I bought an RD350 YPVS when I passed my test in 1984. Bikini fairing model with micron exhausts. I was only 17 but in those days you could get rider policy insurance, third party , fire & theft from Norwich Union. You just paid for the CC of the bike. I could ride any bike up to 350cc regardless of performance for a very reasonable price. My friend also had one and we rode them hard. Got less than 30 mpg if you flogged them. Lots of fun and great for popping power wheelies. Faster and faster until the thrill of the speed outweighed the fear of death 💀
You can still get third party only Jumping straight on a quick bike from a 125 on my experience wasn’t necessarily a great idea but better than what we have now I think
@@bikerdood1100I used to have a Kawasaki G3 90cc street bike (lime green in colour). This sounded like a hornet buzzing down the road at a top speed of 62 mph. Lol.
A very fine collection of bikes indeed. The sound and smells of these bikes were intoxicating. Thanks so much for your in depth research on these bikes. Take care guys. Cheers
Thanks for covering these 2 strokes, I remember them all. I liked the 2 strokes and I owned A Suzuki GT250 B from new which handled very well. I later bought a used Suzuki GT 500, a bike which I really took to and I have great memories of the 500, a great bike IMO.
I have a Kawasaki S3 400, a H1A 500 and a H2A 750. As you might’ve seen, they’re getting crazy money for these things now, as in the Mecum auction in the last week. I have no desire to sell my triples, because if I sell them and I just won’t have any. Concerning the 500 triple, the H1A is a 1971, more top speed than the ‘69 H1, as in they had a few years to sort it out. A magazine test had the top speed observed at 124 mile an hour. The 500 triple was meant to be a publicity, stunt, putting Kawasaki on the map in America. The motor sat high and rearward in the frame. The swinging arm was short and wheelies were the name of the game. The motor was pipey and very exciting to ride, which was just exactly what Kawasaki intended. The amazing quarter-mile numbers were probably inflated, but Tony Nicosia made some really amazing numbers with stock bikes. He was small and light and rode very aggressively. The 400 is the best triple, the 750 is the most sought after and most valuable, but the 500 has the true essence of a Kawasaki triple, the moniker “Widow Maker” suited the bike and Kawasaki just fine.
Well Kawasaki claim 124 but the magazine saw an actual 119mph as I state I’m to be honest suspicious that even this may have been a bit of a press special given that the UK got 109mph from a dealer supplied customer bike, ditto the Dutch test. Kawasaki had a reputation in the US and European for let’s say overstating their machines performance. It’s something that seems to crop up quite a bit in contemporary test, especially those in US magazines To be fair to Kawasaki it was likely common practice. After all Suzukis 67hp GT 750 was actually slower on test that a 58hp Trident 🤔
@@nigelthomas8315 no indeed they could not People et fooled into thinking that multiple cylinders and DOHC = more power but of course it’s never that simple and a lot of the extra power got absorbed by weight and drag. Not that there was actually all that much power, why the Japanese exaggerated😂😂oh yeh they did
Awesome video, gee I had a few of them over the years. A few Elsies including the V4 which was called the RZV 500 here in NZ. Still have an old RGV 250 mostly to upset the neighbours. 😁
I think today biggest 2 stroke haters are people who can't deal with the complexity lawn mower carburetor and will never understand what the word "dwell" means.
Well possibly true Two strokes are dead simple really The fact is most people today are mechanically inept They just take the bikes to the dealer and hand over a shed load of cash One born every minute as they say
@@bikerdood1100 Lol Back in the day you did all the maintenance yourself, strip and rebuild the carbs, then set them up if more than one, set the brakes drums up, do the points, check the tyre pressure, check the oil, decoke two strokes, set the timing. Some of the youngsters bought old two strokes before they had their licence and stripped them down and rebuilt them in time for their 16th birthday. Okay the bikes might just have been old Bantams but they knew every last nut and bolt on the bike. Taught you a lot about how to maintain a bike. Btw. I had the Suzuki 350 Hustler/Super Six at one time. A bit of a devil in disguise as it could cruise nicely but be agressive on the throttle and it took off like nothing on earth. Bit of a pig if you attacked corners too hard as the suspension was far too soft and the frame flexed a bit
I am British but I've spent over half my life in South Africa. I remember back in the seventies, the Johannesburg traffic cops, (bless 'em), got new bikes, Yamaha 650 twins. Their old bikes were put up for auction and I remember that you could buy a truckload of the retired Suzuki GT750's for next to nothing; nobody wanted them. Oh for that time machine. (All but one of my many bikes have been two strokes; there's something special about them) Nice vlog. thanks.
I read your reply to mean ‘ironic now that they couldn’t give them away back then’. Yes, restored they fetch quite a price tag, especially in the UK. The assertion that the GS was simply better is puzzling to me. The GS was simply a four stroke, a machine of its time. Just like the two-stroke GT was a bike of its time. Ask any Saab fanatic about the merits of a two stroke engine. They are mechanically easy to maintain and repair (no valves), and 50+ years after they were made they are still being restored and sold at high prices. One hopes the longevity would add some caché to the GT.
@@larsfrandsen2501 well better power reliability, fuel consumption and handling And there’s ground clearance and comfort. Does the GT have more character, probably but for people at the time looking for an effective sport touring bike 🤷🏼
We use to refer to those 750 Suzuki bikes as Water Buckets in the 80s, at least in my part of the UK. Never heard the term Water Buffalo for them at that time.
@@bikerdood1100 A few years ago one guy said he wanted to see my RZ500 and will pay big bucks for it. He came over to see the bike and noticed a blemish and made a sour puss face like he was so disappointed. He was trying knock the bike down to low ball me. He said, I want to bring a mechanic to check the bike. I told him, I know exactly what you're going to do. You're going to tell your mechanic to say the bike is in poor shape and not worth much. I told him get the F***off my property you F***ing coc*sucker. I then told him if you come here with your mechanic I will beat the F*** out of you and your mechanic. I'm Canadian and play many many many games of hockey and got into fights almost every game. I never heard from him again. Everyone wants it for nothing and it's almost mint.
@@derekdingwall 4000 miles ? What the hell were you doing, you know your supposed to put oil in it 😂😂😂 In all honesty I’ve never heard of a two stroke, outstare of a racing track that needed that much attention. Also many Japanese two strokes used plated bores so can’t be rebored FYI 😂😂😂
@@bikerdood1100 RD 250 4 rebores and you needed new barrels,also had a TS 185 with plated bores ,so when that wore out you had to replace barrel,I did like them though,also had a few triples ,middle pistons holed on the both kh250 and GT 380 mind you I never had any of them from new👍
I love the two-stroke rattle... From when I started riding in 1958 until 1998, most of the bikes I owned/rode were two-stroke. The list included a 98 cc James Comet, BSA Bantam 125 & D14/4, Jawa 250 & 350, Yamaha RD 250 (last of the air-cooled) and Suzuki 750 Water Bottle. Quite a few four-strokes too, of course. Still riding, on a Guzzi Breva 750. By the way, being a pedantic old person, the Kawasaki H1 500 was the Mach III, not the Mack.😁 Mack is a truck, which the H1 certainly wasn't! 👍
Between 16-25 I was all two strokes, Suzuki ts50, honda MBX80, KH250triple (S1), X7 250, then a string of RD350's (would love another one)!, miss the Two Strokes, the Two stroke engine was a natural motorcycle engine, the bikes were light, fun & fast & easy to work on. Wonder where that tech and ethos would have got subsequent bikes to, wish they would find a will and a way to get them back! Enjoyed your vid :)
@@bikerdood1100 Everyone should be! Although I've never owned one. I was a Moto Morini 3½ owner. One of the finest handling motorcycles of the 70s and 80s. I'd regularly outrun many Japanese bikes of many sizes on the twisty roads of Devon.
