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FOUR-STROKE LIGHTWEIGHTS
You meet the nicest people on a Honda!
From the first 1955 Yamaha YA1, through the ubiquitous Honda Cub, and the Honda Superhawk , all the way to the early eighties Kawasaki GPZ305, and Suzuki GS500, the Big Four have sold hundreds of millions of lightweight motorcycles. In fact the best selling motor-vehicle of all time is the Cub in it’s various forms. Still in production today, Honda has sold well over 60 million of these scooters and so have introduced countless people everywhere to the world of two-wheeled fun.
In this section we’ll look at the four-stroke models only. Because Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha have produced so many different two-stroke bikes in the lightweight segment, they deserve their own section just to scratch the surface. Many of you have your favourites because you cut your motorcycling teeth on a specific model and remember it fondly, but there sure were some forgettable Japanese motorcycles made over the years. Remember the Honda CB400a Hondamatic? Um...I don't think so!
HONDA LIGHTWEIGHTS
1975 Super Sport 400 CB400F
We won’t dwell too much on the Honda Cub/Supercub here since it’s clearly a scooter. But it deserves a place in the classic pantheon, not only because of the enormous numbers sold, but because of it’s longevity and toughness. And the fact that we met so many nice people on a Honda! So hats off to the Cub! But Honda did very well with models such as the CB400F, or 400Four, Honda CB450 Black Bomber, CB 77 Superhawk, CB 500 and Honda Dream.
KAWASAKI LIGHTWEIGHTS
While Kawasaki didn’t exactly set the world on fire with it’s lightweight four-strokes, there are several very decent, competent and quick models to admire. In fact the KZ series has a handsome, recognizable look from the KZ200 and 250, through the KZ400 and 500 to the KZ1000.Later, Kawasaki rolled out the GPZ250 and 305, bringing a modern look to its lightweight lineup.
SUZUKI LIGHTWEIGHTS
Suzuki came to the four-stroke game last among the Big Four. But they made good on that late start by bringing us the GS series. And starting with the Suzuki GS 400, a dizzying array of lightweights followed in the 425’s, 450’s, and the Suzuki GS500.Handsome bikes all, and like the Kawasaki KZ lineup, the GS series has a recognizable lineage all the way to the mighty Suzuki GS1100.Honourable mention must be made of Suzuki’s attempt at a rotary enigined motorcycle in the RE5. Though not a success, it showed Suzuki has imagination and engineering to match the other big Japanese manufacturers.
YAMAHA LIGHTWEIGHTS
In the 1970’s Yamaha had developed a range of twins and some singles that became the mainstays of its four-stroke lineup. After emissions legislation had effectively put the kibosh on two-stroke bikes and development, (except for racing of course), Yamaha needed competitive street machines. So have a look here at the Yamaha XS lightweights such as the XS250, XS360 and XS500. As well, there were a couple of excellent thumpers of note; the Yamaha SR500 and little bro 400. These two bikes led to development of the revered SRX600, a truly modern classic Yamaha motorcycle!
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