The 31 Coolest Motorcycles Of The 1970s
The 1970s was a starting point for a new league of bikes. In the 1970s buyers and riders would start seeing some of the seeds of motorcycles that we have come to know today.
Some motorcycle trends from the 1970s include vintage styling making a comeback as well as highly specialized motorcycles. The 1970s saw one of the largest spikes in riders to this date and even faced some of the declines that came in the later years when vehicles and other modes of transportation became popular. Here are some of the best motorcycles from the 1970s.
Kawasaki H2 750
First on this list is the H2 Mach IV which was a 750 cc 3-cylinder engine production bike built and manufactured by Kawasaki from 1971 through 1975. Straight from the factory, the H2 was able to race a 1/4 mile in just 12 seconds and had upgraded handling compared to its predecessor the Mach III.
Kawasaki was inspired to build the H2 Mach IV after the success of the H1 Mach III from the late 1960s. The H1 had a 500 cc engine and had 3,500 rpm and redlined at 7,500 rpm.
Moto Morini 3
The Moto Morini was an Italian motorcycle manufactured by Alfonso Morino since 1937. Over the span of the decades, the Morini saw a lot of updates to its body style and engines.
The Moto Morino 3 1/2 was the model that housed Morini's brand new V-twin engined motorcycles which were more powerful and aggressive. Even today, the Moto Morini 3 1/2 is a fan favorite and is highly sought after. At the time of its release, the Morini 3 1/2 cost the same as a Honda CB750.
Suzuki RE-5
The Suzuki RE-5, sold and built from 1974 to 1976, had a liquid-cooled single-rotor Wankel engine that was known for being uniquely designed.
Wankel engines had components such as a smooth rotary engine, they were overall lightweight but were powerful and could produce a lot of power with even a smaller displacement. Rare then and even rarer now, the Wankel engine in the RE-5 was barely used in other motorcycles and is used even less now today.
MV Agusta 350B Sport
Debuted right at the turn of the decade, the MV Augusta 350B Sport was manufactured by Agusta during the early 1970s. It came with a new sporty updated look and design as well as a larger and faster engine.
Though not too impressive today, in 1970 when the 350B was manufactured and tested, it had a top speed of 96 mph. In the decades to follow, Agusta would upgrade the engine and test out different body types.
Benelli 900 Sei
Designed by Alejandro de Tomaso, the Benelli 900 Sei was sold and manufactured from 1972 through 1978. The Benelli 900 Sei was an Italian bike that stood out in popularity from other Italian bikes on the market in the mid-1970s because of its speed and design.
Upon release, the Benelli 900 Sei had a top speed of 120 mph. One of the 900 Sei's lasting impressions was sparking the trend of angular designed motorcycles versus round forms.
1970 Triumph Bonneville
Though the 1970 Triumph Bonneville wasn't a special standout motorcycle, it was a standard motorcycle that had a parallel-twin 4-stroke engine. It took over 3 generations for Bonneville to perfect the engine that was used in the 1970 model of the Triumph.
The name Bonneville came from the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah where Triumph raced along with other manufacturers to break the motorcycle speed records. In 1970, the Triumph Bonneville had a 650 cc parallel-twin engine.
Kawasaki Z1
Released in 1972 following the Honda CB750, the Kawasaki Z1 was a Japanese motorcycle that was one of the first Japanese models known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle. Universal Japanese Motorcycles were motorcycles that followed the regulations and guidelines of governing bodies from throughout the world.
The Z1 was also the first large-capacity 4-cylinder motorcycle to have a double-overhead camshaft system on a production bike. The Kawasaki Z1 paved the way for more imported motorcycles that would come after it.
Yamaha YZR500
Initially, the Yamaha YZR500 was made as a racing bike and represented Yamaha during various 500cc Grand Prix from the 1970s to the 2000s. The YZR500 picked up public interest and motorcycle enthusiasts who were in search of a bike that was faster than any of the ones on the market.
Most racing bikes don't meet regulations to be driven on the road but due to demand, Yamaha decided to make a YZR500 to be mass-produced.
BMW R69S
With three models made; the R69S, R69US and R69, buyers interested a cool looking luxury sports bikes in the 1970s had options. Designed and manufactured by BMW out of Munich, Germany, all three models were fitted with 594 cc boxer twin engines.
From 1955 to 1969 just over 15,000 models were built and sold. Designed as high compression sports bikes, BMW varied some of the components depending on where in the world the bike was sold.
Yamaha YZ250
One of the bikes on this list that is still being produced today, the Yamaha YZ 250 has been around since 1974 when it debuted to the motorcycle scene. Not only is the motorcycle really popular among drivers, but it was also made to be a really good racing bike as well.
