Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki – there are some outstanding Japanese motorbikes out there. Manufacturers that push the bounds of technology and give us some exceptional rides. However, with any long-standing brand, you’ll also get the duds. We’ve gathered up some of the worst (in our opinion) motorbikes to come out of Japan for you to browse here.
Yamaha TX750 (1972)
The TX750 is probably Yamaha’s most notable failure. On paper, it was an incredibly advanced bike, and Yamaha wanted it to stamp their mark in the 750cc class. However, it had significant problems straight away. The engine’s oil would foam excessively, resulting in reduced lubrication and oil pressure. As a result, the bike suffered constant engine failure. Yamaha put out lots of updates and managed to improve the bike, but it couldn’t ever shake the reputation.
Kawasaki KX500 (1983)
The KX500 was panned by reviewers as soon as it emerged – few were able to test it as designed out of the factory, and all made changes. The engine had a very bad case of ‘knocking,’ which can lead to severe damage, and often did. The bike was also tricky to ride; the power was delivered with a kick that could leave a rider behind – not helped by the ridiculously stiff suspension that would send a rider all over the place. Reviewers at the time complained about the excessive vibration and that it was difficult to start – the lever even began to twist after just a few starts. The bike improved as it ‘wore in,’ but it still had too many problems to appeal to many.
Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5 (2005)
Possibly a bit of an odd name on this list as it is widely regarded as a hugely significant model in sportsbike history. It was praised for its innovation and effortlessly delivered power, and it was a firm favourite of track riders. However, this near paragon of a bike had a massive flaw – the structural integrity of its frame. To get the perfect weight-to-power ratio for their bike, Suzuki focused on making the frame as light as they could using a lightweight aluminium alloy. This was great for weight but completely unsuitable under periods of extreme stress and led to the frame cracking – a huge safety concern. Suzuki was thought not to respond seriously enough to the problem, only offering repairs or replacements and not issuing a product recall. The bike is still remembered as one of the best in the class, and its manufacture has led to designers’ greater awareness of the trade-off when making bikes lightweight.
Honda CR500R (1984)
Rounding off this list, we’re looking at a bike that was loved and feared in equal measure. It had one of the most powerful engines for a dirt bike at the time, and all that power was pushed into a short RPM range – leading to a slug for most of the time until it shot off like a rocket, and riders held on for dear life. It became infamous as an ‘arm ripper’ and demanded intense physical stamina and strength from its riders. For those brave few able to master it, it offered exceptional and unrivalled performance.
Japanese motorbikes have fans all around the world, and the number of excellent bikes far outweighs the bad.
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