Hi from New Zealand!! In the 80s in London on my OE I bought a mint Moto Guzzi V50 II in red. I didn't even know what it was. A flatmate came with me to look. I rode it, bought it, loved it, and rode it all over the Isles and then alone across Europe to Israel and all around that country. It was such a great bike. light, nimble, with a brilliant throaty sound. Now some 40 years later after Harleys and Suzukis and Honda and all sorts of scooters, I weakened and last year bought a Moto Guzzi V7 III in black with the turquoise stripe, with rorty pipes. It too is huge fun to ride and is a real head turner. Some bikes just get in your blood. Thanks for the video guys. New subscriber!!
I went out to buy a V50, but ended up with a small frame R65 instead, it was a lot cheaper as no-one in Australia wanted one. A lovely bike, great for commuting and good enough for touring.
I had a 1973 Norton 850 commando. Always started on the first kick. It would dance across the driveway warming up on it’s center stand. Never, ever let me down. I did run out of gas three times because the tank was so small. Great bike.
I agree about the Guzzi V50.. very underated all rounder. I had a lot of Guzzis but the V50 was a fantastic all rounder.. commuter, weekend ride, tourer.. light, handled very well, stopped very well and went surprisingly well.. mine was super reliable too
I've had a V50-II and two V50-IIIs over the years. My favorite by a mile is the 2. Its not particularly fast but its handling and brakes are so good that you don't need to slow down much. My complaint with Guzzis -- and why I don't own one now -- is finding parts and service (and the modern ones just don't have the looks of the V50-2). A bike that was years -- if not decades -- ahead of its time.
@@petesharpe4120 Yes! The other day I watched a podcast on YT where three 'experts' listed what they thought the most beautiful motorcycle was - I really expected one of them to say either the 850 Le Mans or the v50 Monza, but alas! No taste! (They also seemed to think motorcycling before 2000 was some dark age ...)
I've owned a gs750 for about 20 years now and it still impresses me how stable and forgiving it is for something thats 45 years old and weighs about 250kg. Always get comments from people about how they've not seen one for years and how well it goes for an old bike. Very underrated bike and I'm glad you mentioned it.
Good call on the TDM. I've had two 900s over the years and they've been great workhorses. I used to commute daily into London on mine and tour into Europe fully loaded with camping gear without any fuss at all. They may not be very 'sexy' to look at, but when riding them they have a great character and had an almost cult following of people that loved them.
My current bikes are a T140V, which I've had for 30 years, and a GS550L, which I bought a couple of years ago as a cheap winter runabout. I'm very happy with both of them.
I bought a new GS 750 in 1976. I put a big bore kit in it and a 4 into 1 and some carb work and it would run with the 900 Kawasaki. On of the best motorcycles I have ever owned.
I had one in a Rickman CR frame that had originally housed a CB750 engine. I suppose it must have still had the Honda rear sprocket as it was under-geared.
One bike that should make this list is the Honda NT650 Deauville. It does everything well, just not stunningly. It is a great town bike. Great mid-sized touring bike, but is also light and handles well and can be flung into corners and come out. It is also very comfortable to ride. It is also extremely reliable. I am on my 3rd one and would recommend them to anyone who wants a cheap. Comfortable and reliable all-rounder.
Very true. Unloved by the press but very useful and bullet proof. Problem was the journalist were very performance oriented back then and to some extent of course they still are
Hi, Perhaps you could do a short video on one of them. Sort of retrospective real life revue. Not as you say a press orientated it is only any good if it does 0-60 is 2 seconds and goes faster than concord.
Dauville's are pretty frugal and almost indestructable Much more tempting than the even more sensible thing with half a car engine squidged into the frame which replaced it too
Great list! Any of the GS Suzuki series were and still are great bikes.A lot of the engines went to drag racers because they were so overbuilt and resisted blowing up. The T140 is a great choice. It's biggest fault is the heavy oil in frame "feature" that all the purists hated. It made the bike heavy and it's introduction in 1970 - 1972 was a disaster. I always thought the T140 was much more refined than the older 1969 era bikes and was a practical ride for the street in the 70s.
Yes I talk about the introduction of the oil in frame debacle in an earlier video. Total managerial cock up, not their first or last unfortunately. The T140 is worth having if only for that 5th gear. We always found the box quite nice in use to
@@bikerdood1100 I worked as a mechanic at a Triumph, Norton, BSA and BMW dealer. I loved the T140 Triumph motorcycle especially the last models with the upgraded Amals, Lucas electronic ignition and disk brakes. You could ride them anywhere as long as you could stand the vibration. You gotta remember to clean the screen at the base of the down tube. They can get gunky and hinder oil flow.
Yes, back in the day I had more success with the Suzuki 4 than the Kawasaki 4, which sucked a spring loaded flap from a carb. into one of the cylinders.
