Ask a real enthusiast, and they will tell you that motorcycles are not just a form of transport – in a unique way, they bring immeasurable joy to the rider. Leaning through the curvy roads, piercing through the air on open roads, they bring an extension of style to a person's life. However, there is more to motorcycles than the fun and style; there is the aspect of reliability, and just like cars, some motorcycles are quite reliable, and others are not.
This is true to all types of motorcycles, but mostly classic motorcycles. Finding a well-kept 50-year-old bike is not an easy task. Some classic motorcycles can take you wherever you want, irrespective of the distance or the condition of the road, and some will leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
10 Will Run Forever: Honda Rebel
The Honda Rebel was a revolutionary motorcycle of its time, a fact that was kept hidden by its classic build and the loud spoiler. It is a bike that redefined the true meaning of reliability and efficiency among two-wheelers in the mid-1980s.
The Rebel, now considered one of the most wanted classic motorcycles, is equipped with a 234cc V-twin engine. The engine produced enough power and torque to propel the Honda Rebel to a top speed of 70 mph. It is a lightweight and fuel-efficient motorcycle that will take you anywhere and everywhere without a complaint.
9 Will Leave You Stranded: Kawasaki 500 H1
The Kawasaki 500 H1 was available on the market from 1969 to 1975. The 500 H1 was powered by a 500cc, two-stroke engine that was not as reputable as the manufacturer claimed. The 500 H1 presented a lot of problems to the rider a few miles from purchase.
It was a fast bike, but at top speeds, its handling was terrible, and if the rider was not experienced enough, it could lead to a fatal crash. Other than leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere, the Kawasaki 500 H1 could send you to a hospital bed or worse.
8 Will Run Forever: Vincent Black Shadow
The Vincent Black Shadow was first built in 1948. It was a beautiful motorcycle, and quite advanced for the age. The bike had several distinctive features that included a stressed engine and lots of aluminum. The Black Shadow was powered by a potent 998cc engine that made it quite difficult for inexperienced riders to handle.
It was a superfast motorcycle that held the record for the fastest street-legal motorcycles ever made for almost 20 years. Like Ducati motorcycles, the Vincent Black Shadow motorcycles were hand-built by individuals, making them even more admirable.
7 Will Leave You Stranded: Moto Guzzi Centauro
The Moto Guzzi was a terrible motorcycle that hid its disappointing performance on the beautiful aesthetics and the futuristic concept. The bike was a result of Guzzi attempting to merge several concepts into one futuristic superbike, instead, they created a massive disappointment.
One of the disappointing features was the seat – it was so uncomfortable that you could not wish to take a long trip on the bike. The Moto Guzzi Centauro handled so poorly that it could not guarantee the rider any sense of stability, leave alone safety.
6 Will Run Forever: Norton Commando
This is not just an aggressive-looking bike; it is also one of the greatest and the last big twin machines made in the United Kingdom before the collapse of its motorcycle industry in the 1970s. The Commando was initially offered in different trims to accommodate a wide array of riders, and all of the models were perfect builds – strong and beautiful.
The Norton Commando was mechanically simple and built with a well-able powertrain that gave the bike a smooth ride and excellent handling. The Commando was named "the motorcycle of the year" from 1968 to 1972.
5 Will Leave You Stranded: Husqvarna 250 MX
This is a scrambler bike that would have been a beautiful and reliable machine, were it not for the vast array of problems related to it. You would regret getting on this bike throughout your trip. One of the primary issues with the Husqvarna 250 MX is its discomfort.
On a straight line, the 250 MX was quite fun to ride; the problem was once you took the 250cc bike off the road and onto the dirt – the motorcycle had an unstable suspension that caused the front wheel to sway when braking, so you'd probably have to walk home afterward.
4 Will Run Forever: BMW Slash 5
The Slash 5 is a series of BMW motorcycles produced between 1970 and 1973. Experts and critics alike agree that these motorcycles, BMW R50/5, R60/5, and R75/5, are arguably some of the most reliable motorcycles ever built. The motorcycles were ahead of their time – they had telescopic forks and electric starters. That was quite an advancement for the '70s.
The R75/5 is known to have been the best among the series. It was stable, fun to ride, and pretty fast at 110 miles per hour. The Slash Fives are beautiful bikes that will not let you down on the streets.
3 Will Leave You Stranded: Harley-Davidson Sportster
Harley-Davidson's motorcycles are known to be robust and reliable, but the presence of the Sportster on this list proves otherwise. It tells you that not all of them. The current generation of the Harley-Davidson Sportster is such a reliable bike that can take you wherever you want to go. But the old Ironhead models are not. It is a complete opposite of reliability.
Not only was the engine unreliable, but Harley-Davidson built the old Sportster with long forks and heavy top - a combination that made the bike even worse. It resulted in an unreliable machine that handled terribly in the corners.
2 Will Run Forever: Honda CB 750
Honda did everything right when they built this bike – it's reliable, fast, and exotic. It was the world's first-ever superbike, and at the heart of it all was a mighty 736cc inline four-cylinder engine that propelled the CB 750 to a top speed of over 120 mph.
The CB 750 is a classic motorcycle that can serve you for years, and in case of issues, there are plenty of spare parts readily available.
1 Will Leave You Stranded: Honda CX 500
The Honda CX 500 was launched at a time when powerful street motorcycles were becoming the talk of the day. It was beautiful, and while it lacked a bit in the power department, people loved it. But this fame would soon turn into bitterness.
Before long, almost everyone who had a Honda CX 500 complained of engine malfunction and poor handling. The crankshaft rotation had developed a huge problem that caused the bike to pull to the right when decelerating.