My first bike was a 1978 650 twin I bought in 1981. It was probably more bike that I should have bought. But I learned how to ride on it and have wanted another one ever since. Very cool bikes. Very reliable. I rode it across the US in 1982.

Everybody probably has different memories and opinions about what bikes raised a brand’s visibility. Here’s mine: I think Yamaha leaped forward with the 1984 FJ1100, that was The bike to have for a short time. (along with the 900 Ninja) Kawasaki was very well known for several previous bikes, the 900 Ninja moved things along but the 600 Ninja was the beginning of the 600 class and the end of the 550, 650, 750 mindset. The Suzuki GS1100 was the super bike to have about 1982, not so much when it became the GS1150. Their breakout bike was the GSXR750 and then the Intruder cruiser. Honda was of course always the top brand regarding awareness but for me their 1983 750 Interceptor with the V-4 engine showed them as the top technological builder. Also the Goldwing brought them much publicity. In the 1980’s I was barely aware of BMW and Moto Guzzi. I don’t remember Ducati at all, maybe a little by the late 1980’s, but their bikes seemed weird. The 916 was their game changer. Last comes Harley. I remember riding to Jerome, Arizona in the mid-1980’s and there were only a few Harleys (parked in front of a bar, of course) Across the street there would be a long line of Japanese bikes, maybe a few BMW’s. And Harley-Davidson dealerships were sad little dilapidated structures, with only a few bikes for sale. Not like the taj mahal’s they are today.

@uhtred7860

Жыл бұрын

Its a shame that Hondas VF750 was a complete disaster reliability wise, with their self destructing camshafts. It nearly stopped their whole V4 engine series in its tracks. And even tho the 500cc and 1000cc VF's didn't have the same cam troubles, they got tarred with the same brush. Luckily the 86 VFR 750 had zero issues, and was a very reliable bike.

I like all the supporting photography. I’m just glad I’ve been around for most all of it. I began in 1967 and been riding since. I’m also luck to own one of the most important motorcycles of all time; a Z1 900. In my eyes the first true superbike. From there things just got crazier, faster and better at a record pace. Hard to believe we have motorcycles now that make more hp than many cars. If you could hang on good enough they accelerate as fast as a F1 race car. What ride it’s been. Vroom vroom.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

All bikes are great mate! Cheers

some of the best models I've ever seen , I'd like to take one home to meet my mum

Some very fine models, indeed. And the bikes ain´t bad either... The XS 650 is still a very popular bike in the US, with a 270 crank, and bored out to 930 cc. But a well done collection again, thank you.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

you're welcome buddy. The XS is an ideal bike for customizing thats for sure!

When Kawasaki launched the W650 I wished that Yamaha would counter with the revival of the XS650. Yamaha's modern XSR series are mechanically excellent but they lack the authentic classic vibe. Kawasaki's current W800 lineup, Triumph's Heritage series and Royal Enfield's 650 variations get pretty close, but without the kickstarter, the classic morning ritual seems incomplete.

My first bike was a 1979 Yamaha XS 250. These were built using the same frame as the XS 650.

Great these videos, takes me back in time

Great vid. Back in the 90s I had an XS650 Special which was far more characterful and enjoyable bike than the W650/800 twins I later went on to own.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

The xs650 is a true classic, I have owned 3 of them, all different.

I had that GSX1100 when I lived in Australia (Cdn here). Rode that bike all over and it never missed a beat. Just bullet proof. Now that I've been back in Canada some years now, I want another one. And I loved the dah that had the diagram of the bike with warning lights to tell you when the bulbs had blown. Pre bike computer computer. lol

Very detailed and well thought out video! This might be the only one that recognizes the #1 game changer at the drag strip, in history: The Suzuki GS1100E dominated drag strips immediately upon its introduction in 1980; and, continued through the early 2000s. The GS1100E platform was also the easiest to modify, due to the extraordinary amount of mods available. A platform that still dominates NHRA Pro Stock/Motorcycle.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

yes that Suzuki engine was powerful and near on bullet proof!

@uhtred7860

Жыл бұрын

Ive always wondered why N.America never called the 4 valve engined series "GSX" like the rest of the world, and stuck with the old "GS" nomenclature. Was there a vehicle sold in the U.S at that time that had copyrighted the "GSX" name?

