8 Underrated Motorcycles That Are Actually Great 

IMPORTANT Dakar have hit me with a copyright strike so ive had to delist some of the videos just in case i guess they got pissed that mine were better because of the MOTOGP one before xmas that means im really vulnerable now and the channel could be removed at any time I have set up this backup channel so please go and follow it NOW, this could all be removed at any moment now so it is critical to stay in touch via the backup channel here ru-vid.com/show-UCCSl6i-tZJNC5DQ38vgCtvw sorry for this if i get another strike it wipes out all my work all my old videos will be removed I wont be posting anything much on the new channel unless this goes down but this is a just in case because it really could go down at any point the videos are still visible if you have a link so if you have problems message me for links so you can still watch them, if you follow the channel and this one gets taken down you will be able to find me there sorry if thats a bit garbled ive just woken to this but i guess i could have had the channel taken down already so i should be thankful ride free everyone

The Yamaha Virago engined bikes were gems, aside from junk starters in 81-82. Torque, smooth, reliable to a fault, comfy, and easy to handle with a low seat height. Clutch, trans, & rear drive were bullet proof. I had several and they were great.

Thank you, great video; got an RF900RT myself - had it since 2006 and it is really just a workhorse nowadays (I'm 71), reliable, quick, ok around town, great 2 up, decent range and MPG. Also, I like your approach in the videos - a lot more useful and down to earth than many! Keep up the good work; all the best, cheers

I also had a RF 900. Amazingly capable bike. Regret that i sold it. Very fast (for it's time) and a true mile eater and smile generator. Torquey and enjoyable to ride. My current ZX 14 lacks the soul of the RF...HP is not all that makes a bike good. If you can get a decent one BUY it! Five endurance world records (over 24hours) is proof and can't lie... 😊

Hi mate. Great vid.ive had a 750 sabre for 10 years. I've sprayed her in st Orange with stripping, wheels too. Yet to finish her. Need to get some more parts from Dave silver to finish the bike off. Then I'll take to bike shows in the future. I miss the great time we had in the 70,s and spend my time left keeping the old bikes on the road. Good on ya to talk about the old bikes. 😊

Great video 👍 I really loved my 86 TR1, it didn't even had the known starter issues. The 11" headlight, the two tone horns and the chain running in 1 kg lithium grease - chain service check was 70.000km! It was just an awesome bike.

Next to all my italians, I've actually got two MZ ETZ 150's. Never had the chance to get a 250 but the 150's were just as great and i love riding em. Reliable as hell and if you do need spare parts, you can get them cheaper than dirt.

I'm not sure you had them where you live, but I have a 85 Honda 650sc Nighthawk. (I live in the States) it's a wonderful series, (made from 83-85) and they have so many great features. How about 4-cylinders, shaft drive, double overhead cams hydaulically operated, twin discs in the front, mag wheels, gear shift and gas gauge built in to the unique instrument cluster, oil cooler, electric start, (Of course, but no kickstart) 6 speed gearbox, (Honda calls the sixth gear an overdrive) Tubeless tires, air adjustable front forks, and rear shocks are fully adjustable, anti-dive front forks. from what I understand, some are found in the UK, but not sold there.

Recently started watching and quickly subscribed, great content, taking me back to my days in the UK , Cheers DINO.

Thanks for the great video. I had a 1982 Yahama XV 920 that I bought in 1990. Always in dry storage when not used, I thought it was a brand new motorcycle when I first bought it. I had this bike for years and it was a wonderful bike! The chain ran in an enclosed, sealed oil bath which made the chain adjustment frequency interval an afterthought. After years of riding this bike I sold it and almost doubled my money. I collect vintage bikes now but your videos are convincing me to open my time period of what I should add to the collection. Who said an old dog can't learn new tricks? Keep up the great videos coming. Cheers from Connecticut in the States!

I had a XV 1000 she was probably the best touring bike Ive owned 140kph all day long with good range in the tank Rode her across Oz 5-6 times without a hitch when I sold her she had close to 150k km on the clock Always will remember her serial number of 0000302

I had never heard of the Honda Bros before. Great video, I liked your thoughts about how we all see motorcycling in our own different ways.

Excellent video. I too have a love affair with old scoots. I currently own 3 old, out of production bikes and love showing up on them. Wouldn't sell them. Thx again for having an appreciation for the old.

