The best motorcycles of the 1970s are a blast from the past

The 1970s were the starting point for a new motorcycle league. In the 1970s, buyers and riders began to see some of the motorcycle seeds we know today.

Some motorcycle trends from the 1970s include the return of vintage styling as well as highly specialized motorcycles. The 1970s saw one of the biggest spikes in the number of racers up to that point, and even saw some of the decline that occurred in later years as cars and other forms of transportation became popular. Here are some of the best motorcycles from the 1970s.

This upcoming Kawasaki can go 1/4 mile in just 12 seconds.

Kawasaki H2 750

First on the list is the H2 Mach IV, a production motorcycle with a 750cc 3-cylinder engine. and had improved handling over its Mach III predecessor.

Kawasaki was inspired to create the H2 Mach IV after the success of the H1 Mach III in the late 1960s. The H1 had a 500 cc engine. CM and had 3,500 rpm and a redline at 7,500 rpm.

This regular Italian motorcycle has been produced since 1937.

Moto Morini 3

Moto Morini was an Italian motorcycle produced by Alfonso Morino since 1937. Morini has undergone many body and engine upgrades over the decades.

The Moto Morino 3 1/2 was a model that featured the new Morini V-twin motorcycles, which were more powerful and aggressive. Even today, the Moto Morini 3 1/2 is a fan favorite and in high demand. At the time of its release, the Morini 3 1/2 cost the same as the Honda CB750.

The name of this upcoming bike means "grow taller".

Hodaka Super Rat

During its existence, hundreds of thousands of Hodaka Super Rats will be sold worldwide. The company that made the Hodaka was located in Oregon and was formerly owned by the Shell Oil Company from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s.

The company's mission statement is: “Motorcycling is fun. No one has to strain their budget to enjoy this." With that in mind, the company built bikes that were simple, low maintenance, so that anyone on any budget could enjoy riding.

It was the first Moto Guzzi motorcycle.

Suzuki RE-5

The Suzuki RE-5, sold and produced from 1974 to 1976, had a liquid-cooled single-rotor Wankel engine known for its unique design.

Wankel engines had components such as a smooth rotary engine and were generally light but powerful and could produce more power even from a smaller displacement. Rare then, and even rarer now, the Wankel engine in the RE-5 has hardly been used in other motorcycles, and is used even less today.

This upcoming music video debuted at the turn of the decade.

MV Agusta 350B Sport

Debuting at the turn of the decade, the MV Augusta 350B Sport was produced by Agusta in the early 1970s. It has received a sporty new look and design, as well as a larger and faster engine.

While not too impressive today, in 1970, when the 350B was built and tested, it had a top speed of 96 mph. In the decades that followed, Agusta upgraded the engine and tested various body styles.

This Suzuki was part of the GS series.

Suzuki GS750

The Suzuki GS750 was part of the Suzuki GS series which had a full range of 4-stroke road bikes after selling only 2-stroke bikes until 1970 years. The first motorcycle developed by Suzuki with a 4-stroke engine was the Colleda COX in 1955 with 125cc and 93cc engines.

After more research, Suzuki developed the GS series and improved the 4-stroke motorcycle while continuing to sell popular 2-stroke motorcycles. Sold alongside the GS750 was the GS400, which debuted in 1976.

This 1970s bike was designed by Alejandro de Tomaso.

Benelli 900 Sei

Designed by Alejandro de Tomaso, the Benelli 900 Sei was sold and produced from 1972 to 1978. The Benelli 900 Sei was an Italian bike that stood out in popularity among other Italian bikes on the market in the mid 1970s due to its speed and design. .

Upon release, the Benelli 900 Sei had a top speed of 120 mph. One of the lasting impressions of the 900 Sei was the emergence of a trend of angular bikes versus round shapes.

The name for this next bike comes from Salt Flats, Utah.

1970 Triumph Bonneville

Although the 1970 Triumph Bonneville was not a standout motorcycle, it was a standard parallel two-stroke motorcycle. It took Bonneville over 4 generations to perfect the engine that was used in the 3 year Triumph.

