My first Lap at SPA on a H2 750 Kawasaki Triple

A cautious but fun first lap of Spa, new engine, new carb jets, never been on a track before . . .

[@johnnyappleseed7798]

Say what you want boys, I have one today and it still puts a decent grin on my face. It's like a fine scotch, intended for special but brief occasions, times appreciated by those with a classic taste.

[@crobulari2328]

+Johnny Appleseed I`m 74 now. The thought of it accelerating through the range puts a "plenty big smile" on my face as well. WHANG.... Bloody marvellous. Strokers never die, only old bikers.

[@glen6945]

yup the fooker is fast

[@carlmitchell4297]

I am 65 and the 500 Mach 111 was my first bike. 900 Z1 B was my second bike. My first reaction when i rode the 900 for the first time was slight dissapointment as i expected it to be faster. The 500 spoilt me and i am thankful to this day.

[@LisaAnn777]

I just got to ride my uncle's 500 triple and even that one was scary. The 750 seems crazy. Two stroke street bikes are something else lol

[@paulbourgeois5712]

The acceleration through the powerband on that two stroke monster was just SICK!!! In 1984, I bought and rode, a Kawasaki h1 500 for about a year, and then something else came along, which caught my fancy, as I was buying motorcycles and muscle cars faster than I was changing socks back then... Sadly, a friend of mine died, in the early 80's, while racing on the street, with an H 2 750 triple. It had wicked sounding chambers, was Kawi Green and black.... He always said he felt like Eddie Lawson whenever he rode that bike... The cops said he was doing better than a hundred miles an hour, at the lakefront, when a lady in a Chevrolet Nova, opened her Detroit Steel door in front of him. First time a friend of mine had died like that. Long time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. He went out on a motorcycle that he truly loved though, so I guess there is some comfort in that. Bad day.

[@hladydoug]

The "Kowie 500" was called a factory freak. That bike was fast. I'm still alive. What a bike. That was in 1970.

[@paulbourgeois5712]

Doug Hlady wow...you had one too?!? Never rode on, or owned, a faster accelerating vehicle, than that 3 cylinder, 2 stroke, oil injected, expansion chambered Hot Rod of a Bike!! I have heard them referred to as factory freaks also... I don't even think the Japanese knew they would be as fast as they were, and a lot of them were used for the quarter mile, because they were scary as hell, trying to get them to do anything else... I remember that great big steering dampener, hanging off the right side, with that gigantic chrome knob... That machine was built for straight on acceleration, and that was just about it!!! Hope I brought back some Power Band memories for you! I just entered "Kawasaki 500 triple"into a search engine for KZbin, and all kinds of great videos came up... I have been watching them this afternoon, and going on a scooter tamp journey, as I often do... Sure as hell had a lot of fun in the 70s and 80s, with all the great muscle cars and bikes, on sale for cheap!!!

[@hladydoug]

Paul Bourgeois Yea they were a trip.

[@paulbourgeois5712]

***** the years begin to catch up...

[@crobulari2328]

+Craig Max True. Very sorry to hear of your friends. Terrible. RIP.

[@deweycheatemandhowe2446]

The trick with H1/H2 is to make sure you are pointed in the direction of a hospital!

[@m3cvfm]

dewey cheaten and how.... Widow makers

[@christianfontaine6368]

Hahahaha...

[@joefriday7751]

🤔😂

[@ehought]

you are now my brother

[@parisstromatias637]

Spot on mate

[@cavscout62]

Sweet sound of my youth. I rode Kawasaki Triples and it was really amazing what a good sticky set of tires would do for the handling. They were “flexible flyers” however so were many other Bikes back then. I was fortunate to start riding at age 4 and came to understand that on a lot of these Bikes the trick was to blast down the straights and ease through the corners. It’s a shame people allowed Scumbag politicians to deprive us of 2 stroke street Bikes, just when they were really getting good.

[@ekts1957]

My buddy had an H2 and loaned it to me. I got 3 tickets in one hours time.. I took it back to him asap. Ballistic acceleration.

[@bruceblackthorne]

LOL.

[@Fsone174]

I love how the tach just doesnt even bother in the powerband.