Excellent video, informative and entertaining 👍 Bikes from back in the day when motorcycles had style, unlike today's computer designed clones!

Wow, some great bikes, lovely Video mate, as ever! Think my fav was the Honda X11 - I'd forgotten that one!👍👍

Yamaha secas 550, 650, and 900. Totally underrated and unloved.😢

Thank you for this video. A great summary as always. Keep up the great work. 👍😎🇦🇺

Thank you for this information and your delivery ! I , a rider of 48 years , and now in my 60’s and still riding ; appreciated your comment on getting on a motorcycle for YOURSELF , and formulating your OWN opinion ! I’ve owned : 1.) 1- BMW 2.) 2- Hondas 3.) 13 Harley Davidsons A few short years ago , I test rode a “ brand new “ Triumph Bonneville . I had to go BACK to the dealership for a second , and then a THIRD test ride ! The engineers took a 1959 “ Bonnie “ and gave it all the modern improvements ! The ONLY reason that one of these most beautiful and comfortable and smooth machines isn’t taking real estate in my garage today ; is the FACT that he could only offer me a few thousand dollars for a 1983 FXWG that I put $5,500.00 into - after purchasing it for $7,500.00 . The HD dealership gave me $10,000.00 towards a 2018 FXLR Low Rider . Don’t get me wrong , as I obviously “ lean “ towards HD , this new and improved Triumph just blew me away . Had I not gotten “ divorce-raped “ , who knows , there might be (2) motorcycles taking up real estate in my beloved man cave ! Again , stellar job on this video . I’d love to hear you do a “ twist & go “ scooter video ! The old Honda Silverwings to today’s Suzuki Bergmans … Peace ☮️

Another absolutely presentation. Always a big pleasure to listen to you. Greatest Regards.

My X11 and I thank you for remembering, we ride daily. Ride on!

A friend of mine has a 350 two stroke Bridgestone in his barn. A retired army pilot gave it to him in the late 80s and herode it home and put it away and according to him he never rode it again. I've seen it and it appears to be all there though would take a lot of time and money to bring it back. He won't sell it though for whatever reason I don't know. Great video!

YAYYYY a fellow RF-er! Had one, LOVED IT, HIIIIIIIGHLY UNDERRATED...! It BROKE (AND KEPT FOR YEARS) speed and endurance records! Mine was a US Import green with grey/silver markings RF900RW, I junked the 'Clean Air recycling circuit system', modded the headlight and both rear lights to have a ring of LED's as 'Side lights' and then used the bulbs for main/Brake (all 3 at back wired for brake), adjusted the suspension for best of both worlds with a wee smidge of firmness, Bridgestone BT-023s, and Maaaaaaaaaan! Did she hustle! There was/is a RARE saught after 'Manta Ray' green version. That GSXR1100 derived lump can handle the 1170cc head tube (and everything else that well loved lump could take. A RU-vidr 'Adikxx' is currently doing videos on a 1170 & tuned motor build and change for his RF9. Issues? Well.. 1 -THAT WELL KNOWN Alternator coupling bushing CAN (and DID fail on me twice (1 failed 32 days after I bought from a Suzuki dealer - they refused warranty as it was 'Over its 30 cover period as I fitted it' 😠, but 2nd one lasted on), for anyone not in the know... Imagine the alternator shaft connecting into a ball bearing centre, and the outside of the 'Ball bearing is pressed into a gear say, now imagine that the ball bearings are replaced with solid rubber... You get a 'Solid' connection that damps out vibes, but... IS a weak point just in case the alternator seizes (as HAD happened on the original GSXR1100s, so instead of smashed/stripped gears, and shavings of steel running around and 'Lunching' your engine, it just tears the rubber (saving engine). However, if this little bugger fails (and it does), first thing you'll notice is days later, your battery is dead because your engine is no longer spinning the alternator. You CAN swap parts back to the GSXR1100 style hard/direct gear drive system to drive the alternator. 2 - The usual, like brakes etc CAN corrode if you ride all year (like I did/do) in countries that use salt/grit on the roads, so a tip!! Have a garden watering can filled with fresh water, and after your ride in winter, flush the salt/grit out the brakes. Doing this helps reduce the times you have to clean/unseize those callipers. 3 - Yeah... WHY SUZUKI, WHY didn't you give it a 6th gear? I just upped front by 1 and lowered the rear cog by 2. 'She' was a mile muncher (500 mile round trip Grimsby to Southampton and back DEAD EASY, yes, that large seat, was... a SMIDGE firm), she was an A and fast B road carver, DAMN I MISS HER! 😟 Apart from that... SOLID bike! If you want to see pics of headlight/tail light mod (will work for RF4, 6 and 9s), go to my YT page, send me an email) RIDE SAFE, RIDE FREE!!! 👍 😎🇬🇧

RF900s, amazingly comfy smooth and fast, easily maintained too, way ahead of its time and probably the most underated amongst this bunch.

