MOTORCYCLES 1960's 1970's

Two decades of important new motorcycles which defined the Motorcycle genres that we all know today!

[@rickbonser9923]

I've heard quite a few people claim the Vincent black shadow was the first real super bike. Decades earlier and held the speed record for a road bike longer than any other, before or since. I think I agree.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

A friend of mine had a 1953 Vincent 1000 Black Shadow. In the 1960s there was no other vehicle around town that could outrun it.

[@derekcollins1972]

The Brough Superior might have been as well.

[@danweyant4909]

I came to agree with you

[@mattwillis9173]

Like wise I came to mention the Brough Superior SS100 and Vincent/ HRD as probable first super bikes. Being designed and marketed with regards to top end speed. Enjoyed the video.

[@rickbonser9923]

@@mattwillis9173 I had forgotten about the Brough Superior, it's certainly a candidate!

[@jamesmcdowell9061]

I had all Harley’s and one triumph, I had no complaints with any of them.

[@seniorrider9337]

I remember when the R 90 S came out. I wanted an orange one so bad but the price was over double what I paid for a new Kawasaki Z1, $1995.00 vs over $4000.00. So I struggled thru and corrected some of the evil handling of the Z1. Rode that bike across the country in 1974. Had zero issues and ran over 100 many a time. Had 23,000 miles on it when it was stolen.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Stolen bloody pricks! I had a Moto Guzzi stolen once myself. The Z1 was probably a better bike mostly but i have to agree those orange beemers looked fantastic!

[@ccrider00]

@@motorcyclecafe I preferred the silver one myself, just saying!

[@knuckles-3386]

Boy does this ever bring back memories. I worked for a Harley dealership when I was in high school early 60s the owner would not allow anything foreign in the shop in 63 i rode a xlch sportster to sturgis my hands and feet were numb by the time i got there. those were the days!

[@cavscout62]

R90S in Daytona Orange is my all time favorite BMW. Such a simple, rock solid road bike. The XT500 was a fantastic bike even though my late Brother broke his back on it.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Cant really blame for bike but I hope it turned out ok for your brother

[@seawench555]

Love it, I've got a virago 535 1991 and a Yamaha Dt 175 1995, great bikes, thanks for sharing 🇦🇺🤘🏍

[@richardhall6034]

Hi from the UK 👋 🇬🇧 don't forget that bat girl also has a custom motorcycle and also the pop star Prince 😊

[@jimhudson556]

I loved the description of riding position as “head down, ass up”

[@motorcyclecafe]

Well i do think it just about sums it up 😉

[@sportmuaythaiv1045]

I was weaned on BSA B25 Starfire 250, and graduated to Hornet 650. I was so much in love with British bikes. The BSA Rocket 3 750cc was too heavy for my 115lbs then. But my current Ninja 400 completely out shine my Hornet. However, my love is still with the British bikes. My 765 RS is a joy.

[@Boksburg1982]

Be glad that the BSA 750 was to heavy. They were garbage.

[@desmo54]

I bought an orange R90s in 1976 and road it all over California and the western US. It was a great bike and very reliable. It would purr all day long even at its top speed of 125 mph as I experienced it riding through Death Valley one spring. Back then there were no cops around as my buddy on a Honda 750 tried to keep up with me. The BMW did have limitations when pushed hard in the turns with ground clearance issues with the heads, but really pushing it that hard on the street was a bit foolish. But as a 22 year old at the time we have more guts than brains. I used to race Nortons at the time so I was used to finding the limits of a motorcycle. Nice video, brought back some very old memories.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Thanks buddy I really do appreciate your positive feedback

[@ivanwalker6459]

Glad you brought up the XT500 as the first serious adventure bike, I've often had the same thought. I've owned several over the years and have one now which I only ride occasionally. I love the simple, solid, reliability of these bikes and wasn't even aware of the Dakar history until a few years ago. Agree on MV for superbike, cheers and thanks.

[@motorcyclecafe]

I remember at the time many riders fitting those large aftermarket tanks to them and heading off to who knows where. This video was always going subjective but yes the XT was the first. These days many Adventure bikes are too large and too hard to handle in the real rough stuff which is why Royal Enfield are having so much success with their Himalayan.

[@Ozplatelickerscovidcon]

Cool 👍

[@rondye9398]

The Matchless at the start of the video is fabulous. Saw these in the bike shops in the sixty's before the 2 stroke Greeves or Cz's showed up.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Yes I agree it is a very cool looking motorcycle. Thanks for watching!

[@fabieneldridge3414]

I was part of that Yamaha dirt bike riding. I rode all of those Yamaha’s . Rode most the American bikes on your list,which I agree with mostly.

[@wfomph1435]

very nice ... thank you

[@motorcyclecafe]

thank you for the great feedback

[@malcolmmathers2690]

cheers good one

[@jfu5222]

Great video! Perhaps Laverda's SFC750, a race bike with lights, could be the first Superbike. The Triumph Hurricane triple would be my choice for the factory custom.

