5 Classic 70s Middleweight motorcycles

[@stevenhoman2253]

You mustn't forget the most current 70s bike from which the RD400 descended, the RD350, which began the legend.

[@bikerdood1100]

Can only fit so many in after all. Video would run for hours if I did

[@Johan-vk5yd]

Yamaha RD sound is like music to my ears. I got my licence on an RD 125 (unleashing 16 hp uphill was great!) so this video stirred that special corner of my brain, fine vibrations, smell an’all.

[@bikerdood1100]

Love those strokers

[@andrewrobertson9450]

Thanks for your efforts and honesty brother

[@bikerdood1100]

Oh we try

[@54macdog]

All of your videos are great but this has been the best yet. The 70s was the golden era.

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks

[@paulscofield8506]

Thanks again ,good vids. The 70s were the magic time for motorcycles . After around 35yrs of pushrod singles and twins it all changed very fast, it was dizzying. I had both the 500 and 400/4s . They divided my impressions evenly. The 500 was the long distance bike ,comfortable,giving a feeling of grandeur and quality. To my mind the 400/4 was more exiting. The first time I saw one it shouted Cafe Racer ,in fact I thought it was a unique special, and it felt quick ,probably due to the more peaky engine and less weight than the 500,and the looks of course added to the drama . It was also amazingly frugal . I obtained 65/70mpg touring France with my then new wife ( still going strong) fully laden with camping gear ect. Good bike the Suzuki 380, the 550 was definitely more in the shadows and was very thirsty.

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@BanjoLuke1]

A lovely trip down memory lane. I didn't ride all these, but did ride alongside them and in some cases I coveted the ones I didn't own. The air-cooled RD400 was a well-kept secret on the UK market. The 250 learner license meant that the market for the 400 was limited... But it was quite a machine. Ridden solo, it was rapid. Smaller Laverda twins were vanishingly rare in the UK. You'd see the odd 750 twin, but rarely a 500 away from the track. I do recall people fitting what we then called "power pipes" to Suzuki triples. They sounded like a gaggle of badly tuned mopeds. Wonderful! A lovely parade of nostalgia-inducing bikes in this video. Chapeau!

[@bikerdood1100]

The 400 was very much a Japanese market capacity I think

[@Luppy-v8f]

Having had a cb500 and gt380 I can say I enjoyed both machines.

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice mix

[@6060don]

I really like your choices in Canada we didn't see much of the Laverda or the BMW bikes you mention. The Japanese really were popular bikes here. I had two CB 500's and they were great bikes as were the Yamaha 400's. I had the opportunity to ride the Suzuki's you reviewed but they were a little more rare here. They were good bikes though. Thanks for sharing your video's bring back many memories.

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Kysushanz]

I believe I had the first Honda CB 500/4 in Dunedin. It was the Chestnut brown, same as the first one you featured. Great bike, incredibly smooth running and good for day trips two up. Unfortunately, not enough HP for me so I up-graded to the 750/4.

[@bikerdood1100]

I’ve always found 500s to be a good useable size for a bike. You can use all the power available with out going suicidally fast, great fun

[@jamesfairmind2247]

Great video well done. RD400, what a great bike! A giant killer of the time. I would have included the XT500 as it was, and still is, a truly iconic bike which kick started (no pun intended) the whole Paris Dakar thing and arguably, adventure bikes as a sector.

[@bikerdood1100]

Yes the first true adventure bike ? Possibly

[@warren6899]

@@bikerdood1100 haha... cut my teeth on a Titan 500, then followed that up with a GT 500.... not the 550 triple, the twin... basically a titan with the 550 bits.... then I had a 750 water buffalow magic ..

[@propdoctor21564]

Nice video and I like the first one cause in the early 80s I had a 1975 Honda CB550

[@bikerdood1100]

Cool 😎

[@noahwail2444]

Thank you for this, it rfealy brourght back some sweet memories.. I like thise middleclas bikes, so often overlooked. Well done.

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@chrisweeks6973]

Back in 1978 I wanted to buy a new RD 400, but Barry Smith (a three-time Formula III winner at the IoM TT 1979-81 and two-time FIII World Champion; he won in 1979 and 1981 - Ron Haslem won in 1980) advised me to buy the RD 250 instead. Barry was my local Yamaha dealer and his rationale was that the RD400 was very light at the front and prone to popping inadvertent wheelies. I went with the expert's advice and bought the 250; I was very happy with it.

[@bikerdood1100]

It’s strange, today it’s performance would seem modest, times have definitely changed

[@sethbrown1763]

I did most of my riding in the 1970s on a Yamaha XS360, a 4 stroke twin with SOHC, and a 6 speed gearbox. It was pretty quick for that time, and I had a lot of fun on it.

[@bikerdood1100]

The class around 350 was very big state side at that time, unfortunately the world became obsessed with the idea that bigger is better but is it ?