Oh yes... RF900 and TRX850 bring back fond memories. Some of the best (for me) bikes for me. Thank you for the trip down the "memory lane". Cheers from The Antipodes.

Commenting from America, it is SO cool to see all the different bikes we didn’t get. It’s like an alternate universe. Great video.👍😉

I had a mate with a Honda Bros, he put a 750 Africa Twin engine in it, they drop straight in. That, along with some other upgrades to the suspension made it a fun bike.

I had a TR1, an incredible reliable and comfortable motorcycle. Bought it from a friend with 22.000 km and sold it with 148.000 km with still the first chain on. The closed chain box was unique and helped the chain to have an enormous service life. I've traveled all over Europe by motorbike to the furthest corners of Turkey and haven't even taken any tools with me in recent years - you could completely rely on this motorbike.

Thanks for the pointer to the tr1 segment!

First time watcher., subscribed..nice vid! You're absolutely right about what suits one rider may not suit another. For most of the 80s and 90s I used my bikes for commuting, dispatch riding and touring. Nowadays U have the luxury of odd days out in the sunshine, and occasional camping trips. I'll definitely keep an eye out for a honda bros at some point (yes the name wouldn't have attracted me). Had a MZ TS250 in the early 90s, got it for £60!. Very utilitarian and served it's purpose as a commuter..mine had terrible knobbly tyres on which made handling questionable. Also had an American imported XV920 (TR1) which was indeed a great capable motorcycle if you didn't or couldn't chase the higher priced newer bikes. Unfortunately it was let down by a poor starter and mechanism, in the days before the interweb and easier international trade, this was an expensive fix. Later there were uprated 4 brush starters made, and prices for these became reasonable.

I've had a ZL600 for 11/12 years I absolutely love this bike. Never had a bike that long before and she still puts a smile on my face every time even my Mrs loves the bike. Moved house 3 times on it and just keeps chugging along. Headstock starts tank slapping around 100mph 😬 but didn't take long to get there. Great for all road riding from commuting/ plodding to having a silly moments through the twisties and the launch is epic leaving many another vehicle in surprise when you learn to balance the acceleration & revs. I've had other bikes come and go but nothing stayed. Considering that I picked it up for £700 purely as a go between after my GSX600F was stolen with 3 months of insurance issues 🤦‍♂️ (loved that bike too with 20k miles riding in the year of having it) nearly fell over when I saw a ZL600B for sale at £2500. The ZL community on FB is pretty awesome too. Loads of photos, advice and parts locators for the entire ZL range of bikes.

Good list and excellent presentation. Very good piece of work.

Some great bikes there. I now have a hankering once again for a Honda Bros 650. Superb build quality, nice compact bike. With those Bridgestone BT45 Battlax tyres on it you can scrape the footpegs, no problem.

I had many 2 strokes especially in the 70s miss the smoothness sound and smell. Always had a soft spot for them

I had a bros 650,and i can tell you it was a lovely light moto with plenty of torque, easy to handle cafe racer feeling 😃🤟🤟🤟

Great video, many thanks. As an official old git, I have had a number of bikes, often a few at a time and all have been great to own in their own way but I would not have predicted that the one I still have, after many years, would be the MZ ETZ250. Not the last I will own by any means but I won't part with it!

Great Video BarebonesMC! The Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog might well be on that list too as well as the Suzuki GSX1200 Inazuma. The Suzuki was definitely ahead of its time as it was retro before retro was a thing. I bought my 1999 Inazuma new in 2001. She was tucked away in a corner of the showroom and half a dozen bikes had to be moved to get to her, it was love at first sight. Unfortunately she died up in Scotland in 2008 when we got t-boned by a car. Last year I found another one, same colour, same year and untempered with apart from the seat. I just had to buy it and the seat has been redone in the looks of the Kawasaki Z900RS’s seat. Cheers, Lupo

I had a TR1 for a couple of years. A very under rated bike with an easy going, loping nature. The only weakness the motor had was a tendency to break the starter Sprag clutch if you were ham fisted with the starter button. Could go some through the twisties and surprise a few sportier bikes if you utilised the torque. Had some great design ideas for its time. A pity that many of the surviving examples have been hacked for the 'Cafe Racer' fad.

