Richard Hammond and Bikes from the 70's - Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 1 сен 2013
- Join Richard Hammond who takes a look at bikes from the 1970's. He talks to Ben Cussons about the attraction of the great era of hand made motorcycles and about the retro look of bikes manufacturers are going back to. Plus Richard takes a blast from the past Suzuki GS850 for a test drive to see what the old classic has to offer.
[This clip is from 2 Wheels EXTRA Ep. 11, originally aired 06/05/2001. The full episode can be watched here: • 2 Wheels X-TRA Ep. 11 ]
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Love 70s Japanese bikes! I have a 78 cb750k and a 78 yamaha xs1100 standard. I'll take them over a modern bike any day!
I had 3 bikes during the 70s.
- z650 kawa.
- 550four honda. Exhaust pipes were snaked curved.
- h1 500 triple kawa with race chambers(denco). Wish I still had this bike today.
1979 GS 850 was my third and favourite bike I ever owned. Not nimble or sporty, but solid and torquey -- felt like I could have towed a car with it. Built like a tank (the most reliable bike I ever had; that and my first bike, a 1978 Kawasaki LTD 440). And it also had the biggest tank I've ever seen on a bike. 2016 now and it's still going strong in my brother's hands. Gorgeous bike.
I ride my gs850 everyday, its as solid a ride as they come. I love it!
My first street bike was a 1979 Suzuki GS850G and if they made in brand new today i would buy it over any modern bike.
brake technology has advanced , take your time on that dinosaur..
Maybe the Honda CB1100EX will bring this sadisfaction ( today ) you looking for ! ?
@@juanadelcarmenmarteperez that’s true. Just rebuilt my master cylinders and calipers front and back. Thought I would try steel braided cables for some extra feel. It didn’t do a damn bit of good. I have to plan my stops half a block early, just like before.
Back in college, I had a big knot of muscle between my index finger and thumb in my left hand from squeezing the clutch on my CB400F.
This. Taken me months and about 3k km to develop the hand strength to comfortably ride my CB500k. I kept getting pins and needles in my hand, up my arm, numbness and pain that'd wake me up in the middle of the night..still riding.
My english isnt good ( shool time ) but this Presentation works a lot ..without words !
Still have a GS1000G. Get it out on the open road with a full tank of gas, and it shines. 500-600 miles at a sitting are nothing to it. Surprisingly comfortable.
flyingmerkel6 NJ NJ like my ty I ty themselves
IME in 45 years of riding motorcycles, when it comes to fun there is nothing like the 70's style bikes, no fairing etc. I have a couple of of more modern machines, but for a pure fun ride over short distances the old ones put more of a smile on my face. With upgraded suspension on the rear and modern fork oil and tires, they handle well enough for today's road conditions and feel much more up to date than going back to the car you had in the 70's. A ride on my Z1000 or Suzuki GT550 always lifts my spirits.
Bugger - I’m a bit disappointed that Hammond wasn’t able to go for a blast on the kettle. There’s nothing else that sounds like that 3 cylinder 2 stroke, the off beat tick over and the noise of acceleration is just pure music.
I renember well most of these bikes mid '70's. I wish they would bring back 2 strokes. My favourites were the KH250 triple and Yamaha RD250.
That "Boogie Juice" one the background is just perfect
Imagine walking into that place as is, today!! Bike heaven! And the colours! Take note big 4. You used to be fun.
Best looking bikes were from the mid 1970's. My favorites - the Yamaha Specials (mine was the XS 400)- Honda 400-F (my friend had one) and the kawasaki kz's, Favorite one now- the Yamah Bolt in blue.
Suzuki GS850 - its a tank that keeps going. I noticed some 1990 Kawasaki GT550's in the camera panning lol
Loved my old GS850G great old bike
Had one to, Had a blast with it.
I love my old suzuki. 1981 GS1000 G.
Shaft drive you had to respect, wet or dry pavement. But it was manageable. They are great bikes.
