Kawasaki Z1 vs. Honda CB750 - Japan's Superbike Rivals

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  • čas přidán 28. 11. 2016
  • No story of the Kawasaki Z1 can be told without a starring role from the Honda CB750. If it wasn’t for that iconic motorcycle, the Kawasaki Z1 wouldn’t exist.
    This is the story of what many argue is the first true superbike of the seventies and its relationship and rivalry with its main competitor - the Honda CB750.
    Shot at Paul Brace's Proper Bikes: properbikes.co.uk
    A Brightside Media production brightside-media.com
    カワサキZ1&ホンダCB750 〜スーパーバイク・ライバル〜
    カワサキZ1の歴史とその最大のライバルであるホンダCB750との関係を描いたストーリー。
  • Auta a dopravní prostředky

Komentáře • 490

  • @BrightsideMedia
    @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety +5

    Check out our newest film about the Honda CB750: czcams.com/video/hcdUgUu66bk/video.html

    • @kramrollin69
      @kramrollin69 Před 3 lety

      Nice presentation. Great bikes. Nice to see a little guy riding these beasts too. Unfortunately, at 6'2" and built like Arnie (old Arnie that is), I look like a gorilla sitting on a mini bike, on my mint K1 750. In fact , Arnie rode a cb750 in T1, yes it looked small. Lucky I have a CBX 1000 Prolink, minus fairing, to get that big bike feel. Heaven help what I will look like on my 74 T150. Might have to sell them both and buy a Valkerie or something. I can still remember petite young women in the early 70s, riding Z1s, and having to stand on tippy toes at the traffic lights.....Do women actually ride real bikes now?

  • @MrPepper312
    @MrPepper312 Před 5 lety +38

    Bought mine in 1973 when they first came out and I just turned 20 years old. Man I was on top of the world. Best time of my life.

  • @Flenderr
    @Flenderr Před 5 lety +49

    I have them both and I also love them both. Fantastic legendary bikes which even today are perfectly happy on the road... after 40 years!

  • @llewvirtue861
    @llewvirtue861 Před 5 lety +7

    That sound brings back so many memories to so many people

  • @dannymccune1888
    @dannymccune1888 Před 4 lety +10

    June 6, 1973 - I bought my Z1. Still have it. Stopped riding it at 107,000 mile. All stock except for the seat and top end motor mount. Still have November,1972 CYCLE magazine. Front cover, Kawasaki Z1903, "Every inch a king."

  • @itsshalevfromtaxidashcamer9390

    I love old Japanese motorcycles!

  • @remonfelix6511
    @remonfelix6511 Před 4 lety +6

    I just can't get enough of this video! Coming from a 22 year old driving a Suzuki GS550E from 1980 :)

    • @1941392
      @1941392 Před 4 lety

      Maybe you’re boring?

  • @NewtonWashinton
    @NewtonWashinton Před 6 lety +6

    I owned both these bikes I bought a new CB750 in 1971, I bought new in 1974 the Z1 900, I loved both these bikes, In 1983 i bought new a V65 MAGNA very fast at the time. Thank you for the video! Great memories for me.

  • @chrismoody1342
    @chrismoody1342 Před 5 lety +27

    Proud owner of a 75’ Z1b. My buddy had a CB 750 which was a nice bike. Until I showed up on a Z1. Z1 styling was and still is one of the beautiful bikes ever made. My Z1 ate his 750 up. I could do in fourth gear his top speed. I’ve had mine which is still in stock; form other than a 4/1 header exhaust to a 145 mph indicated and almost 2 sec quicker in a quarter. I will never sell it ...... well maybe when I’m 85. 😎

    • @amateurastronaut5006
      @amateurastronaut5006 Před 4 lety +1

      I got a 78 xs11 that'll eat your z1s lunch.

    • @auggie803
      @auggie803 Před 2 lety +3

      -So your Z1 moped could do 125 in 4th gear. If so,,That is Fast !

  • @jimclarke1108
    @jimclarke1108 Před 4 lety +20

    I owned the Honda CB750 new back in the day, traded it on the New Z1 900, hard to choose the better looking bike, but the Z1 900 was the better choice, for me

  • @tanktankerson1042
    @tanktankerson1042 Před 5 lety +13

    Would love to have both of them, thanks for taking the time to share this video with us. Brings back a lot of memories of my youth.

  • @blindfredy6128
    @blindfredy6128 Před 4 lety +2

    I've had a lot of bikes over the last 50 years, including Harleys, Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas and Kawasakis. A BSA 2 Bridgstones, Honda CBX 6 cylinder. At present I have a 96 Sportster 1200S and a CBR Super Blackbird 1100xx BUT I still drool over these bikes.

  • @kimhorton6109
    @kimhorton6109 Před 5 lety +19

    I went to a Z1 from a Honda CB500 and the Z1 was a beast to keep on the road. Chains and sprockets were an annual item. Every other year all the pipes had to be replaced. I didn’t have many brake pad changes. Loved the bike but I should have saved my $ and fixed up the CB500. It was easier to maintain, less heavy and handled better.

