Every legendary Hayabusa or R1 that burns itself into our collective memory leaves dozens of perfectly decent bikes behind, vanishing without a trace. What makes a motorcycle forgettable isn’t always poor performance. Sometimes it’s bland styling that blends into the background like beige wallpaper. Other times, it’s marketing departments that couldn’t sell water in a desert.
Let’s autopsy these forgotten two-wheelers and figure out why they’re collecting dust instead of collecting fans. Each one had potential, but somehow ended up as the motorcycle equivalent of that song you recognize but can’t name.
10. Honda NC750X: The Appliance
Honda NC750X represents what happens when motorcycle designers prioritize practicality over everything else. Its front storage compartment (where the fuel tank should be) and optional automatic transmission offer convenience, but its engine tops out around 6000 RPM—half the redline of most motorcycles.
The utilitarian dashboard and ergonomics reinforce that this is a two-wheeled appliance, not a passion project. Some commuters praise its practicality, but it lacks the character found in virtually every other adventure bike on the market. This creates a machine that excels at being sensible but fails to inspire the kind of emotional connection that keeps riders coming back for more—the motorcycle equivalent of sensible shoes.
9. Suzuki DR650 & Honda XR650L: The Immortal Workhorses
Both the Suzuki DR650 and Honda XR650L (unchanged since 1993!) are the cockroaches of the motorcycle world—and that’s a compliment. Modern ADV bikes offer electronic suspension and Bluetooth connectivity. These simple air-cooled singles just keep running, apocalypse be damned.
Basic tools and parts you could find in a rural hardware store anywhere on earth can fix these bikes. They’re not flashy enough for Instagram, but they offer something increasingly rare: freedom from dependence on specialized service. Their unassuming exteriors hide remarkable durability and versatility that newer, more complex machines often lack, as motorcycle reliability research explains the importance of simple engineering for longevity. They’re forgotten not because they’re bad, but because reliability isn’t sexy—until you’re stranded 100 miles from the nearest cell signal.
8. Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster/Bobber: The Identity Crisis
Classic Triumph Bonneville family typically represents refined British design with classic proportions. Then there’s the Speedmaster and Bobber models, which feel like they’re trying too hard to be cool at the family reunion.
Oversized tires, lowered stance, and chopped fenders diverge so far from classic Bonneville aesthetics that they lose the plot entirely. These modifications often overshadow the core Bonneville DNA, creating bikes that feel like they’re wearing costumes rather than expressing authentic character. By prioritizing trendy styling over timeless elegance, these variants become forgettable outliers in Triumph’s otherwise cohesive lineup.
7. BMW F800/900R: The Spreadsheet Special
German engineers designed these parallel-twin powered nakeds without consulting their hearts. The BMW F800R and its F900R successor deliver exactly what their spec sheets promise: reliable performance, reasonable fuel economy, and the kind of excitement you’d get from watching paint dry.
Other middleweight naked bikes like the Yamaha MT-07 or KTM Duke deliver white-knuckle thrills. BMW created machines that feel like they were designed for people who organize their sock drawers by color and thickness. They’re technically proficient motorcycles that do everything right except make you want to ride them—the motorcycle equivalent of sensible shoes.
6. Metro Cruisers: The Indistinguishable Trio
Line up a Suzuki Boulevard, Yamaha Roadstar, and Kawasaki Vulcan side by side, then ask someone who isn’t a motorcycle enthusiast to tell them apart. You’ll witness the human equivalent of a computer’s spinning beach ball.
These mainstream cruisers share nearly identical styling cues—large air-cooled V-twins, chrome-heavy designs, and a general sense that they’re all trying to be something from Milwaukee without admitting it. Unlike distinctive options like the Ducati Diavel or Honda Fury, these bikes lack any defining character. They deliver competent performance but feel as interchangeable as actors in a soap opera, contributing to their collective forgettability in a market that rewards personality and distinction.
5. Kawasaki W800: The Retro That Wasn’t Retro Enough
Kawasaki’s W800 perfectly demonstrates why some retro bikes end up as wallflowers at the motorcycle prom. Its 773cc air-cooled parallel twin produces about 48 horsepower through a 5-speed gearbox. At approximately 500 pounds, it’s carrying the weight of a much more substantial machine without the muscle to back it up.
With a price tag around $10,400, it competes directly with the Triumph Bonneville T100—a bike with deeper heritage credentials. The W800 offers modern conveniences like fuel injection and a slipper clutch, appealing primarily to riders who want vintage looks without vintage problems. Despite these updates, its performance limitations and substantial weight make it a tough sell against alternatives that offer either more authentic character or more capable performance.
4. Honda CB1100: The Analog Throwback
In a world of touchscreens and ride modes, the Honda CB1100 is defiantly old-school. Its 1140cc air-cooled 4-cylinder engine sits in a traditional cradle frame like motorcycles built decades ago. There are no riding modes, no traction control, and nothing to distract from the pure mechanical experience.
Smooth, linear power flows without electronic interference, but its 5-speed transmission and 545-pound weight disadvantage it against modern machines. Think mechanical watch in an Apple Watch world—beautiful in its simplicity but outperformed by modern alternatives. Despite offering a pure riding experience, it remains overshadowed by more technologically advanced or visually striking options that better capture the public’s imagination.
3. Suzuki Katana (2019+): The Nostalgia Cash-In
Revolutionary describes the original Katana from the early ’80s—a design so radical it still looks futuristic four decades later. The 2019 revival? It’s essentially a GSX-S1000 wearing a Halloween costume of its ancestor.
Competitors like the BMW S1000R and Ducati Streetfighter V4 push performance and design boundaries. The new Katana relies on nostalgia without capturing what made the original special—like when your favorite band reunites for a tour but only plays slowed-down versions of their hits. Instead of honoring its heritage by being equally innovative, it settles for being a marketing exercise with retro-inspired bodywork.
2. Honda CB500F: The Forgotten Middle Child
New riders face a dizzying array of options, and the Honda CB500F somehow manages to be both a solid choice and completely forgettable. Weighing about 50 pounds more than Kawasaki’s Z400 while offering similar power, it costs significantly less than an MT-07.
Delivering Honda’s legendary reliability and smooth power delivery, the CB500F packages everything in a design about as visually exciting as a tax form. Budget-conscious beginners appreciate its dependability, but those seeking an emotional connection with their first bike often look elsewhere. This leaves the CB500F to fade into the background noise of the motorcycle market like a Toyota Corolla on wheels.
1. Harley-Davidson Street 750/Street Rod 750: The Failed Experiment
Street 750 models represent Harley’s attempt to court younger riders with mixed results. Weighing over 500 pounds despite their middleweight positioning, these bikes suffered from questionable build quality and limited aftermarket support. The Street 500 variant offered even less performance with no corresponding drop in weight.
Harley created bikes that struggled to satisfy both traditional fans and new riders—like a boomer trying to use TikTok slang. These machines lacked both the brand’s traditional chrome-laden prestige and the performance to compete with Japanese alternatives. The result was a motorcycle that existed in strange limbo before being discontinued—not authentic enough for the faithful, not advanced enough for newcomers.