The Bonneville name came from the salt marshes of Bonneville, Utah, where Triumph raced alongside other manufacturers to break motorcycle speed records. In 1970, the Triumph Bonneville had a 650cc inline-twin engine.

It was one of the first universal Japanese motorcycles.

Kawasaki Z1

Released in 1972 following the Honda CB750, the Kawasaki Z1 was a Japanese motorcycle that was one of the first Japanese models to be known as a general purpose Japanese motorcycle. General purpose Japanese motorcycles were motorcycles that complied with the rules and recommendations of governing bodies from all over the world.

The Z1 was also the first large-tonnage 4-cylinder motorcycle with a double overhead camshaft system on a production motorcycle. The Kawasaki Z1 paved the way for more import bikes to come after it.

The first designs of this popular Yamaha model date back to 1955.

Yamaha XS650

A mid-size motorcycle manufactured and sold by Yamaha Motor Company, the Yamaha XS650 debuted in 1968 and was produced until 1979. mid 1970s.

Early development of the XS650 began as early as the mid-1950s with Hosk single-seat suspension. After several changes of ownership, the XS650 was eventually taken over by Yamaha, who took over its design, and the engine was upgraded to a 650cc twin-cylinder. The XS650 was produced until the mid-1980s.

This Yamaha was originally created as a racing bike.

Yamaha YZR500

The Yamaha YZR500 was originally designed as a race bike and represented Yamaha in various 500cc Grand Prix from the 1970s to the 2000s. The YZR500 sparked public interest and motorcycle enthusiasts who were looking for a bike that was faster than any on the market.

Most race bikes don't follow the road rules, but due to demand, Yamaha decided to put the YZR500 into series production.

This BMW was produced in three different models.

BMW R69S

Three models made; R69S, R69US and R69 buyers were interested in cool looking luxury sports bikes, there were options in the 1970s. Designed and built by BMW in Munich, Germany, all three models were powered by 594cc twin-cylinder boxer engines.

Just over 1955 models were built and sold from 1969 to 15,000. Designed as high compression sport bikes, BMW varied some of the components depending on where in the world the bike was sold.

This Yamaha is still in production.

Honda YZ250 г.

One of the motorcycles on this list that is still in production today, the Yamaha YZ 250 has been around since 1974 when it debuted on the motorcycle scene. Not only is the bike really popular with riders, it's also built to be a really good racing bike.

The Yamaha YZ 250 has won numerous racing awards and championships over the decades, including 5 AMA National Motocross Awards and 9 AMA National Supercross titles. Buyers can get it today for just over $12,000.

This 1970s model was considered a street version of the Yamaha XT400.

Yamaha SR500

The Yamaha SR500 single-cylinder, two-seater, air-cooled motorcycle has been produced by the Japanese company Yamaha Motor Company since 1978. The motorcycle was sold until 2000 and was considered a street version of the Yamaha XT400.

Throughout its lifetime, the motorcycle will be sold worldwide and in a variety of markets, from North America to Europe and Asia. The designers and engineers of the Yamaha SR500 wanted to create a bike that was "easy to use", and although the motorcycle was discontinued in the US in 1981, it was sold worldwide in other markets for another 18 years.

Harley-Davidson FL

Harley-Davidson FL, one of the most iconic motorcycle brands in the world, comes from models and inspirations dating back to the early 1940s. The FL in the name comes from the Harley applied to the size of the bike, which has largely been styled like the current Touring and Softail series.

Harley-Davidson released the Confederate Edition of the FLH Electra Glide in 1977 which included commemorative paint and decals, although it was a limited edition with only 44 units built and sold.

Moto Guzzi V7 Sport

The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport was the first motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturing company Moto Guzzi. The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, based on the V7 roadster, has received an all-new design that includes clip-on handlebars.

Compared to the outgoing model, the V7 was lighter, had better handling, and was generally more well received and popular than its predecessor. In 2008, Moto Guzzi introduced the "V7 Special", paying homage to the 1970s model.