    • @tedecker3792
      @tedecker3792 Před 2 lety +1

      I worked a deal with the shop I bought the bike from. In subsequent years everyone wanted a header. So I would buy the header if they traded me their new stock pipes. Headers were about $150, and new pipes were $100 each. And you’re right, the stock pipes would rust out in about 2 years.

    • @papatorr3669
      @papatorr3669 Před 2 lety

      Z1 pipes only good for 2 years? My cb750 pipes are good for 20 and no sign of rusting out.

    • @Spartansrule118
      @Spartansrule118 Před 2 lety +1

      @@papatorr3669 how reliable is a CB750? I’m thinking of getting a 1978 CB750K. Any thoughts?

    • @Ron52G
      @Ron52G Před rokem

      @@papatorr3669
      That’s what they made Kerker 4 into 1 headers for.

    • @Ron52G
      @Ron52G Před rokem +1

      I road a Honda 500 cb once.
      Most boring bike I ever road. It would rev like mad, but nothing was really happening.
      Would take my 1975 900Z1B any day.

  • @angargoy7181
    @angargoy7181 Před 5 lety +15

    When Venezuela was a rich country in the 70s in the city of Caracas was one of the best-selling bikes at that time I had a Honda 750cc motorcycle and sold it to buy the Kawasaki 900cc was a very fast motorcycle for its time I I put an exhaust pipe 4 en1 was very beautiful the sound the problem of this motorcycle Kawasaki was his engine was very delicate for five years gave me many problems with the engine after I sold it and I bought a Ducati 900cc ss that also had engine problems In those days the engines of these bikes were not like those of today.
    At this moment I live in Spain and I have a Yamaha Facer fz6 that has 98 hp and weighs very little now I am 66 years old and I still enjoy motorcycles after many years. Greetings to all

    • @protectorh9167
      @protectorh9167 Před 4 lety +1

      I bought a cb750 with a rickman fairing 2 months ago, the bike is built in the 70's and still in his original color thats mean it is very blabla look here;
      www.blauweplaat.nl/motor/honda-cb750-k6-1976-caferacer-uit-de-70s/
      And very easy to drive
      I am back in the 70's 😁😍😀, the owner before me had this bike for 40 years in posession and had to sold it sadely because of his age.
      So enjoy when you still can.

    • @kramrollin69
      @kramrollin69 Před 3 lety

      @@protectorh9167 Mien Got!!, Looks like something out of the first Mad Max....:).

    • @ramishrambarran3998
      @ramishrambarran3998 Před 3 lety

      I live in Trinidad, West Indies. I visited Caracas in 1976 for the first time. I could not believe the amount of motorcycles on the streets ! In those days there were all makes of motorcycles sold there. Alas, Venezuelans found out quite recently that "socialismo no funciana". There are now a handful of cheap Chinese clones !

  • @jgibson111
    @jgibson111 Před 7 lety +16

    My first introduction to a CB750 was through the sound of one whizzing by in 1969. Even as a kid I was mesmorized by the sound. My dad was a European auto mechanic and what I heard was more Ferrari than motorcycle. When I was older and had the money I bought a like new 1973 K3 750 and I was the coolest kid on the block....until the next kid showed up on a Z1 900! A few years later I got one of those. Cool kid on the block again...till the Suzuki GS 1000 showed up! Then I got some of those and worked my way to the drag strip. Did well there but none ever had the soul of my Honda or Kawasaki.

    • @cedricletourneur5980
      @cedricletourneur5980 Před měsícem

      J'ai vu une CB 750 Four et ENTENDU ce son UNIQUE pour la 1 ère fois en 1972... à 10 ans. Aujourd'hui encore, ce son est pour moi resté incomparable et inégalable. En attendant le jour béni où je possèderai enfin une "4 pattes", j'ai même trafiqué les lignes d'échappement de ma T120 afin de lui donner un son approchant celui de la Honda... pour toujours la moto de mon cœur.

  • @heraghanessian7017
    @heraghanessian7017 Před 5 lety +8

    My first bike was a 1979 GS 750. Loved it

    • @imrebakos5576
      @imrebakos5576 Před 4 lety

      The 79 Suzuki dual overhead cam was so much more smoother than the single cam Honda 750

  • @robertyoung73
    @robertyoung73 Před 6 lety +6

    Bikes from my era, really like your videos, cheers.

  • @sarobinson56
    @sarobinson56 Před 4 lety +2

    I owned a 76 CB750 Four, same color. My buddy had a blue one. On the freeway, at 70 MPH together those motors would produce a rhythmic hum that was amazing to hear and feel. So cool....later, I upgraded to an 82 Kawasaki LTD1000, and that was an astoundingly sweet machine, the only bike I ever owned that could scare me everytime I rode it. Still, the CB750 had a power train that made you feel like you were superman.

  • @Sincity4me
    @Sincity4me Před 7 lety +4

    I have a 1975 Z1 sitting in my garage right now that I've been meaning to restore but just haven't done it yet. Reason being it is hard to find anyone that knows how to work on the motor of the classic bikes such as this one. I've logged many miles on it and it is a pure joy to ride. Leaving it sitting for 3 years without proper storage has cost me dearly. Would love to hear the roar of those 4 cylinders again.

