Classic Japanese Motorcycles.

[Stanley Edwards]

I somehow stumbled across an article online by a very bigoted old man I know and don't like who once stated that there would never be any classic Japanese motorcycles because they would all fall to bits (not his exact words, but close enough).

I sort of like this one...

 

[DownwardDog]

Do you mean classic as in just old or classic as in universally admired and coveted due to some advance in technology, design or cultural significance. In the latter sense I'd say there's been relatively few genuine Japanese classics compared to the sheer number of models produced.

Honda C90, CB750, CBR900RR (genuine game changer), NSR250R (MC16 right through to MC28 they're all great), NR750
Yamaha RD350LC, V-Max, maybe the first R1
Suzuki GSX-R750 (F through L models), near miss with the RG500
Kawasaki Z1, KR1-S, GPz900R

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Do you mean classic as in just old or classic as in universally admired and coveted due to some advance in technology, design or cultural significance...

All of the above plus styling.

This is unbeatable, but I think you've missed a few also.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

 

[Libertad]

 

[Garek]

 

[kwaimaisabai]

 

[Meltingpot]

The Suzuki GT750;

I believe that as a large two-stroke, this bike is considered very environmentally incorrect nowadays as the design wasn't very efficient but the guy I knew who had one liked it a lot.

 

[kwaimaisabai]

It's not fast, it's not sexy. It's cheap, cheerful and requires next to no maintenance. They sold in droves the world over. They can clock up hundreds of thousands of miles, parts are available in almost every town in the world, third world mechanics know them better than they know their own families and they are dead simple to work on.

I present the CG125.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Yep, CG and the Honda Cub kind of rule the bike planet for units shifted. I am struggling as to why there is a Yam fazer 600 on this thread, competent motorbike yes, classic no.

 

[junglevip]

Had a Fazer, fantastic machine

 

[junglevip]

The Suzuki GT750;

I believe that as a large two-stroke, this bike is considered very environmentally incorrect nowadays as the design wasn't very efficient but the guy I knew who had one liked it a lot.

Yep! nicknamed 'the kettle'; terrifying by all accounts

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Do you mean classic as in just old or classic as in universally admired and coveted due to some advance in technology, design or cultural significance. In the latter sense I'd say there's been relatively few genuine Japanese classics compared to the sheer number of models produced.

Honda C90, CB750, CBR900RR (genuine game changer), NSR250R (MC16 right through to MC28 they're all great), NR750
Yamaha RD350LC, V-Max, maybe the first R1
Suzuki GSX-R750 (F through L models), near miss with the RG500
Kawasaki Z1, KR1-S, GPz900R

For me you left quite a few off that deserve a shout. Yam DT1(first lightweight trailie), original Tenere, FZ750, Powervalve (covered by 350LC I suppose), TZR250/TDR250 and a whole host of amazing late 60s / early 70s two stroke twins. CB450 black bomber, 400/4, CBX1000,CB1100R,XR500,VFR750F (RC30 too, yes), ...and much as I am loathed to admit it the 4 cyl Gold Wing. GS1000, GSX1000/1100 Katana,GT250X7,RGV250,GSXR1100(pre slingshot); Kwak H1500 and 750 triples, GPz750 Turbo, ZXR750,KMX125/200.

I like the NSR250s but as a Japanese home market bike you might struggle to argue that it had a big impact...similarly the NR was willy waving by Honda but to date none of the tech has become popular bar the mildly successful intro of VTEC. You're on the money with the Blade though, particularly the 893cc ones (RRN/P/R/S) which are stupidly cheap at the mo...which is why I bought a '94 RRR which I never intend to sell.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Had a Fazer, fantastic machine

Not arguing against that...just questioning if its a classic.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

It's not fast, it's not sexy. It's cheap, cheerful and requires next to no maintenance. They sold in droves the world over. They can clock up hundreds of thousands of miles, parts are available in almost every town in the world, third world mechanics know them better than they know their own families and they are dead simple to work on.