[@thiagorodrigues2189]

Congrats!! Beautiful Machine, Great Sound and Excelent Power.. Two Stroke Never Die!!

[@Spudchucker92]

My Mum told me a story about this very bike earlier. My dad tried riding his mate's H2 once back in the day...he was on it for about 5 minutes before he crashed and wrote it off. He swore blind it was the bikes fault, that it had a problem. 😂 He was just shit with bikes. Thanks for posting this, my Mum loves bikes and used to ride a H2 as a passenger many times back in the 70s, this brought back happy memories for her when she watched this.

[@Carlosforgiven]

I had a 74 H2 back in teh 1970s and rode in on the streets. I had to go home and relax after riding it. It had two throttle positions , cranked and off. Boy was that thing fast. Alot of people got hurt with them as they handled badly. Or at least I was not a proficient enough rider to ever feel really comfortable laying one over very far. However, I knew that and lived to eventually sell it. The sound of it always reminded me of a swarm of very angry bees. With the baffles out it sounded like a B25 mitchel bomber.I still miss it but my 1974 Yamaha enduro 2 stroke is more my speed at this stage in my life.

[@sanfranciscobay]

Just what I wanted to hear. The sounds of the H2 going up and down through the gears. Excellent.

[@Felix1049]

Dude, ride it like you own it :). I owned a 1973 H2 that was purple in color. Kawasaki designed that motorcycle to do one thing and one thing only, go fast in a straight line. And yes I was one of the people that never crashed on it. So close so many times, but not a scratch.

[@WarFivevyone]

sounds Amazing what a Masterpiece those engines are

[@idpfilm]

Hell that brings back memories - Brilliant bike

[@cramersclassics]

You can see the "ripple" begin around 100. Great video Rick! Cheers -Kirb

[@gertnood]

They way people talk about the H2 you'd think it came from the factory with 150hp at the rear wheel.

[@TheGazza636]

74 bhp good for the 70s but wouldn't really pull your foreskin back compared to todays offerings

[@fullboostturbo1]

Thanks Rick, I wish I could get a chance to ride a 750 triple, dam they must pull like a Fighter Jet. Your one lucky person, I can only dream of owning a 750 triple.. I had a Yamaha RZ350 many years ago, and that used to very hard, used to blow away all the big 750/1,000cc bikes on take off till around the 160km mark, then they would overtake me pretty easily, but from a stand still it was quick as amazed me at the time, I can only imagine the power of a 750 triple...

[@ColdSmokes]

Remarkable video and music RB ! Nothing quite like the sound of a triple at near 10,000rpm. Cheers

[@bacchieboy]

I had a 75 H1 500 Blue with Denco expansion chambers and velocity stacks double disks up front. It was a blast wish I still had it

[@Turbo44mag]

I have love motorcycles all of my life and mt dad had a triple 750 Kaw, he told me about it's RPMs, power bands and all around prowess. I have seen 3 in my lifetime and would love to ride one.

[@T0BBi94]

I like how the dials are freaking out!

[@idpfilm]

Great - They cant seem to make up their minds ! - Bring back the 80's

[@kadams9148]

Had a friend that had a 500 and then a 750. He was scared to race them so he would come get me. At around 5000 rpm both of those machines were like a rocket from that point on. You literally would hold on as tight as you could or end up on the pavement on your ass. And the handling was not exactly great. I remember people calling them "widow makers" because they were too hard to control. This was in the early 70s when there was nothing any where close to them. I never lost a race on either one. That sound still rings in my head. I would love to ride one just once more.

[@rickbrett9173]

One thing is for certain, they always leave a lasting memory with anyone that ever rode one!

[@monotheis6889]

At 14, I had a 2-stroke, 250 twin Yamaha with a 6-speed. I remember the acceleration of a two stroke 40+ years later.

[@brianbirc]

Yes I remember mine ! The acceleration in the powerband on a 3 headed 2 stroke 750 on the street is wicked. Drop into 3rd on the freeway and the throttle will wheelie awAY.

[@stevieburrows3953]

looked like two rev counters

[@ludedude5228]

It's rumored some bikes were secretly filled with Nitrous in the frame and would only release the gas after 7000 RPMs, this may be one of them 😂👍😂

[@headonnis3814]

I think the tach is just a rough suggestion as to what RPMs the engine is pulling. Love these bikes regardless!