In the early 1980s, I had a T-140. The 5 speed and disk brakes set it apart from the 650 Bonnevilles. I also had an R75/5. The R75/5 was stodgy compared to the T140 but it was much more reliable and I had a 6 gallon touring tank. I was happy to ride from the SF Bay Area to San Diego taking mostly back roads. It about 500 miles and a 1 day ride. I wouldn't make that ride on the T-140, I didn't trust it and a breakdown would have been a big problem, there were no towns for long spans and almost no traffic. And the smaller has tank would have been a problem. But the T-140 had personality, the Triumph sound and was a lot more fun to ride.
@@jonisaacs5176 I can't agree more. I spent years and many thousand miles on my R90/6. I would have destroyed a T140 two times over. But the Triumph is such a lovely bike.
Now can be found cheap in uk and I have a high mile 900 myself . Sadly at the time in uk people wanted fast sports bikes and the tdm was ignored ....shame as on tight roads with a good rider can be a fast bike and capable of keeping with modern fast bikes !
Billy, I think the TDM was just perfect for the Greek topography and dirt roads back then, and a lot cheaper than a BMW GS. The rest of Europe doesn't drive a papaki either to get everywhere 🙂
Not early model. The engine was altered for the TrX and was applied across the whole range, very sensibly it would seem as the 270 was definitely the way to go as time has proven. The later 900 is brilliant with its 270 crank and extra oomph. Not a looker though
Interesting enough, it was back in 59 i think, that Phil Irving patented the 90° crankshaft, but none of the companies used his idea. Just imagine a Norton Atlas without vibrations?
@@kasperkjrsgaard1447 I remember reading an article a very long time ago in a Motorcycle Sport magazine, in the 1980s, about such cranks. I think Irving proposed a 72 or 76 degree crank. His idea was not taken up at the time. In the 1980s, it was, and the 90 degree crank was soon favoured over 70-odd.
Wow. I bought my 1991 TDM for £1200 when I was desperate for a commuter to get to work the day after my very expensive German boxer twin broke down. A great bike, still got it!
i've had near 50 bikes over 50-years riding , owned a Gs750, and the mighty KZ1000 (fully-worked) Triumphs, Nortons, Dukes (kick-start not modern ) plus others you mention . Enjoyed them all , I now ride an 82 TR1-XV1000 , modded to look older and a bit British , a 72 XS-2-Cafe' and a bog-standard 03 Kwaka W650 . They are All great , the TR1 being the-most-underrated and my favourite . They do take a bit to 'Sort' , but it never lets me down , cracks 100 every ride-out and always leaves me grinning . No-one seems to know what it is and I've not encountered another so-far Dave nz
Moto Guzzi V65 Lario. I've owned one and found it an absolute delight to ride! Famous for dropping valves, this used to happen when they were over revved! Problem was, with the 4 valve head, they used to suddenly hit a 'power band' at around 5500 rpm. This saw the revs - and power - suddenly increase and those who weren't watching the rev counter sometimes had an unpleasant surprise! The modification was an easy one though and replacing the valves did the trick. Handling - thanks to the Tonti frame was excellent. Mine used to keep up with 1000cc machines!
Great review, really interesting. I had an XS 650 in the late 70's a lovely bike. It was nicknamed the Japanese Bonnie. Unfortunately, most have been butchered and customised.
Agree, had mine since 76, stu in the garage now, plus point was the economy, with less restricted exhausts mine would get up to 70 mpg at sensible speeds
You could get a 750 conversion which improved it. Dump the heavy junk and put on reverse cone megaphones. A good engine but my last one had the Boyer Branson aftermarket electronic ignition pack up but I thought it was a carb problem.
I bought an XS 650 with a Tracey fiberglass body conversion. It had flat track bars wheels and tires. I rode that for 3 years. Went cross country with it a few times. Couldn't kill it. Ended up trading it in on a new GS 750 Suzuki.
Had a candy gold XS2 in the early 70s. It had a reputation for evil handling, but with tt100 tyres , koni shocks and heavier oil in the forks it was ok. Only caught me out twice ,and one of those was my fault for going in to a corner too hot. Luckily there was nothing coming the other way when I was heading for the hedge! Rock solid engine with loads of low down grunt and stunning looks , wish I'd never sold it , but fiancee wanted a car.
I had a TDM 850 and loved it!❤ I traded it in for the very first year Ducati Multi-Strada, which I still own. Gotta say I think TDM is an all-around better bike, economical to own and operate its performance wasn’t that far off. Have to say it was one of the best motorcycles I’ve ever owned. And with the Corbin seat was much more comfortable. Then the Ducati high sport toward that motorcycle up and down the East Coast of United States putting over 40,000 miles on it. And I miss it.
I have owned three of the five bikes in this list, the A10 was possibly one of the most pedestrian bikes I've ever owned, mine was a 58 gold flash with an alloy twin carb head that I built myself, the GS750 was too heavy and slow steering compared to the GS550 and the Guzzi V50 was one of the most surprising bikes I've ever owned, it was light, nimble but never felt like it was ever going to get out of line and the engine was superb, punchy, pulled like a train from next to nothing and then got a little growl on and howled. I loved it to bits.
