Topic: Which 2 were fastes, most desirable & iconic alternatives to the CB750K in 70s?

[ascanio1]

POLL:

Which were the 2 fastest, most iconic & desirable alternatives to the CB750K in the 70s?

Which 2 or 3 bikes, not more (budget constraints), were alternative to the CB750 K given the parameters below? I want to rekindle the feeling of a specific era, the '70s when riders enjoyed to race each other on the open streets and then pose outside cafés to show off their bikes. Somewhat like the British motorcycle world of cafe racers of the time, but stock?

The bike must fit the following parameters:
1. Fastest on the street;
2. Turned more heads / desirable;
3. Accessibly priced;
4. Sold from 1969 to 1979;

It's obvious that a 1980's bike would be faster and more desirable than a 1970 one. So please consider each bike in its own time.

[Stev-o]

Voted. 

PS.  Isn't the Z1 and Z900 the same bike?

[750cafe]

The first year of production of the ('77. '76 in Japan) GS750:

Suzuki’s GS750 — in fact Suzuki’s entire GS line of 4-strokes — was an immediate hit from the time the first bikes started rolling out of dealer showrooms in late 1976

Cycle Guide pitted a Kawasaki KZ1000 against the Suzuki GS.  “Who in his right mind would compare a 750 to a 1000?” asked the writer, who then proceeded to show the comparison was more than rational, pointing out that on the quarter-mile drag strip, the Suzuki was only a half second and 2mph slower than the much larger KZ.

Given that the Kawi had about 250cc more displacement to play with, the Suzuki stacked up well. The Kawasaki was faster and got better gas mileage, but the Suzuki handled better and had better brakes. Cycle Guide concluded, “We rate [the Suzuki GS] as THE best-handling Japanese big-bore street bike.”

“I have almost 40 bikes,” Tom says. “This is the best motorcycle I have ever owned. I love my old BSAs and Triumphs, but this GS was way ahead of its time and fun to ride. I have never been without a GS750 Suzuki since 1977. In my 60-plus riding years this is the best motorcycle I have ever owned.” MC

Read more: http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/1977-suzuki-gs750.aspx#ixzz3Ns1Foha2

[ascanio1]

Model confusion? Separate or Merge similar models? If so, which?


@750cafe,

The first year of production of the ('77. '76 in Japan) GS750:
Suzuki’s GS750 — in fact Suzuki’s entire GS line of 4-strokes — was an immediate hit from the time the first bikes started rolling out of dealer showrooms in late 1976 ... cut ...

Do you think that I should add Suzuki GS750 to the list? But that would reduce the GS's ranking if the votes get split. Maybe I could modify in: Suzuki 750/1000 GS and do the same with the H1/H2, Z1/Z1000 Benelli 750/900...?

Please advise: I don't want to upset Suzuki lovers but, more important, I want to be impartial. Isn't that difference a bit like CB750K and the 1979 evolution? How different were the GS750 and GS1000 besides the engine capacity? Was it moreor less the same bike, bored out, or were there brake, chassis, suspension, etc upgrades? Maybe Retro Rocket can help me with this?


@ RR, should I separate the GS750 and GS1000 or are they, basically, the same bike?


@ Steve-o

Voted
PS.  Isn't the Z1 and Z900 the same bike?

Apparently not, according to this link:
https://www.z-power.co.uk/merchantmanager/view_information.php?pId=21
and this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Z1

But perhaps I should eliminate the Z900 from the list and merge the votes into the Z1.

Please advise!

[750cafe]

The 750 was a slightly smaller/lighter bike and had a kick starter until '79. The 1000 was always electric start only. 70 and 90 HP each.
The 750 was Suzuki's very first 4 cylinder four stroke bike ever made. It was such a hit that they topped themselves with the 1000.
Both models were WAY OVER-BUILT and han easily handle twice the stock horsepower in their bottom ends. Roller bearing cranks and
connecting rods with forged cranks and rods.

Eric

[ascanio1]

Thanks Eric,

Problem is that I really don't know a lot about those bikes. I want to know if you feel that the 2 bikes should be grouped or merged. Were they on sale at the same time or one substituted the other?

[750cafe]

Just use the 1000 as most persons that had bought the 750's traded in for the 1000's when they came out.
"If this one is this great, more is better" And it was! 

Eric

[ascanio1]

I modified the poll to unify the similar bikes, as per advice. Very very few voters...  But it looks like the H2 and Z1 are way ahead of all others.

[trueblue]

What about the Suzuki water bottle? I thought it would be on the list well above the Laverda and Benelli.

[ascanio1]

What about the Suzuki water bottle? I thought it would be on the list well above the Laverda and Benelli.

Which one is it? I don't know this bike by this name. Please, can you send me pics and full bike name?