Kawasaki KR250

Kawasaki wanted to develop a bike that would not only be efficient on the track, but would also delight casual riders, and came up with the KR250. The KR250 was sold and manufactured in Japan for almost a decade from 1975 to 1982.

Popular not only among buyers, the KR250 has also won world championships in racing. The Kawasaki KR250 won medals in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981.

It was a popular 5-speed motorcycle in the 1970s.

Yamaha RD350

A two-stroke motorcycle produced from 2 to 1973 by the Japanese company Yamaha, the RD1975 was a popular five-speed motorcycle at the time it was on the market. The RD350 had a piston port and a front drum brake.

It was air-cooled with a parallel two-stroke engine with a 6-speed transmission and a reed valve, but was most commonly referred to as a sport bike. Every Yamaha RD2 model sold had an automatic oil injection called "Autolube" that eliminated the mixing of gasoline and oil. In 350, RD1976 was upgraded to RD350.

It was one of the safest and most reliable motorcycles of the 1970s.

Honda CG125

One of the dullest and safest bikes on this list, the Honda CG125 was a safe and reliable option for those who wanted an easy-to-ride bike that would last a lifetime. Honda, known then and now for producing top quality motorcycles and vehicles, wanted to make a motorcycle for the everyday rider who didn't want much from a motorcycle.

It was produced worldwide in Japan, Brazil and Turkey from 1976 to 2008 and had a top speed of 65 mph.

This next bike was updated annually.

Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor

A British motorcycle manufactured and sold between the early 1960s and 1970s, the Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor was a modified motorcycle modeled after the Constellation.

Every year Royal Enfield upgraded the bike until in 1970 they believed they had a bike that would be as good as it was in 1962. The 750 Interceptor, introduced in 736, featured an all-new XNUMX cc twin-cylinder engine. increased torque for more power.

This Super Sport was quite unusual in the 70s.

Fell Super Sport

One of the more unusual motorcycles on this list, the Tunturi Super Sport was a motorcycle that was sold and produced from the late 1970s to the late 1980s for a decade.

There were not many Finnish products in the motorcycle market, but Tunturi wanted to create a motorcycle that could be sold in markets around the world. Super Sport was a success for Tunturi, which also made bicycles and other fitness equipment.

It was one of the first motorcycles with a water-cooled engine.

Suzuki GT750 Water buffalo

The Suzuki GT750 gets its name from being the first Japanese motorcycle to feature a water-cooled engine. The GT750 was a 3-cylinder, 2-stroke motorcycle produced from 1971 to 1977, although it was first shown to the public as a prototype in 1970 at the Tokyo International Auto Show.

The motorcycle became so popular that in 1971 the Suzuki GT750 Water Buffalo was listed as one of the 240 Japanese Technology Landmarks by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan.

This is one of the few Indian motorcycles on this list.

Yezdi Roadking

One of the few Indian motorcycles on this list, the Yezdi Roadking was built and sold by Yezdi from 1978 to 1996. Nearly taking first place, Roadking became the first runner-up in the 9174 Motocross World Championship races he competed.

The Yezdi Roadking had a 250 cc engine. CM with dual exhaust and semi-automatic clutch with Jawa logo built into the bike for authenticity and unique style.

In total, about 5,721 of these motorcycles were produced.

Velocette Venom

A single cylinder motorcycle manufactured by Velocette in Birmingham, the Velocette Venum was a 4cc 499-stroke motorcycle. See, sold between 1955 and 1970. During these 15 years, a total of 5,721 motorcycles were produced and sold.

At a bicycle factory, a team of riders raced models and eventually set a 24-hour world record with a speed of 100.05 mph. At the time, the Venom became the first motorcycle of its size to average over 100 mph for 24 hours, until that record was broken in 2008.

This bike was made specifically for the Grand Prix.

Honda NR500

Another race bike built and developed by Honda, the Honda NR500 was created specifically for Grand Prix racing. Only a few examples were produced and they were not mass-produced for more casual drivers.