A10 pedestrian? Have never ridden a 50s single, Remember the 50 was a time of crap petrol and dog slow cars. I ran my V50 for 11 years it was great fun but it didn’t have the Torque of my A10.
I love my 1982 T140 but you’re right, they don’t get the love the pre-OIF Triumphs get. On the plus side, they have a good strong motor, decent brakes, and are easy to look after. Totally recommend a Tri-Spark ignition though - these improve starting, idle, and general running. A Commando style oil filter mounted just in front of the rear guard is never a bad idea either. Great selection of bikes in this video - the BSA is stunningly beautiful! 👍🏻
Thanks for the feedback, the BSA sis ours and we love it. Good thing about the older bikes being more popular is that it keeps the price down for those in who do appreciate a good T140
I chose the Boyer system for my T140. They are only a few miles from me, and it was the market leader at the time, 30 years ago, in fact I don't remember any alternatives being available then. Still working well today. For filtration, I went for the baseplate conversion 20 years ago, which uses paper filters inside the oil reservoir in place of the mesh strainer. It has the advantage of filtering the oil before it goes to the oil pump, and it's more compact.
I was a mechanic and service manager at a Kawasaki/Suzuki dealership just north of NYC in the '70s and would've taken the GS750 over the Z1 if only for it's better detailing and more refined construction. To me, Suzukis were more refined across the board of the two makes. When I met my wife-to-be, she was riding an A10 BSA but it had been modified into a near chopper identity and probably hadn't had the best care, so we sold it before the timing side crank bushing became an issue.
The timing side bush was common to many British twins, really only a problem when abused and of course when they tried to extract too much oomph out of the thing
Excellent video, thanks a lot. My choice would be a Matchless / AJS 600 / 650 CSR. I think they are the ultimate sports bike in every respect especially in looks. I rebuilt a G12 in the mid 60's to CSR spec and it was superb. In 1960 a 600 AJS was the first British bike to average 100mph for 1 hour at the MIRA test track.
Excellent, I had a 1973 T140 with a us tank, "Vibration", not once I had the engine dynamically balanced and changed to roller main bearings both sides. Sadly some one else liked it too much and it disappeared into the back of a van, I could see tyre tracks in the snow! Police did nothing to help, even suggesting that I see up the theft. Well all I hope is that whoever sole it gave it a good home, the engine was perfect. Also the A10, was a great bike, a friend had one for racing, which was converted to 840cc by using a Devon-mead conversion which had a needle bearing fitted on the timing side, instead of the bush making it far better for high revs. As you can tell, I like brit twins. Thanks for your so called underrated bikes, I love them. Have a good one.
We had a Tiger 90 350 Everyone says the smaller engines are smooth. Yeh at low speed but over 55 er NO At speeds between 60 - 70 the 750 was much smoother. I think people that say the smaller bikes vibe less ride everywhere at 50 mph
Don't know if it's actually underrated, but one of the greatest bikes I've ever owned was a 1968 441cc BSA B-44 Shooting Star Single. Same engine as the Victor Special but with road trim and different gearing. Beautifully balanced and felt you were riding a tsunami coming out of second. How I miss that bike!
Had the Starfire 250 stablemate for a decade, great balance excellent brakes, little bugger to star. I think for those who were used to the traditional British single it must have seemed great, similar engine feel but much lighter and more nimble
@@bikerdood1100 Lightweight is an underrated quality that’s sadly currently out of fashion. I m designing a CCM 604 frame based lightweight adventure bike with a BMW F650 Dakar engine converted to a single carb. It’s not a natural fit, but the result should be rather interesting, and perhaps in the same mode as the 441, which is appropriate of course, considering how CCM got started. Quite unwittingly and unintentionally, it seems I’m taking the process full circle. Yes, there are lightish bikes that can be used in a lightweight adventure role, but they all have EFI. Don’t even get me started on that subject. The notion of not being able to start a single cylinder bike - just because the computer isn’t receiving a message from the water temperature, cam position, or tiny Swedish elf puppet mood sensor, is just ludicrous. The fact that someone thought it was clever to replace gravity with a fuel pump is truly disturbing, and was inspired by some of the most dangerous lies ever told to humanity, which we can all discredit with our first biology lessons about life on Earth. Anyone who thinks this is a ‘rant’ should just book their next booster. Darwin has a plan for them. Peace
@@G58 fuel injection does have its advantages but when it goes wrong your stuffed. Bikes covered in electronics and many riders are becoming dependent on them. I’ve had people saying they wouldn’t ride a machine without traction control and ABS. how did we manage before I wonder 🙄
@@bikerdood1100 Oh deary deary me, poor little snowflakes. They believe that biking is about posing and paying ludicrous amounts of €ÛG€1($ funded corporate coffee. I guess we could pity them, but I just find them to be ludicrous. And those EFI bikes will be totally useless in a few years. Peace
Honda PGM-FI as used on the 50-350 cc single cylinder bikes is stone axe reliable and very straightforward. The models with kick starter don't even need a working battery to get going. My Innova 125 starts first kick without muffler and air filter and plops along at a steady idle for as long as you want. Try that with a carburetor.
