Author Topic: Motorcycle flops.  (Read 1150 times)

Offline Tom

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Motorcycle flops.
« on: August 12, 2022, 04:03:37 PM »
"10 Motorcycle Flops.  The top ten worst motorcycles ever made"

Agree/Disagree.  If you had the money and didn't care which would buy?  Ducati for me. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYHUOHx4Zh4
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Offline guzzista

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2022, 04:26:50 PM »
Frankly, a British accent and the ability to produce videos does  not a motorcycle critic make. Well executed video for non motorcyclists. Actual motorcyclists might like (or dislike ) certain bikes more likely from a hands on/ experiential perspective than  what seems to be hearsay gathered from sound and word bites while researching. None of them a flop imo ,( actually mostly brilliant machines) but the flop moniker will get more clicks. Still fun to watch, got  :my 5 lbs bag of salt nearby. :grin:
« Last Edit: August 12, 2022, 08:00:17 PM by guzzista »
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Offline Tom

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2022, 05:02:40 PM »
Someone posted on an earlier thread that lists are just someone trying to get vids on their Youtube channel.  I looked at it as "what" motorcycles were on it.   :grin:
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Offline Kaladin

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2022, 05:19:39 PM »
I like most of these bikes, but of course I wasn't going to buy one new!
But, you are right, it is just click bait, lots of production companies are feeding their families on "the ten worst" this and "don't you dare eat" that.  Whether they contribute truth and value, or just clicks.
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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2022, 05:19:39 PM »

Offline Shorty

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2022, 05:27:22 PM »
He was honest enough to say that some of these bikes are now sought after.
« Last Edit: August 12, 2022, 09:21:32 PM by Shorty »
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Offline Frulk

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2022, 05:40:25 PM »
Someone in the video comments made the valid point that these bikes were sales flops vs “the worst motorcycles ever made”

Full disclose: I own one of the bikes in the video. Orange 2009 XR1200. I have two standing offers to buy it anytime I want to sell.

That XR’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
« Last Edit: August 12, 2022, 05:41:12 PM by Frulk »

Offline guzzista

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2022, 08:21:45 PM »
Just some of the bikes  , namely  the XR1200, BMW 1200 C and the Honda CTX, Ducati SportClassics I  have ridden  are brilliant  motorcycles  at least from my experience.  Sales flops?  only from  the  hundreds of thousands of models sold perspective  ( which the manufacturers may have not planned to produce  for those models anyway).
Some good money can be earned  making well monetized youtube videos...
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Offline guzziart

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2022, 03:48:06 PM »
Someone in the video comments made the valid point that these bikes were sales flops vs “the worst motorcycles ever made”

Full disclose: I own one of the bikes in the video. Orange 2009 XR1200. I have two standing offers to buy it anytime I want to sell.

That XR’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

I haven't had an HD in decades but if I came across a gently used orange XR1200 for an attractive price I'd buy it.  I like the way they look and I'm more than willing to overlook whatever shortcomings the model may have, if any.  Yeah, you can put me in as #3 :thumb:
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Offline Mr Pootle

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2022, 12:12:19 PM »
The only one of the ten that I've ridden is the Street 750. It was the worst bike I've ever ridden, uncomfortable, cumbersome, slow. Unsurprisingly it didn't sell well in the UK.

Offline Tom

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2022, 01:13:37 PM »
Curious that they say the XR1200 is slow and heavy.  Any Sporty that I've ridden doesn't feel that way.  I've tossed them them through mtn. hairpin roads without problems for handling.   :laugh:
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉

Online blackcat

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2022, 02:45:45 PM »
A friend of mine has an XR and I certainly wouldn't call it slow, he is selling it as his age is telling him to slow down so if anyone wants to buy it I can put you in contact with him. I have no idea what he wants for the bike.
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Offline Tom

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2022, 02:47:56 PM »
Looks like a fun bike to ride.  :grin:
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉

Online Bulldog9

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2022, 08:10:42 PM »
My .01

GTS was brilliant, would have loved to own one
R1200 C was an odd duck, but capable
TL1000 was a crotch rocket, nuf said
RST 1000 (Futura?) WAAAAAY underrated. A really nice bike
DUC Sport Classic - It's a Ducatti..........
B King?  Ugly example of Insectoid styling Give me a Bandit
XR 1200 was the best of the Sportsters, and a gem
DN 01?  I have no words, I dont do drugs or drink to excess
Street 750?  Bahahaaaaaaaa
CTX 1300 was an attempt that could have been so much better but for horrible styling

If I could buy any of these today it would be the Yamaha GTS or Ducatti Sport Classic, but wouldn't pass up on the Futura
« Last Edit: August 16, 2022, 08:14:42 PM by Bulldog9 »
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Offline wymple

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #13 on: August 16, 2022, 08:35:01 PM »
If I could go back in time and focus on getting 1 bike out of the multitude of choices that were available, a bike I'd have to live with & not just look at, it would be the GT750 Suzuki water buffalo. I know it wouldn't be the greatest bike to ever own, but it's the one that still sticks in my head.
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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #14 on: August 16, 2022, 11:44:49 PM »
Quote
My .01

