Worst MX Bike Ever vs Best MX Bike Ever

For me, personally…the 1974 Suzuki TM400 was a pure nightmare, the 1996 Honda CR250 was a great bike once you fixed the suspension. 

I believe that Canondale ride's was faster by 5 sec.

For me one of the worst bikes I'd ever ridden was a 1986 Suzuki RM125 and RM250 and maybe add to that the 86 YZ125. Truly ghastly bikes.

Worst bike I ever rode 1991 KTM 125.

The YZ250 is the all-timer. 

A modern 450 is better than a 500 in every way besides the "coolness" factor. 

What about that motor in a modern frame?  Idk

I also think the 1986 RM250 was the worst bike I have ever owned (and one of the coolest looking) and at 68 I have owned a ton of bikes! Best is a tie between 2016 KX250, 2017 CR250 and 2018 KTM 250SX.

I tried to get along with the Cyclone and the old BSA 441 Victim.  They only seemed happy trying to kill me.

There's other old bikes that were terrible.  Snapped shocks and foot pegs.  Swingarms made of spaghetti...folded metal levers perfect for chopping off fingers.

Anything made after 1982 was awesome compared to earlier bikes.

That’s definitely a nice build, good job

I’m not convinced it’s the best dirt bike you can own, but I could be wrong ? Riding a 500 2-stroke on a motocross track is a lot to handle for most. I’ve owned lots of 500’s and ridden an aluminum framed 500 that was also beautifully built with nice details, but it’s not a bike I’ll ever own again. Diehard 500 guys gotta be drooling over that one though… 

If I posted this twice I claim old age and drinking beer, I’m retired.

I think the 250 TM was worse then the 400.  My buddies 400 would at least run clean.  We could never jet my 250 to run clean.  It was a pogo stick.  Rumor has it Suzuki fired all the R&D staff that came up with the TM.
 

I thought it would be a 2008 crf450 vs the Cannondale when I clicked...

Both Suzuki. TM400 (Worst), 81 RM125 (Best). Suzuki…….where are they now……riding 15 year rmz450 old bikes in modern sx and winning (Roczen). 

1981 Suzuki RM125 - Game Changer

2005 to 2048 -Suzuki 450 NO changer

That YZM500 is freaking badass....

1985 Husky 500 was a POS....best was the 81 Maico it was like riding a works bike compared to the competition.  

And the 82 Maico could have been the worst bike. Crazy and sad how it went downhill so fast.

360 Yamaha and the TM 400 70's ill tempered

1975 Husqvarna GP 250, great bike

1983 Honda XR350( dip stick would melt away) 1985 500 Husqvarna vibrated your feet to sleep in 10 minutes

1984 KTM MX 125, awesome bike, should have never sold it

1997 CR250 would pitch you off for no reason.

1995 Honda CR 250 was a really nice bike.

2000-2003 WP forks went back in time. Jackhammers on the wrists.

2005 Yamaha yz 125, lots of fun

A common housefly would have a longer lifespan than the YZ250 gearbox in the YZ500…

08 CRF450, 12-17 RMZ 450, 03+ YZ250 and modern YZ250F all seem very good for their time. The bikes I’ve liked the least would be the last of the KX250 two strokes and modern CRF450, they both always just feel so small to me for some reason

My 1983 YZ490 was a death trap. 
Much harder to pick the best.  1990 KX250 is on the list along with the 2012 RM-Z450

I've ridden some really bad bikes but in '94 or '95 I think? They had the sounds of Thunder 4 stroke World Championship, my buddy and 2 time World Champ Donny Schmit was given 2 CCM British made? not sure, 4 stroke bikes with Rotax engines. He let me ride one after push starting that beast because it wouldn't start, then hearing the loudest bike on the planet I went to ride a lap...worst POS I've ever put a leg over! I came back and said how in the hell did you win on this?? he laughed and said I just hammered it!

I think the same every time I see one of these YZ250-based big-bores. Great for a YT build and some action videos, but I’m guessing those cases would come apart frequently for transmission repairs if it was your regular go-to bike.

Time will tell, but the BRC guys have a video explaining the issue with the YZ250 transmission, and what they have done to prevent problems with their engine kit. Looking forward to some real world feedback on these things, now that they have begun shipping to paying customers. 

I read an article, Brad Lackey commented the little Japanese engineers couldn’t start the TM400.  Heck a TM250 would kick back and throw ya over the bars.  I still have a scar on my left ankle, decided to start me brand new TM250 with converse tennis shoes.  Chipped a piece of bone off inside of my ankle.   Even though it would barely run clean and was a pogo stick, it was still fast.  Stout motor and hit like a freight train.  

Strange. I have trophies over 50 years old but both my worst and best bikes I have owned have been in the last 10 years. My worst was my 2013 YZ450. That bikes poor cornering not only held me back but keep me spooked for a time after I ditched it. That was finally cured by my favorite bike, a 2004 RM250. Still cant believe I got rid of it!

My 1986 RM125 was the worst bike ever and the best bike ever. 

(It was my first brand-new motorcycle, first 125, and I didn't know any better. Lots of great memories.) 

Best MX bike ever, hands down, is the 1974 Honda CR125M which celebrates it's 50th birthday this year.

That bike was a direct ripoff of the original Elsinore made in Mexico. Years ahead of its time. 😁

Not sure everyone thinks the BRC conversions result in the best MX Bike Ever, but seller's puff and it's damn cool that people go down these lanes.

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/BRC500,1408820