The Suzuki for sure. I’ve had the 750 and 1000, 1100, all were Great Bikes ! Never had a electric problems and all were barn burners . The 1100 I raced in stock gear in the eight mile it ran 5 passes at 5.000, at 99mph in second topped out looking for third at the light. I don’t care who you are that is quick ! Remember road stand, signal lights ect. Looked completely stocked but it had been ported polished out and a couple of other things. I was never beaten on the street ! Those were the days !
I must admit I have had dodgy regulators on 2 Suzukis, but an easy fix and as the motors are bomb proof it’s not exactly a deal breaker especially with modern replacements
from what I can understand, the TDM 850 had a parallel twin but it was a 180 degree firing order until a bit later when they made it a 270 degree crank. At the 7:40 time stamp, you can hear it is a 180 degree crank.
Never had a 180 in fact but switched to a 270 when that was developed for the TRX. The early yellow one in the video can be heard running quite clearly but sounds nothing like a 180
I put 90,000 miles on a 78 T140E with one top end job. A daily runner for about 7 years. Very easy to take care of. A true Universal British Motorcycle (UBM). 🙂
I had a 1968 T 200 Invader ....fantastic bike...23hp. Also had a 1971 T250 Hustler....think was the first 100mph 250cc. They slowed them down with the 250 GT that followed.
@@bikerdood1100 better handling than the Kawasaki or Honda rivals of the time, i had mates with both, the Kawasaki wasn’t a great handler, my mate swore his moved at least a foot off line when he cracked open the throttle. 😂
I had a 1959 BSA A10 Rocket when I was 18 years old. It was modified with aftermarket fenders, seat, megaphone exhaust, etc., but was still a great fun ride. I sold it to keep from killing myself on it, due to inexperience and excess testosterone. I have always regretted selling it, even now at almost 80 years of age.
Some nice bikes there. My brother had the Suzuki GS1000 and it was a really good package. He couldn't quite keep up with me on my Yamaha 1.1, much to his disgust, but it was still a bloody good bike and never gave a moments trouble. Nice video; thanks. Subscribed.
Excellent Video Bikerdood ...A Very underrated Motor Bike is the Suzuki RF600 i owned one for several years and found it to be very reliable and with a decent turn of speed and power right across the rev range and also easy to work on yourself and the riding position is reasonably comfortable for a sports bike, the full fairing works well and it handled well in the twisties...I don't see what there is not to like about it
I had two of these bikes, a 77 Triumph Bonnie T140 and a 79 Moto Guzzi 500. Loved them both and fully agree with him. The Suzuki 750 was a surprise to me, but it was under the shadow of Honda’s big buzz 1969 750 and followed up with Kawasaki’s mighty at the time Z1 900, an even bigger buzz. So the Suzuki got overlooked far too much, but is an equally beautiful great bike like the other two.
The 750 Suzuki was so durable and well made but the 850 shaftie was better in many ways more power too and the 1000 was great but juicy when in town and if you opened it up.
I've still got a 1977 T140 Bonneville. It's all painted and just needs to be put back together. This video makes me want to get back at it. Thanks Oh, and years ago I had a 55 BSA Goldstar. I let it get away. though. Ride it one day and work on it three.
I would say Yamaha Diversion 900 is one of the best. It needs a better rear shock but many budget bikes do. Brakes are easily upgraded with blue spots from a sportier model. Loads are available used.
1977 GS750E was my first new bike purchase. Though not quite as quick as the "71" Kawasaki Mach III it replaced, handling, brakes, and comfort were far better (surprising fuel efficiency was worse). That was replaced with a short lived 1980 GS750E that died in a traffic accident which was followed by 1981 GS650E (chain drive/roller bearing crank model). It may have given up a couple of HP to its slightly larger displacement predecessors but had more torque (especially at lower revs) and weighed about 70lbs less so was far more satisfying to ride. Over the yrs. I've loved all my Suzuki's including my current GSX 8S.
I think one of the most underrated Japanese bikes is the Suzuki SV650, it's often found described as a good first bike after passing your test or as a girls bike. But they were good enough to spawn their own racing series (mini twins I think ?) I prefer the early models nicknamed the curvy, 130mph 70mpg a 6 speed gearbox they handle superbly & are light enough to push around the garage I mean what's not to like ?
I owned a B. S. A. 650 chopper, and a Triump 650. The Triump was the one with the Indian head on both sides of tank. The B. S. A. and the Triump both were 1968 models. I had a lot of fun riding both bikes.
Good video , accurate information . I agree that the Bsa a10 belongs on the list but if I could add that a newly purchased A10 should never be pressed into service without at least removing the timing cover and checking the crank for radial and end play.
The Suzuki GS750 I agree was an awesome bike. I had the 1979 EN variant which the last one before the GS750TCSS range square headlamp. I bought it in 1982 and totally rebuilt it with upgrade suspension and bored it to 850cc, it was head turner. It would take on Z900 & Z1000 in acceleration and handling.. Z killer..
