Vintage motorcycle dreams often focus on the classics—your Triumph Bonnevilles and Norton Commandos. However, the 1970s churned out a horde of beautifully weird machines that deserve a second look, from rotary screamers to Italian six-cylinder showboats. These weren’t just bikes; they were technological middle fingers to the status quo, where engineering ambition ran wild. These machines prove that sometimes, the most spectacular failures make the best stories.
7. Benelli 750 Sei
Six cylinders of Italian ambition that made Honda nervous.
Only about 3,200 of these oddballs ever hit the streets—making them rarer than finding a parking spot in Manhattan. The question isn’t whether you need a six-cylinder motorcycle; it’s whether you have the nerve to ride one. Benelli took a Honda CB500, cranked it up to 747cc, and slapped on two extra cylinders, like adding extra shots of espresso to prove a point.
Blasting down the autostrada, the Sei’s smoothness feels like gliding on silk at 126 mph—that is, until you see the $3,995 price tag from the mid-70s. Reviewers praised the refinement, but engineering flair and hefty price tags don’t always translate to sales. Connoisseurs today call the Sei “buried treasure,” because who needs practicality when you can have six pipes screaming a mechanical symphony?
6. Kawasaki Z650
The middleweight that punched above its class.
Journalists covering the Z650 were pretty clear: this was the bike to grab over Kawasaki’s own Z900. Weighing in at just 460 lb, the Z650 was no porker. That lithe feel came paired with a 652cc inline-4 engine pushing out 64 horsepower, making it nimble in city traffic or carving up backroads.
The Z650 proved that performance didn’t have to mean wrist-breaking weight or wallet-draining prices. While other manufacturers chased bigger numbers, Kawasaki delivered a balanced package that rewarded skill over brute force. Today’s riders hunting for a classic that’s as fun as it is functional should take note.
5. Kawasaki KZ 1300
A land yacht with six cylinders and air suspension dreams.
Picture rolling down the highway with AM/FM stereo filling your helmet. The KZ 1300 offered exactly that. This wasn’t your average touring bike; it packed a 1,286cc liquid-cooled inline-six engine pumping out 120 horsepower, plus shaft drive—smoother than a politician’s promises. Early models featured air suspension, which was innovative, but about as reliable as a weather forecast.
Unlike other manufacturers clinging to old-school designs, Kawasaki threw caution to the wind and created a land yacht that was surprisingly smooth and sophisticated. While many bikes of the era vibrated like paint mixers, the KZ 1300 glided along with the grace of a swan—albeit a swan powered by a jet engine.
4. Moto Morini 3½ Sport
Italian precision in a lightweight package that made every mile count.
Unlike the heavyweight cruisers hogging highways, Moto Morini offered something different: agility. This bike wasn’t about raw power; it was about carving corners with finesse. With a 344cc V-twin engine tucked into a frame designed by Franco Lambertini, it delivered a respectable 39 horsepower.
Weighing in at just 330 lb wet, it’s lighter than your ex’s emotional baggage. Fuel economy? A reported 60 mpg, meaning you could actually afford to ride it. This Morini isn’t just a motorcycle; it’s an invitation to rediscover the joy of two wheels without breaking your wallet or your back.
3. Suzuki RE5
Giugiaro styling met Wankel power in this futuristic fuel-sipper.
Rotary engines promised turbine-smooth power; turns out, they also guzzled fuel like a Hummer at a monster truck rally. The RE5, Suzuki’s rotary-powered gamble, delivered that smoothness. Blame Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Italian styling guru who designed its futuristic, if somewhat polarizing, looks.
Cruising down the road, revving the Wankel rotary engine felt smooth as silk—until you watched the fuel gauge plummet. With styling from Giugiaro, it featured a rotating instrument cluster to wow onlookers. The RE5’s real-world fuel consumption hovered around 15 mpg, making thirsty V8s look frugal. Want smooth power with vintage charm? Better have a gas station on speed dial.
2. Yamaha XS 750
Triple-cylinder smoothness that Cycle World called “a motorcycle that can do it all.”
“The XS750 is a motorcycle that can do it all,” according to Cycle World, so long as “all” includes smooth cruising. Pinching pennies but still want a taste of triple-cylinder smoothness? This Yamaha might be your fix. The 64-horsepower engine and shaft drive system mean fewer gas station visits, and less chain grease on your jeans.
Three cylinders and double overhead cams gave riders a smooth ride, which was like finding a decent avocado at Chipotle—a rare win. Getting your hands on one won’t break the bank, though you might be test-riding someone’s backyard project. The Yamaha XS 750 is like that dive bar band: surprisingly competent but perpetually overlooked.
1. Husqvarna 390 CR 1977
Less than 40 hp that could get you in serious trouble—the good kind.
Less than 40 hp could get you in serious trouble back in ’77. You might expect a temperamental beast, but this 389cc two-stroke single actually sang. Its chrome moly steel frame was lighter than promises from politicians, offering a ride that was both nimble and planted. The hand-formed aluminum tank and real leather seat? Chef’s kiss.
Carving through backroads, each turn felt like a perfectly choreographed dance. Like finding out your blind date is actually hotter in person, this ride delivered way more than its stats suggested. It was basically the Beyoncé of motocross bikes: effortless, stylish, and always ready to dominate. Enthusiasts praised it as remarkably balanced for such a lightweight machine.