I bought one for £895 to ride. While my crappy Harley stortster was being repaired after everything went wrong with it 😡 when HD was back all shiny I'd go to my garage look at the bikes and jump on the LC and ride off
Nope it was perhaps 1992ish? Apparently they put the alternator under the clutch basket for a few years before putting it back, so I had two new baskets, I bought it from 3X in Dorset and the big end went as soon as 3 months was up, I think perhaps someone rebuilt it without lapping or balancing? Could have been a crap couple of years, only thing I didn't have fixed was the spokes 😭
I sure miss the sound and smell of 2 strokes. I have a Garelli moped but not the same. I start my chainsaw occasionally to hear and smell a performance 2T! I love the ring of a large expansion chamber, saw doesn't replicate that.
I know a lot of people will take issue with this but let’s face it…the Kaw Triples and the RD Yammies were the only street two strokes worth owning. The little RD’s were the sweetest handling packages.
Well, I have had three of those, plus some others not on the list. Currently have an H2 I'm doing a restoration on, bought cheap from a friend, and there is no way I could possibly afford one at the prices now. Unless I'm desperate or somebody wants to trade for a NSR250 or 400, I'll keep it....maybe a RC30 or RC45. Great video.
Great video, I love a good two stroke. I have an rgv250 and kdx200. I have acquired a gt380 engine which I will be fitting in a gs500. Should have all the virtues of the gt380 in a better chassis.
Hey my friend, in Canada, the Yamaha RZ350 was made up to 1988, I had one! Also, had a 1976 Yamaha RD400, modified (63HP) Sold the RZ350, and lost RD400 in a shed fire! Now ride a 1999 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours. cheers from Fletchers Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada.
I had a Kawasaki 500 Triple Back in 1970 when I was in high school had anybody that had that bike or bikes like them know how great they are that has to be my favorite and my second favorite would be the Yamaha rd400 you cannot go wrong with either bike I don't know a lot about the Suzuki's I never had one
I once rode the Kawasaki H1 of a friend. A true beast, especially with the Allspeed exhaust fitted. My brother has 3 T500. A wonderful machine to ride! Just you have to be aware that greasing of 5th gear is poor. For long distance trips, this needs to be modified. I today own RD125LC's. Both 10W and (never sold in Germany) 1GU, which is the YPVS version. That engine starts pulling from 3000rpm, instead of 6500rpm in the 10W. I kinda prefer the more agressive 10W ;-) Both go an impressive 87mph or 140km/h (reading the speedo) without having optimized the transmission ratio. (Peak power at 9000rpm, 140km/h at 10000rpm.) There is an Allspeed exhaust, at least for the 10W. But here in Germany, they now even call for an emission test, which costs 2000€. I don't even know, if emission data for the original versions exist. BULL...frog! But I have an exhaust, made by Yamaha, stamped 10W (all original exhausts are stamped 11Y), for a racing team, once located in Hamburg. (One day, folks! hehehe!)
1972 had a yds7 in gold and black, saw the exact same bike for sale at motor bike cafe and bike sales, cost me a small fortune but i just had to have it, 69 years old now but this bike takes me back to be 17 years old again.😂
@@bikerdood1100 Us old ones can still do it, but for me now only when the sun is shining, when we put our helmets on no one knows how old we are, 😅 getting on now but still love riding motorcycles.
Had the Kwacker 750 ,still building me a Gary Nixon replica ....but in CHROME MOLY ,...NOT in second hand carrier "steel".....the weak point on those were firstly the suspension , one swapped for Marzocchis... that though , then, put the frame to shame.....this time going to use, as Kanemoto did , on Gary's, early Öhlins
The RD500 in no way better than the RG500! Also you mention the weight on the RD500 but referenced the aluminum frame of the RZV500. The Japanese RZV was lighter than the RD500 but was also down on the power. Either way, the RG500 would run circles around these bikes. The RZ350 on the other hand was a fantastic bike and very capable. The RZ500/RD500 was too heavy and the brakes were as vague as can be without enough stopping power. The motor was was very good but everything else was sub par.
Wondered if someone would bring this up Simply put the RG had a poor power delivery that pretty much makes for a dodgy experience As for the RZ well JDM rules are weird but they did often get superior spec levels Aluminium frame etc, but heaven 😂😂😂 compared to a Zx10 perhaps All bikes in that period had wooden breaks by today’s standards In my experience the RD 350 was rather buzzy when you opened it up
@@bikerdood1100 We aren't comparing bikes from that period to today's bikes. There isn't one magazine article that puts the RD500 ahead of the RG500. When looking at old club racing footage from the 80's the RZ500 is always conspicuous by its absence. I've owned all 3 ( NS400R ) and I can assure you that the RZ500 was by far the worst handling of the 3. Like I said, the 1985 RZ350 was a much better bike. There are countless articles that will back what I'm saying. The aluminum framed RZV500 was still heavier than the RG500 and it was detuned compared to the bikes sent abroad so it would have performed even worse! Aluminum frames were still in their infancy and Japan wanted to keep these bikes " at home" because they had doubts about its integrity. Having said that, I know of no issues with that aluminium frame and know someone that owns one.
@@blackened4me I’m basing mine on owners feedback 🙄 I didn’t discuss its overall track ability but as a machine for the road where control ability is as important as overall handling. Which is quicker on track,well frankly I don’t care. I’ll leave that for another channel If they can be bothered of course 😂😂
I have an RG500 and the power delivery is pretty violent when hitting the power band, but the mid range is actually quite good. I want the maddest 2 stroke in my collection now that these are collectors bikes. The RG engine is very smooth compared to the RD which has your fingers and toes tingling when you get off the thing.
There's something irresistible about air cooled, drum brake, raised bar strokers. Flashy styling, plenty of chrome, every adolescent (and delayed adolescent) dream.
I wax with you until raised bars. Why take away any feel when cornering ? we’re it my I’d ditch the stupid things and fit straight bars, better for riding Bugger the look 😂
I had a Kawasaki A7 Avenger 350. It was a good bike if you had experience and a bit of discretion. The fact that it had two steering dampers, one hydraulic and one friction said a lot about what you should expect.
I owned a Suzuki two stroke 500 twin Titan in the 1970s, a Kawasaki 500 triple in the 1980s, and another Titan in the 2000s. I would love to have another but I just don't see them for sale in the USA anymore. Not inexpensively anyway.
Have you thought about doing a review of the model range of a particular manufacturer for a specific year. Maybe split by Sports, off road, etc where it is too much to cover in one video. My personal interest is Japanese bikes from mid 70`s to late 80`s but obviously there are lots of other options using that format.