[@motorcyclecafe]

I am saving the Hurricane for a special video. God I loved those bikes well at least the look of them!

[@MrGF1582]

Very cool video! Thanks!

[@motorcyclecafe]

Thanks for taking the time to comment mate much appreciated

[@tinacleaver2300]

great video, informative & interesting. Love batmans motorcycle

[@darryllspalding9680]

memories, man , Im 60 and yeah , still ride Buell, Victory, hot rodded both, great little doco, cheers.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Thanks buddy, i owned a hammer s myself. God that was a great bike, in everyway! only reason i sold it was that i didnt wanna get stuck with something hard to get bits for.

[@petanders1968]

Nice choices there fella, in the UK the 70's era was a very special time for us what with the selections from the likes of japanese brands like honda, suzuki, yamaha, kawasaki, I bought the 1977 Z1000 kawa and had a blast with that one, did look at others at the time, Laverda jota, BMW R90s, MV agusta, moto guzzi but the kawa Z1 was king back then with it's reliability and effortless mile gobbling and distinct looks although the handling could catch you out sometimes.

[@motorcyclecafe]

It was an era of special motorcycles no doubt about it. Thank you for your feedback mate!

[@milesinnz]

60's & 70's was also the era of the screaming 2 strokes... but not a mention... what an omission...

[@motorcyclecafe]

There were two 2-strokes talked about in the video but down the track I will be doing a separate doco just on 2-strokes and nothing else.

[@petergerritgroen3157]

Yes, i had the suzuki 125 , 380, 550 en the boiler 750.😂 Greetings from Holland

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

My 1977 BMW 100/7 ran 100 mph at 5,000 rpm smooth as silk. A guy on a1912 Henderson rode around the world in 1912. People rode around the world with regular BMW's ,BSA and Triumph bikes as well. Modern Adventure bikes are for a different kind of poser today. No one with commen sence is going off road with a $30,000 600+ lbs bike.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Yer i did a video on these new so called adv bikes.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@motorcyclecafe One magazine was doing a article about a adventure bike and it fell on him and he had to wait until the photographer picked the bike off him. True story.

[@donalfredisaac]

The first 2 stroke motorcycle which had a separate oil tank was a German TWN, a subsidary of the British Triumph and this was before WWII.

[@motorcyclecafe]

That is very interesting info, thanks!

[@kevinconville9258]

The gentleman who put this list together knows what he's talking about. First super bike might be up for grabs a bit. Guzzi and Ducati come to mind as they were available and accessible, in the US anyway. Nobody had an MV.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Those early dukes & guzzis were very nice bikes, some of the best of the era no doubt.

[@paulbarnes6124]

As a youth the Daytona yellow commando then trident followed by the Honda four stood head and shoulders above anything else available, in a land of British singles and dated 650cc twins 😀

[@Ian-bq7gp]

I had a xt500 rat bike with rd400 swing arm. It ran and went but was a heap. For 350 dollars it kept me going for 4 months in adelaide.

[@jonneet2126]

I bought a used 1968 Yamaha DT-1 and rode it for a few years., and sold it to a friend. Later, I bought a used 1972 Yamaha DT-250. That '68 was the first really decent dual sport motorcycle. Yamaha followed these up with similar 90, 125, 175, 360, and 400 cc versions. Only the 125 had electric start. A fine lineage of Yamaha motorcycles.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Yes I could not agree more with your opinion buddy, cheers!

[@johneastman1905]

And the only one I would have any desire to own and ride would be the first - The BMW

[@alxx1378]

I had the next generation xt 550 a legend in Greece just changed the front brakes with disc from the later 600.

[@motorcyclecafe]

A great bike!

[@chicobicalho5621]

In the early 1970s, Yamaha had a wonderful lineup of dirt bikes, beginning with the amazing "mini enduro", a rather proper mini bike, well proportioned, with a 50 cc engine and 4 gears, lubricated by an autolub system, just like its larger siblings. Then there were the AT 100, a 125, 250 and 360, all within the same spirit and guidelines. Back then, Suzuki and Yamaha did a great job providing excelent products to the public of all ages.

[@wilmawife]

Your comment on how HD overcame the problem with twin disc's and skinny tire made me smile, fit the most inefficient calipers money can bye.

[@dixiefallas7799]

My first bike was a Ariel Arrow 62. If they had put that engine in a sensible frame it would have taken some beating. I paid £2 for it😂

[@motorcyclecafe]

2 pounds crikey how do you sleep at night LOL

[@williamsmith5589]

Ha! Not a word about the Triumph Tridents and their racing heritage. Good mention of BMW though.

[@brianbacon7365]

What about the BSA, Triumph 750 triple from 1968,Dick Mann took the Daytona 200 in 1972.Very fast bike.