[@johnnyguit8168]

Yeah I had the 500 Triple Cyl. Mach III so I drag raced it, missed 3rd gear and wound the engine out as many rpm's as it had, broke the crank in 2 pieces, so the Kawi expert pal of mine said I had to have hit 18,000 rpm's for THAT to happen! Hahaha! Destroyed everything! lol Those were the days and yes, they were the fastest vehicle on the road; bar none! Until the Kawi 750 H2 came out in 1972. My 500 was a 1971 w/ red tank! That thing hauleeeeed ass!

[@crobulari2328]

+Johnny Guit Yes, I bet it did. I had one then I got an H2 with Denco ported barrels and pipes. You can guess the rest. H1 was lovely though and a little lower to the ground. Mine had 2 power bands !!. Went "on the pipe twice".

[@omegaseamaster1550]

Ahh, the sound of a two stroke.... Anyone got a video of the fog machine passing them?

[@peejay1954]

Thanks for sharing I felt like I was there with you.

[@markjohnson1224]

Hey the speedo caught the rev counter...One of the best ever made no question. Thank you Euro/California regs for killing it all off.

[@stustockwell]

Looks like a really fun track!

[@tedm2922]

I owned one of these beauties. A 1972. It was a pleasure to ride!

[@whalesong999]

It was running super..! Driving towards a corner and applying brakes hard while still upright is the means to get past others. I test drove these as a mechanic/tech at a dealership in N.Y. on some wonderful straight highway sections. Great for thrills but a harsh motorcycle that can get one ones nerves on an extended ride.

[@TheZ1A900]

That burst of acceleration is really like going into hyperspace , I wonder if this was the only bike that surged supremely like this when it hit that power band

[@richardmorris7063]

i had a 1000 Honda ss 82 model but it was 4 cycle. it had a similar power and but not that radical.

[@stufrost4583]

love the h2, never owned one I had a z900 1976 back in 1985 , have still got my 1977 gs750 in the shed in bits maybe one day I'll get it back on road, just love classic japan bikes, h1, h2, z1,etc. ride gsxr 1000k5 at the moment.

[@babyfacenc]

Stu Frost it's been eight months, since you posted this. Here's your reminder. Go build the GS750 back up! It's begging to be brought back to life. 😀👍

[@stufrost4583]

I really should build the old girl she,s been in the shed for about 15 years and I can't remember the last time I saw a gs on the road. I wonder how it compares to my gixer thou lol.

[@mrtriple2414]

Stu Frost Stu, more years passed! I’m a Suzuki GT Triple guy, with one of each capacity plus one GSX1400. I pay respect to the original GS fours each time I ride it.

[@mikecarmean6446]

I don't know where those Gage's came from but I've never had or seen any bounce like those on this bike... ☠️ The H2 does Sound Healthy 💥💥💥💥💥

[@goldrusher7554]

Wow! that thing really tachs out!! Major top end!!

[@santiagogiuntoli6726]

Throttle blipping like a fucking boss... kudos. Nice to see lads that can truly pilot vehicles on the track

[@bazbazzler188]

sounds very nice thanks for video

[@wdesign1189]

Wow, that speedo is top notch!

[@bennyrobles9194]

The H1 Mach III. I had a ‘74 in the mid/late 70s when I was a teen. Darn thing almost killed me. lol. It was fun thou.!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I love these old 2 strokes. I have a 74 water buffalo. I've vapor blasted quite a few of these widow maker motors. Does this one have tuned pipes?

[@rickbrett9173]

Yes, the motor is basically a 140 HP Fast By Gast Motor with "sidewinder" pipes that have been "baffled" for street use, it is though still PAINFULLY loud to ride :)

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Rick Brett I bet. It sounds great.

[@Eddydiesel]

Wonderful!

[@thomasbowen8775]

I'd be hesitant to try to go around an oblivious rider drifting around like that...and what was with the pointing?! In any case I loved watching and hearing your bike get on the pipe and start flying. Thanks for the ride...

[@nelsonpenates698]

Tengo una caja de cambio de estos modelos

[@adamvesely7101]

your bike sounds delicious!