Well I’m no dealer and the video is viewed in a number of nations What I have found from comments is that prices vary greatly from country to country making giving a price of very limited value I did put approximate prices in a video on British twins but found the problems listed as above
The KH500 was detuned from the H-1. The early H-1s are faster and much more collectible. Also, where is the H-2 on the list? I attended the Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas and a 1972 H-2 hammered for $50,000! Another H-2 went for $34,000 and most H-1’s went for over $20,000. The early H-1s and H-2s should be on your list, not the KH500, although it is, arguably, a better all around motorcycle than the earlier bikes. I have owned early H-1s and H-2s (still have my red ‘70 H-1, which I restored to a very nice condition. Thanks for the nice video.
Drum roll everyone. With 39 years to figure out how to make a 2-stoke that complies with emissions. Yamaha is in the process of building a Euro 5 compliant RD 350 that will appear on the market sometime in 2025. I predict a massive demand for this bike at a time when motorcycle sales will otherwise be lackluster. It will be fuel-injected, water-cooled, oil injected, equipped with exhaust timing control, 10:1 compression, electric starting, 6-speed transmission, ABS braking, gearshift position indicating, and cat-converters.
Much appreciated! Thank you! My first 'proper' bike was a 3 year old Yamaha YDS5e. I love 2-strokes, believe it is an excellent engine concept. Sadly killed off by the green fascists, they will not stop there!
Well partially true For the bigger bikes fuel consumption was a problem It is possible to make 2 strokes very clean but there has always been a lack of will The fact is in competition and road bikes two stokes don’t make much money, for the industry a lot of profit comes from servicing, a modern sports bike for example is very difficult and expensive to service so represent a regular income beyond purchase older bikes and two strokes in particular do not so I’d be more suspicious of big business than the so called tree huggers
I've just seen a 1993 Kawasaki KR-1S on sale for £11K -- crazy! I paid 2 grand for mine slightly used in 1992..."edit" I've had another look and more reasonable prices are around the 6-8K mark...still crazy! "I love the smell of 2-stroke in the morning...it smells of hooliganism," as someone didn't once say.
KR1-S is definitely a bike I would have included given space but it could have gone one and on Still that’s a lot for a KR1 because it sold well in the UK but isn’t generally seen as as desirable as the later V twins, makes you wonder how few survived because they don5 last well if abused and neglected, in common with a lot of Japanese strokers . A friend of mine had one in the same period and loved it , not too practical though
Pedant alert. There is no such bike as a "KH750", it was an "H2". My personal triple is however a "KH350" but only because it has an S2A top end, on a S1C gearbox, in a KH250B2 chassis. Not exactly as Kawasaki intended, but it is well balanced and you can safely thrash it to 92mph. Which believe me, is as fast as you would want to go on one of those.
The Yamaha LC boy racers bike, that the lads used to race against each other around the streets, you then also had the mini and escort racers often taken chace off the police back in the days they had to catch first ha ha no photo evidence allowed in court in them days
Hay dood, I've never understood, when a bikes header pipes are solidly bolted to the cylinder heads, why do they have a bunch of springs fitted between them?😮
10 bikes, can’t include everything Why do people obsess about what is not in a video rather than what is ? I may well have included it but if you put em all in we’d have a 2 hour movie
I had an RD500LC late '80s. Not good for the road. Have to be thrashed or they oil up on castrol A545. Plugs foul when you hit reserve. Get a 350 instead.
Well two strokes don’t like to be lugged, different oil would likely have helped. They weren’t just killed by emission regulations, four strokes are definitely easier to live with
Mama don't want no 2 stroke. I have 2 strokes, I've never got a single one running. And I sure as heck don't want anything with points on it. As far as I'm concerned, all 2 stroke motorcycles can be pushed over a cliff into a ravine and forgotten.
Well they are dead simple As a points, bit of mechanical competence and it’s easy A four stroke is much more complicated and electronic ignition is great until it isn’t Just needs a little brain power 😂😂😂
@@bikerdood1100 I'll trade you 5 worthless two strokes motorcross bikes for 1 air cooled inline twin four stroke street bike any day of the week. Any... day... of... the... week. No 2 strokes, no Vtwins, no water cooling, no front wheel drive anything.
When you name yourself "CHOPPER GIRL",We're not a bit surprised that a motor with the fewest amount of moving parts has defeated you,let alone not taking the time to figure out the simplest form of electrical ignition there is.
@@bruceclark5627 Chopper in my name refers to the Huey helicopter, not motorcycles. Bikes: 1982 Honda CM450, 1985 Honda CMX450, and 2008 Honda Shadow Spirit I just bought that I'm regretting terribly. I knew the Shadow Vtwin was a p1ssp00r design, and I'm h8tlng it with a passion already after 2 weeks and knee deep in exploded parts diagrams with the bike apart because it suddenly and inexplicably won't crank. Honda put so much st00pld safety k1ll switch junk on this bike it's not even funny. Kickstand down, clutch not in, bike not in neutral, bike on it's side... any of those conditions and the spark is grounded out. It all has to go off my bike.
@@bikerdood1100 I'll trade five worthless two stroke motorcross bikes for one air cooled inline twin four stroke street bike... any day of the week. Any day of the week. Nothing with only a kickstart, no two strokes, no V-twins, no water cooled engines, no front wheel drive anything (cars). You learn the hard way over time, what keeps working forever or that you can keep running forever, and... what ends up on the junk pile.
@@johnrickards1908 with its Suzuki engine I remember them well so I’m not convinced it does anything the Suzuki could do but with more expense of course Basically a toy 🧸
Well I have only one honest non electronically generated answer BULL SHIT 💩 😂😂 Perhaps the question was generated by A1 given its high level of nonsense 😂😂 Seriously dum comment 😂
What the F is ChatGPt ? Watch too much Sci-fi perhaps 🤔 Tin foil hats on standby 😂😂 If you think it’s full of errors check your own Data banks Suggest I would 👽
You sure seem to diss the RG500, But it is the one bike that is far more sought after today than any of the others you listed. And just one RG500 can bring more $$$ than all the other's on your list combined! You pretty much made your video irrelevant by not giving it proper credit.
Believe I’m not as you say Dissing ? the bike but no machine is perfect and price means little in reality MV Agusta’s 1970s 350s go for a fortune but aren’t actually very good at all I give honest views on machines not pop culture fake praise
Slightly off topic, has anyone seen these reports / rumours that they are looking at banning motorcycles for the usual emissions, alleged by the tree huggers?
Well given that they have smaller engines than cars, this seems unlikely Moving to electric only is a major threat in the long term however because they are all highly impractical devices and it’s hard to see an EV 2 wheeler with a practical range to allow touring for example. True huggers seems to be a throw away term usually attached to some total BS usually on social media. I take everything on social media with a massive pinch of salt 😂
I believe the basis of these reports is the planned phaseout of new internal combustion engined (ICE) motorcycles alongside the phaseout of similarly powered cars. I think the UK Government recently reset the phaseout date from 2030 to 2035 for cars but has yet to clarify if wants to do the same for bikes. The UK Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) sees any phaseout date as an existential threat to motorbiking, because motorcycle EVs will be expensive to buy and may not offer the usability of ICE motorbikes, e.g. as regards range and convenience. Hence MAG is campaigning against this. To learn more and to support that campaign, please check out MAG's website and TH-cam Channel.
