7 Japanese Motorcycles Approaching Collectable Status
American made motorcycles aren't the only vintage bikes in town. Check out these 7 Japanese motorcycles that are destined to become classics.
1. 1971-73 Honda CB500 Four
There is a reason Honda dominates the list of soon to be classics: They were the innovators and the first Japanese company to hit the Europeans and Harley head on. The Honda CB750 four cylinder (1969-1976) is already considered a collectible by many, but the little brother CB500 four (1971-73) offered much of the performance of the bigger bike, less weight, better handling, and almost British looks.
2. 1975-79 Honda Goldwing
The 1975 Honda GL 1000 Goldwing had a 1000cc SOHC flat four that combined the smoothness of their other four cylinder bikes, with BMW boxer like torque. These bikes were the first Hondas to offer Harley any competition in the touring market, and won over a lot of buyers. The early bikes are nearly naked, and make a great cruiser, and are total bargains on the used market.
3. 1988-90 Honda Hawk 650G
These little Hawks were not popular bikes when new and only sold for a few years, but are cult classic now. Featuring a 650cc version of the V-twin it shared with the Honda Shadow cruiser, these bikes did not make a ton of power, but it was very tractable. If you were looking for a sportbike with a unique look and sound, and the kind of torque you'd expect from a flat tracker, this is it.
4. 1983-85 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo
Never to be outdone by their rival, Honda, the Kawasaki had introduced the now collectable Z1/KZ900 in 1973. In 1983 they literally blew everyone away with a turbocharged, 750cc sportbike called the GPz Turbo with nearly 115hp. The GPz Turbo was tested by magazines with a quarter mile time of 11.2 seconds, bone stock. Pee Wee Gleason managed to get a specially tuned stock bike down the strip in just 10.7 seconds. These were the fastest bikes available from the factory at the time.
5. 1976-80 Kawasaki Z650/KZ650
Much like the little Honda CB500, the Kawasaki KZ650 was a smaller, lighter version of the bigger Kawasaki Z1/KZ900 four cyclinder. Bike lovers of all types concluded that this bike was as nimble as a 500 but powerful enough to compete with 750s, and many of them were made into road racers, cafe racers, and even choppers. In 1979 Kawasaki applied the same styling touches it had on the KZ900 LTD, and created the 650 SR, with a fat 16" rear tire, and more relaxed cruiser riding position and teardrop tank.
6. 1996-2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200
The SACS oil/air cooled Suzuki 4 cylinder was a bit long in the tooth by 1996, but it still made great torque and looked good doing it. The traditionally styled Bandit 1200 had 100hp available right now, and a ton of torque in a bike sized for grown men to ride. It isn't light, but it still will go around corners plenty hard, even with a passenger on the back. These bikes are dirt cheap right now and are reliable and fun.
7. 1979-81 Yamaha SR500
Yamaha makes its entry into the classic market with the SR500. This bike won bike of the year two times in a row in Germany, yet was only sold in the US for a very short while in the late 70s and early 80s. These little singles don't make a ton of power, but their dirt bike roots mean they are light and tough. These make great bikes to modify and ride down to the local watering hole, or run errands on. Much like Harleys, you seldom find an SR500 that hasn't been modified, which makes clean stock ones collectible.
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