    • @alansmilealot
      @alansmilealot Před 6 lety

      Jim M. Can u upload a video of it? Good luck as well, it deserves to be reborn

  • @BamaRider
    @BamaRider Před 4 lety +2

    In 1974 my father owned a 1974 CB 750 K4, and I was riding a 1973 350 Four, looking to upgrade. I was 19 years old. My brother bought a 1974 Z1, that at the time I refused to believe could be better than the Honda. After riding the 2 bikes, I had to accept the truth. The Z1 was better than the CB by any metric. Faster, stopped better, handled better (although I wouldn't call either bike a good handling machine). It decimated the Honda in roll on contests. I wish I had each bike in my collection.

  • @rohithsasi5925
    @rohithsasi5925 Před 5 lety +1

    Really good video, please upload more..waiting for new

  • @freesoul85vis
    @freesoul85vis Před 7 lety +2

    beautiful video!!

  • @Bo_Bo_the_KLoWN
    @Bo_Bo_the_KLoWN Před 3 lety +3

    I own the zephyr 750 tribute bike kawa came out with in the early 90s and I love it better than my 2018 z900

  • @timrogers2045
    @timrogers2045 Před 4 lety +4

    Had both of them. Good bikes. Couldn't fault them for their day.

  • @BrightsideMedia
    @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety +2

    Check out our latest film about the BMW R90S - a bike that went to the moon: czcams.com/video/7d46ti4Qj18/video.html

    • @JD1976
      @JD1976 Před 4 lety

      Do a video on the 70s kawasaki cafe style KZ1000 and z1 bikes. I notice most american kz bikes are not like the ones i seen in japan. In japan the z1 had a fairing and straight handlebars. They also had the foot pegs about 12 inches behind the normal foot peg location, much like a modern zx bike. The bikes on mad max 1979 resembled them alot.

  • @monteiro5306
    @monteiro5306 Před 6 lety

    Awesome video. Amazing job.👍👍

  • @toycollector10
    @toycollector10 Před 3 lety +3

    I own a stock '73 Z1 and a '69 CB750 K0 diecast amongst other classic Japanese bikes. Both restored by myself so I actually have an emotional investment in them.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 3 lety +1

      Long may they remain in your stewardship :-) The sandcast K0 is worth a fair bit now and will only keep climbing. Nice!

  • @rumo201
    @rumo201 Před 4 lety +8

    Kawasaki 900 one of the best looking bikes ever! Love it much

  • @pmgmotorcycles
    @pmgmotorcycles Před 2 lety

    Nice video! Thanks for sharing

  • @2thePtBassTuT
    @2thePtBassTuT Před 4 lety

    Great video!

  • @Caliiforniicatiion
    @Caliiforniicatiion Před 10 měsíci

    That's awesome bro! 👏 👏 👏 👏
    Thank you from 🇧🇷

  • @heretohear8662
    @heretohear8662 Před 7 lety +19

    Love both of these bikes, but that "kawi" is a good looking bike!

    • @disyokerr
      @disyokerr Před 4 lety +3

      I drive a Z900 for first time when I was 16/17 circa 1978,I returned inmidiatly to my friend a Venezuelan Guy,I had like diarrea when that monster start goin down in a curve...to long for my short experience .Even back then I had tryed GT 750 Suzuki and CB 750 and RD400 .Any of those scared me.GT was more agresive than the Z but was not that long and big...Lot of respect for Z 900 .years later I treated Z1000 almost the same bike little smoother and faster . probably I was older and experienced.Who knows.I just wanted to share that memories. Thanks

    • @delaguiar
      @delaguiar Před 2 lety

      The z1 has the better looks but the cb 750 is the better bike overall.

  • @fingerlakesdiet560
    @fingerlakesdiet560 Před rokem

    Great video great editing! Cheers from the Finger Lakes!

  • @milojanis4901
    @milojanis4901 Před 4 lety +5

    2 of the greatest bikes made in the 20th century. I worked at a Honda shop when the Z1 was introduced. Yes, it was bigger and faster than the CB 750. BUT-The 1969 and 1970 Honda Four bikes were both pretty close to the Z1 in the 1/4 mile. A friend had a 1970 K0 that ran in the 12s, 12.90 to my 1975 Z1s 12.75. The early Hondas were much more powerful that the K2 models, and each year thereafter.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety +1

      Indeed. We couldn't agree more. You're also right that despite the difference in displacement, they were pretty evenly matched on the road.

  • @glengerdes2447
    @glengerdes2447 Před 5 lety +11

    I was so glad to be there when they both were released. Never forgot the first time I rode both.😃

  • @svendura1
    @svendura1 Před 6 lety +5

    Great work! Thank you, guys for this stunning video clip. I love the sound of the Z900, Frankenstein's daugther :-)

  • @dualdanman816
    @dualdanman816 Před 4 lety +2

    Man!! I miss my 73 Z1 900 I remember cruising to southaven Michigan,just riding up and down the coast line with my girlfriend on my fatman seat fun days 🤙😷,God bless you for the video 👍🤩

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety +1

      Thank you so much :-) Glad we've been able to bring back some good memories for you.

