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I was a Suzuki factory rep. Years ago, I had a GS550ESE. I rode w/ several GSX-R 750's and FZR's. My bike stayed w/ them up until about 115 mph.

I have the 1980 GS1000g model w. 13k miles, have done 34 repairs/improvements...so far...and currently have the top end and cylinders off for a valve job and new rings, I'll do myself. Constant repair issues as it sat for 17 years. These are superb running bikes, truly, but far from problem free at 46 years old. My daily rider is a 1992 Honda ST1100 w. 72,000 miles...reliable and problem free.

When I’m bored and lonely I will take out one of my old Hondas and someone will always want to talk about it.

Best British bike ever built

The toaster tank bmw R75/5, R60/5, and the R50/5 's were only made in 1972 and 1973. They also are all almost 10k unless they are all rusted out and broken. The earlier 1970 and 1971 R75/5 didn't have a toaster tank and is cheaper along with the later R75/6's which are a completley different motorcycle.

bought a 72 cb450 new in 73 in 74 I rode it from Detroit to aspen and back. at 80 mph. then up and down aspen mountain every day for a week on the lift access trails. camped on top of the mountain at 11,200 ft. had to rev it to 3500 rpm to get any power up there. abused the bike and it did not faulter. after that trip I was bored with it and it sat then I sold it to friends who beat on it some more. great bike. eventually bought an 83 Kow Kz1100 spectre.

I owned two 1975 RD350's. I bought the first one new at $995 in early 1976. The second one I obtained in a trade for some bicycle wheels. GREAT bikes!. This is the first video of this type where the specs and the differences between the RD350's and R5 are correct. I've owned a 1975 CB750 Super Sport, 1981 CB750F which is the "little brother" of the CB1100F as well as a 1978 KZ1000LTD. Loved all of them! Very knowledgeable presentation. Thumbs up!

What about New Bikes!?

Nice Job! You did miss one point about Honda's SOHC4 bikes, though: Honda also made a CB250 SOHC4, sold only in Japan, because of the Four's popularity and Japan's very expensive bike licenses for more than 250cc machines. They made all of 17 HP and look like, even are mistaken for, the CB350 Four because they have the same frame size. Occasionally they show up in the USA, but in poor condition and mostly are a novelty today.

kawasaki 250 82 to 87. Maybe $1,200 in near new condition. Spend $800 to redo carburator and airfilter, Have a care for the chain and check all fluids

Mt first bike was a 72 H1 500 triple, didn't know how fast it was when I bought it. 1979, I bought a new 1979 CB750K. In 1983 I was fortunate enough to buy a Honda 600XL off the showroom floor for $2400 brand new. I almost returned it cause I didn't know how to kick start it. I got stuck at a gas station 5 miles from the dealership with a new bike that wouldn't start, lol. Anyway, over the course of the next three years I learned how to jump, powerslide, and hill climb that big thumper!!! Over the course of my lifetime I have fallen into some real classics.

Sweet bikes man.

What about purple

Wait how much is the bike worth

Dude, we have the same taste on vintage bikes!😊

Sure wish I had my '73 CB750 back. Oh well time moves on.

There's gotta be another Yamaha on the list. What about the original SECA?

Ok, your cred went through the roof when you started with the BMW airhead. The ring-ding hits a hot button for me. Then the Honda Hawk. Dude you're killing it. I had a Suzuki GS750, my first bike.

I can't believe that in your magnificent collection you don't have a 1982 Yamaha RD 350LC !!! I had a black one with reds, undoubtedly the best 2 stroke in the world. There hasn't been another one like it. Greetings, Rob.

You may want to check on your BMW model years. The /5 series bikes were made in a five year span 1969 to 1973, not the mid '70's to mid '80's. They came with "toaster tanks" (I have 2) or a larger tank with rubber knee grips. You should have mentioned the Honda V 65 Magna, a tremendous bike. It was the Worlds' fastest bike when it came out in 1983 and young men had as many posters of the V 65 on their bedroom wall as they did of a Ferrari or Farrah Fawcett. I enjoyed your video (it just popped up on my screen) but I just had to clue you in to the mis speak on the /5 series BMW's.

I want a 1986 Suzuki GS1000.