[@andrewlindley837]

Enjoyable little film.....don't forget one of the most innovative of 70's 500s......the CX500..... one of mine I've had for 30years and provides all day comfort and effortless high speed cruising.....like all 70's bikes though , shame about the brakes !

[@bikerdood1100]

I didn’t Has it own its video, ran one for a while so I have a real soft spot for the old CX

[@hullygully1135]

A friend of mine (Neil Grant) raced an RD400 and it was tuned by Stan Stevens and he cleaned up everywhere, a really good bike indeed.

[@bikerdood1100]

Light fast what more do you need

[@neilhurt1992]

Small world! Stan used to service my 400/4 back in 77/78. Saw him racing sidecars at Brands a few times, absolute nutter...Little 400/4 was a revelation after my 250G5. So smooth, red-lined at 10000 revs and no bigger than the 250. Ah, memories. Cheers from a chilly Otford, Kent.

[@hullygully1135]

@@neilhurt1992 Hi Buddy, Stan who tuned the RD400 made Neil promise to never repair the engine himself, he had to take it back to him (secret porting expertise etc) Regards from a very cold Hull too.

[@tommontague5721]

Funny how I didn't realize the treasures I had back in the 70's....Norton 850 Commando, Suzuki GT 550, BSA 650 Lightning, Cl 350 and 450 Honda's, Harley's and Triumph's.....Great bikes

[@bikerdood1100]

Great variety in designs back then, companies were starting to be brave very much unlike today

[@JR-bj3uf]

I worked at a BMW dealership at the time the R65 came out. They were light weight, had nice power and sold well. They also had issues with timing chains and often needed them replaced. We had one R45 show up in the shop. It belong to a young lady from Switzerland who was riding it around the USA. By the time it got to us it had been thrashed to death. It had transmission issues, timing chain problems and the pistons didn't fit. Most of the parts interchanged from the R65 but she left with an R65 upgrade because that's all we had in the way of pistons and cylinders.

[@bikerdood1100]

Bigger isn’t always better but the 65 was always the one to go for with its extra punch

[@stephenmarshall3721]

The pistons didn't fit ???

[@JR-bj3uf]

@@stephenmarshall3721 It had a piston rattle so yes, the pistons didn't fit. She may have over heated it but I have never heard of a BMW airhead over heating.

[@JR-bj3uf]

@@bikerdood1100 And that's not saying much because the R65 was no powerhouse.

[@raybloxham9631]

I have a Suzuki GS 550 that rescued from under a tree. A surprisingly good bike in today's traffic. I wouldn't mind a ride on one of the two strokes though.

[@bikerdood1100]

Ahh Gs Was the first bike we thought of so it will be coming up . Tom loves the GS and that’s where we got the idea for the film as a matter of fact

[@TheGreatestBeyonder]

Excellent video! Thanks for taking the time to produce it. Look forward to the next! 👍🏻

[@bikerdood1100]

Thank you for the feedback

[@Titan500J]

I had a Suzuki Titan 500 twin it was very reliable. I rode it across the country with no issues. Several times I rode a friend's Ducati 500 twin and it was fun, while it was running.

[@bikerdood1100]

Remember the Suzuki 500 well there used to be a lot of the, around. We didn’t use the Titan name in the UK as far as I’m aware.

[@mikewaite1965]

@@bikerdood1100 These were known as the Suzuki T500 with a letter at the end to denote the model year, mine was a T500M in a light blue metallic with gold pinstripes. A lovely bike with lots of character and a satisfying sound.

[@martinrogers4301]

My vote (absolutely biased as I now own one and love it immensely) is the Honda CX500. Even though it is a Vee-twin, it is super-smooth at 110Km/h at 6,000RPM. A delight to ride.

[@bikerdood1100]

Great bike, I did a video on it in particular. Even though it’s a twin ? Careful big V twin fans in this family 😂

[@colinmorley2966]

Big Yamaha fan love to see bloody good two strokes

[@bikerdood1100]

World isn’t quite the same without those lovely strokers

[@Sinar-P]

Thanks for a great video. I rode or owned most of these bikes. It takes me back to the 70's when I owned the Honda 750 4 and a Suzuki 250 super six then also. My favourite you tube channel. The 500 4 had a fantastic exhaust note.

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it, nice to get some positive feedback

[@c.a.marsupial.1282]

Thank you for your great content this year. This one I loved. I'm a fan of these types of cc power. Happy Xmas.