@@derekp2674 that’s not banning now is it . Also we shall see, because it’s clear that EVs are not as clean as claimed nor are they capable enough, unless you make short journeys only of course
@@bikerdood1100 it's mot banning in the sense that used bikes will still be available and usable for as long as they can be maintained and fuelled. So motorcycling can continue, but without folk being allowed to exercise the choice of buying new ICE bikes, if they want to do that. MAG is, of course, working hard to make the case for not banning the sale of new ICE bikes.
@@derekp2674 I’m not sure that EVs are going to take over no matter if some think they will, too many short Cummings. Ultimately in third world places like Africa a motorcycle is the only transport option. And there’s the simple fact that the electrical network couldn’t possibly cope with too many more EVs and they are not a practical long range option, EV truck not likely
@@bikerdood1100 and lots more.... I was forever having problems with the gearbox.... I had no money to repair, so used to strip it a bit to get it working again....
@@TheJon2442 unusual for a Suzuki, it’s usually crappy charging systems although the Triples were notorious for eating their middle cylinder, that’s what happened to my friends. I ran a 500 Guzzi at the time and it handle much better and was a fare bit faster. I try it a couple of times and found it a bit buzzy but it sounded great
I had a XS650 B 1975 🤔 great engine ground clearance sucked, but thinking about it was probably the fact it had a center stand, I keep thinking about getting one but haven't yet
Great video of fabulous 2 strokes! A real trip down memory lane for me, back to a time when bikes had style and character! Great days to be a biker!
Glad you enjoyed it
back when car drivers werent so crazy and aggressive also
I bought an RD350 YPVS when I passed my test in 1984. Bikini fairing model with micron exhausts.
I was only 17 but in those days you could get rider policy insurance, third party , fire & theft from Norwich Union. You just paid for the CC of the bike. I could ride any bike up to 350cc regardless of performance for a very reasonable price.
My friend also had one and we rode them hard. Got less than 30 mpg if you flogged them. Lots of fun and great for popping power wheelies.
Faster and faster until the thrill of the speed outweighed the fear of death 💀
You can still get third party only
Jumping straight on a quick bike from a 125 on my experience wasn’t necessarily a great idea but better than what we have now I think
I sure miss the old 2 stroke bikes
They do still exist, I’ve had a few over the years and we still run an admittedly small one just for shits and giggles 😂
@@bikerdood1100I used to have a Kawasaki G3 90cc street bike (lime green in colour). This sounded like a hornet buzzing down the road at a top speed of 62 mph. Lol.
A very fine collection of bikes indeed. The sound and smells of these bikes were intoxicating. Thanks so much for your in depth research on these bikes. Take care guys. Cheers
Just glad people enjoy them, thanks for the feedback
Thanks for covering these 2 strokes, I remember them all. I liked the 2 strokes and I owned A Suzuki GT250 B from new which handled very well. I later bought a used Suzuki GT 500, a bike which I really took to and I have great memories of the 500, a great bike IMO.
Cool 😎
Glad you enjoyed it
I've always loved the Kawasaki triples paint colours. & the exhaust note.
Kinda mad things, especially with those daft high bars
Glorious all the same
I have a Kawasaki S3 400, a H1A 500 and a H2A 750. As you might’ve seen, they’re getting crazy money for these things now, as in the Mecum auction in the last week. I have no desire to sell my triples, because if I sell them and I just won’t have any. Concerning the 500 triple, the H1A is a 1971, more top speed than the ‘69 H1, as in they had a few years to sort it out. A magazine test had the top speed observed at 124 mile an hour.
The 500 triple was meant to be a publicity, stunt, putting Kawasaki on the map in America. The motor sat high and rearward in the frame. The swinging arm was short and wheelies were the name of the game. The motor was pipey and very exciting to ride, which was just exactly what Kawasaki intended. The amazing quarter-mile numbers were probably inflated, but Tony Nicosia made some really amazing numbers with stock bikes. He was small and light and rode very aggressively. The 400 is the best triple, the 750 is the most sought after and most valuable, but the 500 has the true essence of a Kawasaki triple, the moniker “Widow Maker” suited the bike and Kawasaki just fine.
Well Kawasaki claim 124 but the magazine saw an actual 119mph as I state
I’m to be honest suspicious that even this may have been a bit of a press special given that the UK got 109mph from a dealer supplied customer bike, ditto the Dutch test.
Kawasaki had a reputation in the US and European for let’s say overstating their machines performance. It’s something that seems to crop up quite a bit in contemporary test, especially those in US magazines
To be fair to Kawasaki it was likely common practice. After all Suzukis 67hp GT 750 was actually slower on test that a 58hp Trident 🤔
I had a Triton in 1976 and on the road it held it's own, I beat Z900, GS750, Gt750 I don't think any could get much over120 mph?
@@nigelthomas8315 no indeed they could not
People et fooled into thinking that multiple cylinders and DOHC = more power but of course it’s never that simple and a lot of the extra power got absorbed by weight and drag. Not that there was actually all that much power, why the Japanese exaggerated😂😂oh yeh they did
I had a few 2-strokes. They were excellent. My absolute favourite was my Kawasaki KR-1. Nutter bike!
My favourite was my NSR250
Awesome video, gee I had a few of them over the years. A few Elsies including the V4 which was called the RZV 500 here in NZ. Still have an old RGV 250 mostly to upset the neighbours. 😁
What better reason 😂
I think today biggest 2 stroke haters are people who can't deal with the complexity lawn mower carburetor and will never understand what the word "dwell" means.
Well possibly true
Two strokes are dead simple really
The fact is most people today are mechanically inept
They just take the bikes to the dealer and hand over a shed load of cash
One born every minute as they say
@@bikerdood1100 this is why Harley Davidson dealerships service shops look like an investment bankers lobby.
@@bikerdood1100 Lol Back in the day you did all the maintenance yourself, strip and rebuild the carbs, then set them up if more than one, set the brakes drums up, do the points, check the tyre pressure, check the oil, decoke two strokes, set the timing. Some of the youngsters bought old two strokes before they had their licence and stripped them down and rebuilt them in time for their 16th birthday. Okay the bikes might just have been old Bantams but they knew every last nut and bolt on the bike. Taught you a lot about how to maintain a bike.
Btw. I had the Suzuki 350 Hustler/Super Six at one time. A bit of a devil in disguise as it could cruise nicely but be agressive on the throttle and it took off like nothing on earth. Bit of a pig if you attacked corners too hard as the suspension was far too soft and the frame flexed a bit
I am British but I've spent over half my life in South Africa. I remember back in the seventies, the Johannesburg traffic cops, (bless 'em), got new bikes, Yamaha 650 twins. Their old bikes were put up for auction and I remember that you could buy a truckload of the retired Suzuki GT750's for next to nothing; nobody wanted them. Oh for that time machine. (All but one of my many bikes have been two strokes; there's something special about them) Nice vlog. thanks.