[@motorcyclecafe]

I am saving those bikes for another doco

[@JeffreyBlair]

@Motorcycle Cafe. My first motorcycle that I got at about 11 was the 1974 Yamaha CT-3 (175) in Gold and White Pin Striping, I had access to the RD 350 of the mid 70"s I now own, 1 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale XVZ 1200 and a 1989 Yamaha Venture Royale XVZ 1300. I like the coverage for the Yamaha V-Max which is the base for Yamaha Venture Royale XVZ"s. If I get a lot of drafts on the other sport bikes when we go away from a stoplight when I'm riding my Yamaha Venture Royale XVZ. You do a proper job with this channel. I'm subscribed i hit the thumbs up and in this case left a comment. Have a great day Sir. ( Bikers wave to you)

[@motorcyclecafe]

thank you for the nice comment buddy and taking the time to do so! Comments like yours do mean a lot to me, it's really hard to deal with negative people but I made a promise to myself when I started to reply to as many people as I can.

[@JeffreyBlair]

@@motorcyclecafe Non Riders are hard to convince that we have a right to the same road as the cagers. ( Bikers wave to you)

[@1234567marks]

Really good choices there, hard to argue with, but as you said hard to nail down conclusively as well. The MV was a remarkable machine in its day, the fact that it was expensive is irrelevant, it was still the first focused sports bike, good choice 👍

[@motorcyclecafe]

Thanks mate. The first SuperBike is a very subjective issue. I based the choice on what a SuperBike is today. I'm pretty sure nobody would argue with the last bike in the video 😆

[@G58]

But I believe the MV 750 Four came out in 1969, not 1971.

[@1234567marks]

@@G58 Wikipedia says 1970 so there or thereabouts, it had a heady 72bhp, how times change! 🙂

[@marciocarvalho8975]

Later Yamaha made the XT 350 and 600. Sucsses at late 80s early 90s. Then Tenere and super Tenere... Yamaha was the motorcycle everybody wanted

[@bananabrooks3836]

Unusual choice of first superbike but l liked the thought process and conclusion.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Yes buddy i know its a difficult genre, thanks for watching & the feedback

[@peterdriver7816]

Vincent was the first full touring bike

[@motorcyclecafe]

It was certainly a great bike no doubt about it

[@amundbjerve]

The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport was also launched in 1971 and competes with the title "World's first superbike". It was fast and expensive just like the MV Agusta. It's probably got better touring capabilities than the temperamental MV Agusta. Somehow they managed to get (almost) 70hp out of the hemi head pushrod Guzzi-engine. I've never ridden a V7 Sport (the early "Telaio Rosso"s are very expensive!), but all the Guzzis of the era have a nice progressive torque curve with a hefty mid range grunt. The Tonti-frame provides great handling.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Yes you are spot on, Moto Guzzi led the world at one stage. What great bikes they were and still are!

[@griffspeed]

@@motorcyclecafe The Laverda Jota might also be included somewhere on the list... It was afterall a "Factory" Superbike... Great video mate... Thanks.

[@jobucklandbuckland8031]

agree with your choices the XT was definatly the first as it was bike of choice for around the world adventurers ,

[@darrylmackie9184]

The standard feature of The BMW was the paint work hahaha.

[@rickiejacobs5910]

My friends that I rode with off road as a kid had Honda 50 and Honda Trail 70 mini bikes. I had a Rupp Roadster 2 that couldn’t keep up with them. Anyway one friend like riding my Roadster and I rode his Honda 50. Also the 2 cycle endures tend to plug up the mufflers after awhile.

[@motorcyclecafe]

I love all bikes, even scooters are fun and thats what its all about isn't it. Having fun. Thanks for watching!

[@rickiejacobs5910]

@@motorcyclecafe I have a 2006 Suzuki Burgman 400 scooter at present.

[@motorcyclecafe]

@@rickiejacobs5910 i have a 125cc Yamaha bws as my daily transport

[@asacarrick1385]

@asacarrick1385 1 second ago Of course Super is only a prefix relevent to it's day. Same as Cruiser. People cruised on Triumphs and Nortons et al throughout the glory years of British bikes and it's worth saying that these bikes were the markers laid down which the Japanese so competently emulated. But the old Marques are back and in some style. Don't mention Vincent 1952 Series 2 Touring Comet 500cc 90Mph. or 1949 S.C Black Lightening 1000cc 70 Bhp capable of 150 Mph. Without the previous 6 Decades of British bikes you wouldn't have this video. Bit like talking Beatles without mentioning Buddy Holly or the Everly Brothers ....even Lonnie Donegan. G.Luck Bikers everywhere Reply

[@georgeday5901]

It's just a name superbikes .vincents were the first superbikes in the 50s they did over 125mph

[@motorcyclecafe]

yes they were a Superbike but not the first one. Check out the channels latest video

[@scottastell9415]

I really enjoyed reminiscing my misspent youth. LOL

[@motorcyclecafe]

Same buddy was a great period

[@shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675]

You had my brother's race team in your super bike section 😁

[@motorcyclecafe]

Really what team was that?