Still got a gs750. Brilliant bikes. in the late 80's I did 30,000 miles in 8 months on a gs550 despatching. Can't fault them (except the gearbox sprocket could undo itself) Rode my pal's v50 guzzi once, and the thing that imressed me about it was the linked brakes.
Thank you for this selection! The criteria for "underrated" are of course varied and do not always apply in their entirety to a single motorcycle: Sales figures at the time, press evaluation at the time, reputation in general, somehow dominated by another motorcycle from the same manufacturer or a comparable motorcycle from a competitor manufacturer, role and counting in today's world Vintage motorcycle scene. From a German point of view, I would like to add the MZ to the list: Mobility for millions (without a car) behind the Iron Curtain, but also for many commuters and students in the so-called capitalistic countries. Certainly appreciated, but not necessarily loved to the core. 🙂In any case, I share your intention: These bikes should not be forgotten!
In this case we are looking at how the bike is perceived today, or forgotten more to the point. The Suzuki was praised on release but these days is much overshadowed
Honda’s Japanese domestic market 399cc CB-1 NC27. The export model is okay, but stainless exhaust and aluminium refinements of the home model win in the end.
Later 400s are very good, have ridden a CBR400, a bit cramped. And we owned a GSXr 400 for a while. It was nice and easy to ride was pretty and very nimble
@@bikerdood1100 Indeed. Compared with the 1970s CB400F that everyone gets so excited about, the gear driven DOHC NC23 engine is on a whole different level. Although the steel frame of the CB-1 is rather heavy, it does its job very well.
TDM 850 4TX is the best bike I ever owned which is why I've kept it for 15 years. Does everything well and is always fun. Superb on Alpine roads. It's apparently a big improvement on the earlier type as it has a 270 degree crank so is smoother and sounds great.
They switched after they introduced the TRX sporty number A 270 is less vibey at higher rpm but a 360 is less lumpy low down So swings and round about I get the same thing when I switch between my Guzzi and my BSA Guzzi is smoother especially at motorway speeds but. Brit parallel twin can run at impressively low reva without a hint of the lumpiness you get with a V
Excellent videos. A 70'z special would be great! I grew up in the era of garelli mopeds and fizzies progressing onto suzuki t250 / Yamaha rd350's /rd400's. I missed out on the Suzuki gt380/550's. Because of the insurance category and extra price.! Anything of any of these would be great! Martyn.
I am sure it was just an oversight and you will be absolutely horrified and embarrassed that you forgot the MZ250 ES (especially when fitted with leg shields and canvas panniers).
Well I can’t fit em all in Want to save some for later. Ran an Etz for a couple of years that I got for the princely some of £126 It was really good and very very characterful
Not initially, it started life with a 360. The sporty looking TRX had a 270 and this was later fitted to the TDM, so it’s not exactly correct at all, I’m obviously talking about on release and indeed for quite some time into production🙄
I owned a T140V Bonnie & a GS750 both great bikes in their own right. If I remember correctly, the GS750 was the world's fastest production 750 at the time. The front disc (single on my early model) was notoriously bad in the wet until it cleared the disc & decided to bite. Saw a really nice Rocket Goldie in a small museum last week.
I rode an old Suzuki gs750 I rode around Australia. My mates bought old Suzuki gs750 bikes surplus from the police. I had civilian one cost £300 and had done 50000 km
Moto guzzi electrics were scarey as was the rotting exhaust . BSA were lovely and I loved the A10. Get the single carb road rocket. Only the timing side Bush was a weakness but SRM in South Wales did a roller bearing conversion with a improved oil feed. Beautiful machines.
Yes TDM is a good bike. It's been proven the good bikes over the years . The GS Suzuki's were great as were Kawasaki z650 and the great original honda cb750. The xs750 were big trouble but the Yamaha 600 fours before the diversion were good as I saw them with well over 100000 miles on the clock despatch ridden in London. The Suzuki Gs425 also and the shaft drive honda v twins and bros bikes. However the 550 Kawasaki shaft drives had really bad gearbox gremlins. It's subjective of course but despatch riders wanted reliable bikes, cheap and easy to work on . The honda benlys also went on and on and a mate of mine in the business for years ran one a long time and after had an early 1990s vfr750 he did weekly runs from London to Newcastle on and swore by it. I had a later banana swing arm 750 from honda. Carburettor and 800 fix before all the stuff with emissions. Only the voltage regulator rectifiers were bad, and I replaced 2 Times from 12000 miles until I got an electric MOSFET one from electrex who did fat better ones than honda rubbish that were very reliable.
I think to be fair to the GS all disk were terrible in the wet back then. The chrome discs on Japanese bikes were especially bad. Cast iron discs on Guzzi for example a little better. Modern break pads should help a lot. I can remember applying the breaks gently before stopping just to clear the disc of water
@@Ian-bq7gp I didn't know the cops had them. It would have taken a lap of Oz in it's stride. Great trip. I rode around Oz in '89 on a Kawasaki GT750 shaft. Another unappreciated bike.
