The most boring bike you've ever ridden

[JerryH]

Originally Posted by elementalg20

I had an early 80's kaw 250ltd I was bored to tears with. It was my first street bike and I should have loved every minute of it, and part of me did. The other part was afraid I'd get passed by a hopped up moped, not entirely sure it ran as it should of but it started/idled/rev'd ok.....just ungodly slow 40-45mph topped out. The vfr750 was a great improvement, even if it was a honda(no issue personally, but honda is getting dinged in this thread and others lol).

My first brand new streetbike was an '81 Suzuki 450LTD, and I loved it. Rode it full throttle most of the time. And that was coming from a Suzuki GT380 2 stroke. I loved it too. My '95 Goldwing is basically a transportation appliance, some even call them 2 wheeled cars, and they are not that far off. But it has taken me and a ton of stuff all over the country in comfort. I guess the bike itself could be considered boring alright, but to me, traveling is not. And the Goldwing was designed from the ground up for traveling. But I still like bikes that vibrate and make a nice noise, they can be a lot of fun just riding around town. A KLR might seem boring, but a trip from AK to the tip of South America on one sure wouldn't be.

[windmill]

Originally Posted by Shag67

Yep. I had a 2002 V-Star 650 that couldn't get out of its own way. YAWN-O-RIFIC bike. Got rid of it and replaced it with an '05 Roadstar Warrior 1700. BIG step in the right direction at the time.

It's one saving grace, believe it or not, it handles logging and forest service with an ease and grace few street bikes can match. I guess it shouldn't be a surprise as the layout and geometry of classic cruisers are from an era when most roads were dirt.

[warewolf]

Originally Posted by ferrix

I maintain it is the job of the machine to be an excellent tool for the rider, and it is up to the rider to add the 'character' and excitement to the mix.

I'm not saying I never had fun on the bike, quite the contrary, I brought my own fun with me. However it was still a boring bike! It was bland and uninspiring. If there was a row of bikes available, I'd choose another.

Originally Posted by ferrix

Upon a closer examination, a 'boring' bike usually turns out to be one the rider couldn't fault - how in God's name has this become a bad thing?!?

Couldn't fault, or the bike just didn't have that extra something, pizzazz, mojo, whatever. When the ZX9R was released, I spoke to a lot of riders and almost all of them had got rid of their Fireblade because it was boring, but the ZX9R with Kawasaki's signature seductive intake noise and raw top end rush really rang their bell.

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

A light nimble and severely under powered bike is more fun as you have to race it all the time.
I also imagine a sport bike is not much fun if you have to stay within the speed limits.

Totally agree. I've said that many times, expressed as "it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow." Some people don't get it though.

Originally Posted by Donkey Hotey

Ducati. MV Agusta. Triumph.

<Cough> KTM.

[Ginger Beard]

For me it is a twofer'. First is the BMW GS1200A. It bored me for all of the very reasons that it is a fantastic bike. It seems to do everything exactly as one would expect for a world touring bike. Unfortunately for me I seem to not like that very much.

The second bike is the new Bonneville. It seems very much like a pedestrian conveyance wrapped in what appears to be a soulful bike. I very much wanted to love it but came away disappointed. It was like having sex with a hot girl you've been lusting after only to find out that she was lousy in bed. Strangely enough the Scrambler was very fun and had a dynamic personality. How did Triumph pull that off ?


One thing that I do have to mention is that even on the two bikes mentioned above I was still able to enjoy the ride. I may have been bored by the bikes but riding will never bore me.

[Zecatfish]

For me, it was a Kawasaki KZ400.
It was slow, heavy, and was beaten all the way around by a Suzuki GS250, lol.
It was reliable though, but sporty was not in its vocabulary.
I really missed my Yamaha RD350 when I rode that thing.

[cls]

Originally Posted by warewolf

I'm not saying I never had fun on the bike, quite the contrary, I brought my own fun with me. However it was still a boring bike! It was bland and uninspiring. If there was a row of bikes available, I'd choose another.

Couldn't fault, or the bike just didn't have that extra something, pizzazz, mojo, whatever. When the ZX9R was released, I spoke to a lot of riders and almost all of them had got rid of their Fireblade because it was boring, but the ZX9R with Kawasaki's signature seductive intake noise and raw top end rush really rang their bell.

Totally agree. I've said that many times, expressed as "it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow." Some people don't get it though.

<Cough> KTM.

It's not nearly that simple. Folks are different and break things down differently, depending on their wants, past experience, abilities, opinions, etc. That's what makes this threat interesting, I think. I've ridden a lot of bikes for a lot of miles and I love Honda for their refinement and engineering prowess, which most people think is boring (At least most "enthusiasts."). "Character" in a bike is usually a bad thing for me, as it means some sort of raw, unfinished, poorly designed/executed, whatever-type failure. You also have to figure on a "Theory of Relativity" scale. Yes, any bike can be fun and (at least) more exciting than it's intended purpose but there's still relatively boring bikes out there.