[@bikerdood1100]

Thank very much for the positive feedback, still struggled to get better exposure currently, views are a bit disappointing. We will soldier on and see what 2023 brings. We have lots of plans of course

[@c.a.marsupial.1282]

@@bikerdood1100 I watch a lot of these types of motorcycle video's. Believe me it's not your fault your not getting views. You are probably the most professional of all of them. Your excellent. You just have to hang in there. I'm not stupid or sucking up to you. One day it will happen for you but you will have to do a few hard disappointing years. That's how it works. You are EXCELLENT. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM DOWNUNDER AUSTRALIA.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@c.a.marsupial.1282 thanks for the positive feedback sir Well we will keep plodding on. All about the algorithm I expect

[@Lemmon714_]

I miss my '77 cb500 and especially my 1976 cb550ss. I would really like to have the '66 SEARS (Puch) 106 I used as a dirt bike in the early 80's. It was in great shape till 14yo me got ahold of it.

[@bikerdood1100]

We didn’t have seat in uk to my knowledge but I’m aware they sold European bikes rebadged. So I’m familiar the bikes in their original name

[@rachelthompson9324]

you need the Suzuki T-500 two stroke 500 twin. Smooth, fast, and it handled well. Made a great café racer too, without much added.

[@bikerdood1100]

Think I’ll need to do a Two stroke only bid at some point

[@maxcorey8144]

I owned a 1983 Triumph Bonneville and a 1983 Honda CB750K, both great bikes I wish I still had.

[@bikerdood1100]

I think everyone has that bike they regretted ever selling I know I do

[@lilchris26]

At least two I wish I still had.

[@felixalbion]

One unusual but fun bike I had back in the 70s was a Moto Morini 3 1/2

[@bikerdood1100]

Very unusual little bike . Always had a bit of a cult following

[@loui260756]

I owned a BMW R65, rode It daily during 10 years, summer and winter ☺️

[@bikerdood1100]

I take it it held up well

[@johnwalshire2884]

I had the 1972 GT550 as a kid in the late 1970's. I remember it as a bike geared for highways with a 70mph speed limit rather than the 55. It had a decent kick when it went on the pipes, but you had to keep working the gearbox to keep it in that rpm range. It felt heavy and awkward at the time. Twisties took some concentration. That year had the drum brake on the front. The only bike that I rode that handled worse was the Kaw H2 750. That being said, I rode the he'll out of it. It never left me stranded anywhere, and after the 40-odd thousand miles I put on it I sold it for more than I paid for it.

[@bikerdood1100]

Friend of mine had a Gt it was very nice to ride but as they age the middle cylinder can give trouble. Most likely just the seals go hard I expect

[@keithgibson568]

I always have a soft spot for the kawasaki Z500, easy to chuck around and was the fastest accelerating 500 for quite a while.

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice maybe 70s 500s would make a good video

[@Grahamvfr]

Owned a 550 suzuki in 76, much friendlier than the kawa triples. Piper 3 into 1 fitted later had unbelievable sound, (someone once said it had an effect on your nervous system, similar to biting on tin foil) ... Killed performance though. Nice video.

[@bikerdood1100]

Much underrated Suzukis triples

[@nigelbaldwin752]

I had the same and fitted a piper 3 into one. Silky smooth with powerband starting at about 4000 rpm. magical memories.

[@Grahamvfr]

@@nigelbaldwin752 yep happy days 👍

[@brodiejones2028]

Great choices! I think the GT380 is one of the best looking bikes of the era. Maybe second only to the Z900. Great sounding as well. Hard to think of a nicer noise than a 3 cylinder two stroke!

[@bikerdood1100]

Friend of mine ran a 380 for several years . It was lovely and the first triple I ever rode

[@bikerdood1100]

@@davebielke6319 nope But they are in some other of my videos

[@bikerdood1100]

@@davebielke6319 nope

[@stephenmundane]

Enjoyed that -- thanks. Those Laverda twins are good looking bikes.

[@bikerdood1100]

They are very pretty things it has to be said

[@derekp2674]

I was lucky enough to get on or two rides on borrowed examples and found them brilliant to ride. One of my best friends bought one to have as well as his Laverda 750 but found the 500 to have quite poor build quality and low availability compared to something like a decent Honda.

[@davidpalin1790]

Great video Well done 👏

[@bikerdood1100]

Thank you for the feedback

[@Songbird.9591]

Wheres the Yamaha YR-5 350cc .. what a cracking bike !

[@bikerdood1100]

Can’t put every single bike into one video Wasn’t the yr5 a 60s bike anyway?

[@garydurandt4260]

My dream bike as a teenager was the Honda CB500/4. I never had the chance to get one, but did have the 550/4, which I enjoyed.