I present the CG125.

In Spain you can buy these new still. Chinese manufactured. Comes in a box - put it together yourself, or pay and extra fee for the dealer to put it together. €999. I was seriously tempted.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I think I would rate this as a classic also...

 

[junglevip]

Not arguing against that...just questioning if its a classic.

Fair point. I'd say yes but an FJ if I could only choose one

 

[Bernie Gunther]

Don't forget the Kawasaki H2 'Widowmaker' (eta: I see that Sigmund gave it a mention)

No doubt in my mind that this is a classic, (H1 too, but the early H2's were the Daddy)

Frame of wet spaghetti, shit brakes, shit handling, shit roadholding, engine that properly belonged in some sort of ballistic missile.

You suddenly realise that the person going: "Ohshitohshitohshit ... !!!" is you

 

[Garek]

Had a Fazer, fantastic machine

I was parted from mine before time and have never got over it.

 

[RubyToogood]

Argh! I learnt on those. Constantly stalling and then being completely unable to kickstart it. Strangely never had trouble kickstarting my own bike when I got one so I blame crap bike school maintenance. Get a sinking feeling every time I see one now.

It's not fast, it's not sexy. It's cheap, cheerful and requires next to no maintenance. They sold in droves the world over. They can clock up hundreds of thousands of miles, parts are available in almost every town in the world, third world mechanics know them better than they know their own families and they are dead simple to work on.

I present the CG125.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

As regards the OP and the assertion that Japanese bikes would fall apart...almost any bike now from the early 70s has either been fully restored at least once or had an extremely easy life like that TS250 up top (probably part of the glut of Arizona and Nevada barn finds in the UK that enjoyed hot, moisture free lives). There are still things like CX500s and GT550s aplenty on the roads in daily use and ditto loads of other Japanese tackle from the 80s. There are no such British bikes plying their trade.

Of course, BMW have the famous claim that 50% of all the bikes they've ever made are still on the road.

 

[Sweet FA]

 

[dooley]

i've had a few fazers - cracking bikes but they're right ugly bastards

future classic? the 'busa

 

[weltweit]

fisees are wonderful if they are unrestricted.

And 350LC are also special .... though that one above is quite non standard.

 

[peterkro]

Yep! nicknamed 'the kettle'; terrifying by all accounts

Know as the"water bottle" to some.

 

[plurker]

I loved my Bros...I miss it.

 

[Mephitic]

I had one of these, my 1st big bike, i wish that i still owned it.

 

[not-bono-ever]

The cub and CG125 posts are sport on.

I would like to add the following - these bikes transformed the Brit bike scene during the early 80's, when it was still possible to ride on L plates with sn unrestricted 250cc. Thye many not be sexy, but were relatively affordable & opened up the world of biking ( and stupidity) to many

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

The cub and CG125 posts are sport on.

I would like to add the following - these bikes transformed the Brit bike scene during the early 80's, when it was still possible to ride on L plates with sn unrestricted 250cc. Thye many not be sexy, but were relatively affordable & opened up the world of biking ( and stupidity) to many

I'm interested - did people really raise their heartbeat for the superslug? X7 and 250LC I can understand but why the 250N? of the three I had a superdream, first bike after passing my test on a CG. Poor fuel consumption, not much oomph but smooth and felt sophisticated. A couple of years later I bought a CB250RS which despite having one less cylinder and 2 fewer valves blew the superslug into the weeds and returned 70mpg.

 

[not-bono-ever]

I s'pose the RS was more of a 4stroke competitor to the two stokes above - Do however remember a grey importer in newcastle back in the mid 80s, was banging out the 250N for less than £500 new and the CB750 for £999, so mebbes thyeres were more of them about in my area . I did forget the KH250, which was being sold off at £500 brand spanking new ( lime green only ) as the 125cc law was coming into play. Fuckin bargains come to think of it