All good fun. Keep 'em coming. I love compare and contrast. Good stuff.

[MookieBlaylock]

one of those stupid overweight overhyped beemer singles called dakar or something, couldnt get out of its own way

[Rick West]

Of all the bikes I have owned or spent time riding, there are two bikes that stand out as completely boring. The Versys and the Wee-Strom. I know they are budget bikes but if that was all I could afford, I would gladly get an extra job to pay for one of the many great bikes that are available.

[windmill]

Originally Posted by cls

It's not nearly that simple. Folks are different and break things down differently, depending on their wants, past experience, abilities, opinions, etc. That's what makes this threat interesting, I think. I've ridden a lot of bikes for a lot of miles and I love Honda for their refinement and engineering prowess, which most people think is boring (At least most "enthusiasts."). "Character" in a bike is usually a bad thing for me, as it means some sort of raw, unfinished, poorly designed/executed, whatever-type failure. You also have to figure on a "Theory of Relativity" scale. Yes, any bike can be fun and (at least) more exciting than it's intended purpose but there's still relatively boring bikes out there.

All good fun. Keep 'em coming. I love compare and contrast. Good stuff.

"Character" shouldn't be measured by flaws.
Bikes are my preferred and only form of transportation, and my preferred form of recreation, so I desire "character" and function.

For example,

The Harleys I had just didn't do it for me because of their weight, handling and ergonomics. They weren't flaws per say but just didn't suit most of my needs and desires, Their one outstanding "character"? The seemingly endless torque that they delivered in such an effortless, relaxed manner.
My V-Star 650 Classic is a much better bike in every way for my needs and desires except it lacks that one defining "character". Because of that it made a wonderful commuter, but I havent been "inspired" to ride it in 5 years.

On the Other hand, I had a Ducati E900 Elephant, another bike that had "character" because of how it delivered its power. It made it a wonderful bike on the open road, but that "character" came with a flaw. It snatched and jerked at low rpm's making it terrible in traffic, and even worse off road which is a serious flaw in an adventure bike.

The Ducati, a bike with "character" that was also a flaw. Exciting but not suitable for my needs, not "boring", just not right for me.

The V-Star, a bike with no "character", It does everything well and has no flaws when used as intended, but is the definition of "boring". Noting outstanding or unique about it to make it interesting. Dependable transportation, thats it.

The Harleys, Plenty of character, and again no flaws when used as intended. "Boring" because while they worked well for basic transportation needs, they didn't work well for most of my other desires and that made me unable to enjoy their positive "character".

My Ural Patrol and the RZ350 I had, bikes with tons of "character" that also have a flaw, the Urals low speed/power, the RZs need to carry 2 stroke oil. Yet both filled all my needs and desires, and have plenty of positive "character' to keep them engaging, never "boring". Not perfect, but very practical in the real world, interesting and unique.

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by warewolf

KTM.

Sorry, forgot...and I have three of them.

[jasonmt]

Originally Posted by KLR771

Bikes like the DL1000,DZR400,FZ6, KLR650,XR1200,Buells , and others aren't boring at all. It might be that the rider is boring . Maybe you need to learn how to ride it. Go to the track and go racing or do a track day or take a advance riders school. There is a place and time for all bikes you just got to go there.

I found the KLR 650 to be a overweight, under-suspended, under-braked and under-powered milquetoast bike. To me using one for anything more than a beater commuter bike would be a punishment.

[Reddane]

R1200R, kinda boring.

[Scratch33]

Honda Shadow ACE Tourer.

[Hondarider]

R1150GS...boring exhaust note...boring power delivery...boring brakes...boring paint...boring in its lack of break downs or other drama...just a boring motorcycle all together. Absolutely perfect for covering huge distances, varied terrain, inclement weather, etc.. I think they designed it to be boring. Really nice bike, but I sure would have appreciated a more exciting exhaust note or the occasional power wheelie just to keep things interesting. I guess I'm just impossible to please. I'm riding the only slightly less boring R1200GSA now.

Incidentally...a heavily modded CR500R is the least boring bike I've ever owned...pure 2 wheeled hatred and anger...it tried desperately to kill me on very outing...horrifying nightmare of a bike...never boring though...it was more scary and exciting at idle than the GS at full speed.

[cls]

Originally Posted by windmill

"Character" shouldn't be measured by flaws.
Bikes are my preferred and only form of transportation, and my preferred form of recreation, so I desire "character" and function.

Agreed and that's why I put "character" in quotes. That's what a lot of folks refer to character as: some (IMO) crap that doesn't work right, was poorly engineered, is unreliable, etc.. That's cool for them, but not for me. If we're breaking down bikes, I currently have my 93rd through 97th in the garage. I've had my fair share of experience over the last 30 years and a half a million'ish miles, on and off-road. Great stuff. As I say, I love to compare and contrast. Interesting to see how other folks take things.