Posts
2409
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Chapin, SC
US
Edited Date/Time
10/14/2019 8:47am
So I'm rehabbing an 04 CR 125 for my brother, and I am learning about the engineering marvel (sarcasm) that is the RC powervalve controller. I bought this one as a project and as soon as the previous owner said it didn't have any top end before he took it apart, I had a feeling the powervalve was the problem. Despite the picture, the rest of the bike actually looks good. For those not familiar, it's an electronic motor that is commonly used in model boats and cars, it opens based on a sensor in the carb. I ended up sourcing a replacement motor (MTronics M400) no problem, but it got me thinking about what an overly complicated and unreliable way to do something that had worked perfectly well with a centrifugal setup for nearly 20 years before that.
That got me thinking... what are Honda's dumbest ideas for MX bikes over the years? My top five looks like this:
1) Lefthand kickstart
2) RC Valve
3) Air Forks
4) Magnesium side cases (mid 80s)
5) 1989 CR 250 forks
Oddly enough, the aluminum frame didn't make my cut. The first generation wasn't great, but it appears the aluminum frame has stood the test of time.
All in all, Honda doesn't make many huge blunders in my opinion, but they have definitely made a few!
20 inch front wheel
Crf150r
Stopping production of its 2 strokes
Twin pipes for sure make the list
Agree with all, but I really feel the 1989 Honda forks. 1st Gen USD forks. Had sheet metal spacer and springs that rubbed the internals - the oil was always dirty and clogging the base valve. You couldn't change fork oil often enough. Saw a pair of Suzuki internals and was thinking why the F didn't Showa/Honda so something simple like that.
RC valve had nothing but hate for it even when it was new.
I don’t know how it works if truth be told, but a sensor in the carb doesn’t make as much sense to me as a sensor on the crank speed.
The Shop
Honda's worst blunders? Thinking they could dominate the market by basically selling the 74 CR250 through 1977 and the 74 CR125 all the way through 1978. The 76 CR250 sucked so bad against the competition that they didn't even make a 77 model.
Wasnt the lefthand kickstart on a lot of other bikes before the CR's? Plus the airforks, pretty sure they were not the first to do so.
Speaking of which, I remember trying to start a friends KTM 620 LC4 (left side kickstart) once, no fun at all. It was (slightly) easier bump starting it!
Pit Row
The 84 models, in particular, the 250, we're junk. Forks sucked, it ate pistons, and had the first honda power valve. The only good thing it had was a front disc brake, but it wasn't as good as other brands and was a minimal improvement over a well set up and maintained double leading shoe on the 83s.
Two pipes
and
Ridgelines
Pretty sure all manufacturers have some big blunders though.
suzuki werent far behind with the TM series
and to think i nearly got a 77 cr125, because well Marty and they looked great.
Post a reply to: Honda Dumb Idea Hall of Fame?