5 More Classic Middleweights from the 1970s

[@54macdog]

5 great machines. The 70s were a golden era.

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks for the feedback

[@bikerdood1100]

@@FranzAntonMesmer the Japanese went a bit bigger is better crazy in the 80s the Z13 being a prime example

[@dufushead]

I'd say you had it pretty much sorted as someone who was there. I'm still salivating. Loved them all.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well we try Best to start with a love of motorcycles in general we find

[@deh1301]

Great to see the Morini included. I had a3 1/2 Sport in the late 70s - bought new. It was probably the best bike I ever owned and an absolute delight to ride.

[@bikerdood1100]

I like as Broad a selection as possible and they are pretty things

[@Adibarum]

Awesome Video thanks...`i'm 59 now so the 80s was when i first started to ride bikes however me and my mates all bought 70s bikes, personally i had some really classic 70's Japanese middleweights my first was a Honda CB400/4 race replica with a full race fairing and drop handlebars factory standard, then i had a CB550 F2 also a metallic Blue Z650 and i have to say i loved all of them but i think the Z650 was my overall favourite, I regularly did 400 mile round trips on it and it was totally reliable and they were all easy to work on with just a basic tool kit and a bit of mechanic knowledge and of course the ubiquitous Haynes Manual and to me part of the fun of owning these types of bike was that you could work on them yourself..which of course is far from the case with the vast majority of modern bikes

[@bikerdood1100]

Same here really, couldn’t afford anything new back then

[@sligeach]

I had the cb550f2 over revved once and bent a valve, removed it, placed it on a machined flat surface of a car engine block and gently tapped it with a small hammer until no light shone between stem and block, refitted and ran perfect after.☺️👍

[@andymath1523]

Z650 was really underrated , really great middle weight bike that could keep up with anything , my overall favourite as well

[@rustywalsh56]

I have owned 2 Yamaha XS 650,s in my time. Im 67 now and loved riding them. 🤘🤘🤘

[@bikerdood1100]

😎

[@The9meister]

I agree, the z650 was and is still a great bike. Good video.

[@bikerdood1100]

Thank you

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Don’t laugh…. As a callow 17 year old I chose the GS750 (DB wire wheels model) in May ‘77 over the Kawasaki Z650. I’d just had a year on a KH250 so my loyalty was to Kawasaki. So what turned my head? BIKE Magazine tested the GS against the Z and the GS came out at, I’m pretty sure, 126 mph and the Z at 121 mph. Ahh the shallowness of youth. Plus a Suzuki dealer plonked a 50p on its edge on the fuel tank and started and revved it up. The coin never moved - I was smitten. Funnily enough the GS has never achieved any form of cult status for some unknown reason, whilst others of its era (let’s think GT750) have gone on to be worshipped and docket in value.

[@ccrider3435]

+1 After many smaller bikes, I bought a former racing 1980KZ650F1 that was put back on the road. After a few seasons of it racing for someone else, I got it for cheap and for ten years, I ripped that bike hard for forty thousand miles(full throttle/full brakes).. I didnt even realize how many trick parts were on my bike until a racer pointed them out to me. It all lead me to becoming a pro sbk racer. No wonder I blew so many people away with my KZ on the roads with it's torque and twisties prowess! It was an amazing machine that I very much regret selling.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@ccrider3435 oh those wish I kept it bike We all now that feeling

[@eamonhannon1103]

@@PhilbyFavourites Hi Phil . I had. KH250 as well . Bought it in a pub on the Kings Road , London . Never ridden a bike before . I had to ride it back to Norwood South London . My heart was in my mouth .

[@colinrashleigh6488]

Very interesting video thank you 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks for the feedback

[@charliepatterson9321]

So many memories here . I had the Suzuki gs 550 , the kawasaki kz 750 , and the Yamaha xs 650 . If I had to pick a favorite bike of the 3 it would be the kz 750 . It was both beauty and the beast ❤

[@bikerdood1100]

Don’t think we got the Kawasaki as a 750 until some time later in the UK

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Had the 1981 Z750, took it around Australia. My childhood dream a reality, that's 40 years ago.😅

[@davegoldspink5354]

Absolutely great video thanks so much for sharing back in the early 80s I had a 1978 Suzuki GS550B Blue with spoked wheels. I did a hell of a lot of touring on it it will always be my greatest bike and one that will always gave me some really great memories. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@bikerdood1100]

Good to hear Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertalexander2506]

You made some great choices for this video, I loved it!

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks for the feedback

[@andysmith2417]

In the late 70's I had a Honda CB 550k, then I '79 I traded it in for a CB650z which I had until '86 until I upgraded for the new VFR 750 H, I did nearly 60,000 miles on the 650 it was very reliable,I used it almost everyday in all weather conditions and was comfortable and handled very well 2 up..I found the 550 quite heavy on slow steering as the handlebars seemed quite straight , but very smooth running bike and sounded good too...great vids mate 👍👍👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Thank you very glad you enjoyed it

[@fengbi5653]

Your presentation of this review is outstanding. It’s like watching a professional television program. I enjoy watching all these reviews.👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Too kind I’m just glad you enjoyed it It’s easy to talk bout something your passionate about

[@alistairshaw3206]

Great video. I had a GS400, a GS550, and still have a GS500 as a hack. I tried to get a test ride on a Z650 when I was on holiday on Isle of Man in 1977 with my CB250G5, but my Scottish accent made them think I wouldn't have bought it there, so I didn't get my test ride!