Ironic that they couldn’t give em away now
I read your reply to mean ‘ironic now that they couldn’t give them away back then’. Yes, restored they fetch quite a price tag, especially in the UK. The assertion that the GS was simply better is puzzling to me. The GS was simply a four stroke, a machine of its time. Just like the two-stroke GT was a bike of its time. Ask any Saab fanatic about the merits of a two stroke engine. They are mechanically easy to maintain and repair (no valves), and 50+ years after they were made they are still being restored and sold at high prices. One hopes the longevity would add some caché to the GT.
@@larsfrandsen2501 well better power reliability, fuel consumption and handling And there’s ground clearance and comfort.
Does the GT have more character, probably but for people at the time looking for an effective sport touring bike 🤷🏼
I loved my 77 RD400. There is nothing like the way the power comes on with a two stroke. It just ups the thrill of riding a motorcycle.
Indeed it does
Love my 2strokes especially rotaryvalves have a 71 kawa avenger a rg150 a gp100 and a couple of old James two strokes.🇳🇿
Nice
Enjoy 👍🏻
We use to refer to those 750 Suzuki bikes as Water Buckets in the 80s, at least in my part of the UK. Never heard the term Water Buffalo for them at that time.
Kettle everywhere else in the UK
Never heard of that one 😂
Water Buffalo was (and is) the US term.
@@larsfrandsen2501 still America is a big old place. Who knows what other names could have been used.
I took my Kawasaki KR-1 to the 1993 IOM TT. It was in its’ element, and whooped many a bigger bike in the corners. Fantastic!
Well ideal for that
I'm in heaven after watching this. My youth and what I wanted.
Glad to bring back some good memories
I still have a Yamaha RZ500 I bought new in 1985. It's in near mint condition.
I’d say keep hold of it too
@@bikerdood1100 A few years ago one guy said he wanted to see my RZ500 and will pay big bucks for it. He came over to see the bike and noticed a blemish and made a sour puss face like he was so disappointed. He was trying knock the bike down to low ball me. He said, I want to bring a mechanic to check the bike. I told him, I know exactly what you're going to do. You're going to tell your mechanic to say the bike is in poor shape and not worth much. I told him get the F***off my property you F***ing coc*sucker. I then told him if you come here with your mechanic I will beat the F*** out of you and your mechanic. I'm Canadian and play many many many games of hockey and got into fights almost every game. I never heard from him again. Everyone wants it for nothing and it's almost mint.
Total joy, thank you!
Thanks just glad people enjoy them, which is the point really
Takes me back to the late 70s early 80s where the banter with my mates was "2 stroke poke, 4 stroke joke". Loved my X7.
Fun but the 4 strokes won out in the end
Worst bike I ever had was an RD350LC and the best was a TDR250. The difference in the engines was amazing. RD125LC was a great bike also.
Well the RD could be buzzy, the TDR used the TZR 250 engine which I believe is based on the YPVS Rd engine
Kettle. That's the one I desire. Especially the later models.
Ido remember thinking how glamorous it was in the 70s
Radiator wow
I was lucky enough to ride X7’s, RD250, RD350, RD250LC’s, RD350LC’s, X7’s, X5’s, GP100 & GP125. Plus an RD400. All great! And an RD500LC.
Did rd an RD 350
Buzzy when you opened it up
Also a GT 380 which was reasonable smooth
You brought back a few memories there👍
Well that’s the idea
@@bikerdood1100 Yes like rebores and new pistons and rings every 4000 miles 👍
@@derekdingwall 4000 miles ?
What the hell were you doing, you know your supposed to put oil in it 😂😂😂
In all honesty I’ve never heard of a two stroke, outstare of a racing track that needed that much attention.
Also many Japanese two strokes used plated bores so can’t be rebored FYI 😂😂😂
@@bikerdood1100 RD 250 4 rebores and you needed new barrels,also had a TS 185 with plated bores ,so when that wore out you had to replace barrel,I did like them though,also had a few triples ,middle pistons holed on the both kh250 and GT 380 mind you I never had any of them from new👍
@@derekdingwall ah ha
Generally two strokes can run up to big miles but there’s always the previous owner factor 😂.
The
I had a 73 RD-350 for 5 yrs and loved it! Ate Harleys in town all day! Lol
Well that ain’t saying much 😂
I rode a Suzuki GT750 many years ago, a great bike. The most fun 2 stroke I rode was the TZR250, but as a Yamaha fan, I may be biased.
250s are for me the best strokes
Passed my test on a RD250 in the early 70s , went straight from the test centre to eddy grimsteads
in East Ham a got a new Rd 400 , great days
Nice 😂
I love the two-stroke rattle... From when I started riding in 1958 until 1998, most of the bikes I owned/rode were two-stroke. The list included a 98 cc James Comet, BSA Bantam 125 & D14/4, Jawa 250 & 350, Yamaha RD 250 (last of the air-cooled) and Suzuki 750 Water Bottle. Quite a few four-strokes too, of course. Still riding, on a Guzzi Breva 750. By the way, being a pedantic old person, the Kawasaki H1 500 was the Mach III, not the Mack.😁 Mack is a truck, which the H1 certainly wasn't! 👍
Dam Kawasaki 🤷🏼
Cudos on the Guzzi , our favourite bikes
Want to see the beautiful, gorgeous, melodious and freaking awesome H2 750 !!!!!
😂😂
I rode one of the RD250s back on the day and wasn’t overly impressed but I would LOVE one of those full-fairinged RZ350s.
They do look pretty cool 😎
Between 16-25 I was all two strokes, Suzuki ts50, honda MBX80, KH250triple (S1), X7 250, then a string of RD350's (would love another one)!, miss the Two Strokes, the Two stroke engine was a natural motorcycle engine, the bikes were light, fun & fast & easy to work on. Wonder where that tech and ethos would have got subsequent bikes to, wish they would find a will and a way to get them back! Enjoyed your vid :)
Glad you enjoyed it
I'd definitely like to see a video on Laverda. Especially my absolute favourite and pretty bike; the Laverda Montjuic mk1 and mk2
Hmm 🤔
Definitely at some point
Tom is a big Laverda fan
@@bikerdood1100 Everyone should be!
Although I've never owned one. I was a Moto Morini 3½ owner. One of the finest handling motorcycles of the 70s and 80s. I'd regularly outrun many Japanese bikes of many sizes on the twisty roads of Devon.
@@dereksmith6126 more of a Guzzi man myself
But I admire their style
Rd250lc one of my favourite bike I've owned
Fast but buzzy I’ve found, definitely one for young delinquents 😂😂
I bought one for £895 to ride. While my crappy Harley stortster was being repaired after everything went wrong with it 😡 when HD was back all shiny I'd go to my garage look at the bikes and jump on the LC and ride off
@@nigelthomas8315 AMF I’m thinking 🤔😂
Nope it was perhaps 1992ish? Apparently they put the alternator under the clutch basket for a few years before putting it back, so I had two new baskets, I bought it from 3X in Dorset and the big end went as soon as 3 months was up, I think perhaps someone rebuilt it without lapping or balancing? Could have been a crap couple of years, only thing I didn't have fixed was the spokes 😭
@@nigelthomas8315 what a strange piece of design
I sure miss the sound and smell of 2 strokes. I have a Garelli moped but not the same. I start my chainsaw occasionally to hear and smell a performance 2T! I love the ring of a large expansion chamber, saw doesn't replicate that.