I loved my Yamaha FJ/XJ600. A nice middle weight sports/tourer.

Great channel and content imo🙏👍👍

Another interesting & entertaining video -- thanks. I had a Suzuki RF900 back in the day, a second generation I guess as it was black & not that rather garish silver & purple. I thought it was brilliant -- more comfortable than a full on sports bike, but still very fast. I saw over 150MPH when I glanced at the speedo when changing into top. It kept on pulling but I didn't dare look down again, so don't know what I was doing when I started to slow.

Suzuki made great bikes, all the GS range were over-engineered. I had a GS400 that I took on 3 x 2000 mile continental tours 2 up with luggage for 3 weeks, not fast but capable of 80mph all day long. I bought it second hand for £300 and rode it all weathers, commuting, holidays, trips across UK to see mates, changed the oil once a year, rinse and repeat. Maintenance apart from tyres and brake pads was done basically when I thought I could afford it. Valve clearances remained in spec for 50k miles. Fabulous bit of quality/value engineering

Forget speed i want that Valiant , its a beauty

God that MZ sound just took me back. My friend had one… I had a Honda WetDream 😂. Great vid, the memories…..

I really enjoy your channel. Thank you.

Very interesting. Thanks!

Excellent video, been riding in the USA since the late 1960s. Half these bikes I've never seen or heard of, guess many did not make it over here? Wise advice at the end, I really miss the do most anything bikes. I've owned some odd short run bikes that I really enjoyed, wish I still had a few of them. Thanks for the video and memories!

I have a machine that was underappreciated by the motorcycle buying public when it was in production, a 1980 Benelli 900 Sei. These six cylinder machines were an upgrade on the earlier Benelli 750 Sei which was in production from 1974 until 1978, the 900 motor was bored and stroked to give a capacity of 906cc. Benelli built 3200 of the 750 Sei in it's four year production run, the 900 Sei was in production between 1979 and 1989 and only only 1878 of them were produced in that ten years. Granted the Benelli multi cylinder motors borrowed a lot from that of the Honda CB500, but the Benelli handled and braked so much better than the Honda ever could. My Sei goes around bends like it is on rails on it's Pirelli Demon Sport tyres, it carries it's weight very well and it belies its 26" wide motor by being a great scratcher on twisty country roads. Fuel economy is reasonable at 45 mpg consuidering I have replaced the stock trio of 24mm Dell 'Orto carbs with a bank of six 22mm Dell 'Orto's. The Benelli 900 Sei is now regardred as a period classic and exceptional low milage examples are changing hands for between £15k and £20k. I bought mine in 1986 for £1200 and I have no plans to sell it anytime soon.

Thanks for including the etz 250. You forgot to mention that it was ergonomically a huge bike, bigger than a Superdream, but only weighed 130 kilos! Anyway, the most overlooked bike EVER was the Jawa 350. I own two. It was always the MZ's poor relation and generally despised but had similar performance/mpg to the MZ whilst being much more comfortable. It featured a clutch which engaged when you operated the gear change, a very torquey engine ( 60 mph at just 4000 and it STILL felt undergeared) and the best rear brake, drum or disc, ive ever encountered. While the MZ was a big seller, buyers steered clear of the Jawa despite it being even cheaper so ones left from the eighties are very, very rare. Almost unbelievably, theyre still being made and imported and cost just under five grand new. Theyre extremely reliable and require very little maintenance and none that you cant do yourself. Modern updates include leccy start, electronic ignition, a digital dash ( the jury's out on that!) and a front disc the size of a dustbin lid. But otherwise its the same engine and running gear as 1984. Biking's about individualism and they dont come more individual than the Jawa!

I rode my 1981 Kz 550 LTD down from Kent to my new home on Rhodes 16 years ago. It is a bike that does know what it is. But! I love it 35 years on.