The Yamaha YZ 250 won numerous racing awards and championships over the decades including 5 AMA National Motocross awards and 9 AMA National Supercross titles. Buyers can get one today for a little over $12,000.
Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport was the first bike manufactured by the Italian manufacturing company Moto Guzzi. Based on the V7 Roadster, the Moto Guzzi V7 Sport came with a brand new design that included clip-on handlebars.
Compared to the previous model, the V7 was lighter, had better handling and was generally more well received and popular than its predecessor. In 2008, Moto Guzzi unveiled the "V7 Special" which paid homage to the 1970's model.
Yamaha RD350
A 2-stroke motorcycle manufactured from 1973 to 1975 by Japanese company Yamaha, the RD350 was a five-speed motorcycle that was popular during its time on the market. The RD350 had a piston port and front drum brake.
It was air-cooled with a parallel twin 6-speed transmission reed-valve 2-strike engine but was most commonly referred to as a sports bike. Every Yamaha RD350 model that was sold had an automatic oil injection called the "Autolube" which eliminated the mixing of gasoline and oil. In 1976, the RD350 was upgraded to the RD400.
Honda CG125
One of the duller and safer bikes on this list, the Honda CG125 was a safe and reliable option for those who wanted a bike that was easy to drive and that would last a lifetime. Honda, known then and now for producing top-quality motorcycles and vehicles wanted to make a motorcycle for the everyday rider who didn't want much from a bike.
It was produced globally in Japan, Brazil, and Turkey from 1976 to 2008 and had a top speed of 65 mph.
Yezdi Roadking
One of the few Indian motorcycles on this list, the Yezdi Roadking was produced and sold by Yezdi from 1978 to 1996. Almost winning first place, the Roadking was the first runner-up in the 9174 Motorcross World Championship races when it competed.
The Yezdi Roadking had a 250 cc engine that has dual exhausts and a semi-automatic clutch with the Jawa logo integrated within the bike for authenticity and unique styling.
Velocette Venom
A single-cylinder motorcycle produced by Velocette in Birmingham, the Velocette Venum was a 4-stroke 499 cc motorcycle sold between 1955 and 1970. Over the course of those 15 years, there were a total of 5,721 bikes produced and sold.
In the factory that produced the bikes, a team of riders were racing the models and ended up setting the 24-hour world record driving at 100.05 mph. That time made the Venom the first motorcycle of its size to achieve an average speed of over 100 mph for 24 hours until that record was broken in 2008.
Triumph X-75 Hurricane
Another Triumph motorcycle on this list, the X-75 Hurricane was considered factory special because it was designed by none other than Craig Vetter. It included fiberglass bodywork, a 3-gallon gas tank, lowered gearing and even a triple exhaust system on its right-hand side.
It can be said that the Hurricane started a new class of motorcycle and it inspired and still inspires bike enthusiasts and designers to this day. the Triumph X-75 was unveiled in 1969 and was produced and sold by Triumph from 1972 to 1973.
Honda MB50
An insanely popular moped, the Honda MB50 was one of the slower and more affordable bikes to come out of Honda during the 1970s and the 1980s. Mopeds grew in popularity during the 1970s as people were in search of different modes of transportation at lower and lower costs.
Honda, already well known and liked for other models and products they sold, took the opportunity to come out with a moped of their own and it was a big hit not only in the US but also in Europe.
BMW R90S
The BMW R90S was a 900 cc sports bike manufactured and sold by BMW from 1973 to 1976. It is easily regarded as the flagship bike for the "/6" range. One of the R90's distinctions was its two-tone paintwork and new tail.
Over the course of three years during the production of the BMW R90S, 17,455 units were sold. BMW came out with the R100S which succeeded the 90S in 1977 and it had a lot of the same paint styling and design but also included an added 1,000 cc engine displacement for a faster ride.
Bimota KB1
Sold and manufactured by Bimota in the 1970s through the early 1980s, the Bimota KB1 was the first bike model that was equipped with the Kawasaki powerplant. Aimed at Kawasaki owners who were unhappy with their current bike, Bimota offered an upgraded solution that featured new technology as well.
Mostly sold in kit form, the Kimota KB1 eventually went out of production in 1982 after selling only 827 units which made it the most produced Bimota model to date.
Honda CBX
One of the sports motorcycles manufactured and sold by Honda from 1978 to 1982, the Honda CBX was fitted with a 1047 cc in-line 6-cylinder engine that produced 105 horsepower.
In the 1970s and '80s, the CBX offered buyers the latest and greatest that Honda was able to offer at that time and for that, it was donned as Honda's flagship motorcycle. Though it was loved by the media and press and sold well in its time, the Honda CBX was eventually outsold by Honda CB900F.
Kiah Yancy