We have just one these days
Our humble put very fun and characterful MZ
Great sound , great smell
I know a lot of people will take issue with this but let’s face it…the Kaw Triples and the RD
Yammies were the only street two strokes worth owning. The little RD’s were the sweetest handling packages.
Kawasakis sound great but aren’t particularly good road bikes and the reality of two strokes is that they work best at lower capacities
Well, I have had three of those, plus some others not on the list. Currently have an H2 I'm doing a restoration on, bought cheap from a friend, and there is no way I could possibly afford one at the prices now. Unless I'm desperate or somebody wants to trade for a NSR250 or 400, I'll keep it....maybe a RC30 or RC45. Great video.
Prices for old two strokes have gone crazy
My pal and rode in the 70s. He had a rd250 and I had a ts185
Nice
Have a 85 RZ350R to restore, Canadian model. Always wanted one back when I was 16-17 years old. Took longer than expected 😂🤣😂 cheers 👍👊😎🇨🇦
Good luck and enjoy 👍🏻
@@bikerdood1100 cheers and thanks
Great video, I love a good two stroke. I have an rgv250 and kdx200. I have acquired a gt380 engine which I will be fitting in a gs500. Should have all the virtues of the gt380 in a better chassis.
Nice
Have ridden a 380 owned by a good friend of mine, characterful engine but the chassis is very average so should make a good mix
Hey my friend, in Canada, the Yamaha RZ350 was made up to 1988, I had one! Also, had a 1976 Yamaha RD400, modified (63HP) Sold the RZ350, and lost RD400 in a shed fire! Now ride a 1999 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours. cheers from Fletchers Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada.
An Rd400 with 63hp ?
Good to hear from you, will hopefully be in Canada this year although not Nova Scotia unfortunately ( well not this time )
I had a Kawasaki 500 Triple Back in 1970 when I was in high school had anybody that had that bike or bikes like them know how great they are that has to be my favorite and my second favorite would be the Yamaha rd400 you cannot go wrong with either bike I don't know a lot about the Suzuki's I never had one
Nice 👍🏻
The TZR2503MA was missing, the most incredible and beautiful YAMAHA produced.
Well only room for so many
I once rode the Kawasaki H1 of a friend. A true beast, especially with the Allspeed exhaust fitted. My brother has 3 T500. A wonderful machine to ride! Just you have to be aware that greasing of 5th gear is poor. For long distance trips, this needs to be modified. I today own RD125LC's. Both 10W and (never sold in Germany) 1GU, which is the YPVS version. That engine starts pulling from 3000rpm, instead of 6500rpm in the 10W. I kinda prefer the more agressive 10W ;-) Both go an impressive 87mph or 140km/h (reading the speedo) without having optimized the transmission ratio. (Peak power at 9000rpm, 140km/h at 10000rpm.) There is an Allspeed exhaust, at least for the 10W. But here in Germany, they now even call for an emission test, which costs 2000€. I don't even know, if emission data for the original versions exist. BULL...frog!
But I have an exhaust, made by Yamaha, stamped 10W (all original exhausts are stamped 11Y), for a racing team, once located in Hamburg.
(One day, folks! hehehe!)
To be honest
I’m not sure I’d choose many two strokes for longer trips
Interesting to hear from you some interesting insights
Hi I have a rg150 here in nz 38 hp good for 180 kph great little bike
@@SSV-i-c-e well 36hp
That’s an awful lot for a small engine
Ouch !!
@@SSV-i-c-e Never sNeen one here in Germany :-( Yamaha's 125cc TZR's had up to 34hp
I am 60. WE ALL WANT 2 STROKES! Nobody is special.
Well I’m more of a 4 stroke guy
But I want to be able to buy them
We currently own just the 1 stroker
1972 had a yds7 in gold and black, saw the exact same bike for sale at motor bike cafe and bike sales, cost me a small fortune but i just had to have it, 69 years old now but this bike takes me back to be 17 years old again.😂
Brilliant
Had a chap saying he was too old to ride at 71 recently
Clearly he has been to a bike meet recently 😂
@@bikerdood1100 Us old ones can still do it, but for me now only when the sun is shining, when we put our helmets on no one knows how old we are, 😅 getting on now but still love riding motorcycles.
@@stevenedwards2162 heated grips
The second greatest invention ever
After the motorcycle
@@bikerdood1100Yes your right, I ruined many gloves warming my hands up on the hot exhausts, when the hands were so cold I couldn't feel them.🥶
@@stevenedwards2162 know that feeling
Often used to rest my hands on the Guzzi cylinder heads
I still have my 1985 RZ500N I bought in Canada brand new for $4,500 USD. It's got 7,000 KM on it and all stock.
Nice 👍🏻
Any chance of looking at Bridgestone or Kawasaki rotary valve twins? The Kawasakis were named Avenger and Samurai if my memory hasn't fouled a plug.
Not a bad suggestion 🤔
The powervalve problem is now fixed. Replacement powervalves with solid pins has fixed it. Expensive however but cheaper than full engine rebuilds!
Well it’s stopped the cracking but they do soot up, which is why I suspect the NSR didn’t use em.
Shouldn’t Suzuki have fixed it at the time 🤔
The RD500 frame was steel not aluminium!😮
Still worked well
Had the Kwacker 750 ,still building me a Gary Nixon replica ....but in CHROME MOLY ,...NOT in second hand carrier "steel".....the weak point on those were firstly the suspension , one swapped for Marzocchis... that though , then, put the frame to shame.....this time going to use, as Kanemoto did , on Gary's, early Öhlins
No doubt those early Japanese bikes had pretty poor suspension
The RD500 in no way better than the RG500! Also you mention the weight on the RD500 but referenced the aluminum frame of the RZV500. The Japanese RZV was lighter than the RD500 but was also down on the power. Either way, the RG500 would run circles around these bikes. The RZ350 on the other hand was a fantastic bike and very capable. The RZ500/RD500 was too heavy and the brakes were as vague as can be without enough stopping power. The motor was was very good but everything else was sub par.
Wondered if someone would bring this up
Simply put the RG had a poor power delivery that pretty much makes for a dodgy experience
As for the RZ well JDM rules are weird but they did often get superior spec levels
Aluminium frame etc, but heaven 😂😂😂 compared to a Zx10 perhaps
All bikes in that period had wooden breaks by today’s standards
In my experience the RD 350 was rather buzzy when you opened it up
@@bikerdood1100 We aren't comparing bikes from that period to today's bikes. There isn't one magazine article that puts the RD500 ahead of the RG500. When looking at old club racing footage from the 80's the RZ500 is always conspicuous by its absence. I've owned all 3 ( NS400R ) and I can assure you that the RZ500 was by far the worst handling of the 3. Like I said, the 1985 RZ350 was a much better bike. There are countless articles that will back what I'm saying. The aluminum framed RZV500 was still heavier than the RG500 and it was detuned compared to the bikes sent abroad so it would have performed even worse! Aluminum frames were still in their infancy and Japan wanted to keep these bikes " at home" because they had doubts about its integrity. Having said that, I know of no issues with that aluminium frame and know someone that owns one.
