100. Kawasaki KE125

When sitting on the bike for the first time, it felt like a small bike.  If I did not know the capacity I would have guessed it to be and 80 or so cc bike. Maybe because of this initial feeling, when I took the bike for a test it felt great.  Great to the extent that I purchased it right after the short test ride.  I had always wanted a small dirt bike and this was to be it. I did not regret buying it even though there was no official Kawasaki Distributor then. Kawasaki then was only available from Ah Kow Motor in Johor Bahru and Choong Motor in Petaling Jaya. However that did not matter as these dealers were fully committed as I had bought a Z1 from Choong the year before and am pleased with the backup he gave.

The KE125 had a nice power spread and was good at the low end. As was the norm then the rear shocks were leaned forward to give better springing. Some friends who had similar bikes complained about the swingarm flexing but either I didn’t care as the flexing was fun in the dirt. I always tell the friends that it’s their heart that is flexing. 

What I liked most about the KE was that the engine was easy to work on and it gave me a lot of lessons about rotary valve timing. Weekends I would take the bike off roads then on weekday evenings I would opened up the rotary valve and do some filing and cutting. Then on the weekend I would try out the damage done. It was fun all the way.    

Kawasaki KE 125Kawasaki KE 125: 125 cc 2 stroke Single Rotary valves Gearbox: 6-speedWeight wet: 109.0 kg

99. Suzuki RV 125

Produced from around 1972 – 1981 this attractive bike was initially thought to rival other purpose built bike then. A friend who saw the first unit in the country called me and described it as a cross between a Honda monkey and a Rokon. Cannot blamed him as the terminology ‘All Terrain’ wasn’t coined yet. Well the all terrain bike from Suzuki had huge balloon tyres and a dual range 2 x 4 speed transmissions. At 231 lbs the bike is heavy but riding it did not convey that drawback, maybe its because the seats are low and the steering geometry right.  Engine is a two stroke 123 cc air cooled and power output was adequate at 10 hp @ 6000 rpm.

The RV opened a lot of the country and it has taken me exploring places I never would be able to unless I walk. The RV for a while did turned me into a fishing nut as far out abandon mining pools were suddenly within reach.

Fallback though was, after the production run ended, replacement for the fat balloon tyres were difficult to get. For fans of the RVs, Suzuki now produces the new RV with a four stroke engine.

98. Suzuki GT550 

The GT 550 was introduced in 1972 together with the 380 and a 750. Though it only had 3 cylinders the looks from behind did not give that impression as what you see from behind are 4 exhaust pipes, 2 on each side. This was achieved by splitting the exhaust of the middle cylinder into two. Initially there were fears that the middle cylinder of Suzuki’s biggest air cooled two stroke will seize proved unfounded.  The capacity of 543cc was odd for a bike as it did not fit the accepted class category. It was pushed into the over 500cc class and thus did not excel too well in it. Fuel consumption was also on the high side even though better than its nearest rival the Kawasaki Mach 1 500.  In the first year the bike had drum brakes which were quickly replaced by discs in 1973 .

97. Suzuki GS 550 1977

Made from 1977 to 1985 this odd size capacity did not go well with many riders. For one in many countries it would mean that one must have a special license to ride a bike over 500 cc. However it did manage to make its way into use by the traffic police in many countries including Malaysia and even the road transport department used them. It was the bike for government enforcement agencies. It had a single front disc brake but drums rears and wire wheels for the first couple of years. There was nothing extraordinary about the engine, two valves per head with double overhead camshaft as standard in all GS series.                              

94. Tohatsu

A modified Tohatsu racer

Like most motorcycle crazy kids the underdog brand was always looked as a hero. The same applied to Tohatsu. Whilst the favorite then were from Europe and Germany this little known name from Japan became an immediate hero. 

In 1962 the 125 Tohatsu won both the AMA and Sportsman 125 title whilst in Malaysia it made a name by winning in the Kuala Kangsar Grass Track. Tohatsu quickly became a hot item and unfortunately as quickly too it disappeared from the scene when Tohatsu’s board decided to concentrate on Marine engines. Today, they are the top outboard manufacturer in the world. Who knows if they had decided to stay in motorcycling they could be there among the top motorcycles today. Yeah who knows? A loss to motorcycling but a gain for the marine world. Tohatsu is not only producing the Tohatsu brand but also build marine engine for several well known brands.

93. Suzuki Wolf T90

The Wolf (T.90 ) and the Stinger (T.125) were launched by Suzuki in 1969. The Wolf was the smallest 2 stroke twin from the Japanese manufacturer. However some market did not feature the T.90 but in Malaysia, the Suzuki Distributor Guan Hoe brought in both models though the T.125 arrived a few months earlier than the T.90. In their media campaign Guan Hoe introduced the T.90 as a sleek, rangy (I don’t know what that means), lean, rugged and beautiful. Fans hungry for the bike after the Suzuki’s success at 125 GPs in Europe, the Wolf grapped the bike like it was heaven sent. Buyers were given free racing-cut all weather wind-cheater. The long tank and upswept exhaust were new for Japanese bikes. The Wolf was innovative and a trend setter. Suzuki went further by stating that the T.90 was for the man with a feeling for machines and who enjoys smooth power. Riders will get their kick from the sure footed control on bends and the silkiest ever shift through a 5 speed box. It’s for the man who demands more than a pretty chrome covered play toy.

92. Yamaha SR 500

For many this Yamaha, the SR500 was one of many Japanese bikes that tried to tackle the hardcore British single fans. Having ridden British singles and twins for a long time, ridding the Yamaha was not like anything British.  Although the thump was there, but it was not like the British thump. This was mainly due to the over square engine, however it did not mean that it’s no good. It is just different. First bike came out in 1978 it became an instant hit. The bike also was responsible for the rise in café customizing parts particularly in Japan. Those who wanted to make the bike more British has given rise to many accessory makers of tank, swept back exhaust, clip ons and such.

The SR500 was very reliable and you do not need to bother about whether water will get into the electrics when washing the bike. Like other Japanese motorcycles the SR did not leak any oil.

91. Suzuki GS 750 1976

The GS 750 first appeared in the showroom in late 1976. It was an excellent bike but for 1976 there was nothing new that was introduced. In that year, I had already gotten used to 4 cylinder DOHC power having purchased a Kawasaki 900 in 1973

The GS750 was the first four-stroke Suzuki motorcycle since 1954 when Suzuki had a 4 stroke bike. Suzuki was late in coming out with a 4 stroke but that could be due to their earnest in developing 2 strokes and later a rotary engine. As 2 strokes were getting overlooked and the Rotary was not well received Suzuki had to turn to 4 strokes. Surprisingly their first attempt was great. Within a month or so of its release Yoshimura were already marketing go fast goodies for the GS750.

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