Good Show
Cheers Buddy
My first bike was a 1979 Honda 400 Hawk. Not a powerhouse bur a fun little bike that could hold highway speeds. My second bike was the 1978 Suzuki GS 750, followed by a 1983 GS 1100 ES. Both were fun bikes. That 850 brings back some memories. I liked the 750s kick starter and the ease of access to the battery. Sometimes it seemed the older the bike, the better thought out it was. I never had any problem with either bike other than a slightly leaky engine seal on the 1100, which was a few decades old by that time. They would just run and run. Im old now so I drive a Goldwing which I bought after driving my Kawasaki Concours through a deer recently.
I've had a '75 Kawasaki Z1 900 cafe for over 25 years. It was put into my will the day it was purchased. I also had a Kawaski ZRX 1200r. It looked like Eddie Lawson's Z1r he raced. I absolutely love the '70s bikes...
Stop telling lies lad
@@billybarr7443, I have no need to lie...
@@georgemcmillan9172 you had a superdream lad
@@billybarr7443, I have neother the time or emergy to devote to a debate with someone who has no idea about my life, or anything about me at all. If it makes you feel better trying to argue over the internet, then so be it...
Here’s me looking back in time (young Hammond) at someone looking back in time. 😂
Love my 1972 Suzuki GT750J. Recent engine total rebuild, and sits on new Metzler Lasertecs. Oh Ya......... Had it up to 100 MPH last week,not too bad for a 42 year old bike....
Loved my GT750K, sold her to fund getting my PPL (Idiot !). Used to get a bit of a weave on at 100 though.
@@markstainton9080 I now have new Avon Road Riders front, and rear, make a big difference... especially on the cracks in the road...in 2020....14 years of ownership goes by quick.............runs good, idles great. Would hate to ever get rid of it..........not many street rideable ones out there, at least not in my neck of the woods.... Northwestern Arizona..70 miles from Hoover Dam...
@@jayman2261 Wishing you many happy miles, from Lincolnshire UK.
Should've given that yellow Honda Four a try, masterpiece of engineering along with CBX inline 6!
The cbx is the best sounding bike ever made!
I had a gs650 back in the day,nice bike
Yes..! '70s bikes had the 'right stuff' to offer for riders wanting simple, durable, and less expensive to own. For that, they would become "boring" to some folks and would be left to languish in a garage or barn to be found and appreciated later. The '70s was 'the wave' that I served in motorcycling as a mechanic/service man. and was an exciting time. The charm started to wear off though with the advent of factory made 'cruiser' styled machines though the quality was still quite good. Would like to find a '78 Kawasaki 400cc twin to run about on these days. Honest motorcycle.
But Harley Davidson always made factor cruisers...
I'm referring to the Japanese makers, trying to capitalize and launch a trend for bikes made mostly for "image", what's cool to have and be seen on, probably at the request of the American distributors. This set in motion a departure from the classical motorcycle form to follow the custom bike makers doing the 'artsy thing' with mostly older Harleys that were ripe for the treatment. Perhaps we've got some different things in mind as to what a 'cruiser' is. While I recall some of the H.D.s of the period to have minimal styling features, I don't remember them having cruisers off the showroom floor with features like low-boy frames, radically stepped seats, extended front forks, and high handlebars. That was mostly custom stuff done after the point of sale from the dealer.
I had a broadband hiccup while typing. I was referring to what was called 'boulevard cruisers' starting in the '70s, not machines meant for touring or sport.
I love my KZ750 and would love to buy a decent Z1000 or Z1 too
I still love the taste and smell o 2stroke oil for breakfast!!!
Still use a Yamaha L2s from 79,that 2 stroke engine just keep going
As for British bikes, I had a 650 Triumph that made excellent torque but vibrated the fillings out of my teeth. I'll take a Japanese motorcycle any day.
I love my ‘98 Suzuki GSF600 bandit.
No intention of changing it.
Something a little older might persuade me.
my Bandit is a '99 600 also have a GSX1400 great bikes both of them AND i had a GS850 thirty years ago, wish id kept it....