You forgot the Moto Guzzi😢

Wheels are not original 1975 through 77 were spoke wheels

Nav your spot on. For my money the Yamaha xs2 650 1972/3 is probably the best looking motorbike ever produced with a sound to match.

Great review little bit to much talk not enough bikes we who watch already know each one of these but like I said good job.

Wow , Ducati copied honda,, how so, Ducati has been around since the late 40's, I have a collection of bikes,, I have all the Hodaka's, dirt quirt, combat wombat ect, actually all the bikes you mentioned I have, relics of my past hehehe, good video

RD400, H1 500 Kawi Triple, were bikes I wish I 'd had, also liked the TX750 Yamaha, but it had issues. I liked the widow maker triple 750, but it also supposedly got 18 mpg. I quit riding 2 years ago as I was almost hit by distracted drivers 5 times in 3 years. Which is good since the next bike I planned on was a Yamaha FJ1200.

Good video. I agree with most. I also like the Yamahas and Hondas of the time. I agree on 1974- 1976 Honda CB550 looking better than 77 and 78 and also being better than a 1973 CB500. What I don't agree on is the YR5/RD350. You even said yourself said that you think it was a Kawasaki model you like the earlier models with a drum brakes so why don't you like the YR5? You said it was lacking and I disagree. YR5 was better then RD350 and everything that is lacking from RD350 is what makes it better! First of all front drum brake look better and there was no fuel lines calipers or master cylinders to leak and the whole package was lighter. It was only 350 2 stroke light not at 750 4 so it did not need a disk in the front. Second five speed transmissions are less complex and there's less shifting so they last longer and so does the clutch so it was more robust than RD350 6 speed. Last YR5 was piston port while RD350 had reeds. Piston port is simpler and more rugged. Reeds brake! Piston Port there is nothing to brake! Final verdict Yamaha YR5 is a simpler better bike than RD350. If you knew these three differences your video would have been different.

At 22:25 you say the 350 four is the smallest 4 cylinder ever made. The Benelli (Moto Guzzi) 254 was a 231cc four cylinder from 1977 until 1984 (when it increased to 300cc nominal) Plus of course the four big Japanese makers all built 250 four cylinder bikes in the 80s

Btw you can’t water down gas. It’s equivalent to watering down oil. Gas has a shelf life and if your state has ethanol in the gas, that can interact with moisture and separate from the gas. That’s a beautiful bike, too bad your weather there doesn’t allow you to use it more. Sitting has killed the bike. If you are going to let it sit that long take out all the gas and store it empty. Turning on the bike and not riding it and allowing it to come up to temperature is also bad. I currently have two bikes and I put around 1000 miles a month combined on both of them. I’m lucky that I have no winter here in Miami and can ride year round.

😎

Got an 1125 rn but I want a firebolt so bad 😭

I jave a 70 xs1, a 71 xs1b and a 72 xs2. But technically the Kawasaki W1 in 66 is the first Japanese British twin, based off of the BSA. They had the rights to the BSA engine, but built it stronger.

If you like honda Gl1000 then you should buy norton commando 1972 that bike is awesome bro.

Hey dude, I have a wonderful '98 Ninja 500 that has low mileage and is running really well. I can't find a better (or comparable) bike for less than $5,000. What do you think my bike is worth?

Honda cd750 F is still my favorite bike it just worked and never gave me any problems! Lovely bike!

The HONDA CX 500/650 has the best Sport Turing rider position of any motorcycle ever produced. You can ride one on the on super slab like Goldwing all day long or make multiple runs on the Dragon's Tail until the sun goes down. You will be comfortable and capable doing both. Also, for the size of the fairing, HONDA did fantastic aerodynamic work creating low drag but excellent rider protection. The Turbo is best experienced during "roll-on" acceleration at freeway speeds. You can walk a Corvette into and tiny dot in your rearview. If you think these bikes are "garbage" you lack experience and therefore perspective. They represent the epitome of HONDA technical brilliance at that time. Their is no substitute for seat time and wisdom gained through that experience. "Owning" something does not make you experienced with it. Your list, for me (even though I agree with you on almost all your choices above 449ccs) , is more a "magazine-mind" perspective. For example, you mention several of the ultra cool Hodakas, but you completely missed the train failing to mention the DT-1 Yamaha without which there never would have been a "dual sport" (and now "adventure bike") market, and all the future MX riders that grew out of taking the lights off and snuffer out of their DT-1s. Further, the "dirt bike/trail bike" market was initially seeded by the HONDA CT-90 which has the never-again-repeated in motorcycle history honor of being an "all generations" motorcycle: many young children had their first ride on a motorcycle by a grand parent or other adult on the back of a CT-90 and then went on to have their first time riding, ever, riding one themselves. The CT-90 could be on the back of grandpa's motorhome/truck camper or in the garage or barn of the hunter or farmer. It had/has universal appeal unlike ANY other motorcycle (you are, understandably, just too young to understand this). Why do you think HONDA recently re-introduced it in a modern larger version with all the original style...?