[@bikerdood1100]

Imagine Judged by an accent I’m from the midlands so everyone assumes we are uneducated Sometimes correct of course but by no means always

[@ducatobeing]

My wife had a 550 Katana that she always says was a very robust and reliable machine. People I know owned all of the machines featured. At the time these were new there were some truly bad bikes available, though most of these are the bikes that set the pattern for modern bikes being so good. I remember friends who had the GS550s commenting that they were heavy on chain and sprocket use. That might be because they bought cheap parts that were available then.

[@bikerdood1100]

The chains and sprockets were always rubbish years ago I remember Hence the the popularity of shaft drive

[@stevenhobbs709]

Love middleweight bikes, my first and favourite is my v50 Monza, had a 400/4 and my recently rebuilt my xj650 now goes better than new.

[@bikerdood1100]

They are just the right size Sometimes less is more

[@davidpalin1790]

I had a gs550e it was bloody brilliant Mine had cast wheels and all round disc brakes fantastic 👌

[@bikerdood1100]

Remember those stylish cast wheels on a lot of Suzukis in the early 80s

[@adrianjohnson6184]

Great video full of nostalgia. I owned a XS650 and really liked it. Nice thumping engine with good torque and easy to ride, but wasn’t to be pushed too hard as handling wasn’t all that tight. Lovely machine to take it relatively easy on. I then upgraded to a XS75 which was totally different. Responsive engine, shaft drive and seemed very modern in comparison but again when pushed handling wasn’t great but in those days neither were the tyres or brakes. Now have a BMW GS 1250 and find it really good at everything (although probably not perfect at just one thing). I would love to own an old XS but probably viewing them through rose tinted glasses. Keep up the good work with the videos

[@bikerdood1100]

I do enjoy riding old bikes, they can be mor3 involving to ride. The Japanese struggled to build really nice handling bikes back in the day. They were much better with engines. Things really came to a head in the early 80s with bikes like the Z13 after which they started to get the act together and not try to overwhelm the poor bike with massive high powered engines

[@TheRealMaturecheese]

I have owned and rode both a GS550 and an XS650 in my younger days. Liked them both

[@bikerdood1100]

Quite different machines no doubt

[@wymple09]

I had several of the Yamaha 650 twins. They were reliable beyond any measure, fun as hell, and still one of my all time favorites. My blue 1973 TX650 is one of the most beautiful bikes ever made.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well that’s why I put them in the video They have a strong reputation to be sure

[@orangelion03]

That was a trip down the memory turnpike! I started on a 78 RD400. My boss at the time had a GS550, kitted out with a Windjammer fairing, and I test rode it...felt a little stodgy next to mt RD, but appreciated the smoothness and relative comfort . Though not my first choice, my second bike was a GS550 (long story involving a Kawi dealer that was marking up Z550A1s to ridiculous levels) . Bought in 81, it was a 79 still in the crate....bought it cheap and spent loads on mods. Ended up looking much like the blue/white one in the vid, but in red and white. Great bike! Replaced it in 82 with a GPz750. What really hit the nostalgia was that my best friend had a Kz650, a workmate had a XJ650, and a riding buddy owned a Moto Morini 500 (and a Kz550A1). Good times...

[@bikerdood1100]

RD 400 is on the first part of this video as a matter of fact

[@partypooper2591]

I'm glad you included the Yamaha XS650. I really like that bike but I actually bought the smaller XS360 which was pretty good as well. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@assessor1276]

Very good video and great choices (although the Moto Moroni is really pretty obscure…IMO. One small correction: the XS650 crankshaft actually ran in four (not three) very large roller bearings - and yes, it is virtually indestructible. The XS650 is still extremely popular today with ratty old ones being resurrected into sparkling “new” ones all the time!

[@bikerdood1100]

I’m quoting the bearings from online sources from tech mags. Is the Morini obscure? I’ve known of them since I was a kid and there are lots of videos on them

[@larry4789]

​@@bikerdood1100 Yeah they were obscure, and expensive. The green one was beautiful 😍

[@francovance1]

Just to add, the big ends are caged rollers and the camshaft is similarly supported.

[@gntdriver2840]

Ive got a standard red Z650B1 as in the video,been half stripped down for nearly a decade,will have to get cracking and put it back together as values are rising on these bikes.I also had 2 GS550's and a GS750 back in the eighties,the 550 is my favourite of all the GS range. BTW the U in UJM stood for universal

[@bikerdood1100]

The U varied depending on which mag you read to be honest I’ve heard usual universal also used

[@Ian-bq7gp]

Dispatch riders loved the gs suzukis. Their cranks were bombproof and they did huge mileages and the gs1000 lump was a favourite for tuning and were heavily modified and often used at santa pod. Mine did over 100000 miles and it smoked a bit but i got it secondhand after it had been despatched in London. The 850 was great too with a brilliant shaft drive and i had a 750 in Australia with 50k on the clock. It lacked power but had cv carbs and standard exhaust. I had a z650 too of 1976. It went well and had slide carbs and 4 into 1. I thrashed it and it took it. Handling was not good however.