[@shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675]

@@motorcyclecafe boost mobile

[@jackwood2328]

Brilliant! Right on every count. Nice work.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Thanks mate, i truly appreciate that comment. Thanks for watching!

[@h-j.k.8971]

A Friend of mine designed the BMW R90S back in the day, of course heé nockin on now but I have sent him your link so he can enjoy this episode.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Crikey he would have to be pretty old. You just cant beat those old boxer engines !

[@h-j.k.8971]

@@motorcyclecafe Ah, he made the Bike concept and the design. The engine was allready there.

[@motorcyclecafe]

@@h-j.k.8971 what a legend! I realised when I produced this video it would be a tad controversial but there is no doubt about the beemer! Even I ride a SportsTourer a Ducati ST3.

[@geraldscott4302]

I'd have to say that the first cruiser wasn't even a Harley, but the 1976 Kawasaki KZ900LTD. My favorite of the early cruisers were the Yamaha Specials. I had a 1980 XS1100 Special and three XS650 Specials.

[@motorcyclecafe]

I have had three 650 Yamahas myself if Harleys weren't cruisers what were they? And be nice please.

[@geraldscott4302]

@@motorcyclecafe All Harleys are not cruisers. IMO, the first Harley Davidson that could be called a cruiser was the 1971 FX Super Glide. Up until then, Harleys were either large touring bikes (the FL models) or Sportsters (the XL models) I currently own a 2006 Sportster 1200L. I don't consider it to be a cruiser. It has fairly low bars, a huge 4.5 gallon tank, a fairly thin seat, mid controls, the front end is not raked out, it just doesn't look or ride like a cruiser. A few years ago I had a Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit. It actually looked and felt like a cruiser. The raked out front end, high rise buckhorn bars, teardrop shaped tank, stepped seat, and forward controls gave it that cruiser look and feel. I have always been a fan of the early Japanese inline four and parallel twin cruisers, like the Yamaha Specials, Honda Customs, Kawasaki LTDs, and Suzuki "L" models. My very first new bike was a 1981 Suzuki GS450L.

[@ianjones4071]

Hi thanks for making this video, in the 70s I had a Kawasaki samari a1 250,would have loved an a1r race version ,thanks again cheers mate

[@motorcyclecafe]

Great I'm glad you got some enjoyment from watching it. Times are different now, just yesterday I seen a post on FB with a bloke complaining about the price his local dealer charged to install a set of handlebars. Can you believe some riders these days can't even do such a simple task🤔

[@charliebrown4624]

I would have said the SSS Norton Commando was the first super bike. It came with twin front disc brakes, Clip ons, rearset pegs and a fairing.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Actually you may well be correct good pickup!

[@marcellomurphy4034]

I'd of the high rider was the first factor custom.

[@woodsmn8047]

I had a 250 Catalina that was NOT a batman custom but a red and white sweet little ride that I enjoyed while stationed at NAS Whidbey on Whidbey Island in the sixties

[@carlnapp4412]

The MV had the manners and the handling of a McCormick tractor from this period and the performance of a Kawasaki Z1 that was running only on three cylinders.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Yes they were a tad un civilized.

[@buxvan]

I love my XT500 & I'm glad it doesn't have an electric start. Super reliable & fun.

[@motorcyclecafe]

I knew a bloke who owned a Ducati 750 it kicked back on him one day and broke his leg. He sold it after that. Those old Yamaha's are great bikes

[@leetrotboswell6273]

This was great and very intertaining and this is my time period . The other comments are correct about the 71 superglide but the wide glide is an excellent choice, the Spanish made very serious Enduro bike's but they would never be as reliable as the Yamaha. I think BSA rocket,Triumph Trident,Harley Sportster were the first super bike's but I guess they could be a different category like Muscle bike. Im not nitpicking, this was a great job it's a favorite period of motorcycleing to me .👍

[@motorcyclecafe]

All good buddy i appreciate your opinions. Thanks for the feedback. Ive uploaded an 80s 90s one just recently

[@asacarrick1385]

Of course Super is only a prefix relevent to it's day. Same as Cruiser. People cruised on Triumphs and Nortons et al throughout the glory years of British bikes and it's worth saying that these bikes werre the markers laid down which the Japanese so competently emulated. But the old Marques are back and in some style.

[@oldenshort1346]

Another excellent Video Cheers.

[@queenslander954]

Yer mate it’s the GSXR750 in 1985 , and before that yes it was the Honda 4 & Kawasaki 900 .. trying to bring this factory special into the mix is a stitch up.

[@artfantasies]

The MV Agusta 750 S never ran 225 km/h, it was far too heavy with over 240 kg and the mentioned 70 PS (if I remember right it were 72 PS) never reached the rear wheel with that bulky kardan shaft drive. Don't get me wrong, I love that motorcycle, it's a beautiful classic ... just I guess it would have had problems to outdrive a CB 500 Four.