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

@@uhtred7860 oh right a good piece of info. I wondered the same

@MrSmurfnanne

Жыл бұрын

@@uhtred7860 Not that I'm aware of. The 1981 GS1100EX is the only one that I'm aware of with a X in the model number.

Ive owned 5,and all were turned into rigid framed choppers. Damned good engines, with a nice sound.

@motorcyclecafe

11 ай бұрын

Choppers are losing popularity. I know they are totally impractical but to me they are a work of art.

Man I had to watch it multiple times until I saw all the bikes.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

LOL, it wont be a regular thing

Cool video. I own two modern Moto Guzzi motorcycles. Love the shaft drive and air cooled. Easy to maintain myself.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

I've had old & new, all are fantastic machines.

Great presentation and info, thanks.

XS650 for first dates It would bounce backwards in neutral on the center stand

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Sure would

Excellent graphics, each of those models add to the appeal of motorcycling. Keep up the good work.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy. I doubt the channel will produce all videos along these lines but it makes a nice change I believe.

They used to have some great motorcycle commercials in those days.

Bloke in Australia has a1969 xs 650 brand new never started. It looks absolutely gorgeous

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Crikey!!! Just so everyone knows it's not me

Spot on . Thank you for a great production . Its like watching , not reading Two Wheels all over again , cheers

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Appreciate you taking the time to leave nice feedback mate, cheers!

Excellent !

I paid $750 for my new 1978 Yamaha XS 650 SE Special dark blue & added electronic ignitiin Great bike 😊

@motorcyclecafe

7 ай бұрын

They were a good bike. What more do you really need.

Kawasaki Baby...❤😊

The 72 and 73 XS 650's are absolute classic bikes. I have a 2022 Moto Guzzi V7 Special. Absolutely a beautiful looking and all-around great motorcycle.

@motorcyclecafe

11 ай бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

...thanks you for the link into my past life ( hating getting old here )...owned both the 900 ninja and the gpz 750 turbo efi, the 750 was faster on track and doing Baja California's 1000 mile road rally with quicker acceleration, so much that it got demoted to the open production class from the 750cc premier class ( late 80's ) at the races...love the handling of the 900 though it couldn't open throttle, slide, shut off throttle, open throttle and slide, all in the very same turn...last I heard from my 750 (1999 ), it was still running...thanks you again sir, I have subscriberd..!

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome buddy. Nothing wrong with getting old, its better than the alternative😉

It was good to see the Kawasaki GPZ 900R. I must have had an infatuation with this bike back in the 1980's ?? I finished up owning 3 of them. The very first 1984 model which I sold a year later to buy the 1985 Blue & Silver version. A few years later I brought a very average 1985 model again and fully rebuilt the complete bike repainting it in the 1989 model colours of mostly Black, Grey and Red. I polished anything that was made of Aluminium except for the engines covers. It definitely looked amazing when it was finished. I guess I must have spent more than buying a new one, LOL. Later rebuilding the engine with a Kawasaki Factory Superbike kit. Which took the engine capacity out to 1000cc. Factory Race Kit Camshafts, Ported Cylinder Head, Oversize Valves to match the very expensive port work. Topped off with a Megacycle Exhaust. It was Definitely FUN to ride on the open road. The fastest I rode the bike to was 285 Kmh ( of course that's what the speedo showed ?? ) It must have been fairly close to the mark leaving a mate behind on a 1990 model GSXR 1100. Always had a bit of Fun with later model bikes enjoying Drag races from the Traffic lights. To the disappointment of the guy riding the later model bikes, LOL. Most comments were ?? That's Not Stock is it 😁

I have had my Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years.

Great choice, mate.

I had a GSX1100E which I traded in for a red and silver GPZ900R (A2) in '86. Both were fabulous bikes in their own but different ways. The fairing on the GPZ was excellent, removing all wind and reducting noise to a whisper over 100mph. I saw an indicated 155mph on it which probably equates to ~140mph in the real world.