The first dealership i worked at was a Honda, Yamaha, Triumph and Husky shop. The Triumph bikes were sad to say nothing but trouble.They were having labor problems and other things.Our mechanic's had to take the top end off the bike because guys at the factory were sabotaging their own products! They would put a small bolt or washer on top of the piston then button it back up.We had at least a couple bikes ruined until we started checking to make sure all was ok. But even when things were normal the old British stuff just wasn't up to the quality of the Japanese bikes.Sad but a fact!
Would love a GS750 with spoke wheels, or a T140v Bonneville export, out of my league as a teenager back then.
I was enjoying this video until you bad mouthed the GS850. I had one and loved it. It doesn't have all the fancy electronics and handling of my current bike. Even my current bike is not known for handling like a sport bike. The GS 850 was shaft drive so it's not going to be a sport bike, but it was a great touring bike and I rode it all over the country. I dragged its parts often fully dressed (Vetter) and it still handled very nicely.
Couldn’t agree more 👍
I had my gs850gg bought new in 1988 till 2001and loved it , very comfortable and a great tourer , fit an upgraded reg/rectifier and the reliability is fantastic with a six main bearing crank the engine was bomb proof, it didn't have the greatest handling but for a big heavy bike it was pretty good considering , I went for a ride with a mate on a CBR 600 and he couldn't pass me on a very nadgery country rd , a vastly underrated bike I think .
@@joebutlersnr7017 I agree. I found it to be a forgiving, easy to handle machine. After I learned that the steering nut needed tightening occasionally, and used a Dunlop Touring tire I rode all over the country on it, in all types of weather. Mine was rigged out with Vetter parts. It wasn't fast, but it was dependable.
I still have a GS850g. 66k miles and still going strong. Been coast to coast on it. Just a good, do everything bike.
I have a Gs850g what a fantastic bike
Regards
Dave from Scotland
All my 6 bikes ive owned are from the 70s , all kawasakis z1a , z1b , 2 z1000a , z1R , z1000
I loved my RD200
I swear blind ive heard that music used in a pr0n movie before..... :D :D
My bike is there. Green Kawasaki Z1000.
I inherited a GS 850 from my stepfather, it was a freaking tank. Handled like crap, but it had a buttload of power.
i still have my 1976 suzuki ts125 (orange with a black engine) .i bought it new in march 76 for £444,just reciently had a full stripdown & a rebuild...i also have another 76 ts125 exactly the same make & model but this one looks like its been outside for the last 20yrs fitted new brakes & cables tires ect ,a few days graft now it looks its age but it is mechanicly sorted, both running & riding great............cant beat a 2 stroke eh?
1970's in Australia was all about Japanese fours, BMWs, and English twins. I don't think we ever really had a commuter market of any great volume. If you rode, you rode your one bike everywhere. Not just to work.
He's so cute and cuddly. Like a Hamster.
Maybe it time for you to drop out of you tube, you have nothing to say so say nothing...
What dealer is that?
Seems to be an English thing to poo poo on older bikes, or lots of bikes that aren't an R1? The trend with older bikes is budget, and a bit of nostalgia, most people, including me, hardly get close to the limit on street bikes, so not having the most current is hardly an issue. 2 Years after I made this comment I got my own 81 GS850, Hammond was right about it, but they're really fun to ride at speed limit, lots of work to do, ride quality is good!
1970s Ducati 750 Super Sport, 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans, 1973-74 Norton 850 Roadster. Nothing wrong with reliable and affordable Japanese bikes though. Appearance wise they are not in the same category as the aforementioned.
Like the matching seventies pr0n music.
Gs 850 shift, loads of torque. The main selling point on this bike was that it was shaft drive. It was competing against yamaha XS 750, kawasaki GT 750 they only honda was the Goldwing.
Love my ol Bonneville........Wouldn't trade it for any of those
Try a Yamaha 850 triple if you want to drive a Awefull bike.
Wow times have changed - 'maybe retros will come back, maybe ujms will be worth a few bob' and a 1000cc fazer good lord!
whats with the kojak musik
I've got a 1978 simson s50n
Only the Rubber and the Design on this Bike is Shit ...but she works very fine , especialy on cold days ,also its easy to repair
1976 Kawa 900 LTD!
I totally rebuilt my 1979
CB 900f 20 years ago have done about 2000 miles since just take it out for a plod every now and then polish it then put it away love it
Don’t take it out for a plod, take it for a blat - that’s what it’s designed for.