[@motorcyclecafe]

G'day, thanks for taking the time to comment. It's always good to get different opions. Just so you know when I research for specs on bikes I don't just google it and come up with a figure. I literally have hundreds of old motorcycle magazines. I can tell you in one magazine road test from the 70's the fully faired MV did in fact reach a top speed of 226 km/h that's 140mph, true. If I could afford to own one I would love to race you on a CB 500. LOL. I always knew the Superbike part of this video would be an issue. I just worked it out on what a Superbike is today but its ceratainly subjective. I can't remember off the top of my head which Japanese bike road bike was the first to even have a Full Fairing as standard. Cheers

[@adriantorres3221]

Cant forget the triumph trident and bsa rocket 3 for the first sport bikes. Also maybe the vincent could take the first spot but the tridents predated the cb750 slightly and would smoke a cb

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

A MV 750 was twice the price of a HD Sportster. $7,000 in 1979.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

A Brough Superior was twice the price of a 500 Triumph twin and just a little more than a Austin 7 car. I have a picture of a Brough Superior rally in England . Lots of regular people. Bikes with side cars to bring the family. Lots of kids in the picture. The ones who bought a Brough Superior could have bought a car buy they bought the bike and then they bought a sidecar for the bike . They chose to have the bike instead of the car. That tells you that they were real motorcycle enthusiasts.

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

Well, I have to say, that the MV Agusta had some competition from other Italian makes such as Laverda and Benelli from this time period of the late 1960s early 1970s. Those machines were just as exotic and expensive. There is a reason why the Japanese were eating everyone's lunch. The quality was excellent at a fraction of the price of Italian machinery. The Italians have had to make a name for themselves in racing to this day by sometimes beating the Japanese in World Superbike. They can barely compete in Moto Grand Prix. Some British machines proved that with careful tuning, they could be competitive but they were often unreliable and didn't make the cut. All the bikes presented satisfied niche markets rather than the needs of the average rider.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Neither Benelli nor Laverda had anything near the performance of the MV at the time and very clearly you do not follow MotoGP!

[@marcdaigneault2357]

Triumph hurricane is the first custom chopper

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Very nice video, thank you. I have to disagree with your tourer choice. To me any Harley except for the Sportster are much more cruisers than tourers. They lack the weather protection and are, as far as my experience goes, certainly not able to cruise the Autobahn for hours at over 100 mph. I believe this honour is also for BMW with the R100 RS. I agree with the MV, yet it was very, very exclusive (I started riding bikes in 1970...). I believe the Ducati you mentioned or the V7 Sport are better candidates... Yet this is all very personal.

[@motorcyclecafe]

The ducatis and moto guzzis were great bikes no doubt but the mv was earlier and yes very exclusive. The bmw was a sports tourer though not a full dresser although in reality there isnt a lot if difference except full dressers are a lot bigger. Thanks for taking the time to comment its good to get other peoples opinion. Docos like this are subjective. I know i got the last bike correct😉

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

The Norton HiRider was the first factory custom. Because it didn't get the Combat engine it was reliable for a Norton.

[@bryanhurd9955]

BSA and Greeves made off road bikes 🤔

[@daryldaryl913]

Great video , thanks.

[@SK-tr9ii]

When is someone going to stand up and give Bridgestone their due?

[@motorcyclecafe]

Funny you say that i just missed out on buying one plus a spare parts bike about a year ago. Still kicking myself!!! You give me a great idea thanks buddy!

[@chrisbraid2907]

Bridgestone, I preferred Continental …

[@metal-lm6ue]

That bat-cycles is awesome!

[@motorcyclecafe]

it sure is 😉

[@sethbrown1763]

You get a +1 for the Batcycle!

[@motorcyclecafe]

I really appreciate you commenting on that piece. Nodoby else has. And I did think it was a nice touch myself LOL.

[@partypooper2591]

@@motorcyclecafe Well, Batman on TV was a part of my childhood. And I remember the Yamaha XT500 as well. It was a beast of a bike, though my younger brother preferred the Bultaco Alpina. A very nice walk down Memory Lane. Thank you

[@motorcyclecafe]

@@partypooper2591 Thanks heaps buddy. I appreciate you taking the time to comment with some nice feedback. This particular doco is my own personal favourite so far. Bultaco's were an awesome motorcycle no doubt about it. You would enjoy the 'Against All Odds' doco on the channel as well I reckon.