  • @kwakaj14
    @kwakaj14 Před 7 lety +4

    Beautiful.

  • @michaelpuntillo3500
    @michaelpuntillo3500 Před 2 lety +1

    Both motorcycles are absolute beasts. Gorgeous bikes. Both are beautiful.

  • @txrick4879
    @txrick4879 Před 7 lety +72

    Honda 750 the bike that changed every thing.

    • @ericgeorge5483
      @ericgeorge5483 Před 5 lety +2

      No, the Vincent Black Shadow did that.

    • @Farweasel
      @Farweasel Před 5 lety +3

      Misses the point Greig .......... Vincent showed what was *possible* with vision. 'Tho you could argue Brough paved that way for Vincent.
      But that doesn't in any way detract from what Honda (and to be fair Kawasaki given they were neck & neck with Honda to launch a 750-4) achieved. It was a game changer.

    • @dannyruble5488
      @dannyruble5488 Před 5 lety +1

      Farweasel unless l miscomprehended what you wrote, it seems that you’re agreeing with the original post that the Honda changed everything... You’ve said it was a game changer... the Vincent hardly was in the game. Just because it was earlier doesn’t mean that it changed much of anything. Honda came out with the 750, and at the time, thousands of people, riders, dreamers and those in the industry witnessed, or were jaw dropping. There were a few bikes before the Honda that had a few details that the 750 sprung on the world all together in one incredible machine. Disc brake, four cylinders, overhead cam, four carburetors, four pipes, etc etcetera... NO ONE had done that. The way that people were buy the mini Ferrari engine sounding by the thousands and how it became ubiquitous as the VW bug , and was The genesis of the UJM, is proof that it is, and was the machine that changed everything... Just as op said. That is fact. Kinda cute that you might think of the Vincent being even of considered of such an honor that the Honda alone deserves. Sorry, the case is closed.

    • @mickbrown8249
      @mickbrown8249 Před 5 lety +2

      CB 750 Honda even standard was better handling ,esp high speed corners two up ..SAfrica 75/77 ...

    • @marvinsamples8236
      @marvinsamples8236 Před 4 lety +2

      Actually one could argue that the little honda 50 was real what changed everything, before it you road a harley or an indain, or a British bike, and in general men road them, the little honda opened up the door for the average joe to be on a motercycle, it was little, cheap easy and forgiving, with out that little bike there would be no honda 750 ,

  • @robertbagley9199
    @robertbagley9199 Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks for a brilliant video Brightside Media, two gorgeous excamples of motorcycling icons, gotta love the sound of that Z1 when you open it up, no need for after market pipes! Is there a video showing what else is in that building??

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 3 lety

      Glad you enjoyed it :-) Check out: czcams.com/video/CL2EjpZDKSk/video.html

  • @jimclarke1108
    @jimclarke1108 Před 4 lety +2

    Great looking bikes, both of them

  • @DouglasCBSF
    @DouglasCBSF Před 4 lety +1

    Amazing. Congratulations

  • @Charon58
    @Charon58 Před 4 lety +4

    The CB-750 came out in 1969 and while the Z-1 was "introduced" in 1972, you couldn't really buy one until 1973, 4 years after the Honda. That isn't "a whisker" ahead as the video describes. Honda crushed the industry with the release of the CB-750.
    The Honda was a better all around bike, even though the Kawasaki had been able to use the bike as a template for the Z-1. Honda probably could have just bored and stroked the CB and competed directly on performance with the air cooled Z-1. Instead they developed the GL-1000, water cooled, triple disk wonder, and developed the twin cam air-cooled series that eventually displaced 1100 cc.
    The Z-1 was not a better bike but, because we're talking American riders, faster was the deal. Kawasaki actually detuned the H-2 so the Z-1 would have a faster quarter mile time and Kawasaki knew that the 2 strokes were on the way out.
    As for styling, at the time all the young men liked the flared tail piece of the Z-1 but the Honda is a timeless classic and has aged way better.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety +1

      Kawasaki was ready to release launch their 750 well before 1972. It took them a while to lick their wounds and properly develop the new project 'New York Steak'.

  • @iodineclip
    @iodineclip Před 7 lety +61

    need more retro designs with modern tech, need more 4 cylinder screamers.

    • @MrJesus-jp1zv
      @MrJesus-jp1zv Před 5 lety +1

      The new retro z900 is awesome

    • @quomofo1
      @quomofo1 Před 4 lety +1

      The Honda CB1100EX is a great modern retro.

    • @SergeyPRKL
      @SergeyPRKL Před 4 lety +1

      You don't need anything else than Z900RS and CB1100EX :)

    • @mirandabri834
      @mirandabri834 Před 4 lety +2

      After breaking the v4 crankcase apart, the ONLY thing screaming is MY BACK!!