[@bikerdood1100]

Suzuki we’re definitely early leaders when it came to Japanese chassis

[@haleykling3850]

Great, You inspire me everytime

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks 🙏

[@wdfaws8124]

I owned a 78 KZ650SR. Once the carbs were synchronized it ran like a Swiss watch. Loved that engine.

[@bikerdood1100]

They do have a reputation for toughness

[@ResidentWeevil]

My mate had an XS650 like the black one in the video and I had a Kawa Z750 twin in the early eighties. We used to ride all over Scotland on them, they complimented each other perfectly. I'd love to buy an XS now but good condition roadster models are few and far between, most of the ones on sale are of the 'US custom' variety (Yuk!) or have been butchered into 'flattrackers' or badly done home-made chops. ☹

[@orwellboy1958]

How did you find the 750? It was always a bike I was going to buy but somehow it never happened.

[@bikerdood1100]

The 750 twin was never a massive seller in it’s day , everyone wanted the fours back then, I expect it would make a good solid classic, if you can find one

[@ccrider3435]

+1 ''AMAZING XS650 SOUND COMPILATION'' Search that in youtube and listen to the XSymphony650!

[@KakuiKujira]

Whoa, nostalgia city! When shopping for my second bike, I had it down to a choice between a Z 650 and a GS 550 for the same price. I wanted the Z, but it was leaking oil from the gasket, so I went for the GS. Served me very well! Third bike was an XS, but an 1100.

[@bikerdood1100]

That 1100 was around a long time as evolved into the XJ series

[@rickconstant6106]

Unlike a lot of the people here, I'm only a recent convert to the GS550. Apart from a couple of small Hondas in the early seventies, when I was a teenager, I've always had British. When I wanted a cheap, second bike two years ago to use in the winter when I'm keeping my T140 away from the salt, I looked around and found a 1980 GS550L. Once I'd got it sorted, and undone the abuse inflicted on it by previous "mechanics", it's been a great little bike, and I've been using it all year round as an everyday bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

Always the dark side of buying an older bike , you never know what surprises the previous owners have left for you. In my experience there is always something

[@BanjoLuke1]

An excellent selection. All the Japanese ones could be seen on a regular basis with top boxes and radio-wearing riders along Euston Road, Bayswater Road and sitting around Fleet Street and Soho in the mid-80s. I even used both a 3 1/2 and a V50 as a courier bike back then... briefly even a 500 Camel. All lovely bikes and an excellent and evocative selection.

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rachelthompson9324]

I had two of the five shown and many more from the period. The SX 650 remains my favorite of 4 stroke bikes despite having owned 750 Hondas, a Bonnyville, and a Z 900. In the two stroke category I had several RD 350s but I liked the Suk T-500 best as an everyday midweight rider.

[@bikerdood1100]

Ain’t always about the Bhp Some bikes are just good to ride

[@GTMarmot]

Prices can be surprisingly high for Z650s, too. A hoarder's favourite, that one.

[@bikerdood1100]

Very disappointing isn’t it, still a fair bit less than a Z1 though

[@ianlaker6980]

Oh my god that first shot of the 550 is the exact model I bought new in 1980 FUF380V fantastic bike. Many thanks😁 Traded it in for a car when I got married 🤦

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad to bring back some good memories

[@ianolerhead946]

As a 69 year old motor cycle tragic during that period I owned 2 xs650s only to have a 1984 Suzuki 650 Katana for 8 years. My best middle weight by far.Regards from Australia

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice midsize bike and shaft drive to boot

[@bmp72]

I had a GS750E, great bike. Unfortunately I crashed it into the side of a car. A friend of mine then bought it of me to try to restore it. He moved to Australia (from Europe). Somewhere during the voyage the container with the GS went overboard in a storm. Rest in Piece, you were a great bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

I’m told a lot of times the items are actually stolen by the crew Very common and nether investigated

[@guywolff]

I tested the XS650 in 1976 but found in a bit agricultural for longer trips and bought its big sister the Xs750 triple . Great bike but a bit jumpy .You had to be very thoughtful with your wrist .I traded it in after a year or two on an R80 .. Interesting that you didn't mention either the R50 OR R 60 BMW or the masterpiece of the time the R69S ( My favorite bike of all times ) ...Thanks for this video ..

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks for the interesting comment

[@railinly610]

Lovely bikes, all. Nuff said.

[@bikerdood1100]

True

[@bertiesworld]

Ah, the drum brake which worked reasonably well. Replaced by the disc brakes which were fine in the dry. Nigh on useless (when they first came out) in the wet. One had to keep on pressing the brake levers to dry them out. I had the original Suzuki GS550 - cast wheels/disc brakes all round, and the later version, the GS550E. Unfortunately my original 550 nearly got totally wiped out when it was just 18days old - hit by a car while parked. Lovely bike to ride, I did nearly 750 miles in 2 weeks. Unfortunately the insurers decided to repair it but it was never the same. I got shot of it 8 months later. The GS550E was OK to ride but seem to lack the get up and go of the original model. I decided the 'E' stood for economy. Both in power and fuel. I originally started off on a Suzuki TS90T and that use to touch 80mph going down the local bypass, smoke pouring out the exhaust. I eventually finished with a SV1000SZ. Now that was biking!