[@EnigmaWector]

I beliwe when a motorcykle is the fastest in exsistans is wordy of the titel Superbike. George Brough was a racer, designer, and showman - his father William E. Brough had been making Brough Motorcycles in Nottingham since 1908, and continued to do so until 1926. Convinced he could improve on his father's designs, all Brough Superior motorcycles were high performance and superior quality. Most were custom-built to the customer's needs, and rarely were any two of the same configuration. Each motorcycle was assembled twice. The first assembly was to fit all the components. Then the motorcycle was disassembled and all the parts painted or plated as needed. Finally, the finished parts were assembled a second time. Every motorcycle was test ridden to ensure that it performed to specification, and was personally certified by George Brough. The SS100 model was ridden at 100 mph (160 km/h) or more before delivery. The SS80 model was ridden at 80 mph (130 km/h) or more before delivery. If any motorcycle did not meet specification, it was returned to the works for rework until it performed properly. The fit and finish was comparable to a Rolls-Royce car, and they were the most expensive road-going motorcycles in the world. Brough Superior motorcycles have always been rare and expensive. Prices for these motorcycles ranged from £100 to £185 in the 1920s and 1930s. Since the average annual salary in Britain during the 1930s was £200, only the wealthy could afford them. In 1940, World War II brought an end to production as the factory was engaged on war work, completing crankshafts for Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.. After hostilities had ceased there were no suitable engines available so the company was wound up.[3] In 2004, around 1,000 Brough Superior motorcycles still existed, maintained by enthusiasts.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Thanks for sharing that very interesting information buddy!

[@pinslayer4579]

Interesting...... The only bitch I've got is No mention of my beloved Triumph Thruxton 1969 Malcom uphill was the first to pull the Ton on a factory bike at the I.O.M. TT Don't believe the MV hit that mark .

[@motorcyclecafe]

An interesting bike you mentioned. From memory I think the early Thruxtons were purpose built bikes for racing and not really available to the general public but I could be wrong. I will look into this one further for sure. Thanks buddy

[@Vanrides.]

​@@motorcyclecafe You are correct, Thruxton bonneville's was not availble to the general public.

[@pinslayer4579]

Gentlemen no interest in starting an internet pissing match but if you Google Malcom Uphill it states he was the first to average the ton on a production motorcycle. If Thurston's weren't available to the general public I wasn't aware. I also thought 3 years prior Bonneville finished 1-2-3 in an endurance race at the Track in Thruxton England hence winning the right to call them Thruxton's. Hopefully I'm not misinformed on the events if so I apologize.

[@Vanrides.]

@@pinslayer4579 If you wanted a Thruxton Bonneville you had to buy the parts to make it so, I actually bought a Thruxton brake pedal to rearset my footrests on my 69 bonnie. Not sure how many dealers were involved selling Thruxton parts but I used Gus Kuhn motors in London. Do not know what the exact rules were pertaining to production racing in the sixties, but the frame,wheels,brakes and engine capacity had to remain the same. Malcom Uphill will have been riding a factory prepared machine that was not for sale in its racing form to the general public. In the 1969 IOM tt proddy race that Uphill won he was using Dunlop K81 tyres, within a couple of months Dunlop added the branding TT100 to these tyres. I also think the Malcom Uphill named pub in his own town is the only Wetherspoon's pub with a name.

[@pinslayer4579]

@@Vanrides. Thank you for the information. So in reality the Thruxton was available to the general public you just had to assemble it yourself. I installed the bullet fairing on mine but it's a much later machine. Thanks for the information here in the colonies sometimes history gets a bit muddy. P.S. What I read stated Uphill was credited with pulling the ton on a production machine. Which is how this discussion started.

[@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

Motorcycles of the 70's when in motion always sounded like a rapid succession of farts

[@geralderdek282]

Ive always thought the 2 stokes sounded like a swarm of angry bees.

[@colnuttall9035]

When mentioning The Harley Davidson Wide Glide, did you overlook the Harley Davidson Night Train of about 1971 or 72. That was the Shovel head with the long fibreglass seat base, stepped seat and Sportster front end. I’m not sure your definition of a Sports Bike is quite accurate, since I had a 2009 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade and it was very comfortable for a longish ride. Perhaps they had gotten better by then, as this is quite a bit later than your time frame. By the way, I noticed a Munch TTSE Mammoth pop up and took particular note because I had one in the early eighties. I believe there were only four in Australia at the time, and of course all unique. One of the bikes memorable features was, you had to fight your way through a crowd to get back on it anywhere you parked it. Very theatrical ! But a great bike.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Hi, the bike you are talking about was the 1971 SuperGlide with the boat tail rear end. And yes I did consider it but only the seat, rear end and paint were custom whereas the Wide Glide had the works. Basically a Chopper straight out of the factory. I couldn't imagine how much your Munch would be worth now if you still had it buddy, a huge amount I reckon. And I doubt many riders would regard a Superbike as comfortable, but everyone has a different perspective on comfort. Thanks for watching.

[@colnuttall9035]

Yes I meant the Superglide, you’re probably correct there about the Wideglide. The Munch currently sell for $200k plus but I’ve seen them go for $250 k. And boy do I wish I still had that, oh well, I did very well on it anyway, so no complaints. I still have a Ducati 900 Darmah that I’ve had for forty odd years. But my Softail Heritage Classic 103 is my current ride. Must have been kissed on the knob by a fairy, I think. Though I can’t quite remember which pub that was in ! Cheers.