    • @disyokerr
      @disyokerr Před 4 lety

      @@SergeyPRKL CBF 1000 or 1100 1981 my love

  • @sangpenikam7882
    @sangpenikam7882 Před 3 lety +1

    Bring back the good old days.. Great teacher onizuka bike.. 😂

  • @llewvirtue861
    @llewvirtue861 Před 5 lety +4

    One is not better than the other, I have owned them all, they were all great for theire time

  • @freeconfederate
    @freeconfederate Před 4 lety +3

    Rode a 1972 Honda 750 every day for two years. I loved it! Sold it for the same price I had paid for it two years earlier! That says alot about the value and appeal.

    • @amateurastronaut5006
      @amateurastronaut5006 Před 4 lety

      Should have never sold it. They are only going up in value now. Well provided that it's as stock as possible.

  • @mr1bienvenu1
    @mr1bienvenu1 Před 5 lety +5

    I'd love to have both those bikes.

    • @winkeemanley1820
      @winkeemanley1820 Před 5 lety +1

      I had a 1970 K0 Honda 750 and a 1978 Kawasaki Z1000.
      Both good reliable machines.
      Regret selling them.

  • @nimbly1693
    @nimbly1693 Před 3 lety +2

    I love those 4 into 4 pipes.

  • @simonodell2103
    @simonodell2103 Před 5 lety +2

    My 2 favourite classic bikes of all time

  • @clivewedderburn7601
    @clivewedderburn7601 Před 3 lety +2

    I ride a CB750. It owns the road. Makes a beautiful rumbling growl, and is a darn sight cooler than I’ll ever be.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 3 lety

      They're awesome bikes and still really look the part today. Arguably even cooler than they were back in the day.

  • @scrumpymanjack
    @scrumpymanjack Před 2 lety +1

    I haven't ridden either of them but, on pure looks, I'd go with the Honda every day of the week.

  • @bernardmeyre
    @bernardmeyre Před rokem +1

    Both bikes are breathtakingly beautiful
    Superb Japanese design. And conception.

  • @RaoulThomas007
    @RaoulThomas007 Před 7 lety +2

    A couple of beauties!

  • @SergeyPRKL
    @SergeyPRKL Před 4 lety +1

    Im totally Hondaguy. Except: Z1, ZRX1200R (green one) and the new Z900RS. They just nailed it. Z1 lines are so great.

  • @simongilbert2704
    @simongilbert2704 Před 3 lety

    these vids are good , as is the [ proper bikes ] site .

  • @davemoore5842
    @davemoore5842 Před 7 lety +9

    Bought a late '73 (titled '74) Z1 900 brand new for $2,300 and change . Probably more bike than my inexperienced 19 yr. old ass needed - what a great learning curve though ! Rode that thing through snow , rain , sleet and around the Great Lakes , to Florida and across Texas wide open , to California . Had later bikes ('76 Kaw 750 and '82 Kaw 1000 shaftdrive) and while they were good , nothing like that first love ! :) :)

    • @MrPepper312
      @MrPepper312 Před 5 lety

      Same here bought mine at 20 yrs old in "73" and I weighed about 130 lbs. The dealer watched as I got on to ride off. Probably thought I was gonna drop it. My previous bike was Honda CB 350. Man that was a step up. Will never forget that feeling.

  • @LinuxGalore
    @LinuxGalore Před 7 lety +57

    it is a shame Kawasaki doesn't make a retro naked 4 cylinder anymore. I notice Honda is making the CB1100 in a retro design now.

    • @RandomVideos11100
      @RandomVideos11100 Před 7 lety +6

      heard they are bringing a z900rs in a retro design, along with a triple h1 retro in 2018.

    • @NathanChisholm041
      @NathanChisholm041 Před 6 lety +1

      Richard Neal Mate last year i bought a 2016 z1000 and i love her! My gf is not happy....

    • @nolascopereira5519
      @nolascopereira5519 Před 6 lety

      Honda Cb 1100 RS or EX OR Kawasaki z 900 RS

    • @robbalinski1606
      @robbalinski1606 Před 6 lety +6

      Kawasaki hit it out of the park with the new z900rs, best looking retro bike made in the last 30 years

    • @tanktankerson1042
      @tanktankerson1042 Před 5 lety

      I agree, I am over only being able to purchase an inline 4 on a Tupperware Torpedo. Nothing beats the power and grace of these earlier bikes!

  • @mikeo7221
    @mikeo7221 Před 5 lety +8

    I love both, but the Z1 speaks to me.

    • @alanrix5344
      @alanrix5344 Před 3 lety

      Had a new z900 and put 4 into 1 pipes on it .Absolutely awesome sound

  • @oldman9164
    @oldman9164 Před 2 lety +2

    i had a CB 750 ,bought it in 73 new ,built it twice . 1st as an 811 2nd was 836 both times it was crazy fast. rode it across country..only chain lube and gas. how can you beat that ? . liked the Z but never bought one . the built honda was faster and i think more reliable . just my opinion .