[@bikerdood1100]

Both very good machines we think are better than the revvy 400 or the bulky 750

[@stevenleek1254]

I lust for the RD400 but I also like a bike you didn't feature--GS750 for being one of the best handlers of the time with ample power

[@bikerdood1100]

Well the GS 750 is a bit too big, would have been regarded as a super bike back then

[@felixalbion]

The GS650 was better than the 750.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@felixalbion well it arrived a while later 1981 so the 750 is the more important because it saved the company from the disaster of the RE5 and provided an excellent replacement for the GT two stroke series

[@jonnykowe2309]

Great Videos,greetings from Germany

[@bikerdood1100]

Thank you

[@jd6549]

Just got a 400 Superteam....it's a great bike around town🇬🇧👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Only long term fault I can think of with those bikes is the fuel tank is prone to rust at the seem. Good solid machines. 250 is a bit too big for its capacity but a big comfortable bike by early 80s standards. And definitely better than the F

[@markgoodwin6266]

In the early 70s my stepdad had an RB-350 for a little 350 I thought it was one bad ass bike he'd twist that throttle and it was hang on time, never got that feeling from any 4 stroke until I got my 88 cubic inch Fat Boy and twisted that throttle, they both had the same "I'm gonna leave your ass sitting in the street if you don't hang on" feeling. Those were the days for Yamaha 2 strokes.

[@bikerdood1100]

Ahhh two strokes gone but not forgotten

[@AuxesisHyperbole666]

Yamaha XS650. 53hp, torquey, bulletproof, flingable, held a line. Great looking engine. Sound bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

Shh 🤫 I was saving that for part 2😂

[@milannovak2515]

I’ve got mine now for 42 years! lousy brakes compared With today’s standards, but for me the best bike ever😅

[@rucerius4968]

Mine was the slightly older TX650, it was a blast to ride.

[@altonkenne579]

I bought a Suzuki GT250. In 1975 new. It was the metallic orange. In my opinion it was the best looking bike of 1975. It was heavy for it's engine size.but rode and stopped smooth. It was bid enough to travel town to town but small enough just to cruise around my small town. Great all around starter bike had great power for just a 250

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice 👍🏻 Good colour too, very 70s

[@barryphillips7327]

Finally the RDs get some credit, it took long enough!!

[@bikerdood1100]

Of course

[@barryphillips7327]

@@bikerdood1100 how about a Whole program on the RDs!! With No others in it!!!!!

[@stevenmoran4060]

Had a 550 fourK, 4 exhaust pipes, and I loved it! TY 100 tryres and it would corner at rediculous angles. I would have the same model again 45 years later! Followed it with a 850 Suzuki but I didn’t really get on with that.

[@bikerdood1100]

Not everyone got on with the GS 850, some seem to find the shaft drives adversely effects handling some don’t seem to notice

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

I bought a brand new CB 550 and my Army buddy bought a new GT 380. We rode a lot together. I was quicker and better fuel economy but he had the Windjammer fairing and I had only a handlebar mounted fairing. That made his a better highway tourer. I wish I had never traded it for a Harley.

[@bikerdood1100]

Both good all round bikes I think

[@danweyant4909]

16 year old Dan bought himself a '72 GT380 in 1981 - these were REALLY cheap then, I believe I paid. $300 for it. Rode it to high school I did..Catholic school at that. Great bike. Did the job of making me notorious quite well and I never crashed it. Took the prettiest cheerleader for a ride, even. All you can ask of any bike, really. My buddy Rob Perkoski had the RD400, it was much faster. Aside from a few Hellish college semesters without, I've had bikes ever since.

[@bikerdood1100]

If only you could ride bikes like that at 16 in England. In my fat it was 17 here and at 16, 50cc and 30mph But we had it good , my boy couldn’t anything as quick as a GT 380 until he was 19

[@warren6899]

From South Africa without a doubt the Suzie

[@bikerdood1100]

Do like a good two stroke

[@altonkenne579]

The mid 70s RD 400 was a sweet bike didn't get enough recognition

[@bikerdood1100]

Pretty popular in the Uk, less In your face than a Kawasaki triple but a better all round machine

[@barryervin8536]

I owned quite a few 2 strokes back in the 70s. I bought a 76 RD400 with about 1000 miles on it for $300. The original owner knocked it off the stand while cleaning it in his driveway, and was afraid to ride it after that because the new-fangled high tech cast aluminum wheels might be cracked LOL! I never had any problem with it but my Suzuki T-500 was more fun to ride even though it vibrated and had weak brakes. More "character", I guess?

[@bikerdood1100]

Fun and speed are not always the same thing

[@barryervin8536]

@@bikerdood1100 That's very true. Currently, at 76, I'm riding a 150cc scooter. It's great fun to ride, just don't go on major highways with it. 6000 miles in 2 years, so far.

[@terrybassett1]

I would like to see videos about UK Learner legal bikes of the 60's and 70's. I'm sure that comparisons of the 250's, 200's etc would be interesting and certainly bring back memories! The British bikes over 200cc that were generally stroke, whilst most smaller bikes were Villiers 2 strokes. Then there was the "Japanese Invasion" of the 70's, which compares the Honda 4 strokes against the sportier 2 strokes from Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki.

