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Choose by intended use and engine personality first, then judge the specific motorcycle’s maintenance history, wear, modifications, legal status and specialist support.
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Quick comparison
| Motorcycle | Engine character | Best suited to | What makes it distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB750 Four | Four-stroke inline four | All-round riding and touring | Smooth, owner-serviceable superbike concept |
| Kawasaki Z1 | 903cc DOHC inline four | Fast road riding and long trips | Larger, more forceful superbike alternative |
| Suzuki GT750 | Liquid-cooled two-stroke triple | Relaxed touring with two-stroke character | Distinctive triple and regional “Kettle,” “Water Bottle” or “Water Buffalo” names |
| Yamaha XS650 | Parallel twin | Roadster riding and customization | Simple, adaptable twin-cylinder platform |
| BMW R 75/5 | Boxer twin | Steady road and touring miles | European shaft-drive boxer character |
| Triumph Bonneville | Parallel twin | Classic-style roadster rides | Distinctly British roadster feel |
| Ducati 750GT / 750 Sport | L-twin | Sporting solo rides | Italian engineering and unmistakable layout |
| Yamaha XS750 | Three-cylinder, shaft drive | Sport-touring | Triple-cylinder sound with touring practicality |
| Yamaha RD350 | Two-stroke twin | Light, lively back-road riding | Sharper sport-bike contrast; later model evolution became the RD400 |
| Honda GL1000 Gold Wing | 999cc four-cylinder | Long-distance touring | Purpose-built 1970s touring scale |
The 10 motorcycles
1. Honda CB750 Four
The CB750 is the decade’s most broadly usable starting point. Honda’s design combined a four-cylinder engine with four separate mufflers and was intended to provide performance alongside comfortable, high-speed touring. Honda also emphasized features that made owner maintenance easier—historical design aims, not a guarantee for an old motorcycle today. Honda’s heritage history documents that development, while the Audrain Auto Museum characterizes the CB750K as smooth and comfortable over distance in its period context.
On the road, a well-sorted example suits commuting, weekend trips and two-up touring better than many more focused classics. Check charging-system health, carburetor condition, braking upgrades and frame or exhaust modifications before buying.
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2. Kawasaki Z1
Kawasaki unveiled the 903cc Z1 in 1972 for the 1973 sales season. Its DOHC inline-four layout made it the bigger, more muscular counterpart to the CB750. Audrain lists 903cc and 82 hp for a 1975 Z1 as period specifications; those figures are historical specifications, not a current dyno result. Kawasaki’s heritage account says original machines remain in regular enthusiast use, a manufacturer statement rather than independent reliability data.
The Z1 fits riders who want a commanding standard-bike position and strong high-speed character. Originality matters to collectors, but practical riders should prioritize straight chassis components, sound wiring, effective brakes and documented engine work.
3. Suzuki GT750
The GT750 takes a different route: a liquid-cooled two-stroke triple with a touring flavor. Depending on region, enthusiasts may call it the “Kettle,” “Water Bottle” or “Water Buffalo”; those names are regional rather than separate models. Its liquid cooling and broad, distinctive engine character make it less conventional than the four-stroke superbikes.
It works for riders who want relaxed miles without giving up the smell, sound and throttle response of a two-stroke. Inspect the cooling system, oil-injection equipment, exhausts and crankshaft seals carefully, and confirm that replacement parts are available for the exact market version.
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4. Yamaha XS650
The XS650 is the approachable parallel-twin roadster in this group. A 1977 XS650 appears in MOTORRAD’s comparison with a Triumph Bonneville and Kawasaki Z 750 B, illustrating how differently three ostensibly similar 1970s twins can feel. Its relatively simple architecture also made it a popular basis for customized motorcycles.
Buy one when you value mechanical accessibility and a relaxed, characterful ride more than outright speed. Verify crankcase and top-end condition, charging output, carburetor synchronization, wheel bearings and the quality of any café, chopper or scrambler conversion.
5. BMW R 75/5
The R 75/5 supplies the European boxer-twin contrast. BMW Group Classic dates the /5 series launch to 1969, so a 1970s example is a later model-year motorcycle from that series, not a series introduced in the middle of the decade. The opposed cylinders, shaft drive and stable road manners give it a different rhythm from Japanese fours and British twins. BMW Group Classic’s model history explains the chronology.
It is a natural choice for measured touring and riders who appreciate a substantial, planted machine. Inspect the final drive, driveshaft, gearbox, rear main seal, electrics and corrosion around the frame and battery area; specialist BMW support is particularly valuable.