@@blackened4me I’m basing mine on owners feedback 🙄
I didn’t discuss its overall track ability but as a machine for the road where control ability is as important as overall handling.
Which is quicker on track,well frankly I don’t care. I’ll leave that for another channel
If they can be bothered of course 😂😂
I have an RG500 and the power delivery is pretty violent when hitting the power band, but the mid range is actually quite good.
I want the maddest 2 stroke in my collection now that these are collectors bikes.
The RG engine is very smooth compared to the RD which has your fingers and toes tingling when you get off the thing.
The Japanese were still doing the business into the 90's - I had a '91 R1-Z. I have no idea what came over me when I sold it. Madness.
Well we all have those bikes 😂
@@bikerdood1100 or HAD them!
@@SteeeveO well you have a memory
There's something irresistible about air cooled, drum brake, raised bar strokers. Flashy styling, plenty of chrome, every adolescent (and delayed adolescent) dream.
I wax with you until raised bars. Why take away any feel when cornering ?
we’re it my I’d ditch the stupid things and fit straight bars, better for riding
Bugger the look 😂
Still have my 1985 RZ 350 and a YSR 50 race bike with YZ 60 engine
Edit: and my 1984 JS550 mod 50 mph Jet Ski
all show and go condition
Definitely a 2 stroke man then
My friends brother had an RG500 and when managed to blag a go on it he said when you opened it up it was like being in a video game 😮
Silly thing really. ok on track not so good on a damp English road
I had a Kawasaki A7 Avenger 350.
It was a good bike if you had experience and a bit of discretion.
The fact that it had two steering dampers, one hydraulic and one friction said a lot about what you should expect.
Dear oh dear 😂😂
I owned a Suzuki two stroke 500 twin Titan in the 1970s, a Kawasaki 500 triple in the 1980s, and another Titan in the 2000s. I would love to have another but I just don't see them for sale in the USA anymore. Not inexpensively anyway.
That’s the big problem
Bloody collectors 😂
Have you thought about doing a review of the model range of a particular manufacturer for a specific year. Maybe split by Sports, off road, etc where it is too much to cover in one video. My personal interest is Japanese bikes from mid 70`s to late 80`s but obviously there are lots of other options using that format.
I have indeed,
Planning videos on Triumph 500s and small capacity Yamaha strokers at the moment.
Did do a Honda one which wasn’t popular 🤷🏼
Beautiful machines and damn fast but many were treated as disposable commodities and trashed.
Well that’s never been my way of thinking I have to say
Never seen them as toys
Hi why do you not show the prices of them bikes as
2 stroke fan like to know what there valued at hope you will consider this cheers?
Well I’m no dealer and the video is viewed in a number of nations
What I have found from comments is that prices vary greatly from country to country making giving a price of very limited value
I did put approximate prices in a video on British twins but found the problems listed as above
Last time I saw an RD500 in a dealers they wanted £20000 for it, I've seen RG500s for similar money.
My NSR250 certainly has exhaust valves.
Not the one I had certainly did not
The KH500 was detuned from the H-1. The early H-1s are faster and much more collectible. Also, where is the H-2 on the list? I attended the Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas and a 1972 H-2 hammered for $50,000! Another H-2 went for $34,000 and most H-1’s went for over
$20,000. The early H-1s and H-2s should be on your list, not the KH500, although it is, arguably, a better all around motorcycle than the earlier bikes. I have owned early H-1s and H-2s (still have my red ‘70 H-1, which I restored to a very nice condition. Thanks for the nice video.
Not a list of Kawasaki strokers now is
Stupid prices
EXCELENT 2 STROKE HECHO ✅ JAPON ❤
Thanks 👍
Still have my 1976 GT750
Nice 👍🏻
Is that a Yamaha RX-S 100 you’re riding???
Yep
Drum roll everyone. With 39 years to figure out how to make a 2-stoke that complies with emissions. Yamaha is in the process of building a Euro 5 compliant RD 350 that will appear on the market sometime in 2025. I predict a massive demand for this bike at a time when motorcycle sales will otherwise be lackluster. It will be fuel-injected, water-cooled, oil injected, equipped with exhaust timing control, 10:1 compression, electric starting, 6-speed transmission, ABS braking, gearshift position indicating, and cat-converters.
The technology to do had been around for a while
Even F1 has considered two stroke engines in recent years
So fingers crossed
Did I miss the RD350??
Dunno
Did you ?
Much appreciated! Thank you! My first 'proper' bike was a 3 year old Yamaha YDS5e. I love 2-strokes, believe it is an excellent engine concept. Sadly killed off by the green fascists, they will not stop there!
Well partially true
For the bigger bikes fuel consumption was a problem
It is possible to make 2 strokes very clean but there has always been a lack of will
The fact is in competition and road bikes two stokes don’t make much money, for the industry a lot of profit comes from servicing, a modern sports bike for example is very difficult and expensive to service so represent a regular income beyond purchase older bikes and two strokes in particular do not so I’d be more suspicious of big business than the so called tree huggers
I've just seen a 1993 Kawasaki KR-1S on sale for £11K -- crazy! I paid 2 grand for mine slightly used in 1992..."edit" I've had another look and more reasonable prices are around the 6-8K mark...still crazy! "I love the smell of 2-stroke in the morning...it smells of hooliganism," as someone didn't once say.
KR1-S is definitely a bike I would have included given space but it could have gone one and on
Still that’s a lot for a KR1 because it sold well in the UK but isn’t generally seen as as desirable as the later V twins, makes you wonder how few survived because they don5 last well if abused and neglected, in common with a lot of Japanese strokers . A friend of mine had one in the same period and loved it , not too practical though
Pedant alert.
There is no such bike as a "KH750", it was an "H2".
My personal triple is however a "KH350" but only because it has an S2A top end, on a S1C gearbox, in a KH250B2 chassis. Not exactly as Kawasaki intended, but it is well balanced and you can safely thrash it to 92mph. Which believe me, is as fast as you would want to go on one of those.
I personally prefer a bike that goes where I point it
But I’m fussy that way
Dear Santa can I have one of each for Xmas pretty pretty please!!!! Lol
Well there’s no harm in asking 😂
The object of dreams among teenage lads back in the 70s and 80s
I always liked the rd 350 LC
What I Really wanted though was a Le Mans mk1 if I’m honest though
But I’m weird 😂
The Yamaha LC boy racers bike, that the lads used to race against each other around the streets, you then also had the mini and escort racers often taken chace off the police back in the days they had to catch first ha ha no photo evidence allowed in court in them days
@@jasonhill4094 ruddy hooligans 😂😂
@@bikerdood1100 Good days until something went wrong, but boys will be boys
Hay dood, I've never understood, when a bikes header pipes are solidly bolted to the cylinder heads, why do they have a bunch of springs fitted between them?😮
In a word vibes
Two stories are often quite buzzy especially when used hard
Scariest bike I ever went on back of, watching the front going in a different direction from road 😮
Took a while for Japan to get the concept of the corner
No mention of the kr1s? 😱 how could you? 😭
10 bikes, can’t include everything
Why do people obsess about what is not in a video rather than what is ?