  • @Budivedder
    @Budivedder Před 4 lety +1

    Classic and nice bike

  • @TerryPorterElectronics
    @TerryPorterElectronics Před 4 lety +6

    I owned both bikes and this article is very accurate, the Honda was very nicely made, but a very heavy slug. A lot of kids were killed on them because they took ages to wind up and ages to stop. Both bikes had terrible handling and suspension, but the Z1 had immense horsepower and torque which utterly murdered the Honda.
    I used to easily blow the CB750 into the weeds with my Kawasaki 500 Mach 3, then later I annihilated them with my Z1B.
    I always think of the original CB750 as a old geriatric English gentleman, so polite and distinguished, and so slow with his walking cane ;-)
    I love Honda tho, and have owned several, including the one in my garage right now, a 1994 CBR900RR which I've owned for the last 20 years. It's definitely not slow.
    Now I'm the one getting geriatric, ain't life grand!

  • @jurgentreue1200
    @jurgentreue1200 Před 3 lety +2

    I never owned a CB750/4 but I did own a Z1. I did have a CB500/4 though, my first big bike. Looking back, I loved the Honda more than the Kawasaki.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 3 lety

      Bigger isn't always better, it's all down to the character. The 500 was a really great bike too.

  • @glen6945
    @glen6945 Před 2 lety

    THANK GOODNESS FOR DISC BRAKES

  • @EvilTwin123
    @EvilTwin123 Před 5 lety +10

    Currently own the 93 CB750 with 4 /1 exhaust for throatier sound and geared for punch off the line.
    The cruiser positioning with sport bike power is a great combination.
    Gotta Love a bike If you can cruise 85 in 5th gear with throttle to accelerate.
    But if you were to drop it to 4th gear and twist the throttle, that's when you might hear the throat-clearing sound of that single exhaust pipe whir a high pitch banchee cry of acceleration.

    • @amateurastronaut5006
      @amateurastronaut5006 Před 4 lety

      I have a 78 750k. Might go with a 4 into 1 but I don't wanna lose that stock look. If I wanna go faster I have a 78 Yamaha xs1100 race bike that's built to the hilt. It'll do the quarter in 10 seconds.

  • @davidrochow9382
    @davidrochow9382 Před 5 lety +1

    2 beautiful bikes

  • @Titan500J
    @Titan500J Před 4 lety +1

    I've ridden then both and I've got a soft spot for both. The Kawasaki is just more in a good way. While the Honda is sophisticated. If you ever get the chance to ride the Honda just listen to it idle then blip the throttle. It sounds like a Farrari. What I remember from a article in the 1969 Cycle magazine (I think) road the bike down on Sunset Blvd and revved the engine, it almost stopped traffic. You see there was only single and twin engine bikes at the time. Nobody had heard that sound before. Thanks

  • @TN_HondaDad
    @TN_HondaDad Před 3 lety +1

    Timeless...

  • @glen6945
    @glen6945 Před 2 lety +1

    BOTH GREAT BIKES

  • @michaelpuntillo3500
    @michaelpuntillo3500 Před 2 lety

    Both beautiful motorcycles

  • @LesWG5
    @LesWG5 Před 7 lety +8

    I'd love either one of these bikes but as a former S3 400 triple owner I'd have to go for the Z1😎

    • @davidmacphee3549
      @davidmacphee3549 Před rokem

      I am fascinated by the '72 S2 350 red. That's what I wanted as a novice.
      "Oh, We won't have those, for another 4 weeks. ""Okay, Can I have the 500?
      Was that Guy doing an upsell? Bastard!

    • @JETZcorp
      @JETZcorp Před rokem

      As a CURRENT owner of an S3 400 triple, I'd also definitely take the Z1 out of these two. But if we're honest, I'd do an H2 before either!

  • @ericynot
    @ericynot Před 7 lety +14

    I've owned a lot of different makes and models of motorcycles over the years, but the Z1 I bought in 1974 remains my favorite. Sure wish I still had it.
    I sold it ten years later to a guy who traveled the country buying up old Z1's to sell back to Japanese buyers -- it seems that in the beginning all the Z1's were shipped to the U.S., so, due to their rarity in Japan, had become expensive collectors items there.

    • @MrCaptcash
      @MrCaptcash Před 7 lety

      ericynot t

    • @Sincity4me
      @Sincity4me Před 7 lety

      Too bad I didn't hear of the guy buying them up. I've still got my 75 although it would have been difficult parting with it back when it was running.

    • @hugq14
      @hugq14 Před 6 lety +2

      ericynot They weren’t all shipped to the US!! Europe got a big chunk of them. I bought 3 of them in the early 80’s and I still have them!

    • @ajax700
      @ajax700 Před 4 lety +1

      @@hugq14
      Please make a video.