By Golly! You are spot-on with the V50 and GS750. On my view, the V50 was the best all-round motorcycle of its day. A scratcher's delight and (fitted with sticky tyres) an absolute hoot. Low mass and good brakes. Sublime! Anyone who has ridden far on one gets it... Others don't. As to the GS750, I dislike UJMs, but I forgive the GS750 all their sins. It is somehow the perfect UJM. Not light, but not heavy once moving. No pretence at styling: just a motor, a tank and some wheels. Divine. On other underrated bikes, I feel odd writing this because I favour Italian and four-stroke... But the old square-finned RD400 of the late 70s was wonderful. They were rare in the UK (perhaps because of the 250cc license step) but they were devilishly fast on a very friendly and usable way. I do not usually like smokey, crackly stink machines, but the RD400 was lovely.
I have a 1992 Honda CB750 F2n. Considered not to be a proper CB750 by many but it does all that I ask for it and people stand and look at it. I bought it after 7 years in a damp container and only spent a few hundred pounds getting it on the road.
Great video thanks for sharing. You took me way back. When I first got married I had a 1975 Z1 Kawasaki and a 1978 GS550B the light blue colour of the first GS750. I did a lot of touring on the GS550 here in Australia it was a great little bike. Unfortunately my then wife told me I had to sell them and my Kawasaki GPZ900. Looking back I should have got rid of the then wife back then.
The urban legend in Denmark at the time they were a handful years old was that you could fit the next size up engine, i.e. a 750 in a 550 frame and a 1000 in a 750 frame. The 550's and later 650 chain drive GS's were large for their engine size.
Ducati ST2, and probably the 3 and 4, but the 2 is a joy to ride, doing its job as a sports tourer better than most off its time and many that have come since.
The only 2-stroke I've ever owned was a Suzuki T500M - the last one in the range with drum brakes - bought new in 1975 or '76. There was plenty wrong with it, such as its tendency to go out of tune very quicky due to pitting on the contact breaker points, and the handling on the OEM tyres (Bridgestones; a pair of Avons improved things quite a bit). But it went like the clappers, sounded great and looked wonderful with its metallic blue paint and acres of chrome. It's the only bike I really wish I still had apart, maybe, from my Ducati 450 Mk3.
Both good bikes. Very different in terms of performance. FJR was very popular with the police at one time . Should be more popular but everyone wants a GS 🙄
About the GS750 I'd rather go for the 650 or the 850 as these are shaft driven. From the "modern" bikes definitely the Yamaha VMax is highly underrated. Not in terms of power or acceleration, but reliability and relaxed low rev high torque riding. Rock solid if left in original condition. I own both, the 1200 and the 1700. 1200 so far nearly 100.000 km, the 1700 with almost 50.000 km and no issue at all with them. They just work perfect - esp for "normal" riding.
I’m a big fan of shaft drive, many people are not however, always liked the 850. The shaft drive machines only down side that I can think of was slightly inferior handling, but oh the convenience
@@bikerdood1100 And you couldn't change the gearing. My brother bought an 850 that was bored out to 930 cc, and we were always fishing for the 6th gear which wasn't there. The engine really felt super solid. Alas, on the 23rd of December 1986, a 72 year old taxi driver made a u-turn right in front of my brother, who hit the taxi right on the A-pillar with his right leg and hip, sending him three months in the hospital. He has been limping ever since, on a crooked leg, 3 cm's shorter than the other.
The BSA A7/A10 is a nice motorcycle as were many 1950s machines. They had compression ratios beginning with a 6,7 or very sporty bikes might have 8:1. This kept stresses on the bottom end low and vibration levels low too. I had a Road Rocket with 8 to 1 pistons and a local BSA dealer's workshop foreman warned me off fitting those sexy domed 10 to 1 pistons. Any performance gain, he said, would be badly offset by poorer starting and reliability, accelerated wear, vibration and increased oil leaks and crankcase pressure. I took his advice so i never experienced any od the downsides he described. But a friend was seduced by the 10.5 to 1 compression of the Norton Commando "Combat" engine. On a run, it would misfire then cut out. Oil would dribble from the points cover as crankcase pressure blew out the seal around the points cam. We got replacement down to 2 minutes as we practised. One thing about the BSA was the need for religiously changing the oil every 2,000 miles. No oil filter and a plain bush on the timing side main bearing. In the 1960s when many lads changed drained the oil in their dads' Vauxhall Victor and put it in their BSA's tank, BSA bottom end rumble was very common. Other bikes such as Triumphs with ball or roller mains tolerated dirty old oil rather better and Beezers got a reputation for fragile bottom ends that they didn't deserve. Give them some love and they'll repay you with trouble-free biking.
Probably the big mistake with the later A65 was gunning them too high for the bottom end to cope with, softer is definitely better, true for Triumphs too I think
Commuted across London every day on honda VT500E 500cc offset v twin smooth inboard disc brake well finished big Rickman fairing keeping me dry bought a BMW K100RT after the VT but Bm good but a lot heavier around town but kept u warm and dry..