Around this time, Honda had already released a series of faster bikes, so the NR500 was intended purely for the track. Although this bike was set up to win all competitions, when the Honda NR500 went to race at the 1979 British Grand Prix, none of the bikes made it to the finish line.

This Triumph motorcycle was named after a terrible storm.

Triumph Kh-75 Uragan

Another Triumph bike on this list, the X-75 Hurricane was considered factory special because it was designed by none other than Craig Vetter. It included a fiberglass body, a 3 gallon gas tank, a low gear and even a triple exhaust system on the right side.

It can be said that the Hurricane started a new class of motorcycle, and it inspired and still inspires motorcycle enthusiasts and designers. The Triumph X-75 was introduced in 1969 and was manufactured and sold by Triumph from 1972 to 1973.

It was one of the most popular mopeds of the decade.

Honda MB50

An insanely popular moped, the Honda MB50 was one of the slowest and most affordable motorcycles Honda produced in the 1970s and 1980s. Mopeds grew in popularity in the 1970s as people searched for different modes of transportation with less and less cost.

Honda, already well known and loved by other models and the products they sold, took the opportunity to launch their own moped and it was a great success not only in the US but also in Europe.

It can easily be called the flagship motorcycle of the "/6" line.

BMW R90S

The BMW R90S was a 900cc sport bike manufactured and sold by BMW from 1973 to 1976. It is easy to consider it the flagship motorcycle for the "/6" line. One of the differences between the R90 was the two-tone paint job and the new plumage.

During its three years of production, the BMW R90S sold 17,455 units. BMW released the R100S to replace the 90S in 1977 and it had the same paint style and design but also included an additional 1,000 cc engine. See for a faster ride.

This BMW model was designed by Hans Muth.

BMW R65

The 1970s were a great time for BMW as they released motorcycles one after the other and were a huge success. In 1978, the BMW R65 was released, which also became one of the company's big wins.

The R65 was a variant of the Mercedes-designed R-series bikes that were faster and intended for more experienced riders. The top speed of the BMW R65 was 109 mph, which was pretty impressive in the 1970s and 80s. The R65 also had a delta fairing designed by Hans Muth.

This is one of the few Harleys on this list.

Honda CY50

A Japanese model manufactured and sold by Honda from 1979 to 1983, the Honda CY50 was a popular moped. Picking up on the moped hype at the time, Honda designed the CY50 to be affordable and reliable, like all of its products.

At the time of its release, the Honda CY50 had a top speed of 25 mph and was marketed as a clean engine motorcycle that did not need a fuel/oil mixture and ran on gasoline. Today, the CY50 is a popular collectible.

It was the first motorcycle model equipped with a Kawsaki power plant.

Bimota KB1

The Bimota KB1970 was sold and built by Bimota from the 1980s to early 1s and was the first motorcycle model to be equipped with a Kawasaki powerplant. Targeting Kawasaki owners who were unhappy with their current bike, Bimota came up with an upgraded solution that also incorporated new technology.

Primarily sold as a kit, the Kimota KB1 was eventually discontinued in 1982 after selling only 827 units, making it Bimota's most produced model to date.

It was a multi-purpose motorcycle debuted by Yamaha in 1976.

Yamaha XT660

Debuting in 1976, the Yamaha XT660 was marketed to consumers as a versatile motorcycle that could be ridden on and off the road. It was released as a replacement for the Yamaha XT600 and was lighter and faster than its predecessor.

The motorcycle handled the road so well that even the US military decided to use it for various purposes. Although the XT600 was also popular, the XT660 was better received due to its versatility.

It was Honda's flagship model.

Honda CBX

The Honda CBX, one of the sport bikes manufactured and sold by Honda from 1978 to 1982, was powered by a 1047cc inline 6-cylinder engine. cm and a power of 105 horsepower.

In the 1970s and 80s, the CBX offered buyers the latest and greatest Honda had to offer at the time, and so it became Honda's flagship motorcycle. Although it was beloved by the media and the press and sold well in its day, the Honda CBX was eventually outclassed by the Honda CB900F.