[@bikerdood1100]

Well Japanese don’t get everything right first time My old V50 used cast iron brakes that were a fair bit better in the wet

[@steveosshenanigans]

Great to see the GS550E on the list …..as i have one in my shed under going a restoration 😉

[@bikerdood1100]

One of my favourite bikes of the period£ an£ the inspiration for the video incidentally

[@catbreath007]

My GS550E is now classed as an historic vehicle, it's certainly not a show winner to look at but it's reliable & fun 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

I quite like the styling myself, but I am a bit weird

[@catbreath007]

@@bikerdood1100 ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qomlqaRnral1pZY

[@bikerdood1100]

@@catbreath007 nice work, managed to get the sound of the engine too. I find that a pain sometimes all I get is wind blast Bike sounds good

[@karrolsmulovic6596]

Went all over Europe on my 1976 XS650B, over 50k troublefree miles,should have kept it, lovely bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

They were pretty under stressed reliable beasts

[@TheAshfishman]

Had the last of them in an 1982 Heritage Special. Beautiful bike that lasted until I crashed it 18 months ago with 142,000 miles on it. Bit smokey by then, but lovely sound and feel.

[@bikerdood1100]

It’s allowed to smoke at that mileage I think

[@johnmorris7815]

The big issue at that time was that of insurance, my first bike was a GT125, this bike was delivered to Wimbledon Stadium car park so that I could attend a Star Rider Bronze course, long story short I got involved with the Star Rider program later becoming an instructor with them. I passed my bike test in six months so the world was now my oyster, the problem was that as a helper/instructor I had now ridden pretty much everything from 50 to 250cc and none of them interested me, I had also had a go of some of my colleagues bikes including a GS1000, I was looking to get a CB400/4 or a GS550 when the wise words of my chief instructor came to me, “you pay the same insurance for a 400 as you do for a 1000, so you’re better off getting a 750?”, this was a fact in those days as insurance was banded by cc and nothing else, as soon as you left the GT380 for a 400 your insurance was the same all the way to Z1000.

[@bikerdood1100]

Trust me it still is My son is 19 and it can be very expensive for some machines but ok for others It’s very random

[@nickwillobey2205]

Had a GS1000s back in the day....lovely!!😊😊

[@bikerdood1100]

Be a while for I get around to litre glass bikes GS was a great bike

[@MayheM_72]

I loved my '82 KZ650 CSR! It was my daily year-round commuter for nearly 3 years! I didn't do much long distance riding, but the size and power were perfect for my 5'9" 250lb frame! I also LOVE the XS650, and I still want one, but the price of a good rider has gotten kind of ridiculous!

[@bikerdood1100]

I do wonder if it will last though As bikers get older and they aren’t being replaced by a new generation I think the inflated price bubble will burst

[@eamonhannon1103]

Great video . Most interesting ! It wold great to cover prices if these bikes in the secondhand market with the objective of recommending good value buys

[@bikerdood1100]

True but very variable across different countries A good idea though, will definitely mull that one over

[@eamonhannon1103]

@@bikerdood1100 A question I have is - what is the best value classic bike to buy ?

[@bikerdood1100]

@@eamonhannon1103 depends on your era of interest For 50s and 60s anything from AJS & Matchless or Ariel For later era bikes, anything from the early to mid 80s, later air cooled 4s for example especially from Suzuki and Yamaha are available for fairly low money. They are no where near as popular as the earlier machines

[@colinculverwell325]

As a teenager in the 70s mid size bikes were all about two strokes. Four strokes were for your Dad. Things like the Z1 and GS1000 were desirable but not middle weights and out of our price range. We had Yamaha Rd350, 400. Suzuki GT 380, 550 and Kawasaki S3, H1.

[@bikerdood1100]

I put the RD 400 and the Suzuki GT in the first video for that very reason

[@colinculverwell325]

@@bikerdood1100 thanks, I haven't seen that one so will take a look.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@colinculverwell325 ok 👍🏻

[@Claude1100]

I totally agree with you here that summed up my teenage Bike years , so much so I hardly looked at the bikes on this list only as undesirables ..

[@keithhampton9700]

GPZ 550 was my favorite middle wait. Great handling and great power. It could keep up with 750s all day.

[@bikerdood1100]

Need a 550 video, it was such a popular size in the early 80s

[@jasper5974]

I had a suzuki gs 550e ,all round a very good bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

Lot of love for the GS, we made their video after my son say one on display in a coffee shop of all things

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Nice bikes. I had a GS550, got hit by a car. My 1971 CB350 twin is quite a little monster with race mods.

[@bikerdood1100]

Sounds naughty

[@camf7522]

In the 1990’s i had a 79 Kawasaki Z650, a 78 Suzuki GS850, and 85 BMW K100RT. 🇦🇺

[@bikerdood1100]

Leaned towards shaft drive 🤔

[@camf7522]

@@bikerdood1100 😂🤣

[@sebastianm.8383]

Yamahas XS650 was my favorite bike, the parallel twin engine was developed against the un-reliable Triumph engines - this bike was taken for customizing with very nice results....