When I was 19 I had a gs1000. Not a moped..
1983
if anyone back in the 70;s that called our bikes "naked" they would need to be a visit from the dentists
Fantastiche
When was this programme made? I have never seen so many old machines from the70's looking like brand new. Those old Kettles for example from the very early 1970'slooked fantastic, just the way I remembered them to be back in the day. These and other bikes of that era bring Big Money now. Especially in that condition, just take alook on e-bay if you can find a decent one. You are talking £10K plus for a good one.
By the reference to the Yamaha Fazer I'd guess this to be late 80s or early 90s.
+BigRedPower59 According to Google, the Yamaha Fazer was made between 98 and 2004. Richard Hammond looks really young here,so I reckon the programme must be from the late 90's to early 2000's. before he did Top Gear.
+BigRedPower59 Most certainly not late 80s. I would say mid-90s at the very latest. Look at the mk3 Astra towards the end.
Top gear
my friend here in the states Hasan 80 gs1000 e 7k miles.
in the late 80s, the gs850 ,was the only retro bike until the Kawasaki Zephire range. .. The shaft drive z 750 and z550 might have come close to proper bikes
The Marsh, Wolstanton Newcastle under Lyme.
Ok Hammond, so you talk about 70's bikes, and then hop on a 1979 GS850, a staple of 1980's Suzukis that debuted in 1979, but it's an 80's bike by all contemporary standards. We would have expected you to give it go on a CB750 SOHC, or GL1000, or GT750, or KZ900, or XS750, or even the CB400F right beside you. Those are the contemporary '70s bikes.
that kind of bikes including gs 850 can be a 78 but they were mainly sold in the 80s , so it can not be consider as a 70s bike...
Maybe the GS850 is a really bad example for Richard to have sampled. Don't know, since I've never driven one. But there are many bikes from the 70's that handle as well as anything available today. Moto Guzzi V50's, Benelli 254, Moto Morini 3 1/2's, Honda CB400, CB500's, and on and on. So, if the GS850 is such a lousy bike, was that the only one the shop was willing to let Hammond ride?
gmonsen bought my 6 month old '83 GS 850 with 2500 miles on the clock. was knicked 9 months later with 37000 miles showing. big heavy old bus, but me and the future wife saw and camped in most of Britain in that time. glory days.
I still have a picture of me on me GS750, rubbish brakes, rubbish suspension, didn't handle, but that engine was a doozy :-)
Isn't that 850 an 80's bike? I loved my 82 650 Seca. DId everything well. If I was buying a 70's bike, I'd probably get an RD-350, GT 550, or Norton Commando.
+kuladeeluxe, ...I think the 1st 850 came out in '79 and, after the gs1000, ...they were the follow on from the gs750 but with shaft drive and ran through to about '84.. the 750 IMO was a far better bike all round, ..I had the 750E model with same colour & wheels as this one, just didn't like the 850 at all, ..& got it new in '80 just after the GSX's were released. ...some interesting info on the 750 here www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/1977-suzuki-gs750 ...I know where there is a gs1000 sitting, with only a touch over 100 Klm's on it too
I rode a brand new GS750 in 78' that a friend let me take out. Really liked that one. Certainly the fastest bike I had ridden up to that point (owned and RD 400 at the time)
kuladeeluxe yes, they were quickest & best handling 750 of the time and more reliable with better brakes, basically bullet proof. Those RD's were quickasfuk for their time but handling & brakes were shit, ..too lethal for my liking, lol ...had a cb400/4 supersport before the gs, ..currently use an FZ6R as a shopping trolley & it actually reminds me in a lot of ways, of both the gs and the 499/4 ;)
Liked the 400 four, but they cost quite a bit more when I bought my RD. Currently thinking of getting a bike for myself as a present for making 60, the front runner is the BMW 1200RS, I'd maybe also get something a bit smaller engine wise, looking for a light sport tourer
kuladeeluxe , yes, nothing was cheap back then, lol ...that's the go, ..nothing like buying something for yourself, ...check these >> www.bing.com/videos/search?q=2016+honda+nc750x+adventure+tourer&qpvt=2016+honda+nc750x+adventure+tourer&view=detail&mid=970EA7498DD8E61B3DB3970EA7498DD8E61B3DB3&rvsmid=970EA7498DD8E61B3DB3970EA7498DD8E61B3DB3&fsscr=0&FORM=VDMCNL ...I wouldn't mind one for a bit of general traveling & they're quite a bit less than the beamer, under 10K incl on road costs, in Aussie ...check the following clip also, with the accessories
Hammond "What 70's bikes are people buying?" Bike Salesman "It's the British bikes mainly,people buy them as an appreciating asset..." While he's saying this long swooping shot of yellow Suzuki 750 followed by a Yam something or other...Great production values...