The power-to-weight ratio of this Yamaha was almost perfect.

Yamaha XT500

Manufactured and shipped from Shizuoka, Japan, the Yamaha XT500 was another of Yamaha's popular motorcycles sold in the 1970s. An extremely popular motorcycle in Japan, the Yamaha XT500 was also a motorcycle sold in North America, where it was also well received.

One of the best features of the XT500 was its power-to-weight ratio, which was close to ideal at the time. The creation of the XT500 was credited with inspiring the bike's power-to-speed ratio to this day.

It was part of the Ducati Super Sport series.

Ducati 750SS

The Ducati 4SS, part of the 750-stroke air-cooled V-twin motorcycle series, was released in 1973 and started the SuperSport series. The prototype models 750 Sport and 750 GT were styled after Imola motorcycles and had a similar body style.

During the 750SS production run, the 750SS was produced alongside the Ducati 900SS, so only a few 750s were shipped and sold, making the original motorcycle a rarity today.

This Ducati case was inspired by folded paper.

Ducati 860 GT

Designed by Fabio Taglioni and designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Ducati 860 GT was presented to the public in 1974. Upon release, the Ducati 860 GT was tested and reached a top speed of 109 mph.

Giugiaro attributed the bike's look to the inspiration he got from folded paper and wanted it to have straight lines and crisp edges. This look was subsequently adopted by the 192 Lotus Espirit and Volkswagen Golf, among others.

This British motorcycle was extremely popular all over the world.

Norton 850 Commando

A British overhead valve motorcycle, the Norton 850 Commando was manufactured by the Norton Motorcycle Company from 1967 to 1977. During its 10 years of production, the Commando became very popular all over the world and sold well.

The Norton 850 Commando will win the Motor Cycle News "Machine of the Year" award for 5 consecutive years. The inspiration for the Norton 850 Commando can be found in the late 1940s when the Norton Model 7 Twin was developed.

This Honda model was only available for one year.

Honda CL200

Sold and built for just one year in a decade, the Honda CL200 was a motorcycle that could often be compared to the CB200. The CL200 had an exhaust system that was mounted above the gearbox and both of its pipes were aligned to the left side.

Honda released the CL200 at a time when smaller bikes were losing popularity and sales were slowing, so the CL200 was almost doomed from the start. The CL200 was discontinued after only a year due to poor sales and declining interest.

This Harley was built primarily for dirt roads.

Harley-Davidson XR750

The motorcycle of the 1970s, the Harley-Davidson XR750, was built primarily for both dirt and road racing and also for the XRTT variant. Some of the famous riders who have ridden the bike are Mark Brelsford, Cal Rayborn, Jay Springsteen and even Evel Knievel.

Thanks to its popularity among racers, the value of the XR750 skyrocketed, and today it is a must-have item among collectors. In 1998, the XR750 was included in the Art of the Motorcycle exhibition and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Motion.

This bike took first and second place in the Imola 200 Race.

Ducati Supersport

Produced from 1972 to 1981, the Ducati Super Sport was a popular sport bike that paved the way for subsequent Ducati Super Sport models.

Mainly used in the Imola 200 Race with Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari finishing first and second on these bikes. The Ducati SuperSport 900 featured a twin-cylinder engine, improved handling for easier racing and everyday driving, and new body styling.

Over 640,000 units of this Honda have been sold.

1975 Honda GL1000 Golden Wing

This series of touring motorcycles, released by Honda in 1975, was first presented to the public in 1974 at the International Motorcycle Exhibition in Cologne. The 1975 Honda GL 1000 Gold Wing also made the 240 Japanese Automotive Technology Landmarks list.

Honda began selling the GL1000 in Europe before entering the US market a few months later that year. During its production period, Honda sold over 640,000 units of the Gold Wing, mostly in the US alone.

It was one of the smoothest motorcycles you could buy in the 1970s.