[@bikerdood1100]

Sounds like a body of work doesn’t it Note book on standby

[@donaldwainwright]

All these bikes from my teenage years ridden most of them

[@bikerdood1100]

Any one a favourite?

[@jamespower2984]

The kawasaki z 650 was very good choice in the mid 1970s and it had the speed of 750, was very reliable, also looked a bit like a Z1 900, The z 650 was a good tight bike to handle twisties.

[@bikerdood1100]

Very tue I’m going I be featuring it soon as a matter of fact

[@stevenhoman2253]

Hi, I wish that my bike would show up here. My first bike, was considered Japans first super bike. The Suzuki T500 Titan. It was introduced in the 60s as many of these were, and progressed into the 70s with upgrades to brakes etc. It seems a forgotten bike now.

[@bikerdood1100]

The 500 twin was sold in the uk too Although without the Titan name. A do remember seeing a few in my area when I was younger. Nice simple little stroke

[@jonny46ba]

I rode a mates GT380 back in the day.. and I had high expectations, having been aquainted with RD's. and other hot little 2-strokes fitted with spannies.... I was thinking.. hmm triple stroker, and thought it might be like a little H2 or Mach III. I was expecting the ring-ding-a-ding-waaaaa as it hit the power band.. but alas I was disappointed... there was none of hat crazy rush of revs.. I really didn't realise that a broad(er) power band was intended until I watched this....probably, If i had known that, I might of enjoyed it more... then again, at that age maybe not.. used to love that rush when a highly tuned stroker cleared its throat and hit the powerband, chucking gears at it whilst grinning like a maniac.

[@bikerdood1100]

Suzuki were definitely trying to make their strokers more civilised. The thing about jack hammer power bands is that if does have the effect of making the machine feel faster than it really is. A smoother delivery will always feel slow even if in reality it isn’t. The problem with all those highly strung strokers is they were just that. Great on a short blast , bloody annoying on a long ride. Strokers at their best at 250cc or lower. Above that and their shortcomings really begin to show, shite fuel consumption for example. Once the fuel crisis of the early 70s hit the days of the big stroker as a major force in the market were numbered

[@jonny46ba]

@@bikerdood1100 Oh yeah.. very true, and I wouldn't choose to ride one now... but in my yoof... they were the thing. Smmoth and fast is where I am these days though... having said that, I ride a 95 blade, which was ahooligan back then, but actually feels quite sensible now.. good midrange, and fairly light, can get along at a fair ol nip if you keep the revs in the mid range.. but it is still a bit zip at the top and can get a bit flighty as you approach the (relatively low by modern standards) red line.. lifting its funny little unfashionable 16inch front wheel easily.

[@charliepatterson9321]

An old man used to putt around my neighborhood on an rd 400 . At that time I was riding an 82 Yamaha maxim 550 yet I still loved that 2 stroke the old man was gingerly riding . I moved across the country and returned 5 years later . I saw the old man and asked him about his bike . He told me he hadn't ridden it in years and I could have it . Oh boy was I excited . I went to his house and it was outside behind his shed almost invisible because it was covered in weeds . I dug it out and brought it home . Unfortunately it was too far gone with rust and corrosion for my abilities to bring back to life . I still get jitters just seeing one on video . Your Ass My Ass Hondas Ass Yamaha

[@bikerdood1100]

Sold our lady 2 stroke about a year ago, nothing quite like them, particularly at the smaller capacities where they are so much better than the equivalent 4 stroke

[@charliepatterson9321]

@@bikerdood1100 something inside me dies when I sell a bike even if I am upgrading . I pick up bicycles being thrown away and have no problem giving them away after I repair them . It makes me feel good . But selling a motorcycle never brings me joy . I have 4 bicycles at the moment that I will never sell or give away . They all have different functionality. One for style , one for road , one for freestyle and my wheelie bike . I'm injured so I only ride my freestyle bike on good days , ( maybe once every 6 weeks ) . And my wheelie bikes frame is about ready to break at the dropouts but I did a 5 mile wheelie on it back in 1998 so I can't part with it .

[@charliepatterson9321]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGKppY2lltqjpKs Backstory ; I went to an international competition to spectate . Next thing you know my name is being called to enter veteran class ? I looked around and a fellow rider paid my entry fee . I placed 5th out of 12 in my class on a cheap Walmart bike . A month later these guys came to my city and gifted me a " proper " bike . If you notice in the video one bike I ride is chrome ( Walmart 40 pound bike ) , And the other is black ( custom 20 pound bike ) . The custom bike is so light it took me 6 weeks to get it down . It's worth about $1,500 . That's more than I paid for my motorcycle. - Charlie Patterson

[@auditauditor]

Interesting to compare these to the modern retro middleweights. Forty years later the CB650R to me seems like a headbanger compared to its ancestors and, for me at least, wildly fast. R Nine T looks great.