VT . It was never as popular as the CX, good solid bike aLl the same but more difficult to work on that the CX, the valve gear is much harder to access and changing pads on the inbound discs is a chore. It didn’t seem to sell in big numbers in the UK.I think the market was heading down the bigger is better rabbit hole by then so 500ccs was suddenly too small, apparently?
I owned a CB450k4 for 17 years before metal fatigue in the castings stopped me using it. Round the clock three times, was comfortable and reliable. Torsion bars instead of valve springs, five speed box and double overhead cam. Rear shocks weren’t flash but worked. Might have to find another one.
In the day very true it was very highly rated but has faded into the background some how these days. There’s columns and how’s of film on the Z1 and Cb750 not so much the GS. Think the internet only has room for about 10 bikes ?
You could also have included the Kawasaki GPZ500S. Possibly the best middleweight bike ever made. 60bhp, light and nimble, 120mph top end, predictable handling and quite capable of keeping up with much more powerful machines when ridden hard. And it likes to be ridden hard.
You talked about the BSA A10 but I would go for the A7SS Shooting Star instead. It was a bit more sporty than the ordinary A7 but less vibratory than the A10 so you could comfortably cover more miles in a day.
I had a 1968 750 Norton with a fiberglass Dunstall tank,when I purchased it the owner told me" when you hit reserve start looking for a. gas station," the reserve would only take you a few miles before you were out of fuel.
I remember triumphs from my high school days in the early 80s . My hometown does not have many bike enthusiasts. ( unless it's a Harley lol ) We once had cycle salvage ( to buy used bikes ) Yamaha, kawasaki , Suzuki , Honda and Harley shops in the 80s . Honda and Harley are the only ones left . I think buying online killed the dealership industry here ??? That and the " bikes are dangerous " mentality. There were more bikes on the street in my youth than today . Bikes cost double in my hometown in Louisiana than they do on the west coast because of availability.
I feel that the Suzuki GS 1000 E Model was under rated also. I had a 1980 Medlel here in the U.S. it was still the SOHC engine. I had it for 5 years with not one problem, only modification was a V&H 4 into 1 header. It was very reliable and performed pretty well, it also had a replica of the S Model's fairing on it.
Maybe you confused 2-valve engine with SOHC? In the USA, the 4-(16)valve versions were confusingly also called GS in the beginning, whereas they were called GSX in Europe from their launch, also the twin cylinder 250's and 400's.
I had a Suzuki 750 GT (Kettle). The most beautiful bike I ever owned and fast, very fast. Unfortunately it only liked going in a straight line and had to slow down to be able to lean it into a bend. I'm not afraid to admit, I sold it because it scared me.
Great video,very interesting. Good call regarding the tdm,but what about it’s brother the trx,which gets even less of a mention. Out of the bikes Iv had,2 spring to mind, the gpz600r, the original 600, and the gsx750et, the one after the gs.
I bought an A10 in 1968, I was 17 ( not sure what year it was but it was a bit old) bought it stripped and I mean totally every part of the engine was was in pieces fortunately the gearbox was intact, but I checked it over anyhow. I walked it home about 5 miles just 2 wheels on the frame and the handlebars the rest in a tea chest balanced on the frame that was a friday evening, on the Sunday morning I was about to start it for the first time this was around 6 am as my Father was leaving for work, he took one look and said "that'll never run", the house was a town house so the garage was under the house so I dare not have tried it until my parents were up anyway, I "tickled" the carb slowly pressed the the kick start to get on the compression stroke a little choke and kicked it over, I could have cried as it started first kick I was elated and in tears my father was stunned and roared away from the house in a mood. Anyhow I made a few final tweaks and went for a ride, just a short drive to fill up with petrol. I returned home and got washed and changed and went out for a ride again I went miles right out and around the Essex countryside I was in heaven, I used that bike daily for around three years never had to lay a spanner on it except for a "service, and finally sold it back to the guy I bought it from for the same money £15. He made it into a "chopper" and crashed it fatally into a flint wall about 3 weeks later, I saw it splattered with gore and grey matter, he was killed instantly, (no crash helmet), a sad end. It went to scrap but boy I wish I had it now it would have been worth a fair few grand. My top bike of all time, I had Triumphs Norton Matchless and several Beezers including a Bantaman M33, but I loved my A10.
There were the most, some say only really exciting bikes associated with HD. They had a poor reputation for reliability I remember, wether this was just press talk is difficult to say. Never understood why HD wound the company up. I think this has undoubtedly turned out to be a big mistake
Interesting video. I bought a new T140D in late 1979. It handled like a dream, but was so unreliable. Lucas electrical system, nicknamed Lucas Prince of Darkness. They had a six month warranty. The kill switch was aptly named, it nearly killed me when it cut out mid overtake! FCS50V where are you now? DVLA won't help me. I rode a TDM 850 once, it's a great bike. I swapped my T140D for a GS550, brilliant bike. A very underrated bike is the Yamaha FZR600 and 600R, they are nippy and return 60mpg or more.