Thanks for the video. The rf900 reminds me of my 1998 Gsxf750 teapot, used by couriers in their day & a strong gsxr based engine. I also owned a cx500 Honda but reading a report In its day about a knocking noise can develop in the engine, causing costly repairs, I sold it. Another bike loved by couriers.

That was a well edited & informative video - thank you! You'd think Yamaha would've learned from the TR1 experience before repeating the same mistakes, more or less, with the BT1100 Bulldog. Owners love them, but there were never many sold & dealers ended up discounting heavily to move them on. MCN absolutely pilloried the bike, but they never understood what it was good at, although it didn't help that once again, the bike sat between 2 stools - neither a cruiser nor enough bhp or the handling to be a sport tourer. They're a popular 2nd hand buy now & prices are strong. What a missed opportunity!

No way... At the start of the video, I thought "that's a RF900" dash... I had one so I know 😂 amazing bike by the way... As you mentioned, not as sporty and folded in half as a supersport bike, but a very sport oriented sport tourer with 130bhp. Not bad for 1994/1996 right? Then you showed a MZ 250 2strokes... Now, when I was a kid, my parents didn't have a car... We had a MZ Etz 250... ... ... What a machine 😁 I didn't seem to catch it in the comments but maybe I just didn't hear properly but the MZ 250 had an anchor point from factory so that you could add a bucket to it and turn it into a side car... So yes, once again, thank you for another amazing video and for bringing me back to some really good times... 2 incredible, unbreakable and reliable bikes full of memories 😁

I loved the video. And I totally agree my mate had an x11 which I loved riding. Another bike my dads friend had which I really enjoyed riding was a Yamaha BT1100 bulldog not that quick but lovely looking and for me the perfect riding position and perfect for uk roads.

Great review of bikes that deserved better, I must confess that as a teenager in the late 70s who owned an RD350, when one of our mates bought an MZ 250 we unmercifully took the piss out of him but he had the last laugh as his little MZ went on to do over 200,000 miles in his job as a courier, I bought a grey import 650 Honda Hawk in the 90s (the US version of the Bros) it was a lovely handling little bike with a bullet proof engine, something Suzuki obviously spotted and later produced their pepped up version in the ubiquitous SV65O.

I remember having a ding dong battle against an XV 1000 TR1 back in 1989. I was riding an SR500 and it was a tight and twisty track. We were buy no means at the front of the pack, but it was a race I will always remember!

What a wonderful video. In the quarter litre bikes I think the Yamaha SRV250S was a stunningly well put together bike that could surprise mid weight bikes in the twisties. Another was the Honda Spada 250 which was so much fun you'd be grinning from ear to ear for hours after a ride. The 6 speed box actually made it a comfortable 250cc at highway speeds. Unfortunately the price point was too high and many people passed it over. Australian Motorcycle News stated that it was a shame more experienced riders probably wouldn't consider it due to its small engine size. The reason for the high price was its frame, which was the first production bike with a hollow cast alloy frame.

I owned 2 Hawk GT's. 88 and 89. The last one I upgraded the suspension and brakes etc which transformed it to a very capable machine. 58bhp was enough for the light weight and due to a 12.5 liter fuel tank, you weren't going anywhere long distance wise. The main reason it didn't sell was, overpriced and the other Honda on the showroom floor, the CBR600F (Hurricane) was only 500 dollars more than the Hawk. The 89 model I had was # 139. The US sold 2200 bikes in total, Canada was less than 400.

I enjoyed that video. I looked through your older vids and didnt see anything talking about the two strokes of the 70s. Ideas like how the RD350 or 400 regularly out paced large displacement machines or How the kawasaki triples built their fearsome reputation off the back of the H2 750. Im a two stroke fan so I would really like to see someone with your videographer skills put forth a proper tutorial on the seemingly forgotten smokers I grew up on.

Clicked the like as soon as you kicked off with an MZ!

Superb selection. Didn't see the Velocette coming! Does look like it was a premium product. I think both the RF600 and RF900 will come to be seen as desirable, just for being bikes of their time. Good observation about the Kawasaki 600 cams - the ZX ones with 2 groove marks on the cams will fit straight on that class of Kawasaki, although the 3-groove ones might not.