[@bikerdood1100]

Good bikes they indeed were

[@derekdingwall]

I had a z650 B1 a German import back in the early 80s lovely engine k and Ns and a 4-1 sounded great👍

[@bikerdood1100]

They were beasties

[@peterjohn3123]

In the 70s I owned a honda cl175,cb 350, 1000H.D.,and Yamaha xs 650. All were great fun bikes,except the H.D.

[@bikerdood1100]

Expect compared to the others listed it felt pretty crude and buzzy

[@Kysushanz]

I had a Honda CB500 when they first came out - that was an incredibly smooth running machine; not a race machine, but excellent for a day trip etc. I craved more HP -

[@bikerdood1100]

I featured the 550 and 500 in the first part of the video

[@end-days]

Fun then, fun now... where did 45 years go? 😳

[@bikerdood1100]

Don’t know but it went passed in the blink of an eye

[@vic.smittie.5668]

Glad to hear someone say Zet! This "Zee" just sounds so strange!

[@bikerdood1100]

Well I would I was born near the river Trent rather than Trenton New Jersey

[@m3hnl]

i had a Suzuki t 250 hustler back in 79 it went like a bat out of hell

[@bikerdood1100]

Know the bike , but we didn’t tend to use the Hustler name. Think the Katana was one of the first times Suzuki named a bike in the UK market

[@danweyant4909]

Had an '81 GS650E - that was a fine bike

[@bikerdood1100]

Very popular at the start of the 80s the 650 , remember the Katana best of the type

[@danweyant4909]

​@bikerdood1100 yep, as UJM as can be, but they were cheap and they worked pretty darn well. I

[@flexywing]

You have to do a 80s one too and don't forget the Z550

[@bikerdood1100]

I’m planning on do middleweights of the 70s then Super bikes and then moving into the 80s

[@rinkadink66]

I had the Yam xs and a Honda cb550k ..I seem to remember the guzzi was always tested against the Honda cx..and was usually better but the finish and reliability better on the Honda..kawasaki probably the best one of this lot.. just a really good looking and performing machine...cheers 🍻

[@bikerdood1100]

Well the Kawasaki is the most powerful and could almost go to the Super bike class

[@markpearman2631]

I had a gs550, px at the shop for a honda vf500. Love to get another GS again

[@bikerdood1100]

Two quite different bikes had a VF400 very different from a transverse 4

[@davidpalin1790]

I now have a ZR7S and ZX6R b1h Both are brilliant 👏 The ZX6R b1h is uncomfortable 😫

[@bikerdood1100]

Bit wristy a ZX6 I expect, sporty machines work best at higher speeds but not so great below 60mph I find and knee cramp is a thing too

[@simonolsen9995]

The late model XS650s were also known as Wobblers. Mine threw me off twice and I've still got the scars. Got a 76 Bonny instead and rode happily ever after.

[@bikerdood1100]

They weren’t the most nimble

[@Phiyedough]

Yes the Triumphs were not regarded as the best handling bikes (hence Tritons etc.) but they were still better than an XS650.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@Phiyedough well earlier Triumphs didn’t handle, late 60s and the later OIF bikes corner pretty well

[@tvdinner325]

I loved my '79 Z650.

[@bikerdood1100]

Not alone there I suspect

[@ljack383]

Hi, i like your videos. Can you do a video on what ended up as the Yamaha XJR1300? So that would include the FJ1200 and the engines that originally gave birth to today's xjr1300?

[@bikerdood1100]

Hmm 🧐

[@alxx1378]

Had an XLR 250 Honda for enduro and a moto guzzi 350 Imola for longer distances great bikes

[@bikerdood1100]

We have an Imola 350, goes a lot better than expected

[@peterwilson8039]

The point of the Kz-650 was that it was smaller, lighter, better handling and cheaper than a 750 but it had comparable performance.

[@bikerdood1100]

Exactly that’s why it’s in there

[@lesklower7281]

I noticed the GS550S never got these in Australia but we did get the GS550E and the XS 650 the flexy flyer the Z650 well a mate of mine had one of these and l rode my GT750 we did a trip from Sydney to Adelaide and we were cruising on 160 kph and no problems keeping up with me

[@bikerdood1100]

The Kawasaki was so fast I nearly left it out to go into a later super bike video

[@lesklower7281]

@@bikerdood1100 They were fast in there day but l an not sure if they would be LAMs aproved because you mentioned they were 652cc were the maximum for a LAMs bike is 651cc

[@bikerdood1100]

@@lesklower7281 I believe so, the UK system is a little different of course

[@lesklower7281]

@@bikerdood1100 When l went for my motorcycle license back in the 1970s which l still have it is on my drivers license all l did was the inspector stood on the footpath and watched you ride your motor cycle up and down on a public road and that was it the actual driving test of hasn't changed at all you still have an instructor sit next to you in the car and you go for a drive and do have to demonstrate the various skills todo with driving l have taken both my children to do there driving tests and they have both passed first time

[@bikerdood1100]

@@lesklower7281 looking at my son, his experience was that it was much easier to get a car license than a motorcycle license. Are they pushing young people away from bikes intentionally, he believes they are and I do think he has a point

[@neilh4729]

The Kawasaki still looks good today, great lines and nicely proportioned. Not so sure about the others though.