@davebielke6319

Жыл бұрын

The 900 ninja had a documented 150 mph top speed

@weldmachine

Жыл бұрын

Both Very Good Bikes. The GSX1100 motor was and still is Very popular for both Drag Racing and Speedway. I rebuilt the motor in a mates GSX1100 to include a 1327 cc Big Bore kit. That bike definitely had plenty of low down power. Absolutely LOVE the GPZ 900R. I finished up owning 3 of them. The last one was my favorite, rebuilding the whole bike and repainting it to the 1989 model colours. I spent too much money on this bike ?? But, it was definitely FUN to ride.

@sdferh

Жыл бұрын

I own one 😊👍

Capetown 76' GT Ducati 750 QUICK & handling prob best around Back then! Rode 900a1 Kawasaki & Honda k2 750 great times mostly ridden in Western Province .. all I still have Is 87' Kawasaki 1000Rx Ninja,16inch Wheels sadly mistake ? 900R Ninja Kawasaki was what I wanted never found one then in Uk..

An excellent piece. Very thorough. Some points I wanted to disagree with but couldn't ... However, some I could: In Europe (and on GP racing) Aprilia was well established before they put a Rotax motor on a big frame to go Superbike racing. French,Italian and other town centres were thich with the smoke and Alice with the crackle of Aprilia exhausts for years before the V2 Mille was even thought of. And as much as I largely agree with your choice of the early Bonnevilles to illustrate Triumph, I am also inclined to see its introduction as the beginning of the end of a company that already held a significant status on the global stage. Rather than heralding the arrival of Triumph, the Bonneville (on all its forms) was the last, unfinished symphony. Anyway, a lovely video full of detail and information.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy, you quite entiltled to disagree. Athough I do still stick with the Mille as the bike that really put Aprilia on the map as far as big bikes go. Its all subjective though. Cheers thanks for the feedback

good one i had a few of above mentioned bikes the yam 650 triumph 650 ,750 i got to ride lots off bikes from that era i worked in motorcycle industry lucky me eh.

@motorcyclecafe

11 ай бұрын

Yes lucky you. I'm also lucky to live in an area where it is easy to get demo rides on most bikes. Even a short ride gives you more wisdom.

I've not had a bad bike, some were faster, smoother and handled better than others, they all had their particular foibles, but I loved each and every one of them! 🇬🇧

This guy auditioned for Neighbours, Home & Away, and Aussie Gold Hunters. But they all turned him down, for being TOO Australian! Great videos, though!

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

😉 thanks mate! They couldnt offer me enough $ to go on neighbors!

I might also add the RD350YPVS to your list.👍

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

That bike was insane

A company in Japan that made a copy of the German Hosk 500. They went out of business and Yamaha bought them. That's why the XS650 was so different from the rest of their line of motorcycles. The longest lasting Japanese bike in production.

@motorcyclecafe

4 ай бұрын

Interesting stuff, I did not know that.

Excellent video Nick Australia

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks mate!!!

I had two 650 Yamaha’s. A 74 and an 81. They weren’t perfect but they made me feel good.❤️🏍

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Thats all that matters!

Like the Motor Guzzis

I think the Yamaha twin is better looking than the Triumph....gorgeous

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

yes they were a very nice looking motorcycle. Thanks for watching.

C'mon mate.. You know the Bandit 1200 MK1 is the greatest bike ever made..

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

I think any bike someone owns is the greatest bike ever made 😉

@G58

Жыл бұрын

VFR750

@ronwhite8503

Жыл бұрын

​@allan thomas buying a Harley! You're right, he is a stupid old cunt. I love razzing twats on Harleys on my Bandit 12; had it since 2007 and I will never sell it.

@fonziebulldog5786

Жыл бұрын

No way. It was Honda Blackbird, Suzuki Hayabusa and Triumph Street Triple. 😄👍

@sdferh

Жыл бұрын

​@@fonziebulldog5786 Kawasaki zzr .all the way

You're a good story teller. I enjoy your vids. My memory of the XS650 differs from yours. I saw them around over the years, but they definitely weren't "popular". I wonder how many were sold in Australia? Sometime around 2000, I rode the RSV Mille. Not mine, but owned by a friend. Nice bike in its class at the time, but 250+kph top end speed in a straight line has never been my thing -raison d'etre for riding motorcycles. By then, long having exhausted any purpose or desire for big capacity blasters like the R1, I was into agile sport two strokes where my interest remains. That said, in my dotage I am seriously considering a new SV650 before Suzuki end production of the model this year.