I have an 81 and an 82 XV1000 TR1 . The 81 is no.47 off the production-line . I ride the 82 a lot , it's customised to look more like an old-British bike with all original-parts stored-away . I find it remarkably-similar-feeling to my old Ducati 750 GT in power-delivery and handling . I have Never seen another-one on the road but there are a few out there. Yamaha dismantled a Vincent as part of the development of the TR1 (the ugly-hugger that everyone hated and the mono-shock , were both 'a nod to-Vincent' ) . They produced it as a rival for the BMW R80/100 . It flopped due to Thick-British Bike Reviewers so they turned it from 'Touring Roadster 1000 ' into a Cruiser and went for The US-Market where the mighty Virago was born . There are hundreds of TR1's in Germany and Clubs across Europe , even The-Italians got keen with the later BT1100 Bulldog . The final big-cruiser still destroys Harleys to this day : The Yamaha Roadliner/Starliner/Stratoliner etc , 1900cc , ceramic-bores , 3x-oil-pumps around 100HP and it actually handles and stops well . Dave nz

Great review, a learn much of your interpetation of being happy with a no name Bike. It all starts as boy and his bicycle. Expanding the circle around Mam and Dad. Explore a further Environment. Feeling the power of moving forward until forgetting gravity. Moving by wheel is deep down humansoul desire. For me. I am 58, riding 40 years, on 22 differnt motorcycles on Austrias streets. As Long as a can crawl to my motorcycle - I ' ll keep on riding till the end.

We didn't get a lot of these in Australia, got the Suzuki but didn't get TR1 or later on the BT1100 Bulldog, didn't get those Honda's either but did get the Bros. Our factory distributors here were very conservative unlike the earlier independent distributors, Yamaha didn't even bring in the VMAX at first.

Loved my D plate 250, and owe so much to MZ AND my TS125. Fantastic machines that even came with a pump under the seat. 😊 Can't bellwether you talk about the TR1, cos I shared one with my dad when I had the 250 MZ😂

My MZ ETZ 251's (successor to the ETZ 250) carried me and my wife and our luggage all across Europe. Just like any other Goldwing etc etc etc etc...... for the price of some Japanese wreck. Usually other bikers would regard us with either disdain (cannot afford anything better) or with amazement (how on earth did you get this far - answer: by riding the bike). The machine was simple, sturdy, dependable and reliable. And.... great fun!

Very well said.As I get older, speed becomes less and less important. As background, my dad, before he was carted away by WW2 and before he married mum, had, in his youth bikes with names rarely heard now; Abingdon King Dick, Francis Barnett, Brough Superior (don't know where or how he got one of those!) ending with his favourite, from new, a BSA Empire Star. So I began motorcycling late in life with, in order, a CB200, an RD350, Kwakka 100 (my only brand new bike) a Yamaha SR500 and finally a Honda CX500 which proved too top-heavy for me to control at low speeds. Of the above, the SR500 was hands-down my favourite, powerful enough for my skill set and as nimble as a terrier in ratting mode around the twisties. The RD350 was a screaming go-like-hell extremely thirsty poltergeist that laid a smoke-screen the Bismarck would have been pleased with! But a comment in a M/c magazine hit me - "Skin grafts hurt!", so, in a matter of discretion it had to go. Of the bikes in your list, I most closely relate to the Velocette 200 - perfect for an old joker of 76 to potter around in the slow lane of a fine Sunday afternoon. Col, NZ

I have never heard of the Honda X-11. nor have I seen one, even after watching this video! (except for the riders pov ). A profile shot would have been welcome. Good video though...I really enjoy the channel. Cheers!

I like to think I'm pretty well educated on my older bikes but I'd never even *seen* a Honda X4 or X11. They sound absolutely awesome.

I had 2 sleeper models from Honda. A1981 GL500 Silverwing. It had the CX500 motor on a touring style bike. It had a Vettor fairing and removable bags. The passenger seat came off with the turn of a key and a rear trunk fit in it's place. It was quiet, held highway speeds with ease, and could cruise on all day + on a tank of gas. A bonus was the highway pegs could be turned inward behind the cylinders which would keep my feet and legs warm and dry in cold and/or damp weather. The other was a 1994 VF750 Magna 4. It was the next generation Magna. V4 engine, water cooled, very low seat height, light, and nimble. It was a billie goat on twisty mountain roads, but, unleash it on the highway and 11K rpms would bring you up over 125mph. The only drawback was a small gas tank. About 130 miles range.

