The Worst Motorcycle of the 1980s - Honda Ascot Review

Summary

The Honda Ascot is a baffling motorcycle that tries to be a jack-of-all-trades but fails at every attempt. With awkward ergonomics, a frustrating shaft drive system, and an identity crisis between cruiser, sport bike, and tourer, it’s a ride that’s bad at everything. Honda’s ambitious attempt to create a versatile bike in the 1980s ultimately resulted in a motorcycle that's uncomfortable, slow, and perplexing. Despite its flaws, the Ascot stands as a quirky testament to Honda’s dedication to the Universal Japanese Motorcycle philosophy, even if it’s more of a laugh than a viable ride.

Takeaways

• 😀 Honda Ascot's name sounds like a prison nickname, but it's the name of a peculiar motorcycle.
• 😀 The Ascot is a 500cc V-twin engine, which sounds promising but doesn't perform like a sport bike.
• 😀 The motorcycle features a shaft drive, which causes significant windage loss and drags down performance, especially at higher RPMs.
• 😀 The bike suffers from a phenomenon called shaft jacking, which unweights the front tire during cornering, making it less stable.
• 😀 The mirrors on the Ascot are strangely magnified, causing awkward and shaky close-up views of nearby buildings.
• 😀 The bike's kickstand is inconveniently mounted near the front wheel, which is a design flaw that hampers usability.
• 😀 The seat height and tank position make the Ascot uncomfortable for most riders, especially those not 6’5” with huge forearms.
• 😀 The footpegs are positioned too low, making the riding posture unnatural and uncomfortable, particularly for taller riders.
• 😀 Despite being built as a sport bike, the Ascot lacks the necessary characteristics, such as agility, to perform well on twisty roads.
• 😀 Honda’s intention behind the Ascot was to create a versatile bike that could do it all, but it ended up being bad at everything, leading to its quick discontinuation.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video review?

The video review primarily focuses on the Honda Ascot, a motorcycle with an unusual combination of features, and the reviewer humorously critiques its design, performance, and comfort.

How does the reviewer describe the Honda Ascot's engine performance?

The reviewer describes the Honda Ascot’s engine as a 500cc V-twin that is capable of revving to high RPMs but fails to deliver sufficient power, especially above 5,000 RPM, leading to a sluggish and underwhelming performance.

What specific issue does the reviewer highlight with the Ascot's shaft drive?

The reviewer criticizes the Ascot’s shaft drive for causing significant power loss due to windage and friction. This results in lower efficiency, especially at higher RPMs, compared to the chain-driven alternatives commonly found on sport bikes.

What is the reviewer’s opinion on the Ascot’s ergonomics and comfort?

The reviewer finds the Ascot extremely uncomfortable, describing the seating position as awkward and poorly suited for riders, with the seat being too high and hard, making long rides physically challenging.

What does the term 'shaft jacking' mean, and why is it important in this context?

'Shaft jacking' refers to the issue that occurs when the shaft drive causes the rear swing arm to lift during acceleration or deceleration, which unweights the front tire. This reduces front tire grip, leading to potential loss of control, especially in corners.

What humor does the reviewer use when discussing the bike's mirrors?

The reviewer humorously points out that the Ascot’s mirrors are magnified, giving a 'shaky close-up' of the second-floor windows of an apartment building, making the mirrors both impractical and, in a funny way, inappropriate for riders.

What is the main issue with the placement of the Ascot’s key?

The reviewer highlights the impractical design of the key, which is recessed so deeply that the reviewer needs needle-nose pliers to turn it, making it inconvenient for everyday use.

Why does the reviewer describe the Ascot as 'bad at everything'?

The reviewer calls the Ascot 'bad at everything' because it combines aspects of a sport bike, cruiser, and tourer but fails to excel at any of them. It’s not fast enough for a sport bike, uncomfortable for long rides, and impractical due to its odd design features.

How does the review compare the Honda Ascot to other bikes in terms of historical context?

The reviewer discusses the Ascot in the context of Honda’s legacy, contrasting it with the success of the CB750 and other Honda bikes that followed. The Ascot’s failure is positioned as the result of a misguided attempt to blend too many genres into one underperforming motorcycle.

What does the reviewer mean by 'Honda carefully built the worst motorcycle of the 1980s'?

This comment refers to the Ascot’s meticulous but misguided design process. Despite the bike being well-built in terms of craftsmanship, its inability to perform well in any category (sport, touring, or cruiser) led to it being one of the most unsuccessful motorcycles of its time.