@motorcyclecafe

11 ай бұрын

thanks buddy. Back in the day XS 650's were pretty common in my part of the world. Nothing special but solid.

Very enjoyable video . TSCC copied from the Triumph Dolomite Sprint head design.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@DennisMerwood-xk8wp

Жыл бұрын

@@motorcyclecafe AAAAAARGH..... Its not DooCATi - as in the furry pet! Its DooCARTi - as in the thing behind the horse. You Aussies, and Brit's murder this pronunciation - like fingernails on a blackboard to an Italian! And what's with the half-naked chicks?

@DennisMerwood-xk8wp

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/ep14sLKgYLGzlrw.html

...subscribed...

The 79 Yamaha XS650F was the last year of that model and had improvements done to the engine and frame . Your girls are distracting, I like it ! 😊

@motorcyclecafe

8 ай бұрын

I've owned at least 3 different xs650s loved them all. Bit different from todays bikes of course

I owned a ‘81 1100E in 1981. It was incredibly fast. Too fast for me at the time. Ended up trading down to the GS 750.

A notable machine that is missing here is Laverda's 981cc "Jota 1000", in 1976, the Jota had a top speed of over 140 mph making it the fastest production motorcycle that you could buy.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Yes it was the fastest production bike built in the '70s. Not sure if it made the brand though seeing as they shut their doors in the mid 80's

I own a suzuki 1980 GSX1100ET which I've had for the last 36 years here in the UK, its in fairly original condition even down to a 4 into 2 exhaust system and as I rarely ever used it as only about 27000 miles on the clock (I preferred my Hondas) unfortunately I've just turned 70 and rumatics make it a pain in the arse to ride now.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Oh well we all get older, I struggle myself some days.

The Yamaha XS650 was also known as the flexy flyer some fibe motorcycles and l rode motorcycles in the 1970s and into the 80s and that Kawasaki 900 Ninja didn't do so well in its first Castrol 6 hour because it had overheating proplems

Great watch. The girlies were totally unnecessary but much appreciated. Back in the day we used to call the XS650 the best Triumph ever made. Hardly true now of course. Always been in awe of the Suzuki GS range and owned for a while the very tame but capable GS650G I think? shaft drive model that served me very well enabling may explorations then a Ducati Darmah..oh why did I sell that. An early Harley evo sportster (still have) un modified they seem indestructible. Just put 10000km on a new V7. Its just powerful enough to thrill with out too much attention from the law and is ITALIAN. IMO they somehow breath soul into their machines. An MV Agusta superveloce beckons if i win lotto....Probably take me 1/2 an hour to get on it but it would be worth it

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Yer the girls are not something that will be a regular thing. Thanks for watching and giving me the feedback.

The Honda CBX 1000 was the first production motorcycle with more than 100 hp.

@kasperkjrsgaard1447

Жыл бұрын

@@retiredbore378 holy shit 😂 Yeah i did do that. Thanks mate 😉👍

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

The cbx was a 6 cyl.

For me it would be the GT750 that put Suzuki on the map and the Z1 or maybe the H1 500 from 3 years earlier for Kawasaki

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

You could be right but 2 strokes were a dying breed.

14:18 The Gpz9 is still made today? I think you'll find it finished production 20 years ago! You were doing well up to this point!

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Obviously I was talking about Ninjas. My exact words "Kawasaki Ninja models are legendary and they still made to this very day"

@weldmachine

Жыл бұрын

@@motorcyclecafe The Americans came up with the title Ninja, which seemed to carry through to our models in Australia. It always made me laugh when people who knew little about bikes always referred to the Kawasaki's as Ninjas 🙄 But, I was later proven wrong when this name was attached to All Kawasaki's ??? Bloody Yanks 😅 Ninja 🙄???

given the tittle of the video i'm kinda surprised you left out the yamaha 750-850 3 cylinders and didn't give the suzuki gsxr 1100 with its 155hp and 165 mph top speed an honorable mention.

@motorcyclecafe

8 ай бұрын

the 850 triple is covered in a separate video on the channel. "5 unpopular bikes that were great bikes" as for the GSXR a fantastic motorcycle without doubt but it was an evolution of the 750 which came first.