GTS was brilliant, would have loved to own one
R1200 C was an odd duck, but capable
TL1000 was a crotch rocket, nuf said
RST 1000 (Futura?) WAAAAAY underrated. A really nice bike
DUC Sport Classic - It's a Ducatti..........
B King?  Ugly example of Insectoid styling Give me a Bandit
XR 1200 was the best of the Sportsters, and a gem
DN 01?  I have no words, I dont do drugs or drink to excess
Street 750?  Bahahaaaaaaaa
CTX 1300 was an attempt that could have been so much better but for horrible styling

If I could buy any of these today it would be the Yamaha GTS or Ducatti Sport Classic, but wouldn't pass up on the Futura

Right there with you except for the sport classic. I demoed the GT in 2006 and it was uncomfortable, even by italian bike standards. The rear edges of the tank dug into my thighs and I couldn't wait to get off of the thing. It does look good though.
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Offline Speciality

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #15 on: August 17, 2022, 07:41:47 AM »
He was on a hiding to nowhere with this video whatever ten bikes he selected. Get ten riders together and ask what were the biggest ten flops and you’ll get ten different answers (eleven if one of them is an economist). To be fair, I believe he was attempting to identify sales flops; this is very different from worst bikes. Trouble is that the only way to identify sales flops accurately is to compare marketing department sales predictions with actual sales ie what numbers the manufacturer hoped to sell to make the bike a viable model for continued production v what sales actually materialised in that period. This is probably impossible to do without cooperation of the manufacturer. Some of the bikes listed were a bit radical for motorcyclists, who tend to be a bit conservative regarding their taste In but les.
FWIW Vizordown videos are fairly well-regarded and well-known on this side of the pond. Their new bike reviews tend to be more honest and less sycophantic than those in the bike mags.

Offline bigbikerrick

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #16 on: August 17, 2022, 02:15:58 PM »
I was kind of surprised to see the XR 1200 as part of the list of shame. They are still not a bunch of people that want them. My son had a beautiful, orange 09, it was not the X model with the black engine, and fancy rear shocks, but it was gorgeous with a full Vance and Hines black widow exhaust, a badass european intake snorkel, and a nice Corbin seat. When he got bored with it, and decided to sell it, it took him 2 years to sell!  He listed it on CL, the XR 1200 riders forum, and facebook. He finally had to let it go for $5500. and I had to deliver it in Phoenix, for a dude that flew in from Vegas to do a fly and ride.
 I think I could sell Guzzis easier all day long!  :wink:
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Offline daytonars97

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #17 on: August 17, 2022, 04:08:17 PM »
Sometimes the flopping has its advantages. I was about to leave two wheeling due to "maturing" and because none of my bikes seemed suitable anymore.  So, I started looking for a "last shot" more comfortable ride.  I stumbled upon a Honda CTX1300D with ABS/TCS  and stereo new at a dealer for half list + accesories at 20% discount and free mounting and bought it.  It is a bike that does most everything well but nothing great. It is, however, the most comfortable bike I have ridden for long distance which is what I like to do.  As to styling, yes not good until you add the longer OEM windshield and either the top case or passenger backrest. 

« Last Edit: August 17, 2022, 04:13:37 PM by daytonars97 »
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Offline bigbikerrick

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #18 on: August 17, 2022, 04:47:22 PM »
That CTX looks impressive, the way you set it up. :thumb:  That looks like the engine from the st 1300 sport tourer. That bike must be very smooth,and hairy chested!
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Offline daytonars97

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #19 on: August 18, 2022, 08:41:28 AM »
That CTX looks impressive, the way you set it up. :thumb:  That looks like the engine from the st 1300 sport tourer. That bike must be very smooth,and hairy chested!
Rick.

  Yes, it has the ST1300 engine somewhat detuned for power but tuned for torque where you need it.  I added the topcase, higher windshield, OEM Led extra side lights, centerstand and electric plug. Not shown in the pic. because I added them later are sidebags protection bars and an Utopia backrest.  Some have speculated it was a styling excercise for the last generation Goldwing, and people ask me if it is the GW. 

 The reason it flopped in the market place, I think were two fold: It looked very strange without the extras on the showroom floor and the list price was $18K for the abs model.  Perhaps also because it is a strange creature in the MC world. Not a sport tourer, not a cruiser or bagger and not a tourer but a combination of all of them.  I am very happy with mine, though. 
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Offline John Croucher

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #20 on: August 18, 2022, 01:25:41 PM »
I wish I would have bought Brian Reynolds GT 1000 when he offered it to buy. 

I rode the GT and a Yamaha 600 sport back to back.  The Yamaha was fast, the Ducati had more character and better ride.
« Last Edit: August 18, 2022, 01:31:13 PM by John Croucher »

Offline Scout63

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Re: Motorcycle flops.
« Reply #21 on: August 18, 2022, 09:46:15 PM »
Your list is spot on Bulldog. Of all the bikes I’ve owned, the only two I regret selling are the XR1200 and faired CBX.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

 

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