Yamaha TX50

Yamaha developed the TX50 in the early 1970s and sold it for three years from 1972 to 1975. It was first introduced at the Tokyo International Motor Show just a few months before its release in 1972, to positive reviews from the press and the public.

One of the best features of the Yamaha TX50 was its smooth handling, which was often noted in reviews of the bike from the media and riders.

It was considered one of the greatest motorcycles of all time.

Honda CB 750

The Discovery Channel named the Honda CB750 one of the greatest motorcycles of all time. The Honda CB750 had an air-cooled, transverse inline 4-cylinder engine that had been refined over years of revisions and changes to the original engine model.

Often referred to as one of the first all-round Japanese motorcycles, the CB750 set the standard for manufacturers around the world and was popular with buyers, riders and the media.

This Honda was a dual-purpose sport bike that worked both on and off the road.

Honda CL100

The 4-stroke single-cylinder Honda CL100 was a fairly average bike, but popular because it was easily available and affordable.

Built with the same technology as other Honda models, the CL100 had a 99cc engine that had a top speed of 50mph. One of the standout features of the CL100 was the fact that it was a dual purpose sport bike, so it was good on and off road.

This Harley was never intended for mass production.

Harley Davidson XLCR

The racing-style motorcycle built by Harley-Davidson in the late 1970s was called the Harley-Davidson XLCR. Designed by Willie G. Davidson based on the existing XLCH Sportster, it was rumored that the bike was originally intended for Davidson's personal use and was never intended for mass production.

The Harley-Davidson XLCR was sold from 1977 to 1979 and 20,000 units were sold during that time. Collectors may find some of the models available for auction today.

It was one of the fastest BMWs you could buy in the 1970s.

1973 BMW R90S

Another of the BMW R90 models of the 1970s, the R90S was the fastest of the R90 models and had the highest top speed and power. Designed by Hans Muth as part of the flagship line of "/6" boxer engines, the R90 models were among the best Honda had to offer at the time. T

R90S specifications included 67 horsepower, a top speed of 124 mph, the R90S could go 1/4 mile in 13.5 seconds and accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 4.8 seconds.

This motorcycle had an air-cooled two-stroke engine.

1971 Yanki Z.

Founded in Schenectady, New York by the Yankee Motor Company, the Yankee Z motorcycle was powered by an air-cooled two-stroke engine.

It was designed by Eduard Gier and manufactured by Ossa Manufacturing located in Barcelona, ​​Spain in the 1970s. However, some components were manufactured and assembled in the USA. The Yankee Z engine was a combination of two nearly 500 cc Ossa cylinders.

It was considered one of the fastest production motorcycles of its time.

1977 Kawasaki KZ1000

Released in 1977, the Kawasaki KZ1000 motorcycle was considered one of the fastest production motorcycles of its time. The Kawasaki KZ1000 had an inline 4-cylinder engine that was configured and paired with a 5-speed gearbox that produced roughly 90 horsepower.

At the time of its release in 1977, Kawasaki was already working on models that were to be released after the bike was already on the market, including the Z1300, which had a 6-cylinder engine configuration and was much faster.

This motorcycle was named after the popular annual French race.

1976 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans

Moto Guzzi 1976 Le Mans 850 was the first sport bike produced by the Italian company Moto Guzzi. Named after the 24-hour endurance race that takes place annually in France, the 850 was also a bike that was well-suited for long rides.

It has handlebar clips and a nose cone, and in the end, Moto added a three-quarter fairing. Over the years, Le Mans has gone through several series under the names Mark I, Series I and Series II, although fewer than 10,000 units were produced in total.

This motorcycle got its name because of the engine size.

1975 Laverda 750GT

The Laverda 750 GT gets its name from the size of the 750cc engine. Successor to the Laverda 650, after the release of the 750 GT, sales of the 650 ended and ceased.

Although the terms 750 S and 750 GT were coined right before the start of the decade in 1969, the use of these terms led to the ultimate discovery of the bike that took off in the 1970s.