19 years old new 900 ninja for 6 years thank you Jesus still alive at 55

@motorcyclecafe

11 ай бұрын

I rode a 750 water bottle when I was 17 and i am still here too 😉

According to this documentary the Yamaha Xs650 was quicker in the quarter mile than the Triumph Bonneville!

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Yes that is true by a marginal 1/4 of a sec. It had more power so it's not really surprising. 1/4 mile times are all from period road test where possible.

@craigschneider1820

Жыл бұрын

I can confirm thru actual experience that my 71 xs 650 was considerably faster than any of my buddy's Triumph or BSA twins, but not as fast as a Norton 750 Comando. I did weigh quite a bit less than them to be fair.

I never see tridents or rocket 3s on this channel.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Best check out some other videos, such as Superbikes, Rare & Unusual motorcycles etc...

Eye-talian ? Really ? Not these days Bro . I agree that the XS-650 was an Excellent Engine . The Brits would have survived as a Major Motorcycle Nation if they had built their Twins like that . Agree with everything else . Suzuki came off the Blocks mightily , with TSCC GSX . And the Gixxer put everyone back on their heels . The GPZ-900 was made for a LONG time , virtually unchanged , until the Last Model got a 17 inch Front Wheel .

@uhtred7860

Жыл бұрын

What do you mean by "Italian? Really? not these days bro" ??

@johncunningham4820

Жыл бұрын

@@uhtred7860 . That was a Comment regarding the WAY the Poster said " Italian " in the Video . If you only use Sub-titles , you would not have heard , obviously . Because it STUCK OUT LIKE DOGS BALLS . And totally incorrect for a number of reasons .

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

It is called an accent. Not a lot I can do about it.

@uhtred7860

Жыл бұрын

@@motorcyclecafe I re-watched that video trying work out what caused offense, and came to the same conclusion, its your accent 😆..........man, people are sooo brittle these days.

@johncunningham4820

Жыл бұрын

@@motorcyclecafe . I too have that Australian Accent that is so obvious . That Mispronunciation has NOTHING to do with the Accent . I am 63 years old and I have not heard ANYONE us the term " Eye-talian " since I was about 10 or 15 . Back when Migrants were called " Foreigners " and people were in general much more Racist and insular and somewhat less aware of the Larger World that existed beyond our Shores .

Bit confused what bikes...😉

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

You'll see them if you look to the right area of the screen 🙄

XR200 is the very finest mc ever made.

The Yamaha xs 650 was soo boaring.. but very much bullet proof 👍

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

In the 70's as far as the bigger bikes go, I guess I would have to agree with you. Yamaha lagged behind the other Japanese manufactures for quite a while until they had their XS1100.

The original TX 650 had major engine problems.

@daynasmum529

Жыл бұрын

Many yamahas had major issues. Most overrated brand of all the Japanese big 4

Some interesting material, if a tad amateurish. But enough with the soft-porn cheese pictures stuck over the bikes. That’s not what I watch a motorcycle video for.

@motorcyclecafe

4 ай бұрын

Just trying to mix things up a bit buddy, it was meant to be a bit cheesy. As for saying soft porn, thats absolute rubbish & offensive!

Don’t buy the Ducati marketing BS. There is no such thing as an L-Twin. Unequal length stroke wouldn’t run for a second. Please call it what it is. A V-twin.

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

The man who designed the engine called it a L-twin because the cylinders are at 90 degrees to each other, making it a L not a V. If its good enough for him it's good enough for me.

Vid is ok,..except the childish inclusion of cheesecake. I like girls even more than bikes,but not on the same site!

@motorcyclecafe

Жыл бұрын

Oh well, its not a regular thing on the channel. I just like to mix things up a bit.

The Kawasaki WR was really a reverse engineered BSA 650...the Yamaha also took bore and stroke dynamics developed in Britain. .Datsun engines could swap head gaskets with Austins... The Japs jua made them with better bigger bearings ,oils seals etc..and better electrics carburaters

SEXY ..... bike's from the Greatest Era .... and I was a p[oor woking Slag ..... Only Upper Middle and wealthy could afford European bikes.