zepher come and gone , maybe someday we'll have retr retro's ,,,, 2018 kawa z900rs , sexiest retro style ever
The Reasons you wrote this Text is ..you,r the owner of a Z 900 RS !
I bought a used 1100 zephyr...a lot of Problems comes to me - 26 years old , 20.000 km Totaldrive - to much sleep isnt good ...😔
Hammond is a speed freek. Should have given him a Kawasaki KH 750 triple and a tank full of petrol he might have done all of 30 miles
GS850G, yes, perhaps not the greatest example. They took a GS750, and a GS1000, and kept the worst bits of both, and threw in a shaft drive that would try and kill you first chance it got... and about an extra 40 kg that rested nowhere and everywhere... They did run for ever, even if you didn't change the oil. I had a GS thou and I don't really miss that, but I wish I never sold my GS750. That was big mistake. It had one serious flaw - cornering clearance was not real flash, and it had non folding pegs. Other than that, dear God I miss that bike! I was 17 and I hurled it at the ground, violently and with malice, and it absolutely refused to throw me into the tree tops. The GSX11 was nowhere near as generous...
GS 750 was like the starship enterprise back in the day with digital gear indicator and handled pretty good with Pirelli phantom tyres. I ruined mine really thinking I knew better than Suzuki . Yoshimura big bore kit and a howling Marvin exhaust + k and n induction kit. Rattled like a snake and was no faster!
@kneedragon1962 shut up mate
@@gsrider3538 LOL ~ or what? The fearsome GS-850 mafia are going to get me? You're not Hells Accountants these days, you're God's Self Righteous waiting-room staff. What are you going to do next? Sic Peter (The Bear) Theoming onto me? Bear rode a GS-750 and loved it, and so did I. It needed folding pegs and at least 15 degrees more cornering clearance. And maybe some front brakes that worked... I wish I still had it.
@@Kneedragon1962 i had those bikes too mate. The GS1000 the most fun out of all of them innit. The 750 just slow for my liking
Disagree with the short man There was plenty of choice in the 70s in every litre in 2 and 4 stroke machines EG: 50,70,90,100,125,175,185, 200,250,300,380,400 etc etc.
+uttaradit2 what he meant is in the market you will mostly find mopeds and small bikes, not that many superbikes
Yup. It's today with the modern bikes where you don't have much choice. Walk into a dealership and you see about 1000 sportbike models that all look the same, some dual sports (which look like they are good, but are really shit off road so they aren't really dual sports), a fat touring bike, and maybe a cruiser. That's it. Oh and the smallest engine size you can generally get now is a 250 or 300.
Yeah, I agree with you, the times I walked into a bike showroom back in the1970's and as a spotty teenager, salivated at the sight of all the variety ofmachines of all sizes, from sports mopeds right up to the big stuff, 900 Z1's,Suzuki GT750 Kettles etc etc. These days all bikes look more or less the same. Either Race Replica's or Harley type clones. Yawn!
i wish somebody would bring the 1975 cb 750 super sport four in to one header front and rear disk brakes what about that model man i dont think your on the some page as me
100% agree. I would empty my bank account for that
+karl schweizer, ... www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/honda-cb750f-super-sport ...they done well when they came out after the K models, ..but later when Suzuki released the gs750, it was the pick of the 750's www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/1977-suzuki-gs750
I would think today though, the Honda K models would be worth a lot more as classics than '75 supersport models
.. е ма е, као я вижу Хамонд етих мать, ну посмотрю дольше может Кларксона увижу, этому. видео наверно сто лет назад снимали !