[750cafe]

He is referring to the GT750 triple water-cooled 2-stroke. They were nick-named Water Buffalos in the states.

Eric

[ascanio1]

@ Trueblue,
Do you mean this one:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GT750  ?
I am not knowledgeable about the 70's... what do other members think? Was it the fastest and most head turning of the time? To me it sounds like a very good contender... If I understand correctly this one replaced the H2, right? And was sold before the GS750, right? It was certainly an important milestone in motorcycle industry. Wikipedia says it was the first water cooled & the first double front disk brakes. What about performances with respect to the CB750K?

[trueblue]

@ Trueblue,
Do you mean this one:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GT750  ?
I am not knowledgeable about the 70's... what do other members think? Was it the fastest and most head turning of the time? To me it sounds like a very good contender... If I understand correctly this one replaced the H2, right? And was sold before the GS750, right? It was certainly an important milestone in motorcycle industry. Wikipedia says it was the first water cooled & the first double front disk brakes. What about performances with respect to the CB750K?

That's the one, definately one of the most iconic bikes of the 70's in my mind.  I've only ridden one briefly and it was bloody quick for an old bike.

[750cafe]

One of the first if not the first liquid cooled motorcycles.
With the right set of expansion chambers on them, the sweetest cackling sound I have ever heard. 

Eric

[Retro Rocket]

Eric, water cooled motorcycles were around in the late 1800's...   no really, there have been quite a few, Scott {late 1800's} and I think Lewis {late 1800's} both built water cooled bikes.......

[KayOne]

Raced one of those the summer of 1976 with my '76 KZ900....wasn't even close

[750cafe]

Eric, water cooled motorcycles were around in the late 1800's...   no really, there have been quite a few, Scott {late 1800's} and I think Lewis {late 1800's} both built water cooled bikes.......

Don't tell my children but, I wasn't even born yet way back then. 

Eric   

[Stev-o]

Raced one of those the summer of 1976 with my '76 KZ900....wasn't even close

Which was faster?

[KayOne]

The 900. Buddy's brother bought the Suzi thinking he could spank the nine. Both bikes were new that summer, completely stock.

[Stev-o]

The 900.

That would have been my guess since it has 150+ cc's....

[Retro Rocket]

The 900.

That would have been my guess since it has 150+ cc's....

I had a mate {another Mick} that had a Black 1977 Z1000, I had a well set up 810cc 750/4, also black,  he was faster in a straight line but I ate him in the twisties and the back streets, much to his torment, Its not always all about the cc's... ....

[Stev-o]

The 900.

That would have been my guess since it has 150+ cc's....

I had a mate {another Mick} that had a Black 1977 Z1000, I had a well set up 810cc 750/4, also black,  he was faster in a straight line but I ate him in the twisties and the back streets, much to his torment, Its not always all about the cc's... ....

So true, sometimes it's the cajones!

[DH]

Narrowed to just these parameters, the z1 and the widowmaker.. The others were good, but the two Kaws had the most flash, and probably fit the criteria here best.The cb750 got "one upped" by the Z1, and Honda
didn't  really go after them. All us of who had Honda 750s waited for the Z-1 killer from Honda to
come out, and what everybody got was the Goldwing. The CBX might fit here, though its not listed. But then again, it was produced in limited numbers, was ahead of its time and is appreciated more now than when new. And it can't be considered the 750's alternative because the sohc 750 was gone by 1979.

[ascanio1]

Narrowed to just these parameters, the z1 and the widowmaker.. The others were good, but the two Kaws had the most flash, and probably fit the criteria here best.The cb750 got "one upped" by the Z1, and Honda
didn't  really go after them. All us of who had Honda 750s waited for the Z-1 killer from Honda to
come out, and what everybody got was the Goldwing. The CBX might fit here, though its not listed. But then again, it was produced in limited numbers, was ahead of its time and is appreciated more now than when new. And it can't be considered the 750's alternative because the sohc 750 was gone by 1979.

Thanks DH, that's useful explanation of your vote and, as far as I can tell, it's the shared view of most. The reason why the CBX is not included is simple: the list ends in that year and the bike was more an 80's bike than a 70'sbike...
I've started looking for a Z1 but... boy, what prices for one in good conditions! Higher than the CB750 K1! In line with a K0!

EDIT
I have just seen the prices for a good CBX... wow, we can get a good one for less than 500$! As much as a date in an expensive restaurant... might seriously consider getting one!

[ascanio1]

The 900.

That would have been my guess since it has 150+ cc's....

I had a mate {another Mick} that had a Black 1977 Z1000, I had a well set up 810cc 750/4, also black,  he was faster in a straight line but I ate him in the twisties and the back streets, much to his torment, Its not always all about the cc's... ....

So true, sometimes it's the cajones!

And that's what makes cars and bikes of the 70's so alluring...