[@bikerdood1100]

Hmmm

[@sligeach]

Have you ever covered the Honda CBX750? That was my last bike in 1993. Loved it.

[@bikerdood1100]

Not yet

[@gerardburton3741]

Bit sad I know, But my favourite middleweights are Honda Deauville, Kawasaki GT 550, Honda 400/4, Honda 550 K4, Suzuki GS 450, Suzuki GT380 and Suzuki XN85. I also have a soft spot for the GS550. I have at one time or another had all these bikes plus many others.

[@bikerdood1100]

Good mix of bikes there

[@ChefEarthenware]

I knew someone who owned one of those Morinis. He claimed it would do 100 mph and return 100 mpg.

[@bikerdood1100]

Hmm Optimism 🤔 Maybe 100mph in ideal conditions, fuel economy nearer 55 - 60 mpg imperial. I find a lot of people give vague estimates of economy without ever bothering to do the Math

[@andyhutch8262]

Suzuki 550, bullet proof motor, took me all over europe in the late 80s

[@bikerdood1100]

Well except the regulator rectifiers of course A Suzuki theme even in recent years But the basic motor is very tough

[@AbiShafi]

I didn’t know or can’t remember the GS550 coming in Wes Cooley colours like the GS1000’s!

[@bikerdood1100]

I really don’t know If it was every a factor colour scheme or a custom job. Looked nice though

[@AbiShafi]

I agree, I used to drool over the Wes Cooley GS’s at Gus Kuhn Motors in London way back when 😎

[@kkiwi54]

My favourites are the CB500/4, and the GT380/550

[@bikerdood1100]

So as in the first video really

[@aceofspades5786]

The current reincarnation Z650RS should have been a straight four imo.

[@bikerdood1100]

I felt the same when I saw the new one

[@peteranderson6172]

I've had all the Z,s .Plus raced them all as well. Doesn't have the glory the Z1 But your right !!!. The Z 650 is the best all rounder of the Z,s

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks for the comment, good to hear from former owners

[@Railrider765]

Trochanteric steel left hip from '80 GS 1000, broke left collar bone and shoulder blade on '81 KZ 550-4. cracked two helmets down middle. 😐 over 30yr. riding since '72 oh yeah, broke right ft. on '78 RD 200 in Orlando in s curve. T boned on R5C 350 '74.

[@bikerdood1100]

Two shoulder dislocations, broken AC joint, broke left leg and a torn ACL, and I worked in trauma surgery for 30years Have I ever considered stopping Never for one second, They can bury Me on my BSA (Saw it in a Hammer horror )

[@CailenCambeul]

South Australia here: My father had a Yam 750 Special he bought in 73. He carried on about how great it was compared to the Yam 650's - but twatted on about how it compared to his 9 other British bikes - all Triumphs (according to him) except for his first Arial Red Hunter. His Yamahaha never broke down, from my memory. In short, he didn't understand the mechanics of the thing and couldn't follow a manual. But that 750 was something Special. ... Well, apart from mentioning watching the Grizzly Addams movie at the cinema as a kid, I'm finished.

[@bikerdood1100]

Not sure what model it would be from that era Triple perhaps

[@CailenCambeul]

@@bikerdood1100 As I said in the reply, it's the TX. New in 73 in Australia, so a 72 Model I guess. If I could show you a picture it would make sense, but it looks almost exactly like that TX picture in the reply. That's from 74, my father's from AU 73 had just a single disc at the front. That's the best I can do for differences.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@CailenCambeul interesting as the TX had twin balance shafts so it was very smooth, had a bit of a reputation because it could suffer with oil starvation problems. Most likely occurred when ridden hard I expect

[@michelguevara151]

the GS was the original Z designer's improved design. kawasaki said they didn't need it, so he went to see suzuki who were looking for a four cylinder engine. the only fault is the regulator rectifier, which is easily cured with a honda superdream reg/rec. 54bhp, 115mph (claimed), 55mpg, bucket under shim valve adjustment, roller bearing crank and big ends, in a superb duplex cradle frame with norton featherbed geometry. the points and slidecarb models are superior to the later CDI/cv carb models, (which also lost it's kickstart). the earlier model is so versatile that it can be tuned to give 60hp and 60mpg, which bizzarely will give you 138mph into the bargain! the only engine ever described as 'bombproof'. I did millions of miles on mine! edit / the later models can be retrofitted with a kickstart as all the machinings in the crank cases are still present, all that is needed is the kickstart assembly and a modofied clutch cover to accept the kickstart oil seal.