Love my 79 Gs1000 , almost 80000 miles and still going strong. Check her out on my channel!
errata l
errata lh h jti hi got ithomw flying
In which Hammond talks crap about the lovely 850G that he's only ridden 5 miles in the wet.
Excuse me 1500 miles a year? What are you a Harley rider? I averaged 7-8000 miles on year on every bike I ever owned! And I lived in New York city and later back in my hometown in Western New York. Do you know what we have hear? Winter! My 1984 700 Interceptor had 92,543 miles on it when I gave it away in 1995 and gave up riding because my eyesight started playing tricks on me at night. If you're riding 1500 mi a year, you are not a motorcyclist!, you simply own a motorcycle that you store in your garage.
I just switched from a '94 Honda st1100 Pan European to a '79 Suzuki gs750, and I have no clue what all the people are on about saying "these 70s bikes are heavy, brake for shit, and aren't particularly nimble."
Mine's hardly in great shape and it's leagues ahead of the honda...
I have a '79 GS850G and a 2001 Pan 1100, The GS is for when the sun is out and the Pan for the rest of the year. In my opinion the Pan does everything better than the GS (brakes, handles and goes like stink with a handful) but I prefer the GS :-)
This video is very Brit-centric. In the US the Honda 750/500/400 fours, the Kawasaki 900/1000,s and the Yamaha 650 twinand the XS series as well as the GS Suzuki line in good condition still bring the dollars. In the US of the late 70,s mopeds were not big as in the UK, and though the British and Italian bikes were loved by their ownersthey were few in number compared to the Asian bikes.
Paul Rose
John Corcoran What about him?
Range little position rvqwht owe glory equipment chapter depending.
this is so edited it hurts
Geez you'd think he could pick more exciting bikes than these oversized, uninspiring models. The Water Buffalo, being a 2-stroke, and therefore potentially being fast, was far too heavy and marketed as a touring bike. The GS850? Boring personified. Excitement could be found during that era via the light, quick, giant killer Yamaha RD350 and RD400, which were also arguably the best handling bikes of the era. They were known for besting many a Honda CB750 in the twisties with ease. I saw his part two, which was focused on a mainly unobtainable model, an MV Agusta. What a waste of bandwidth these videos turned out to be.
The British bikes were the best handling bikes at the time.
Until the Japanese pounced all over them.
Only in comparison to the evil handling Japanese crap.
The best handling motorcycles of the 70s, by a mile were italian.
If you haven`t tried a Ducati single, or a 850 Moto Guzzi Le Mans, do.
Started with a Suzuki A100, moved on to a GS1000G, then a Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000 (Still in my garage and often used :-) 175000 km....), now a Moto Guzzi Griso. What's next?
Ole-Johan Lauvås
I had a few Mk 1 LeMans and loved them all, but ended up :( with the later Mk4,1000cc/ 88 mk V unneccesarily tall headstock models, which felt clumsy & top heavy. The earlier ones were/ felt/ looked far better than the later square ones, if you find one in good condition, try it..
My grandpa gave his 1972 Suzi GT750 to my dad. Wish my dad gave it down to me but he sold it that sorry sonuvabitch
Buy a GS850 get shafted.
buy a sym wolf classic 150
If it's "about style" Richard then best look to the 1960's instead. The last thing you want is a hideous bike like that GS850 or a GT750 (not to mention that godawful music).
What a load of shite , these trendsters and their "retro" terminology idiocy.... Motorcycling is about riding and customizing as you like.. Not hi-tech Nerdology....
And if you have the skills, you should be able to "out & out perform" on anything, whether its a 30 or 40 year old bike or not..........