  • @glen6945
    @glen6945 Před 2 lety

    OOOHHHYES 2 GREAT BIKES

  • @robertplant55
    @robertplant55 Před 3 lety +1

    Honda CB 750 Four Urknall des Jahrhunderts - Ja, bereits 1969 kam das Kultmotorrad auf die Welt. Damals, als die Verkaufszahlen von Motorrädern alles andere als rosig waren, weil jeder lieber ein Auto fahren wollte. BMW dachte sogar daran, die Zweiradproduktion komplett einzustellen. Zu dieser Zeit begeisterte Honda schon auf den Rennstrecken der Welt und mit diversen Serienmotorrädern. Vorgestellt wurde die CB 750 Four im Jahr 1968. Mit Details, die aufhorchen ließen: Vierzylinder-Motor, 67 PS, 736 Kubik, Scheibenbremse und ein Merkmal, dass bis heute noch alle Motorradfahrer begeistert: die 4 in 4 Auspuffanlage.Die ersten Modelle der CB 750 Four hatten einen Motor, dessen Gehäuse im Sandgussverfahren hergestellt wurde. Dies sind heute die am meisten gesuchten und auch teuersten Modelle der Baureihe. Für eine Sandguss werden schon mal Preise von mehr als 40.000 Euro aufgerufen, je nach Zustand und Originalität auch weit darüber.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 3 lety +1

      Wir hätten es selber nich besser sagen können. Wir haben auch einen neueren Film über die CB750 gedreht: czcams.com/video/hcdUgUu66bk/video.html&t

  • @sesquashtwo
    @sesquashtwo Před 3 lety

    Just seeing these bikes being ridden, brings up the fact that the late 60's the full 70's were the best years to live as a bike rider. For so many reasons other than merely the models available. The culture was so much different from today. The 'all' of it.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 3 lety

      No doubt, there was much more variety in terms of concepts. You had air and water cooled two-strokes, big fours, rotaries, six cylinder superbikes, you name it!

  • @44357514
    @44357514 Před 7 lety +8

    I'd love to buy either one of these bikes. My First bike back in 1980 was an Orange 1971 Honda CB750-Four. A few years later I purchased a Black 1981 Kawasaki 1000-LTD. Both Bikes were awesome. One of the things that were great about these bikes is that they had the "Standard" style foot peg relationship to your feet and not the fully rearward foot peg position like the modern "Crotch-Rocket" style bikes. The Kawasaki might have been a bit faster, but the Honda was a more Stable Ride.

    • @txrick4879
      @txrick4879 Před 7 lety

      44357514 Wow i had the same bikes.Thank god i sold them to my younger brother and get to ride them now and then.Tried to buy the Z back but he wont sell.Well now i have a bike he wants and might swing a deal.

    • @The123ewq456
      @The123ewq456 Před 6 lety +1

      did you guys ever get post cards from a guy or two in California ? He was offering an amount of cash offer on anyone with a Z1 straight frame. name i recall was Fallsberg or similar?

    • @The123ewq456
      @The123ewq456 Před 6 lety

      I got the first one around 1995 . I had one registered . And the last one around 2005. and 4 or 5 postcards all total.

  • @robertbrandywine
    @robertbrandywine Před 6 lety

    Ah, that sound at 3:15!

  • @pdark3930
    @pdark3930 Před 4 lety +1

    Great video and made me realise even more that I made the right decision because I just bought 2020 z900rs

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety +1

      That is one of the better retro reissues, agreed. Especially around the rear end, you'd be forgiven for squinting and thinking it was a Z1 :-)

  • @blipco5
    @blipco5 Před 6 lety +11

    Kawasaki was late to the party. The same is true of the 2017 z900. But as was true of the Z1 and the new z900...they were worth the wait.

    • @samrit123in
      @samrit123in Před 5 lety

      *Z900rs

    • @winkeemanley1820
      @winkeemanley1820 Před 5 lety

      For the Z900RS to be a true retro like the Z1, it must have a 4 into 4 exhaust system.

  • @cynthiaayers7696
    @cynthiaayers7696 Před 2 lety +1

    My husband had his 1971 750e model built to an 836cc with a three-quarter race cam. These could be built to a 1000cc. He had it on a Denver chopper frame. Could do 135 mph. You could only do it to the 750e because the cases & cylinders walls were thicker. Later models could not be bored out.

  • @100inthewind
    @100inthewind Před 4 lety +1

    I had that Z1. Great bike. Fun and fast. But handling was dangerous. It would wobble and do scary things. People tried changing swing arm bushings and things like that. But it went straight pretty good. So I did 4 into 1 exhaust and rejetting carbs. Ended up going to Harley. Still ride my Harleys but have Busa too!

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety +1

      It does go straight well, that's for sure. Handling isn't as bad as it's made out to be, but obviously can't be compared with more modern machinery.

  • @scottmatzeder9162
    @scottmatzeder9162 Před 4 lety

    in december of 18 i inherited a 76 kz900, a survivor of the ef5 tornado that tore up OKC. in the process of a partial restoration. Cant wait till its done. engine has been fired(1st attempt after fuel system cleaning and conversion to electronic ignition)...anxiety is tough. I love my 09 Concours 14, but the KZ is my lifelong dream.

  • @billh4301
    @billh4301 Před 4 lety +6

    Both great motorcycles! As a mechanic back in the day and working on both the Kaw was much easier for major work, but Honda easier to tune. Even though the Honda was smaller engine and one cam you had to pull the motor to do top end work/gasket leaks etc. Top end can be pulled in frame on the Z1. When Honda went to twin cam 750 it still required engine pull for top end.