[@bikerdood1100]

I suspect the roller bearing crank stems from their two stroke experience It should be remembered that a plain bearing is at least as good given a good oil supply and can result in a more rigid crank No that there’s anything wrong with the Suzuki bottom end of course For me it’s the fast that Suzuki built a bike that was in the same ball park as the European bikes in terms of handling Not quite but close, which is a fair amount better than the competition at the time

[@Ian-bq7gp]

Those GSt50 were really great, so well built and the best of the 2 valve per cylinder motors. The kawasaki z650 custom of 1976 were lovely with slide carbs but the later cv carbs ran cleaner but didnt have the pickup of the earlier ones. You could hammer them but i agree the 650 capacity was best for kawasaki and in my opinion the Gs850 was the better choice for economy, torque and comfort. The gs1000 was heavy and the G was better in my opinion than chain drive.

[@Ian-bq7gp]

The XS650 yamaha was a good twin and very strong engine.

[@garywinterbottom6073]

The gs550 had ball roller bearings in the crankshaft rather than shells so very robust.

[@bikerdood1100]

As did the 750 It was a practice they continued from 2 stroke engines

[@caferacer2828]

Since you are doing middleweights......In 1982 or 84? I bought a new Kawasaki KZ750 M1 CSR. It was an inline twin 4 stroke. I had never seen one like it before and have not seen one since and that has kind of puzzled me for a long time. Do you think you could find some info on it and do a video on bikes that never really made it on the American market? Thanks and I have just subscribed.

[@bikerdood1100]

It’s my plan to get onto the 80s later, will do after 70s super bikes I think

[@johneley5680]

Good video 😊 I had a GS550E. In Red 80'81 I think 😅 Long time ago. & I loved that Bike . Now I'm 63 . & Ride a 1999 YZF R1 love it even more Ride hard ride safe every body 😂😂😂😊

[@bikerdood1100]

Bet the few as better for your knees

[@johncunningham4820]

Yep . Exact same here in Australia . The Z-650 was a Standout Bike at the Time , Morini's were Rocking Horse Poo an the Venerable XS-650 can still be seen in Cafe' Bikes and Choppers to this day . Basically unbreakable . Originally in a Shocker of a Frame unfortunately . Suzuki made the best frames back then . A notable bike from slightly later would be the XJ-650 Yamaha .

[@bikerdood1100]

More of an 80s bike the FJ But a big step forward for Yamaha after the disappointing XS triples failed to sell in big numbers

[@johncunningham4820]

@@bikerdood1100 . Yes . Hence I said , Later . Indeed the XS Triples were something of a Flop . They were actually quite good bikes though . Had a Loyal following . Here at least . Good Mile-Munchers . The Mighty 1100 was maybe the First Behemoth . That or the GL-1000 flat four

[@madgardener5820]

The Guzzi V50 had a dodgy braking system whereby depressing the rear brake would apply the front electronically. However it had a tendency to make the engine cut out which at best was irritating and at worse downright dangerous. I test drove one and after it cut out every time I used the brakes, I decided to stick with my GSX400f.

[@bikerdood1100]

Nothing dodgy about linked brakes it was a dodle to use. Non Guzzi owners used to go on about it but on the road you don’t notice it at all it’s not electronic either it’s hydraulic the only electrical element is the break light 🙄 Can’t comment on the cutting out Was the fuel on 😂 V50 had much better torque than a Suzuki 400 I have to say

[@barriehercock8612]

It was integral hydraulic braking system with Brembo cast-iron disc twin at the front and and at rear,I had a v50 mark2 it was slower on acceleration low down than the Japanese 500s but had more torque than them ,the brakes were great for their time and stopped in the rain unlike the single stainless front discs of the jap rivals

[@bikerdood1100]

@@barriehercock8612 mine was a Mk11, the front break used a cable to the master cylinder, which was a bit silly. But I replaced it with a conventional master cylinder. Those cast iron breaks were better than anything the Japanese fitted at the time in the wet. It out cornered them too. Top end power was modest but mid range was an awful lot better than any 400 four I’ve ridden

[@orwellboy1958]

If I could go back in time and choose any bike from my youth it would be easily my GS 550.

[@bikerdood1100]

It’s a very popular little bike

[@eamonhannon1103]

It would to make a video comparing these bikes with modern retro style bikes

[@bikerdood1100]

I have a couple of ideas along those lines

[@64faffi]

Good, if unusual and unexpected selection of bikes. Having owned both a GS550E back in the late 80s, and a (K)Z650B about a decade ago, both ridden for about 20k miles, I will say that the worst feature of both - Suzuki in particular - was their busy and buzzy engines, closely followed by a severe lack of cornering clearance. On the Suzuki, I just got used to scraping pegs, stands, exhaust and alternator cover constantly, where as on the Kawasaki I fitted custom made shocks about an inch longer than stock together with a firmed up front. That helped make it adequate, albeit still a little flawed. Fitting Lester cast wheels had a huge positive impact on stability. Both are beautiful bikes, though, but I have grown tired of inline fours and will not go back to either.

[@bikerdood1100]

Those old motors we’re definitely wider than they should have been. The busy nature was fairly typical 4 I suppose Which probably explains why I’ve had more twins than fours over the years

[@garypollock2306]

What are your thoughts on the much overlooked. Yamaha XJ 650 Seca?

