Bikes you have been disappointed in

[drodg33]

That is probably it since I just joined last year. Nice enduring thread though!

[the Ferret]

Well, I've since been disappointed on test rides of an FJ07 and FZ-09. The 07 vibrated enough to make me notice it every time I gave it gas, but it was more comfortable than the 09. The 09's fuel injection was horrendous and the seat was a plank. I nick named it "the twitchy brick". Luckily I was able to discover that BEFORE buying either of them.

[LongRanger_imp]

I've got one more to add -- '01 R1150GS. It may not be fair to complain, as I only had the bike for ten days (Edelweiss trip), but we didn't bond at all. I never felt comfortable leaning it in the curves, thought the engine was coarse and unresponsive, and the seat was brutal. Plus, it had that stupid beak. Blasphemy, I know.

[drodg33]

I've got one more to add -- '01 R1150GS. It may not be fair to complain, as I only had the bike for ten days (Edelweiss trip), but we didn't bond at all. I never felt comfortable leaning it in the curves, thought the engine was coarse and unresponsive, and the seat was brutal. Plus, it had that stupid beak. Blasphemy, I know.

The 1200's were a big improvement on the 1100's and felt much smoother. The 1100's and some of the 1150's had an annoying surge at steady speeds. My two R1100RT's seemed to surge but my R1200RT's did not. I have been wanting to ride a GS....

[LongRanger_imp]

Yep. The water-cooled R1200RT that I demo'd last summer was incredible.

[hb9400_imp]

Suzuki C50

I had to go thru 3 iterations of Suzuki's M50 to accept that it was very lacking.
Was also disappointed with the VStar 950's 2 up performance and it had the worst lean ground clearance of any bike I've ridden.

[Toro5xi_imp]

This is a great and insight full thread. There are so many bikes I have lusted after over the years and just didn't have the funds to buy at the time or needed to pay bills, college etc. I have wanted a Yamaha VMAX for ever and yep I know it is probably not very practical and too heavy for me as I get older but I just remember the comparison to the Ford Cobras when I was younger and just don't give a darn.
The most disappointing bike for me I bought twice because I just can't seem to learn when it comes to bikes. I have bought 2 DR650's knowing perfectly well they were not going to be fire breathers like a KTM or have great suspension but am just too darn cheap and end up paying more in the long run. The DR650 is a great bike for what it is but I was wanting something exotic which would lift the front wheel.
If I had one piece of advise, which I will never seem to follow, is buy what you lust after once. If I count up the amount of money I have lost on buying and selling shortly there after, well enough said.
It was interesting to read the posts concerning the BMW's and lacking quality at times. It certainly is upsetting to get stuck with a poor product. I purchased a VW diesel right before the scandal hit. Not much I can do about it right now and just like bikes I will certainly fall victim to the latest rebates or sale prices or add campaign. I have since bought a VW GTI, can't help some people.
When it comes to bikes at this point I don't need it to get to work so if it gives me trouble I try to take it with a grain of salt. I know an older Ducati is gonna give me fits but they had the prettiest models at the Cleveland bike show.

[Roper_imp]

Many years ago, one of my Air Force buddies bought an new Indian Chief. It was from the Gilroy era and had a Power Plus 100 engine. It was red with a tan leather saddle. To this day, I think it was the most beautiful bike I've seen in real life. I was riding an old V65 at the time, and I thought I wanted an Indian. Then I rode my buddy's bike. It felt like I was trying to turn a wheelbarrow. And I just never got used to the feeling of sitting so low with my arms and legs stretched out straight in front of me.

[ingobohn_imp]

"What the Italians call 'character', the Japanese consider 'design flaws' and the Germans deny to their graves."

Before I bought my CB 1100, I also did test rides with some other bikes of course.
1) Because everyone raves about the BMW boxer, I test rode the BMW R 1200 R (the former model not the 2015). I was totally disappointed about the engine, you can call it "character", I call it uncomfortable shaking buck. Additionally, the front suspension (Dual Lever) was never giving me a confident feedback of what the road is and what my front wheel does. When I tested several bikes, I always rode the same tour (just to be able to compare the bikes completely). On the Autobahn or fast country roades, the engine, the comfort and the stability of the bike was good, but on little curvy roads it was hard for me to drive. I remember some hair pins onto a hill close to Heidelberg. It was hard for me with the beamer to circle around that curves (stunned Dual Lever, stubborn engine). In that curves, I had to go along in 1st gear with slipping clutch (while I am able to ride it on my CB 1100 in 2nd gear without any probs). And the gear box was terrible. Every shift came with a loud and hard "clonc". It felt like a tractor's gearbox. Well, at my home town there is a big John Deere plant, maybe the BMW dealer took some parts for the gear box from there. When I came back to the dealer, the sales man came to me with a big smile and said "how did you love it?". After I said that I am disappointed, he looked at me indignantly. BMW blasphemy? Jehova, ...? The final killer argument was the price: he offered me a 6 month old used R 1200 R with 9.000 km for "only" 14.900 EUR!
2) I test rode also the Honda Crossrunner (former model, not current 2015). I agreed with the dealer for a 2 h test ride, but came back already after 30 min. The ergonomics of that bike was terrible. I felt like origami'ed on that bike. My knees started to ache already after some minutes. And the engine with the 2V/4V "switch" was also a bit weird. Below 6.500 rpm it just felt like a strangulated engine, and over 7.000 rpm suddenly the man with the hammer came and nearly kicked me off the bike. In one turn at the end of the curve I accelerated and came at 7.000 rpm and suddenly the engine turned into a beast. Not funny.

Another story:
3) I also tested the Guzzi V7 (nice bike, no complaints). But when I was there, a guy received his brand new Panigale (the dealer also sells other Italian bikes). When he fired up the engine on the dealer's yard, I got scared. It sounded like if you put some metal bolts into a big iron tin can and shake 'em. If my HONDA would sound like THIS, I would IMMEDIATELY bring it to the dealer for EMERGENCY service.

[rboe]

My XR650L has been a big disappointment with all sorts of failing (engine burning or eating oil, ecu cheaply made and fails early, runs too hot). Big money drain.