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6. Triumph Bonneville
The Bonneville represents the classic British roadster rather than a Japanese superbike. In the same MOTORRAD comparison, the 1978 Bonneville is treated as a roadster, while the Kawasaki Z 750 B leans toward touring and the XS650 occupies its own parallel-twin niche. That distinction matters: the Triumph’s appeal is its direct, traditional riding experience.
A good Bonneville rewards short blasts, country roads and riders who enjoy the engine’s pulse and the bike’s compact scale. Examine oil leaks, primary drive, gearbox selection, frame repairs, wheel rims and the wiring harness, and establish whether upgrades were carried out sympathetically.
7. Ducati 750GT and 750 Sport
Ducati’s 750GT and 750 Sport bring an Italian L-twin alternative. They share the distinctive engineering story of Ducati’s 750-class V-twin, but the GT and Sport are separate model names: do not treat them as interchangeable. Audrain discusses the 750GT’s L-twin engineering and a 1974 750 Sport in its 1970s superbike coverage.
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8. Yamaha XS750
The XS750 adds a three-cylinder, shaft-drive option for riders who want a bridge between a roadster and a tourer. Bikesure’s overview places it in the 1970s sport-touring conversation. Its triple-cylinder delivery and shaft-drive practicality make it a useful alternative to the more famous fours and twins.
Look for a complete, unmodified motorcycle with a healthy shaft and final drive, sound carburetors, functioning instruments and a straight frame. Confirm the exact year and market because equipment and parts support can vary across imported examples.
9. Yamaha RD350
The RD350 is the light, sharp two-stroke counterpoint to the big touring machines. Bikesure describes its later evolution into the RD400; the RD350 and RD400 are not the same model-year motorcycle. The RD’s attraction is immediacy: a comparatively light chassis, a willing two-stroke twin and a sport-bike feel that makes slower roads entertaining.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteChoose one for solo back-road rides rather than effortless two-up touring. Check crank seals, cylinder condition, oil-injection operation, expansion chambers, suspension and brake performance. Many have been tuned or crashed, so frame alignment and documented engine work matter more than cosmetic polish.
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10. Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
For riders whose priority is distance, the GL1000 Gold Wing is the decade’s clearest touring choice. Honda’s history records the 999cc GL1000’s U.S. launch in 1975. It is physically larger and more touring-oriented than the CB750, with the capacity and equipment to make long days its natural environment. Honda’s heritage timeline provides that launch context.
Assess it as a touring vehicle, not as a lightweight classic: inspect cooling, charging, brakes, suspension, luggage mounts and steering-head bearings. Early Gold Wings are often modified for touring, so check that accessories are securely mounted and that the electrical system can support them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose among them
Start with the ride you actually want
- One bike for varied use: Honda CB750 Four.
- More forceful superbike character: Kawasaki Z1.
- Relaxed long-distance riding: BMW R 75/5 or Honda GL1000.
- Traditional roadster feel: Triumph Bonneville or Yamaha XS650.
- Two-stroke personality: Suzuki GT750 for touring or Yamaha RD350 for lighter sport riding.
- Distinctive European machines: Ducati 750GT/750 Sport or BMW R 75/5.
- Sport-touring compromise: Yamaha XS750.
Then assess the individual survivor
- Match the frame and engine numbers to the title, registration and model-year details.
- Request cold-start and warm-running demonstrations; listen for smoke, knocks, clutch slip and charging problems.
- Inspect tires, brake lines, calipers, wheel bearings, fork seals, steering bearings and suspension.
- Check for frame damage, corrosion, cracked engine cases, nonstandard wiring and poorly executed modifications.
- Review service invoices, valve or ignition work, carburetor rebuilding, fluids and storage history.
- Confirm local road legality, emissions or inspection requirements, insurance eligibility and parts support before paying.
- Budget for a specialist inspection and recommissioning even when the motorcycle appears cosmetically excellent.
No model in this list is automatically dependable or safe simply because it has a strong reputation. Condition, maintenance and the quality of previous repairs determine whether a particular motorcycle is enjoyable to ride.
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What “still great to ride” means in practice
These motorcycles remain compelling because they offer experiences modern bikes often filter out: mechanical feedback, distinct engine pulses, visible hardware and clear differences between touring, roadster, sport and two-stroke behavior. They do not offer modern motorcycle levels of braking, lighting, emissions control, tire technology or electronic rider aids. Ride within the machine’s condition and your own training, and treat upgrades as engineering work that must be inspected—not as automatic improvements.
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