I may well have included it but if you put em all in we’d have a 2 hour movie
@@bikerdood1100 a2 hour video is fine!🤣
Actually, I forgot to say. Great video (as always)! 👍
@@turnfordguitars bloody isn’t
I’d be editing for hours 😂😂😂
for me the best 2 strokes is the yamaha daytona 400 ...but no mention here
I’d assume that’s a KH
Didn’t name them over here
My mate just acquired a Suzuki RG500 Gamma. 19k.
There is no such thing as a KH 750.
Good for him
Probably. Hopefully it’s been in regular use
I had an RD500LC late '80s.
Not good for the road.
Have to be thrashed or they oil up on castrol A545.
Plugs foul when you hit reserve.
Get a 350 instead.
Well two strokes don’t like to be lugged, different oil would likely have helped.
They weren’t just killed by emission regulations, four strokes are definitely easier to live with
cant beat bat shit crazy :)
😂😂
Mama don't want no 2 stroke.
I have 2 strokes, I've never got a single one running.
And I sure as heck don't want anything with points on it.
As far as I'm concerned, all 2 stroke motorcycles can be pushed over a cliff into a ravine and forgotten.
Well they are dead simple
As a points, bit of mechanical competence and it’s easy
A four stroke is much more complicated and electronic ignition is great until it isn’t
Just needs a little brain power 😂😂😂
@@bikerdood1100 I'll trade you 5 worthless two strokes motorcross bikes for 1 air cooled inline twin four stroke street bike any day of the week. Any... day... of... the... week.
No 2 strokes, no Vtwins, no water cooling, no front wheel drive anything.
When you name yourself "CHOPPER GIRL",We're not a bit surprised that a motor with the fewest amount of moving parts has defeated you,let alone not taking the time to figure out the simplest form of electrical ignition there is.
@@bruceclark5627 Chopper in my name refers to the Huey helicopter, not motorcycles. Bikes: 1982 Honda CM450, 1985 Honda CMX450, and 2008 Honda Shadow Spirit I just bought that I'm regretting terribly.
I knew the Shadow Vtwin was a p1ssp00r design, and I'm h8tlng it with a passion already after 2 weeks and knee deep in exploded parts diagrams with the bike apart because it suddenly and inexplicably won't crank. Honda put so much st00pld safety k1ll switch junk on this bike it's not even funny. Kickstand down, clutch not in, bike not in neutral, bike on it's side... any of those conditions and the spark is grounded out. It all has to go off my bike.
@@bikerdood1100 I'll trade five worthless two stroke motorcross bikes for one air cooled inline twin four stroke street bike... any day of the week. Any day of the week.
Nothing with only a kickstart, no two strokes, no V-twins, no water cooled engines, no front wheel drive anything (cars). You learn the hard way over time, what keeps working forever or that you can keep running forever, and... what ends up on the junk pile.
At last RGV250 VJ21!
At last ?
Nah, forget that. An Aprillia RSV25O with an over the counter 60bhp would p!ss all over everything else on the road or track in it's day.😊
@@johnrickards1908 with its Suzuki engine
I remember them well so I’m not convinced it does anything the Suzuki could do but with more expense of course
Basically a toy 🧸
So full of basic errors it makes me wonder if it was written by ChatGPT
Well I have only one honest non electronically generated answer
BULL SHIT 💩
😂😂
Perhaps the question was generated by A1 given its high level of nonsense 😂😂
Seriously dum comment 😂
What the F is ChatGPt ?
Watch too much Sci-fi perhaps 🤔
Tim foil hats on standby 😂😂
What the F is ChatGPt ?
Watch too much Sci-fi perhaps 🤔
Tin foil hats on standby 😂😂
If you think it’s full of errors check your own Data banks
Suggest I would 👽
You sure seem to diss the RG500, But it is the one bike that is far more sought after today than any of the others you listed. And just one RG500 can bring more $$$ than all the other's on your list combined! You pretty much made your video irrelevant by not giving it proper credit.
Believe I’m not as you say Dissing ? the bike but no machine is perfect and price means little in reality
MV Agusta’s 1970s 350s go for a fortune but aren’t actually very good at all
I give honest views on machines not pop culture fake praise
just got educated on the fact that a rz250 existed after loving my rz350 for years...selling it! stupid?
As they say everyday is a school day 😂
Slightly off topic, has anyone seen these reports / rumours that they are looking at banning motorcycles for the usual emissions, alleged by the tree huggers?
Well given that they have smaller engines than cars, this seems unlikely
Moving to electric only is a major threat in the long term however because they are all highly impractical devices and it’s hard to see an EV 2 wheeler with a practical range to allow touring for example.
True huggers seems to be a throw away term usually attached to some total BS usually on social media. I take everything on social media with a massive pinch of salt 😂
I believe the basis of these reports is the planned phaseout of new internal combustion engined (ICE) motorcycles alongside the phaseout of similarly powered cars. I think the UK Government recently reset the phaseout date from 2030 to 2035 for cars but has yet to clarify if wants to do the same for bikes.
The UK Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) sees any phaseout date as an existential threat to motorbiking, because motorcycle EVs will be expensive to buy and may not offer the usability of ICE motorbikes, e.g. as regards range and convenience.
Hence MAG is campaigning against this.
To learn more and to support that campaign, please check out MAG's website and TH-cam Channel.
@@derekp2674 that’s not banning now is it .
Also we shall see, because it’s clear that EVs are not as clean as claimed nor are they capable enough, unless you make short journeys only of course
@@bikerdood1100 it's mot banning in the sense that used bikes will still be available and usable for as long as they can be maintained and fuelled. So motorcycling can continue, but without folk being allowed to exercise the choice of buying new ICE bikes, if they want to do that.
MAG is, of course, working hard to make the case for not banning the sale of new ICE bikes.
@@derekp2674 I’m not sure that EVs are going to take over no matter if some think they will, too many short Cummings. Ultimately in third world places like Africa a motorcycle is the only transport option. And there’s the simple fact that the electrical network couldn’t possibly cope with too many more EVs and they are not a practical long range option, EV truck not likely
Worst bike i ever owned was a Suzuki GT 380....
The dodgy middle cylinder or the handling?
@@bikerdood1100 and lots more.... I was forever having problems with the gearbox.... I had no money to repair, so used to strip it a bit to get it working again....
@@TheJon2442 unusual for a Suzuki, it’s usually crappy charging systems although the Triples were notorious for eating their middle cylinder, that’s what happened to my friends. I ran a 500 Guzzi at the time and it handle much better and was a fare bit faster. I try it a couple of times and found it a bit buzzy but it sounded great
@@bikerdood1100 oops getting old... Yes the electrics too!
@@TheJon2442 well electrics are easily fixed , unlike people 😂
It’s a great idea to fit a new loom as its pretty much an instant fix
XS650
Is a four stroke and one for another day
Be a great bike for a road tease for sure
I had a XS650 B 1975 🤔 great engine ground clearance sucked, but thinking about it was probably the fact it had a center stand, I keep thinking about getting one but haven't yet
@@nigelthomas8315 nahh
My CBR 600 had a centre stand and had ground clearance aplenty 😂
Nobody likes a smart arse!