[@thatsmrharley2u2]

@@motorcyclecafe I agree the WideGlide was a good rendition of the 'factory chopper', but my vote goes to the Lowrider which debuted in '79. (It also fits in the 60s-70s window!)

[@motorcyclecafe]

@@thatsmrharley2u2 fair choice, I chose the Wide Glide because it had the works.

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

I agree, the Wide Glide Shovelhead shake contributed to it's charm. I remember when Harley first announced a rubber mounted engine. I thought, that's not a Harley. The rubber mount caused Harley's death wobble too. But I do prefer the reliability of an Evolution era Harley so that's what I still ride. 1988 and going strongly.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Good on you buddy. Gotta love character!

[@georgeday5901]

What ever happened to the dustbin fairings

[@motorcyclecafe]

Don't know really maybe something to do with turning the front wheel onto full lock I suspect

[@michaelgillett5477]

Hi there, enjoy your KZbin I have a champion plug, book hire an all about the classes of motorcycles in England, a bike of under 250 cc what is classed as a moped in the 60s anything above 650 who is classed as a Superbike I personally like the phrase when you start on about the sort of motorcycles you talking about starships that’s what I class them as always have done. Anyway good programme keep motorcycling Michael

[@motorcyclecafe]

Thanks for your nice feedback Michael. I truly appreciate it buddy. Sometimes the negative comments get you down but receiving comments like yours make it worthwhile. Yer I remember growing up a 650 was a big bike back then, how things have changed.

[@TheAshfishman]

Nice workmate and thanks for that. The CB900F Bol D Or was my first super bike. Ported and planed with a Yoshi extractor exhaust, Pirelli Phantoms fitted, and with 104HP dynoed at the back wheel I thought i was King Shit, . Until I hit a corner.

[@davidrayner9832]

First factory custom was the 1980 H-D Wide Glide? The Yamaha XS-650 Special came out in 1978.

[@motorcyclecafe]

What was custom on the Yamaha?

[@lesklower7281]

Great list l rode motorcycles back in the 1970s and into tge 1980s and one bike l will coment on the BMW 900S it won the Castrol 6 hour with Joe Eastmure riding it he eventually got his outright win as for the first super bike but not from the 1960s or 1970s was the Suzuki GSX 750R the first production motorcycle with an aluminum frame

[@JonathanBays]

I am with you on the MV Augusta seems right to me.

[@motorcyclecafe]

At least one person does lol. Thanks mate

[@JonathanBays]

@@motorcyclecafe In Melbourne in the 70's few people knew what they were but I had a picture out of a cycle magazine on my wall of one. The Motor Cycle Superbikes of the 70's book of 1982 featured the MV Augusta 750S America which wasn't all that super in comparison but yes they were the first with the no compromise full racing position bike with a first gear stupidly tall for a street rider

[@rustyturner431]

Sorry, but the 1971 Super Glide was the first "factory" custom. Mind you, it was a LOUSY motorcycle...and I know, as I was stupid enough to own one. Even when brand new, it was spectacularly unreliable, it shook all manner of parts off, and it wasn't even fast, but it WAS a factory-made custom cruiser in 1971. And I didn't have much trouble finding another idiot to buy it from me, for a pretty gooe price. I am getting old now, but I still haven't forgiven Harley Davidson for this monstrosity and haven't owned another Harley since. Cheers, RT

[@motorcyclecafe]

I don't really disagree with you, I did consider the SuperGlide but apart from the paint and that tail fairing the rest was basically the same. Whereas the Wide Glide had the works. Yes Harleys from that era tended to be somewhat poor but they addressed things as time went by. The Super Glide is mentioned in the Harley V Indian Doco on the channel. There is some interesting history in that doco. If you kept that bike she'd be worth a heap $ now, if it was still together that is.

[@thatsmrharley2u2]

@Retired Bore Hmm...and this from the home of Lucas, otherwise known as the Prince of Darkness.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Bat Girl rode a motorcycle too.

[@motorcyclecafe]

She sure did and that bike is in one of my other videos!

[@notwocdivad]

Great choice of bikes, BUT, If head down arse up is the main criteria for superbikes you COULD go back to the mid 1950''''s right up until 1963 with first the BSA GOLD STAR and then in 62 it's twin cylinder big sibling the ROCKET GOLD STAR! Both came direct from the factory with highly tuned engines, clip ons, rear sets and qd headlamps! So they too could have a shout at being the FIRST SUPERBIKE? However this is just an old (VERY BIASED) British rockers opinion!

[@motorcyclecafe]

no mate that is a very valid bike indeed and I do appreciate your opinion. Nothing wrong with being biased 😉

[@williammuir638]

Agreed

[@philipe7937]

I think a lot of the full fairing motbikes got their ideas from the batbike. Thanks for the video.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Your welcome buddy im glad you liked it

[@TheHortond]

A superbike in synonymous with crotch rocket. Any bike can fit that definition if its quick and fast enough.