[@superjody56]

Never had a H1 or H2. Some of my buddies did though. These machines were something else. However, I did have a three cylinder Suzuki two stroke. It wasn't a slouch either. LOL

[@mohammedosmankhan1837]

Riding an H2 on the spa downhill must be terrifying

[@90repairman]

How come you removed the whole video? Loved the first part when you enter the track. It really shows how much balls that baby has.

[@neatstuff1988]

I had a 1971 Cali 500. I wacked that thread long all the time through the power band. Watching for cops all the while...

[@ventisette.]

The only 2 stroke ever made that actually sounds good.

[@steven-vn9ui]

You're wrong, very wrong

[@crusader2.0_loading89]

I'm so envious ... :)

[@albymangled]

The tach looks like I remember it..just an idea of actual proceedings...lol. These were a bike where you looked where you were going and rode by ear/feel...

[@sokratesaugoustidis4146]

This raw power... it's addicting

[@gregorybaldwin1658]

Awesome!!!!

[@fullboostturbo1]

Hi mate, yes I too miss the last 80's The 3 best things in life, I think are Sex, doing a wheelie on a motorbike, and going sideways in a car, then drugs and Alcohol. My RZ was stock as, and I used to love keeping the front wheel up for a few hundred meters or so. I remember once I popped a the front wheel just as I turned out of this street, and only noticed the Copper on his bike after I wheeled past him, he did not even chase me, must have thought if he can wheelie that good I will let him go

[@blancolirio]

You hit that powerband ....and suddenly the track ain't big enough!

[@petergodey6482]

Had a '73. Still wish I had that bike.

[@johns78c]

Love how the camera pulls back when she hits the power band....

[@craigmax3779]

Back in the mid 80s i bought the new V65 brand new 4300$. my brother owned a 3 cyl. Suzuki. Mine was definitely faster but riding his was like ringing out a dirt bike. More throttle more hp and that blue trail of smoke! lol the good old days!

[@jaygdav]

I would like to try this.... Set me up Ric!

[@wdfaws8124]

I miss my 500. Love the sound.

[@Avus95]

Speedometer seems a little unsure of itself, lol. On the other hand, it reminds me of every 60's era muscle car speedo that I have ever been in, so maybe that wavering is period correct?

[@bruceallen2736]

Kawasaki, let the good times roll!

[@bennrichardson6052]

fun fun fun !!! CLASS ACT bike too, rd-eating h's were 'it' in their day, no one close to them :)

[@RobertWorthLexus300]

I had a 72 H2 triple sooooo fast. Rated fastest street production motorcycle in the world at the time.

[@jimhenry9936]

I remember the 750 Kawa's in the early 70's. I owned a 650 BSA in 1970. The then new Suzukis,Hondas, and Kawasakis were so much more dependable, faster, and cooler than my old school BSA. I remember also that the 750 Kawa's sounded awful, but jeez they were fast. I can't stand the sound of two strokes, and their emissions killed them.

[@johnwalshire2884]

They were fun but had really flexy frames and moderate brakes even at the standards of the day. They keep everything "puckered up" when you pushed them in the twisties.

[@tylerdundas716]

Well for one I'm extremely jealous and for two damn!!!!

[@davesimms5]

I rebuilt it like 5 times I think, and rode it from Modesto CA to Duluth Minnesota lol..... crazy bike

[@willythewave]

I think the speedo cable may have been dry with maybe a bit too much bend in it. The tach on the other hand I dont know whats up with that thing but that would drive me bonkers.

[@rickbrett9173]

It's a common issue with old meters, the dampening leeches out over a period, and yes, it DID drive me nuts so I had them both re-damped shortly after this

[@willythewave]

@@rickbrett9173 Glad you got them fixed. :)

[@HarvestTheAngerOfIdiots]

I remember it well, it was a fast bike. But over 5500 rpm was like existential experience. That is probably what you feel when you're are approaching a neutron star

[@MrClivehill]

They work better when you turn the handle on the right, as a Kawasaki KH owner all I can say is it must have been running in.

