Looking for a quick bike and a quick trip to the emergency department? Then here’s a killer list for you. Meet the world’s top 5 most dangerous production motorcycles.
Looking for a quick bike and a quick trip to the emergency department? Then here’s a killer list for you. Meet the world’s top 5 most dangerous production motorcycles.
I knew 2 people who had the '72 Kawasaki 750. A friends brother, who rode like a lunatic, and my 55 - 60 year old uncle who lived in PEI. He used it to commute to work on the ferries between PEI and the mainland. Everyone in the family drove fast and furious. He let me ride his old Honda 305 dream, but just laughed when I asked if I could ride the 750. I was 15 at the time. He probably saved me from a serious accident.
Looking for a quick bike and a quick trip to the emergency department? Then here’s a killer list for you. Meet the world’s top 5 most dangerous production motorcycles.
The article was written by someone who probably never rode a single one of those bikes.
I had an 72 H2 when I was in my early 20s, and a '74 CB750 after that. Both were a bit hairy compared to a refined bike today but I think the time has amplified the Widomaker legend. When an H2 went down, it was similar to hearing about an R6 doing down today -- too much speed and a rider with too little skill. Back then insurance was so cheap it really didn't matter what kind of bike you owned, so a lot of squids ended up on H1 and H2s because they were cheap and fast. Things I remember and don't remember about the H2.
Storytellers let you believe an H2 would rip you arms out under hard acceleration. Nope -- it wasn't that powerful. A late-model Ninja 300 would be along side an H2 zero to 60, my current 650cc VSTROM would be 50 bike lengths ahead by the time my H2 hit 60mph. That said, it did have a tricky power curve, at about 3000RPM it was kicking out about 20hp, by 6000 RPM you were getting the full 75hp so hard acceleration did require rider attention. To me it was more thrilling than scary. (I did dump a chick off the back seat once, the power comes on hard)
Brakes were par for the age. Mine was factory dual front rotors and rear drum, brakes were better than my 74 CB750, 76 GL1000 or 81 XV920R.
Wobbly - Yes, it got a sketchy above 85mph (150kmh) -- up till there it was fine. In the 70's, everything that had the top of the market power was a bit scary. A 71 Chevelle could do 130mph... but not down the 507.
TM400
I also rode a DT400 fairly often, that was Yamaha's version of a TM400 dirtbike. Those were overpowered dirtbikes and much harder to ride than an H2. I normally rode a CanAm MX250, the only time I felt comfortable on a 400 was climbing hills. I think the 400and up 2 strokes were all failed experiments in the power race.
I think being a lightweight has worked out in my favor again - I haven't exactly put the bike through its paces yet, but already I have been surprised at how well the damping is working for me. The 25 year old rotary shock is still there, and seems to be OK? That said I just noticed some oil spots underneath the bike and I haven't found the source yet - so technically haven't ruled out a leaking shock
Edit: That does remind me I still haven't set the sag yet
TM400
I also rode a DT400 fairly often, that was Yamaha's version of a TM400 dirtbike. Those were overpowered dirtbikes and much harder to ride than an H2. I normally rode a CanAm MX250, the only time I felt comfortable on a 400 was climbing hills. I think the 400and up 2 strokes were all failed experiments in the power race.
The problem with those old 2 strokes is the power came on like a banshee brrrbrrrrWAAAAAAAAAAAAA! The big thumpers pumped out 8-10 hp till they hit 3000RPM, then BANG! 40-50hp with nothing between.
Pretty clear memory of feeling like laundry hanging on to a borrowed H2 in the 70s. Quite a rush. Only similar was a Vincent Black Shadow that I just got to ride for a short block....torque city from the get go on the Vincent while the H2 was "holy ****" when it hit the power band.
Long before the Hayabusa, riders turned to British motorcycles for speed and new technology. In the 20s, the Brough-Superior SS100 went faster than many
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Buddie's Honda 750 was a thrill too a ways back and could handle. His got stolen and after looking for two years he found it nearby turned into a track bike and reclaimed it after getting a full insurance payout.
Back when Dunlop K81's or Michelin PZ2's were the hot ticket and men were men...
Honorable mention for the exhaust note on those simply horrible TM400's too.
The problem with those old 2 strokes is the power came on like a banshee brrrbrrrrWAAAAAAAAAAAAA! The big thumpers pumped out 8-10 hp till they hit 3000RPM, then BANG! 40-50hp with nothing between.
I was a young buck at the time but I remember getting on a cr500 back in the day, that thing went from flat to stupid fast in a blink with not much in between. Seemed great at the time but overall not the most effective. Modern 250s will no doubt crush it overall
Likewise I had three H2's from '72 to '74. The '72 model was the wildest. The '74 was weakest due to being smogged up from the factory but gave slightly better fuel mileage. The '73 I broke the crank when I missed a shift but was able to get home on two cylinders.