[@bikerdood1100]

Faster and more sanitised but as much fun ? There’s a great sense of occasion when you take an old bike out for a spin that can’t be replicated

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

I had a Honda CB350 twin , stripped bare to the absolute minimum . Yoshimura cammed , tuned to Dunstall two into ones , Magura clip ons and rear set pegs , single seat , no starter motor or centre stand . Front and rear guards replaced with fibre glass , running Dunlop K91 Red Arrows , raised gearing , but with standard suspension and brakes . Nonetheless this machine handled and flew. In Sydney in 1980 , this thing chewed RD 350' s and the rest , off the line and in a straight flat out drag ,opening up it's advantage to it's near top speed of a genuine 110 mph . In Canberra on the smooth bitumen roundabouts , it was unassailable .

[@bikerdood1100]

Blimmy a lot of work for a 350 I’d ave taken the easy easy out and got a larger motor

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

@@bikerdood1100 I know . Bought it as was for 350 sovs . Nice new yellow and orange paint job . Looked a treat .

[@beckyfrogers]

The Suzuki GT 500 should have been on this list, there was absolutely no quit in that bike!

[@bikerdood1100]

There’s always time for another list

[@jeffward9174]

I always longed for an RD 350 or 400. They were at the time just out of my price range because I was an apprentice. I wish now they went back in production. However at the moment I have a 350 Jawa. It will have to do. Please don't laugh.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well for now at least the two. Stroke Is a thing of the passed. Who knows new tech may see there return at some point

[@chrisweeks6973]

The RD400 was very light at the front and prone to popping inadvertent wheelies. Having owned a brand-new Jawa 250 back in 1963 and a very neglected 1970 Jawa 350 twin that I bought and refurbished in 1984, I certainly wouldn't laugh at you. The 250 twin-port single was 100% reliable, as was the 350 after I'd restored it. After 15 years of ownership, my then-wife persuaded me to sell it; I sincerely wish I hadn't!

[@ktm42080]

Love to see a video on my RT1 360 Yamaha. And their connection to the YZ.

[@bikerdood1100]

Interesting 🤔

[@donalddday7741]

had a 1975 rd 350 put on chambers low bars rear set pegs it was so much fun and the first year 400,s i street raced 2 at one time beat them both to next light that was 4 blocks away

[@bikerdood1100]

Expansion chambers can change the whole character of a motor

[@artfantasies]

So I gave you a Like and Subscribe ... had 3 Honda CB 500 Four ... most beautiful Honda for me with the trumpet exhaust pipes ... the power came from 5000 or 6000 rpm's up ... the brakes were a bit "adventerous" as from time to time there came oil through the shaft seals on the brake disc.

[@bikerdood1100]

Bet the breaks were even more awesome when it rained

[@mark.e.p]

All bikes l grew up with. My mates had 500/4's, RD 400, and l rode an XS 650.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well then back then not everyone was obsessed with having 200hp and a litre plus engine

[@marktiller1383]

I owned a 1974 Honda 500 four. It was a good reliable bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed they were, I wonder why they started with cam chain problems in the 80s, design or dodgy supply.

[@davidrochow9382]

I never had the CB 500 but I did own the CB 550 and I think it was a far better bike to own then the CB 750. I remember when they introduced the 250cc learners law into South Australia in the mid to late 70s and the amount of learner who bought the RD 250 and either put the 350 or 400 top end on them to beat it.

[@bikerdood1100]

A lot of people have made similar comments about the 500/550s just to prove bigger isn’t always better

[@manormouse1410]

The will of some people to get around the law , makes mw smile. I`m one of them 😅

[@shadwelthames9416]

H1/KH 500, Z650, Moto Morini 31/2, Ducati 350 Scrambler, perhaps.

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice variety. Very much a 70s theme

[@CAPTLIEPS]

My first new bike was a 1972 Honda CB450 k5 my last new bike 1983 Suzuki GS750T which I'm still riding !

[@bikerdood1100]

Ah those GS 750s bullet proof, well apart from that dodgy bulb eating regulator of course. but great performance and handling. Was it the best 70s super bike ?

[@CAPTLIEPS]

@@bikerdood1100 the RR easy fix used a Honda unit exact fit also put a heat sink behind it .

[@freddieallan3583]

Had 2 x 350/4s ...one 500/4 ..about 10 x 750/4s ...loved my 500 ...and 750s

[@bikerdood1100]

Bit of a four cylinder man I guess

[@freddieallan3583]

That's just the Hondas ...

[@jimcollier8111]

i liked the suzuki and kawsaki that was when i grow up in the 70s . i never road street bikes just dirt bikes ...