The Triumph/BSA triples can be excellent, reliable bikes, once properly sorted. Unfortunately they were sales failures. Most dealers couldn't service them adequately and refused to learn. Could've been a great bike if BSA/Triumph had the money to develop the design.

I have to admit it, all those years ago we sneered at the MZs and the 50cc simpson that was available from Flitwick motorcyles in the late 1980s. I dont know why, the misgivings of youth perhaps.

I was glad to see the MZ. I had the facelifted version: the Saxon Tour 251. It had the same power as the Japanese competition (Yam SR250, Suzuki GN250, Kawa KLR250 and Honda CB250RS) but 50% more torque than the closest rival. I couldn't get a test ride but I bought it on the strength of magazine road test (Bike, I think) who said it was in a class of one. Nothing else came close.

The RF900s were actually pretty popular. They were all over the place when I was younger

I had a TR1 many years ago. Great bike with lots of character. And a fully enclosed chain too!

Great videos! Having ridden for 50+years i enjoy watching the old bikes! Sadly many of the bikes you report on weren't available in the US! Subbed!

you're bang on with the Bros (or Hawk). the 650 version I owned didn't break any records but it was a really usable bike that could pootle along in traffic, keep up with much bigger bikes on the twisty bits, and toured really well with a tank bag and panniers. the only complaint I had was the small fuel tank which meant filling up every 120 miles or so. the engine is really nice - it's got loads of grunt from 2000 rpm if you get an american one (the Hawk) then rejet the carbs to make the mixture a tiny bit richer as it's super-lean, presumably for emissions reasons

Thanks for sharing. Please do one of Bikes that were great, but production was stopped like the Honda 90 trail bike with a gear shifter that allows you to kick with your heel to change down gears.....

A friend of mine just bought a 650 V-twin Honda. Goes & handles well. Sips fuel. Good all-rounder.

Exelent collection, thanks for making it. I have a slight correction on the TR1, it was not a Harley copy, it was a copy of a HRD Vincent. Unlike a Harley, it could turn corners, and stop. Plus that exelent monochok rear suspension. I drove one for 15 years, and was very found of it. And had a MZ EZ 150 as a winters bike, it was a lot less thirsty as the 250..

Excellent presentation.

hi mate my bike kinda fits in with this vid, for the past 16 years have owned and ridden a 1982 kawasaki gpz550h, iam 61 years old and rarely ride but my old girl, but she dose still puts a smile on my face, she is about too be registered historic this month,, i kinda want too ride again but health is against me, great vids keep up the good work and ride safe

Love your reviews , can you do a story on the rare Bultaco Metralla, an awesome little bike that I loved but now seriously regret selling to "upgrade " to a big 750 when I was 20

Very nice . I own two Honda V4s. One popular the other not so. I have a third gen Magna that went from 1994- 2003 and sold well. Great bike. I also own a 2014 CTX1300A . It only sold in the US one year. I love it dearly for cross country touring . Due to its low popularity there value dropped precipitously and I bought mine two years old with all factory options plus a tall after market tall windshield with 2700 miles on it. The owner paid $19,000+ dollars for it and he sold it to me in like new condition for $9,300.00. Super bargain, and I’d do it all over again. Love those Honda V4s.

Your description of the 600 eliminator is how I feel about my shadow. Nimble for a cruiser. Thanks for the video.

I had a Honda CD 175 twin ONE CARB TBone frame tHAT I NEVER SAW AN OTHER ON THE ROAD , but the CB175 twin carb tube frame was plentiful and built a few years , mine only built one year but i loved my bike , it was rock solid handled well , when i changed it i had 11000 miles on the odo but started to need new pistons , rings .

In the US The TR1 was labeled XV and it was a big seller. Of course lots of big sellers there that I loved did not do well here or were never even offered.

I remember a Honda motorcycle commercial where they stated even a ninja has to hide from a hurricane. They used to make good motorcycle ads on TV but not anymore.

