviews like that one. The author characterizes the H1 and H2 as having brakes and handling were amongst the worst ever designed.
What a bunch of HogWash! The brakes and frames were par for the day.

Am I really to take his condemnation seriously just because Ma Kaw developed a series of motors that were huge advancements for the time. I've owned an H1 and never found fault with the bike's handling. Excussee Me! if Ma Kaw was not able to improve the brakes and frames along with the engines.

Every reference that I ever heard or read calling the H2 a "WidowMaker" had everything to do with and inexperienced, poorly skilled, right wrist.
Bill

www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
Last edit: 10 Jun 2015 08:43 by KZQ.

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10 Jun 2015 09:03 - 10 Jun 2015 16:46 #675995 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...
I have H2 calipers on my front end. Takes the same pads as the Z1 and beefier. Plus I like the cooling fins. :lol: Went with drilled rotors to make up the difference in unsprung weight. I can lock my front wheel at speed. :evil:
Steve






The stock KZ rotors are 10mm. The LTD rotors are 4.5mm.
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Last edit: 10 Jun 2015 16:46 by SWest. Reason: Add pics

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10 Jun 2015 10:47 - 10 Jun 2015 10:48 #676019 by loudhvx
Replied by loudhvx on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...
It's not fair to penalize a bike's handling because it's motor was really just too powerful. Put a cb200 motor in the H1 frame. It would probably be fine.

Let's call the list "Top 10 bikes with motors that were just too outrageously powerful for their frames and owners". It would probably be all 2-strokes, topped by Kaws. :laugh:
Last edit: 10 Jun 2015 10:48 by loudhvx.

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10 Jun 2015 14:55 #676041 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...
Those RD 250/350's were like bees in the tight twisties. Damn fast too. Once the road opened up it was "SEE YA".
Steve

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10 Jun 2015 15:57 #676048 by Zephyrrider
Replied by Zephyrrider on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...
My Honda CB 900 F2B was a crap handler - wobble city. Brakes were very poor as well.

Mick
1994 ZR750 Zephyr C4.

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10 Jun 2015 16:22 - 10 Jun 2015 16:24 #676052 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...
I distinctly remember a contemporary road test of an early H1 saying that its twin-leading shoe front drum brake would do justice to a locomotive! I don't recall any of the magazines being particularly harsh in their assessment of the handlng and brakes of those old bikes.
Modern bikes are better in every measurable way. A model T Ford would be considered a huge failure compared to any modern car, but in 1915 it was brilliant.

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
Last edit: 10 Jun 2015 16:24 by TexasKZ.

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10 Jun 2015 16:55 #676064 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...

swest wrote: I have H2 calipers on my front end. Takes the same pads as the Z1 and beefier. Plus I like the cooling fins. :lol: Went with drilled rotors to make up the difference in unsprung weight. I can lock my front wheel at speed. :evil:
Steve






The stock KZ rotors are 10mm. The LTD rotors are 4.5mm.


Correction; the stock measure out to 7mm and the LTD at 4.83
That's what I get for talking out of turn. :blush:

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10 Jun 2015 18:34 #676080 by Tyler
Replied by Tyler on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...
Yup the RD's were fun bikes. Never owned a Kaw triple, but I rode a 500 and a 750. Not enough to have an opinion an the handling though.

The 750 frame, wheels, and brakes almost looked to me like they were a bit pedestrian. Like Kawasaki dropped that fantastic 2 stroke on a moped frame. Some engineer must have said, "Hey bet you can't do this" and some else replied "Oh yeah! Just watch watch me!"

The little time I've spent on one was fun as hell, I'd own one if they weren't more valuable than gold and diamonds....

If I knew what I was doing all the time life wouldn't be any fun.

'80 KZ650 E 700cc, dyna ignition and coils, frame up restoration, daily driver
'81 KZ1300 A3 full restoration, custom big bore pistons, 1400cc 6 cylinder super bike
"77 KZ650 B1 - Barn Find, work in progeress
"74 Yamaha DT 400 Enduro

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10 Jun 2015 21:03 #676106 by RonKZ650
Replied by RonKZ650 on topic Top 10 worst handling bikes of all time...
The Yamaha RD350 was a great one. All added up between my dad, cousins, uncles I can think of at least eight R5 and RD350s we all owned, and they were plenty powerful even with a passenger. I've also had my H2 Kawasaki for 36 yrs now and owned a few other H2s. I never found fault with the handling of a H2, but the rear brake will hit the exhaust if not kept in adjustment and kill the rear brake. Otherwise the front disc works just like any brakes, handling is on par with any 1973 era motorcycle.

321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

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