"The incredibly collectible Rocket Gold Star"!!! I'm crying my eyes out here in Australia. I sold mine back in 1973 when I emigrated here. How much are they worth now, I wonder?😪🤧
I mounted a T160 Trident motor into a T140 chassis. Better than both. I also had a ‘93 TDM. Brilliant bike but didn’t handle that well. The last series 900 was much better.
A good line up there . A couple of bikes come to my mind . The MZ 250. Ok it must have had the ugliest top end of any bike built before or since with that dead flat top cylinder head, but it’s a bike that truly shocked me after riding Japanese 250s ,at least the four stroke versions. I couldn’t believe this Eastern European crude single cylinder two stroke was actually a comparison. It cruised at 70 mph without any signs of distress, was smooth ( rubber mounted engine) and torquey, handled very well ,and had decent brakes. It was also comfortable . And they didn’t fall to pieces either . No matter if they did as a child could have rebuilt it, I seem to remember it even came with a pump! I wouldn’t have another as I’m not keen on two strokes, or it’s looks but you have to respect it ? The second is the the almost invisible Kawasaki z750 twin of the mid seventies. Three of us went on a tour of France . Two Z750s and one Suzuki GT 750A ,all two up . Which one would most people choose ? The much lauded Suzuki of course . I think opinions might have changed having witnessed these bikes on this tour at least . Ok the GT would surge ahead on the straights , but it was completely outclassed on anything suggesting a bend . The point was proven when the lad on the GT tried to keep up with us on a spirited ride back to camp and ended up in a ditch and his missus having a right go at him! The Zs were more frugal and had more torque , less weight and smooth.
Honda XBR500. Liked them when introduced but never bought one. Last year I did. Can't believe how good it is and how I've wasted money on umpteen bikes instead.
Kawasaki Z650 four. Good motor found that it was never flat out except in a straight line. Nimble light, good handling, great on an A road often close to full throttle seldom short of power. A great all rounded
Oh yea gs750, can't forget those red glowing clocks!! rode pillion on a Devon trip in 78 (I was banned at time, totting up 9pts back then not 12) ), loveley.
As an owner, previously, of both a BSA A10 Standard Gold Flash and an ex works Rocket Goldie, with a Super Rocket motor in a Gold Star frame, I would take issue with a couple of your assertions: neither of these bikes would ever out perform a Triumph Bonneville, in corners or on the straight, particularly when fitted with BSA’s A10 front forks! Also the Standard Flash was only capable of between 96 and 98 mph on the road. The Rocket Goldie, however, was capable of around 120mph, witness a couple of court appearances in my exuberant youth! 🏍🏍
Well I don’t believe I asserted they were faster. Having ridden both I do feel that the BSA frame is far more rigid however. There’s a reason they built Tribsa’s after all Never actually seen a road test of an RGS where they actually hit a genuine 120 . I do have a 1954 article where the flash hit a genuine 100 Tail wind not withstanding of course To be honest it’s very unlikely any sensible person would try and push a bike of that age anywhere near its limits. Mechanical sympathy and all that , think I only said Ni on a ton anyway to be honest Exuberant young men should not believe everything they read on a Smiths speedometer
To be fair to the most underrated motorcycles came from MZ, CZ and JAWA. In the early sixties they were cutting edge. Had their innovation espionaged and were unable to compete in the market after.
Well the Japanese were beginning to make bikes that went around corners, Triumph needed major investment, which of course it never got to stay competitive
i have the 1999 tdm 850 , and its definitly under rated , especially here in australia and the usa , problem was it was released at a time when bigger was better here and the states though still reasonibly popular in europe , the local salvation army captain has/had one and couple of yrs ago she had 350000 kls on it without ever having the head off it , it performed great with no smoke , dont know about now as havent been on any toy runs since , other disadvantages was a bit to tall , im 6ft and can bearly touch the ground though thats common with a lot of bikes today it wasnt then , also the battery place ment up till 1999 was stupidy and very very hard to get at though you didnt know that till u bought one ,was great for what it was designed for BAD tar rds AND DIRT RDS , CAN THINK OF A LOT BETTER BIKES FOR LIGHT OFF RDING , early models drank oil but not in big amounts and u just had to keep an eye on it , slightly clunky gear box , rear suspension not some thing u would write home about but beautifull motor ,, your definitly right in saying VERY UNDER RATED , here in oz u can pick up a good low kl one on the rd and registered for about 3000 au dollars which is very cheap compared to other simmiler aged / cond bikes
@@bikerdood1100 actually i like the looks of them and did so from when i first saw it here in oz it was more a matter of bad timing as every body seem to want 1000 /1100cc and above
There's a whole raft of 400cc bikes right down to small 2 strokes which don't get the credit they're due. I ride an older R1 But I love nicking my wife's NC 30 or her NC 35 too
hi after a very long time i tracked down a yamaha YL 1 100 cc two stroke twin i wanted one whan i was 17 but no internet then . I would love to know more about these little machines might be sonthing for your chanel keep up the great work