Both were a bit hairy compared to a refined bike today but I think the time has amplified the Widomaker legend. When an H2 went down, it was similar to hearing about an R6 doing down today -- too much speed and a rider with too little skill.
That said, it did have a tricky power curve, at about 3000RPM it was kicking out about 20hp, by 6000 RPM you were getting the full 75hp so hard acceleration did require rider attention.
I recall that a WOT range from about 4500rpm to 6500rpm was the danger zone where you had to have things in check, ie: smooth dry pavement, weight forward and all in a straight line (and no chick on the back for fear of a 70 mph wheelie).
Pretty clear memory of feeling like laundry hanging on to a borrowed H2 in the 70s. Quite a rush. Only similar was a Vincent Black Shadow that I just got to ride for a short block....torque city from the get go on the Vincent while the H2 was "holy ****" when it hit the power band.
Long before the Hayabusa, riders turned to British motorcycles for speed and new technology. In the 20s, the Brough-Superior SS100 went faster than many
www.motorbiscuit.com
Buddie's Honda 750 was a thrill too a ways back and could handle. His got stolen and after looking for two years he found it nearby turned into a track bike and reclaimed it after getting a full insurance payout.
I don't think I've ever seen a Vincent in the wild, I would have liked to ride one around the block.
The 'holy **** this is fast" feeling is relative. Having owned and ridden both an H2 and CB750 I can say they were lead dogs In their day (as were Vincents in their day). For anyone who has ridden a modern bike they would feel less exhilarating than a 2004 Wee Strom. In fact, a Wee would smoke any of them up and down 0-60, through a 1/4 mile run, and through any road or track course.
I'm not saying they weren't a thrill to ride -- they were a thrill to ride. I remember running through 150/kmh at WOT on those old bikes and not being able to look at the speedo any longer. The exact same as the feeling that came over me when I ran my FJR or Busa over 250 - a white-knuckle gripping fear of the unknown combined with an elephant-sized surge of adrenaline.
Most modern motorcyclists will never get the thrill or experience of manhandling a pre-75 vintage beast. The kind you checked air, leaks, chain, and oils every time before leaving on a decent ride, and where starting involved a whole lot of tickling, choking and kicking.
The Brough Superior is one of the most beautiful bikes ever made in my opinion.
I'll add to the list any Harley bagger with air shocks. Keep at least 25lbs pressure in them and there's no issue. Problem is most owners don't adjust or check this and just do it once and forget it. If the pressure gets down around the 5-10lb level you've got a bouncy rear with little to no dampening and if you go around a corner that has a bump or dip the thing just starts doing a bouncy/flexy thing that's not easy to keep in check. I've ridden the TL (and since someone brought up the CR500 yes I've owned one of those also) and the air-shock Harley is much scarier.
I dono... on a track sure... out in the desert NO WAY.
They were STUPID SCARY fast... a TANK by modern standards but WHEELIES for miles
I had a XR600R with ALL the go fast parts,the thing would do 100MPH, but the CR500 scared the bujeses outta me... the YZ490 too. A buddy had a 490 and it was MENTAL (it didn't help that HE was mental).
But the CR500 is/was legendary. BWWWWAAAAAAAAA
I dono... on a track sure... out in the desert NO WAY.
They were STUPID SCARY fast... a TANK by modern standards but WHEELIES for miles
I had a XR600R with ALL the go fast parts,the thing would do 100MPH, but the CR500 scared the bujeses outta me... the YZ490 too. A buddy had a 490 and it was MENTAL (it didn't help that HE was mental).
But the CR500 is/was legendary. BWWWWAAAAAAAAA
That’s why I love my RD250 so much. You get the 2-stroke without the crazy oh sh!t factor. Great sound, nice pull through the power band for a relatively light bike, and I’m a slim guy so it’s endless fun for me. One day I’ll swap in the 350 top end and see how that goes.
I dono... on a track sure... out in the desert NO WAY.
They were STUPID SCARY fast... a TANK by modern standards but WHEELIES for miles
I had a XR600R with ALL the go fast parts,the thing would do 100MPH, but the CR500 scared the bujeses outta me... the YZ490 too. A buddy had a 490 and it was MENTAL (it didn't help that HE was mental).
But the CR500 is/was legendary. BWWWWAAAAAAAAA
That’s a 16yr old me (maybe 140lbs tops) on my fully race modded 91 CR500R that was an ex Machine Racing (Aurora) bike. Climb anything anywhere, wheelie anytime you want for as long as you want, but imo wasn’t that scary.
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