Awesome videos, keep them coming. As far as underrated bikes go you can’t go past the GPZ 750 Turbo. Its reputation was killed by the other 3 Turbo manufacturers, and also by Kawasaki itself as it embarrassed the GPZ 1100 flag ship, nevertheless it was the fastest and quickest bike on the planet in 1984 / 1985 and someone should do it it’s rightful justice

Love the content. As a Canadian I can’t relate to a lot of the bikes. Japanese and American bikes are pretty much all I know. Still enjoy the content even if it’s a bike I’ve never heard of

I love your movies mate, no need to reply, keep em coming! 🍻

Me an a mate went to France from Edinburgh on an MZ250 loaded with a force ten tent and lots of other luggage. Apart from sealing th air hole in the petrol cap(!) and being flipped off by tram tracks in Brittany it ran like a dream But the 150 was probably a better balance machine. Amazing the Velo Thruxton and other big bike owners who used them as second bikes. Our return journey was through torrential rain all the way from the south coast to Edinburgh! Plastic bags in boots time.

I wish I had a swap meet at the Harley dealer talkin to the parts manager Wiley City on his vintage shovelhead. I mentioned that I had a collection of BSA singles. At another swap meet this guy walks up to me and goes you're the bee's our guy I go yeah. He showed me a picture of a mint C15 250 single 1967 BSA he wanted $500 for it and I gave it to him and he delivered the bike to my house the bike had six thousand original miles and the only thing it was missing was the side cover over the battery it was also equipped with a beautiful alloy tank. It came from an estate sale in Georgia with all the paperwork it was about to be scrapped with the metal lawn furniture when he saved the bike. The 250 BSA single is a great bike. I have 2 Enduro version one with triumph name badges that used to be derogatively called a triumph turd. They make great dirt bikes and commuter bikes and are big enough for two people to sit on comfortably and Cruz at 60 miles an hour all day long. It can go up to 90 miles an hour but I have bigger bikes for that. My mechanic wished that he had come across that bike and I told him well he should have gone to the swapyou never know what you might find you never know what you might bring home. There are bargains out there if you keep your eyes open for them .

I really like the Suzuki RF900S design, specially in red color. It's a kind of Ferrari Testarossa on 2 wheels. The SV1000 didn't sold very well although a GREAT engine

The trouble with these videos is that I end up adding a bike to my wish list that I'd not heard of or more likely had forgotten about. In this case my choice is similar to yours...Honda x 4. Lovely entertaining video and food for thought on my research into motorcycles. Cheers to you.

I have the Honda Hawk 650 GT (aka RC31) and it is a superbly fun motorcycle. Everything is a compromise but the Hawk is one of the best possible compromises. Comfortable enough to ride to the beach, nimble enough to be fun in the curves, lovely torquey v-twin. Deadly serious sportbike, well no, but that's the beauty of it. Simplicity has a charm all it's own. It takes me back to when I first started riding, it was fun then, and can be fun now, provided that you have the right bike.

Totally agree about the TR1, RF900 and X11. I'd add the Aprilia Falco. Remember seeing a TR1 outside MCS Yamaha dealer in Paisley back in about 1981. It was new but covered in dead flies but looked great especially next to my tatty GT250M. I like the RF because I think it's just a great looking big bike, problem at the time was that every lazy bike "journalist" used to copy each other saying it was ugly because of the " horrible Testarossa" vents... Hive mind I guess?? I test rode a Falco SL1000 V twin back in about 1999 and thought it was great but I wasn't sure about reliability and ended up buying a ZX6RG2, which I still have. The X11 just looks awesome and exudes quality.

Hey Dude, ever thought of doing a comparison of bikes that didn't make it because they may have been ahead of their time / ahead of market trends vs those that did? I commented recently in a FB group about the Yamaha TDM - look at all of the 270 crank parallel twin tall-roaders on the market now! And when you mentioned the Bros 650 I thought immediately of the SV650 which seems to have been a massive success.

X4s were great, and very tuneable. The x11 was a detuned 5 gear xx. Great bikes. Sad that a lot of x4 parts are no longer available

Once upon a time, I had 94' Transalp with bross 400 engine. Fantastic machine. The version was made for some legal limitations on the capacity.

I once put a smile on the face of a friend: riding to a concert in the mid of Hamburg, Germany (Gossip, it was. Great concert, btw!) on my Yamaha RD 125LC Type 1GU. Kerstin was amazed, how easy it was, to get us both there. In the rather agressive traffic of Hamburg. Easy peasy! All you need: 21hp, a motor of a 125cc two stroke (I still like the more agressive 10W better.) Once handed my 10W to a friend, who had been riding MotoGuzzi 850 and Harley twin cam for years: for the rest of this evening, he never lost the smile on his face! How many hp does it take, to make you smile? Not that many, maybe!