[@bikerdood1100]

Missed out there A street bike can take you anywhere you wan5 to go Just need gas an£ the will to burn it

[@ronwhite8503]

I had a new RD400 in 1978 and it was a cracking bike. My mate had a Jubilee Bonneville 750 that was no faster......boy was he pissed. And my RD didn't leak oil.

[@bikerdood1100]

Rapid lift bike the RD Not so many left now though

[@harrykey2448]

I really enjoyed my Honda 500/4. I stupidly traded it against a 750/4 which turned out to be a huge mistake. I quickly traded up to a Suzuki 1000 which was a great bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

The 500 and 550s are often regarded as Hondas best 4s of the 70s The 750 too podgy and not even as fast as people think The 350 & 400s just too small

[@malcolmfox5463]

It has got to be a Moto Morini 350 sport drum from 1974, the best looking and best handling bike of the 70s, or an rd 400f in red and white, both fun bikes.

[@bikerdood1100]

They are indeed. Interestingly although the Guzzi V 50 was never seen as a sporty bike it was a bit quicker over the 1/4 mile than the RD400, Used to have a big list published by MCN in the 80s of all their test figures made for slightly surprising reading. Not that the RD is a slouch

[@Arianrhod6]

That BMW you used in the video…is that a 70’s model? Looks early 80’s to me. Great video though, enjoyed it 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Don’t think the R65 changed a lot really apart from the extra 5 hp on later models

[@Sam_Green____4114]

l owned two Honda 400 Fours from about 1986 to 2014 ( the first one ) .The second was a box full of bits l bought in the 90s .Finally made it as a working bike about 1999/2000 ! Sold both in 2014 ! Great bike the 400 Four ,cheap insurance ,tax and very good fuel !

[@bikerdood1100]

All good and true, but is the 500 even better 🤔

[@rt2255]

@@bikerdood1100 no the 400 four was better over all bike, owned both, 400 was one of the best.middle weights ever.

[@sambrooks7862]

@@rt2255 that's what we all thought at the time but looking back i don't think they were that great. When I was 17 and rode a 250 (suzuki hustler) most of my mates were the same age and also rode 250s, mostly RDs and X7s with the odd super dream (someone has to ride at the back) but a few guys we knew were a little older and a couple of them had 400/4s and I remember very well that they were a lot slower than the 250 2 strokes and weren't that reliable either.

[@rt2255]

@@sambrooks7862 put close to 50k miles on mine never had on part failure. Yes 2 strokes faster but none lasted that long. Sounds like the ones you buddies had were lemons or something. No 250 was quicker 350 2 strokes until 80 then i pulled up and went by. Honda 400 four was bullet proof.

[@sambrooks7862]

OK, I'm sure yours was the best bike ever built but the truth is that they were no better than anything else around at the time and you're wrong about how quick they were, out of about 30 guys that regularly rode together the only 250s who weren't faster than the 400/4 were other 4 strokes. Just to be clear, I never said that I didn't like them, when I was 17 the 400/4 was my dream bike but I couldn't afford one!

[@hujjesb]

I had a Honda CB 250 1973 plate the bike is still on the road

[@bikerdood1100]

Interesting and good to know

[@johneastman1905]

Thank you for posting the BMW R65 model, as it is in dead a good modest offering .

[@bikerdood1100]

My pleasure

[@petercapon9878]

What about a five 50cc unrestricted 70s moped video with the Suz AP50, Yam SS/FS1E, Honda SS50, Gilera 50 and you must have the Fantic Captain America chop all with pedals.

[@bikerdood1100]

Had an AP 50 It was great fun On the right road

[@marcusbetteridge764]

Good stuff,what about the rd 350 air cooled and the kh 500.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well I’ll likely do a part 2 but isn’t the RD400 in that one?

[@umvhu]

I dispute your claims for the BMW R65, I owned one. In top gear as the speedo reached 70 a vibration came in that hit right in the groin, a half hour of this and the ability to stand and walk was massively compromised 🤪

[@bikerdood1100]

Hmm I’ve ridden one and though not perfect I don’t remember harsh vibes, sounds a bit like a Friday afternoon bike. Variable BMW build quality, could it be

[@michaelarchangel1163]

I'd have a T500 or GT500 Suzuki, both of which I owned {also had a GT250, GT380 and GT750} There's a lovely T on eBay right now but I baulk at coughing up six and a half grand for a very simple, although hardy machine.

[@bikerdood1100]

Amazing the prices once humble bikes go for no. Suzuki triples were very nice, more sensible and better handling than the Kawasakis

[@sambrooks7862]

I had a 250t hustler and I've always wanted to get my hands on another one but but it's 40 years since I owned mine and it was over 10 years old then, the only thing that's stopped me buying one is that I'm sure if I rode one now I'd be really disappointed because what I thought was eye watering performance when I was a teenager would probably feel on a par with a mobility scooter now?