[@peteburrows6650]

hes one of the marshals

[@davesimms5]

Had a 69 H1 500 loved that bike I was the wheelie king

[@bruceblackthorne]

Man that looks fun!..and a bit scary. lol. My buddy has an H2 in KH frame we are customizing, and man I knew deemed the widow maker these things were supposed to really take off in the power band..But GEEZE may want to hang on at 7,000rpm.! I admit I didn't really expect this. -I mean Damn this thing is jumping 20 to 40mph in an instant!! that's nuts! Better hope no one decides to swerve in front of you. "ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

[@danejurus69]

What do these bikes compare to today? A 600cc bike or??

[@glennmosley5688]

Is that Spa Francorchamps? I have owned a couple of triples in the past. H2C and H1A. Also had an RD400F. Never rode one on a track. My road racing experience is limited to mostly YSR mini GP racing and some endurance racing on an EX 500 Ninja. Great video. Loved it.

[@rickbrett9173]

Correct, it is Spa in Belgium, I wish I could ride it again, the bike is now run in and running a LOT better :)

[@kamkaotm1]

The amazing thing is that he didn't melt the center piston.

[@davidjohnson1065]

My 75 H2 purple bike eaters ❤️❤️❤️✌🏻

[@SirJohnAnthonyMillerEACA]

Yes!

[@Turbo900ss]

I love it, i want one, i need one :)

[@fasthracing]

Not Bad Rick. You did some work on my H2C a number of years ago. (Gotta be about 15 years ago!) at my home in Cheadle Hulme. Wish I still had it!! What's the guy towards the end of the vid doing? Having a nice wave at everyone? Regards H

[@rickbrett9173]

That's what I get out of it! Waving! - I was hoping that he was going to take off as I wanted to wheelie past him :) I did of course pass them next lap, but there was a pace bike out, so you had to wait for the pace bike to catch you up before you could really let rip and catch IT up! I wish the motor had been a little more bedded in (it was absolutely fresh rebuild) I'd have ridden a whole lot harder!

[@100GTAGUY]

How much are these going for? I love two strokes.

[@karigreyd2808]

A H2 on a track? now thats scary.

[@markjohnson1224]

+Krevin Grard Kinda what I thought. Pity we could not see if from behind yawing all over the shop.

[@stevecrocker6904]

in these big 2 strokes if you establish an early lead the riders following can't see where the track goes

[@H2RIK]

All the triple range are "keyless" - if you leave the keys in they will make a bid for freedom on the first bump you hit . . . also saves weight :)

[@YerzengaPerformance]

Rick. I noticed this keyless scenario and was hoping you would be willing to contact.me to discuss. I have replaced the stator, cdi and coils (all from Rex's speed shop) and I just cannot get spark. I am trying to find somebody willing to provide some fresh eyes and or opinions as I have been chasing this issue for almost a year now.

[@grenick85]

Lmao that thing really rips!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I need to do a review on this bike if you're up for it Rick? :-D

[@fordv8man]

Awesome bike, its on the bucket list. a bike needs attitude, not over engineered vanilla delivery. Linear power sucks anyway. Thats why I love my old Vmax.

[@derf9465]

Did a plug chop on my 1971 H1 never been so terrified.......

[@SuperParide95]

I tre tipi con i gilet verdi della kawa, anzichè salutare a destra ed a manca, perchè non si scavano ?

[@Nicap2]

Parade lap?

[@100GTAGUY]

Oof, looks like the pile would be in my range. Do you know of any sites where I could find such things?

[@turbolenza35]

Is it true it was dangerous bike?

[@darthgrundle2349]

Ah....the H2 Kawasaki, the old widow maker!!!!!

[@fullboostturbo1]

Hello Rick, I am just looking at a KH250 1977 model in pretty good condition, how much are would a bike like this sell for normally??? Need answer ASAP if possible please champ...

[@mrmasonry9792]

You need to keep that rocket right at the power band, maybe 6k RPM so when you come out of the turn you just crack it and you are gone baby!

[@scottbrineaux7910]

Those bike really don't handle in the corners. But straight line they're wicked.

[@prullipruttmamma]

Keyless ignition? :)

[@andrewdowney8786]

73 H2 ,,polished & ported , 146 mph ,, some of these videos are all show and no go