[@motorcyclecafe]

True! Its a bit different now than back in the day.

[@Kysushanz]

I can't go past the Honda CB 750 - it was the epitome of a classic superbike. Hell, I rushed out and got one and never felt better in my life. Gone were the days of shaking myself to bits on old English vertical twins and single thumpers! Mind you I did have a rather dirty girlfriend who just loved my AJS single in second gear!

[@motorcyclecafe]

Yes the CB750 was certainly a class above most other bikes of the time. I reckon the MV's would have been pretty hard to live with. What a great era though!

[@stephenlucas2576]

I have two questions. Do Australians think Fosters beer is crap? And if so is that a bad thing?

[@motorcyclecafe]

I don't think many drink it anymore.

[@stephenlucas2576]

Thanks

[@markfiges999]

I was 22 and was going to have a brand new Yam XT 500, had the cash saved and the bike was on order, ......... then I bought a house instead !🙃 ..... and with life getting in the way, I never got my XT 500, Oh well.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Oh well there is still time

[@markfiges999]

Thanks, but I wish there was - my riding days are long gone.@@motorcyclecafe

[@jeffferguson899]

i would argue that the cb750 of 1969 was the first sport touring bike. same hp as the bmw same top speed, smoother ride 150 less cc, introduced 4 yrs earlier. just add a winjammer fairing and some luggage and you have a superior st bike .

[@coolmonkeymc8268]

Not a harley fan owned a few more out of curiosity.I do remember as a youth walking into the harley showroom when AMF had it and being very impressed by the new changes. AMF gave h/d a new boost but a lot of the old timers would cuss me out for saying that. Also I ended up purchasing the Baja 100 good frame terrible motor I think it was a sachs it would jump out of gear as soon as it was in it's power band.

[@thatsmrharley2u2]

The Baja 100 never had a Sachs engine. It was Aermacchi all the way.

[@garyhull5617]

Well done.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Thank you buddy for your kind words... if you enjoyed that I'm quite sure there are many other videos on the channel you would enjoy just as much. Cheers!

[@theknifedude1881]

I would think one of the Vincent models would qualify for Super Bike. Or maybe the Brough Superior.

[@NebukedNezzer]

my new 1966 honda cb450 was the first japan super bike

[@motorcyclecafe]

Most probably !

[@davidmarkwort9711]

No mention of the "Slippery Sam", nor the "Bonneville", nor the Norton "Commando", nor any BSA.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Sorry buddy it is impossible to mention every bike. None of those bikes fitted into the description on the video "Two decades of important new motorcycles which defined the Motorcycle genres that we all know today" The Bonnie & Norton are mentioned in other videos on the channel & from memory The Slipper Sam wasn't a road bike.

[@davidmarkwort9711]

@@motorcyclecafe Slippery Sam was in fact a 3 cylinder BSA/Triumph, one of those bikes that took part in the first Super Bike races at Brands Hatch. Mind boggling?, nope, but they were the last big bikes from the then British Bike Industry which was in its death throes

[@motorcyclecafe]

@@davidmarkwort9711 Oh righteo, i remember the name but not so much the bike itself. Its a real shame what happened to the british motorcycle industry. So many great bikes.

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

Ballocks the sport tourer when right back to 1930s with hand made Brough superior and Norton's

[@motorcyclecafe]

You may well be correct however the broughs were not really attainable for an average person

[@buddhastaxi666]

That Electra Glide looks like an round shapeless Bogan Princess in her wedding gown with a giant incontinence pad as a seat. The XL 350 predated the Yammy. My Yamaha 250 DT2 in 1972 was an adventure bike....a trail bike for on and off road. TRAIL bikes were a distinct genre, as were motocrossers. Adventure bikes are a refinement of the Trail bike. I rode my XL 350 on massive bitumen trips plus off road on rocky tracks salt flats and down mountains. Oacked some gear and off you went.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Yes those early Electra Glides were a tad odd. I also owned a XL250 which as you mentioned was a trail bike and a good one too. I personally do not like most of these so called Adventure bikes these days the styling just look strange to me. To me any bike is an Adventure bike. I selected the Yamaha 500 single because most people think the 1st Adventure bike was the BMW. Modern Adventure bikes came from the Dakar Rally and the Yamaha 500 kicked the BMW's arse. Surely you agree with the very last bike on the list though 😉

[@buddhastaxi666]

@@motorcyclecafe I remember Batman with Adam West. Kids were imitating them, thinking they could fly and plunging to their deaths in tights and a mask. My first road bike was a 750 WLA, with 1200 Harley forks, ride control . Ive always liked some Harleys, but prefer my ohv long stroke air cooled Roadliner. OH Cams motors do not to me anyway, thump like a tractor all through the rev range.

[@coffinman5007]

The brough ss100 was the very first super bike.