[@c.a.marsupial.1282]

Is there any chance of you doing a video on motorcycle tyres to tell if different types of tyres make a genuine difference for bikes around 700 cc down. Thanks. I trust your judgement.

[@bikerdood1100]

Difficult at the moment as I don’t currently have the resources to do such a video justice A really good idea for the future though

[@lesklower7281]

I had a GT380 in the 1970s and of the GT380 550 and 750 tge GT380 came out in the C model the other two only went to the B model

[@bikerdood1100]

My friend had one for several years. In gold I remember. Only triple I’ve ever ridden lovely thing

[@eddiedegoede365]

Those Bing pieces of aluminium floor sweepings and cheap condoms on the BMWs are the worst excuses for a fuel/air mixture device I have ever had to work on

[@bikerdood1100]

Not a fan then I take it

[@nigelthomas8315]

Yamaha YR5, RD350/400,, XT500, XS650 Kawasaki H1 and KH500 Honda cb500 very pretty bike, Ducati 450, Moto morrini 350,

[@bikerdood1100]

There’s a couple of videos in those suggestions alone, thanks for posting

[@JohnCunningham-sy5ug]

Cut my teeth motorcycling on middle weight bikes cb 550 Yamaha xs 650 my friends all had these bikes good times. 😅

[@bikerdood1100]

In theses days Of speed cameras what more do you need

[@gerardburton3741]

Hi, 5 mid range touring bikes would be nice. Like the Kawasaki GT550.

[@bikerdood1100]

Great ideas 💡

[@aceofspades5786]

Had the Alpino S, CJT195Y still on dvla database probably in someone's shed.

[@bikerdood1100]

Hopefully someone is getting good use out of it and not keeping it locked away

[@TheFunkhouser]

The GT380's were great.. dunno why you keep saying 'little bikes' about these here though lol 😅

[@bikerdood1100]

It’s all relative

[@normanburns8952]

RD 400 for me

[@bikerdood1100]

Good choice I think

[@fjohnson9749]

What…no H1? The middleweight screamer! Used to smoke cb750s and Z1s on my ‘70 H1.

[@bikerdood1100]

Corners ? Wasn’t so fond of those, the other two weren’t great either for that matter

[@johncunningham4820]

The RD Yamaha's were Giant Killers .

[@bikerdood1100]

Now long gone of course as everyone thinks bigger is better For some reason

[@johncunningham4820]

@@bikerdood1100 . Indeed . I loved my Two-strokes though . Had THREE out of 7 Bikes total . Two RD's , 250 Air-cooled and 350LC , AND a GT-750 . I modified both the 350 and the 750 . Best Bike I ever had WAS the BMW K-100 . You can tell WHERE the Money is with those , but the GT would compare in MOST respects . My (K) Z-1100 A (shaft) was decidedly cobby by comparison .

[@richardrichard5409]

Back in the day those BMW R45 as totally gutless and liked to burn oil and drop valves

[@bikerdood1100]

A damming comment Have you ridden one ? A lot of the comments about the bikes performance are based on the German market bike which was retuned to give just 27hp. Some of those models make it to other markets for some reason

[@pinkeltje304]

I drove a RD350, but twice had piston problems, hole in the bucket. All happend in 77

[@bikerdood1100]

Be an air cooled bike. Been on the 350lc early pre power valve, quite buzzy high up as I recall

[@pinkeltje304]

@@bikerdood1100 kept shifting gears, against the wind only used 5gears

[@bennyrobles9194]

Didn’t see the bike I had. I’m sure you all knew it. The Kawasaki H1 Mach III 500 triple. It was fast.!!!

[@bikerdood1100]

In a straight line sure 😂

[@geezler4083]

2 strokes were for kids, then we grew up.

[@bikerdood1100]

True But there is a kid in everyone sometimes

[@assessor1276]

You left out the Yamaha XS650 - it knocked the Brits out.

[@bikerdood1100]

I do plan a part 2 It didn’t knock the Brits out though, that was as ever rather more complicated, life is never that simple

[@bigred8438]

Wouldn't Mind a Kawasaki W3 or even a Suizuki GS550. if I was retricted to to a middle weight.

[@bikerdood1100]

Both good bikes

[@64fairlane305]

Praise the Suki 380 and the Yama RG400 but leva out the Honda CB400F? They were not even close. The Honda CB400 Superdeam on the other hand, it was

[@bikerdood1100]

The cb400f is frankly an overrated revvy thing 500 & 550 much better

[@64fairlane305]

@@bikerdood1100 Ok, your opinion, I found the 400f to be moore fun than the 500 even if the 500/550`s were among my fav bikes..I had great fun even on the smaller 350f and for some reason mine was one of the fastest >400-bikes in town Stock exept for a 4-1 system and no airfilter. The small 4-cyl made 107mph on the speedo with me sitting upright, 112 if I "flatted out".