  • @geodez2959
    @geodez2959 Před 4 lety +4

    I have an 82 1100 Kawasaki kz. And it's a rocket!!!

  • @Bellathebear777
    @Bellathebear777 Před 3 lety +2

    I ride that Honda 750 four alonnng time....I agree the Kawasaki was & Still is Beautiful"""💕☮️⚠️🌎

  • @ewoe21
    @ewoe21 Před 4 lety +1

    Let The Good Time’s Roll

  • @thejerseyj9422
    @thejerseyj9422 Před 4 lety

    Oh how I remember these two !
    There was an M C clubhouse down the street from where I worked and these guys were into mainly Japanese bikes.
    Jones street (where the clubhouse was situated) was in an industrial area of Newark and was about a half a mile long straightaway stoplight to stoplight. Needless to say, perfect for drag racing.
    I'll never forget sitting behind a Honda 750 and a Kawasaki 900 at a stoplight on Jones st. And when it turned green, BAM they were gone !
    PS, I miss the 70's and the bikes then.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety

      Great story! I reckon the Z1 might have had the CB in that race, but who knows for sure? ;-)

  • @blackz9058
    @blackz9058 Před 4 lety +4

    KAWASAKI RULEZ!

  • @Bo_Bo_the_KLoWN
    @Bo_Bo_the_KLoWN Před 3 lety +1

    Excellent vid. Now subed

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 3 lety +1

      Thank you so much!

    • @Bo_Bo_the_KLoWN
      @Bo_Bo_the_KLoWN Před 3 lety

      You have a peaceful calm voice and the music and audio were excellent. Good information is hard to find these days. Great story telling of these two grandfathers of the greatest bikes ever made.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks for the kind words :-) Really happy you liked it. We put a lot of time and effort into our films and positive feedback keeps us going!

  • @michaelroussetos6123
    @michaelroussetos6123 Před 4 lety +1

    Well done.

  • @alexnano4146
    @alexnano4146 Před 5 lety +1

    That z1 looks sexy for such an old bike. I will get em in my 93 750 nighthawk 😇 but that z1 sounds great.

  • @javiertorres9525
    @javiertorres9525 Před 4 lety

    Que bellas

  • @NaiChannel
    @NaiChannel Před 3 lety +1

    かっこいいなぁ
    2台とも名車中の名車だよ。

  • @dr.detroit1514
    @dr.detroit1514 Před 4 lety

    The '91 Honda 750 Nighthawk was the best all purpose motorcycle I ever owned. 100% reliable until I sold it in 2016 with 50K miles. Comfortable for longer rides with a change to better rear shocks, a plexifairing, and velour covering on the seat. Most powerful bike I owned was an '85 Suz 1200 Madura. I was no racer, but I read a story once of a guy who tuned his up, some minor mods, and would park it outside of Yamaha shops looking for V-Max's to race, with a $100 bill taped to the handlebar. Most fun bike I had was a '74 Kaw H2. After my brother got it, he tuned it up, did some other minor mods to the exhaust and such, and could ride it much better than I could. A screaming, smoking, raging, radical handful, it could beat most other relatively stock bikes of the time. A heavily modified Triumph Trident beat it. It would take a stock Z1 off the line and through the gears, but the Z would slowly catch up and walk away. He beat me on my next bike, a '75 Suz GT750, no sweat at all. My best trail bike, a Yamaha '90 TW200 Trailway. No speed demon, but dead reliable, comfortable, and would go through anything. My best touring bike, an '83 Honda Aspencade. Magnificent on the highway, ponderous off the freeway.

  • @salvatorelodico5956
    @salvatorelodico5956 Před 4 lety +1

    Moto bellissime piene di fascino cromature , moto che negli anni 70 anno fatto sognare ed impazzire i giovani di allora e che comunque anche oggi vedendo qualche esemplare da subito all'occhio x la sua particolarità estetica

  • @dancooper3806
    @dancooper3806 Před 4 lety +1

    Kawasaki's engineering department was having a picnic on the side of the road when a CB750 blew by them.
    Holy sh!t Ralph, did you see that ?
    Those basdirds, were gonna get em for this.
    Both bikes are great.

    • @BrightsideMedia
      @BrightsideMedia  Před 4 lety

      Hahaha, that's probably what happened :-D

    • @Reduxalicious
      @Reduxalicious Před 4 lety +1

      That's actually not far from the Truth, Kawasaki was weeks away from releasing their own 750 when Honda beat them to the punch, Thus back to the drawing board and the start of New York Steak Project for the Z1.

  • @rob.1963
    @rob.1963 Před 5 lety +25

    I still think that the Z1 is the best looking bike ever made.

    • @BlownHeadGasket
      @BlownHeadGasket Před 5 lety +2

      Oh definitely, the new one is nice but the liquid cooled engine just ruins it a bit for me, has to be the classic air cooled

    • @herigokil
      @herigokil Před 4 lety +2

      Agree

  • @80srocksounds
    @80srocksounds Před 3 lety +1

    Watching this because of gto

  • @alanarmstrong2323
    @alanarmstrong2323 Před 3 lety

    The H2 750 what a beast and so light!