[@bikerdood1100]

I’m not familiar with the Seca name as it wasn’t used to my knowledge in 5he UK, but I assume it’s the XJ model of the 1980s which I think was around 72hp, from memory and had a 900 bigger brother. It’s all too common now but most machines of this period seem to have been forgotten. It’s as if they think we went from 1970s bikes to water cooled monsters in one leap. It like the GPz550 we’re bikes that young guys converted back then but couldn’t afford. They were certainly well rated at the time but I would definitely regard as forgotten classics which could be a whole video series on its own come to think of it. In Europe it was replaced by the Diversion which with its 2 valve motor was a very different animal

[@garypollock2306]

@@bikerdood1100 Yes it was never Seca in the UK, It's separated from the custom version by use of Frame / Engine number starting with 4KO, Yamaha's attempt at a 4 Stroke RD LC, styling wise, Interesting features for the time shaft drive, alternator mounted behind the engine, giving a slimmer look. Love your content, eclectic, well put together, and every video I learn something new. Big Fan.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@garypollock2306 great thing is that with some comments I learn too, which Is what it’s all about

[@petershallis2294]

I had a Suzuki GS 750 which is one of the nicest bikes of that era, enough power even by today’s standards and handled better than any of its rivals…but I have to admit that the Z 650 is a far more attractive machine.

[@bikerdood1100]

The Suzuki was always seen as something of a plain Jane

[@Volker_GR]

Fine! One question, "5 more", does that mean there's another middleweight video already? Then some motorcycles missing in this video might not have to be named. I like the choice and would add the R45/R65 to the V35/V50. And as a second example of a smaller, but in this case also slightly older sister of a large machine, the Benelli 500 Quattro.

[@bikerdood1100]

Yep there does indeed and the R 65 is on part 0ne I’ve linked one to the end of this video now

[@Volker_GR]

@@bikerdood1100 Thank you! Best service in town!!

[@owen368]

Have only seen 1 350 guzzi in all my time riding (40 years roughly) v50 maybe 2 in all that time rest do turn up.

[@bikerdood1100]

I’ve seen quite a few over the years, not as common as the 500;in the UK though

[@adrianerrey5405]

Honda CX 500

[@bikerdood1100]

Already featured in another video

[@andymath1523]

Had black GS 550 nice bike handled and braked well looked nice but found it a bit gutless , Kawasaki 650 was great bike loads quicker that GS handled well , test rode one and rode my mates 650 often , was going to get one but ended up with GS 750

[@bikerdood1100]

The GS models were all good handlers, 850 shafty wasn’t quite as stable but the 550 was never going to be a torque monster those extra 100ccs on the Kwaker can make a big difference

[@robertshepherd3832]

My first '72 Norton Combat was bought new when I was 19 years old. I still have it. New well made parts are easy to get in the U.K. from several suppliers. Try getting parts for any of these '70's Japanese bikes. Not very likely. Back in the mid '70's a friend wanted to try my Norton and we swapped bikes for 30 minutes. He gave me his 500 Kawasaki. What a piece of junk as it was a waste of 30 minutes of my life riding that Kawi. I vowed never again. Just my opinion, I know lots of guys won't agree.

[@bikerdood1100]

Parts supply does put me off 70s and 80s Japanese bikes, hence. BSA To be fair supply for some Italian bikes is good too

[@rickconstant6106]

I agree about parts being readily available for British bikes (I've had a 78 T140V for 30 years, and you can buy virtually everything off the shelf), but, so far, I've been able to get everything I've needed for my 80 GS550L (with a 77 engine), from a Suzuki main dealer, or eBay traders. Service parts are pretty easy to find, but some stuff takes a bit more effort.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@rickconstant6106 the internet definitely has its faults but it has made obtaining spare parts a lot easier

[@chriselliotme2683]

Honda 400-4, the supreme!

[@bikerdood1100]

Too smell too revvy

[@willgilligan7605]

I can only assume that you're going to dedicate an entire video to the mighty plastic maggot? (CX500)

[@bikerdood1100]

I already have 2 in fact 👍

[@willgilligan7605]

@@bikerdood1100 Dang. I'll have to look them up. I've had 4 of these epic machines (as well as a 650 and an absolutely horrible JDM CX400).

[@bikerdood1100]

@@willgilligan7605 at 400 the CX would be a bit on the heavier side for sure

[@elemar5]

9:05 Dampening was not added, damping was added.

[@bikerdood1100]

Yawn 🥱 Ok try this Aluminium Now again but this time pronounce the U 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@elemar5]

@@bikerdood1100 Try a dictionary. Yawn. You don't get steering dampeners do you?

[@Chris-uo2vs]

I OWNED A KAWI 65O LTD......IT WAS OK..HAD. ACCESS. TO THE YAMAHA 650 TWIÑ......IT WAS. INDESTRUCTABLE. COMPARRED TO MY. 650. BONNEVILLE..... MISS MY BONNE......IM PLANNING. ON SEEING. IF I CAN FIND. A YAMI AS. FOR THE KAWI......BEEN THERE DONE THAT.....MISS MY SPORTSTERS 1200. AND 883 WILL GET ANOTHER ...

[@bikerdood1100]

We , well Mrs Bikerdood did the 1200 sportster think Rather lardy but good torque of course