I can't believe you didn't add the Z50A and the CT70 to your list. Granted they are not the power houses made during this time, but, they are as iconic as they come. I had three Z50As and a CT70 when I worked for American Honda from 1970 through 1974. I used one of the Z50s for my pit bike when I was a mechanic on the motocross team (Gaylon Mosier's wrench) and had the other two for myself and my roommate to go to the beach or just tool around the neighborhood. I made a little trailer for the CT70 and used it to go to the market and just ride around town (without the trailer). Also, I had a CB750 K1, a CL77, a a CL450, a RD350 and a YZ80. I wish I had everyone of them back...loved them all.

My first 4 stroke was the Yamaha XS650, bought new in 1972. I went 2 up with my girlfriend from London to near Thesseloniki, Greece, for our summer holiday. A couple of years ago I saw one, and it surprised me how small it looked, that my 6'2"frame, my girlfriend, and our luggage fitted on one for a 3000 mile journey.

Wished I’d never sold my 1972 XS 650 ..!!

My first bike was a Triumph Mountain Cub 200 (stolen). Second bike was a Hodaka Ace 90 (stolen). Third bike was a BSA 441 Victor. Fourth bike was a Honda CL(?)175 Scrambler. Fifth bike was a Norton 850 Commando MkII Interstate (stolen). Sixth bike ditto on the previous. Next was a Honda CB1100F (piggish). Then a BMW K75T. Then.............. and so on. I owned a lot of bikes that are on your list. The rest are too new to be included.

The GT380 came out before the GT550, anyone who has owned one will tell you that the exhaust sounded like nothing else. It was absolute music as standard.

If you are looking at RD350's, I ' d reach a little bit and get the RD400....had one, adored it! Revised front fork geometry, 6 spoke alloys, faster than a a cat on a skillet.... But I didn't disagree with any of your choices. Nice work!

Great video about some great bikes from my early days of riding. I drove my 1972 XS2 650 (red one) across the country in 1979 and it was great! Of course, I wish I never would have sold it but at the time a brand new 1981 KZ-750 E2 was my dream bike and in the end 5 years later I wish I never would have sold it also, but a friend hounded me for over a year so I finally sold it to him.

Those wheels arent correct. 78 was the first year of the comstars. The bike was black. Should find some wire wheels to bring it back original. My 78 has 53k miles on it runs awesome, rode it today.

The Yamaha R5 did not have the same engine as the RD350, although they shared some common parts. The R5 had all port intake/exhaust and a 5-speed transmission, while the RD had reed valve intake and a 6-speed transmission. both are desirable, the R5 is actually a bit rarer.

12:55 "(the Yamaha XS650) ...was truly a Japanese bike built by the British..." Huh? I think you meant that the other way 'round, it was a British bike built by the Japanese.

I absolutely love the vintage Japanese & British bikes of this time period, but yes you definitely missed the YAMAHA XSEleven, now i know they dont get the love they deserve but once i bought my 1st one i was head over heals in love! It is a super comfortable, super reliable & in 78 was the fastest bike in the world (& believe me they're still fast enough) i rode in a M/C for 7yrs called "Ole Skool Riders" & I shocked a lot of ppl who underestimated the XS 11 because they really do run, great ⅛ & ¼ mile bike plus cruise all day. They are extremely reliable too. Ive had 3 just because they are great bikes...

What about the 1978 Suzuki GS 1000E ?

3:08 GL's were 1000cc's from 1975-1979. The GL1100 engines began in 1980.