KAWASAKI 750
KAWASAKI 750 blue body paint |
For sheer excitement, there was nothing on two wheels to match the 750 H2 two- stroke triple that Kawasaki unleashed in 1972.
Fast,
loud, smoky, thirsty and ill-handling, the bike that was also known
as the Mach IV was a wild ride that quickly earned a reputation for
unmatched speed and aggression.
"It's
so quick it demands the razor-sharp reactions of an experienced
rider,' bragged Kawasaki 750 publicity material, and few who rode the
triple disagreed.
The
basis of the H2 was Kawasaki's first three- cylinder two-stroke, the
500cc HI (or Mach III), which had been launched in 1969. This too was
a fast and fiery machine that became popular, especially with
American riders who valued acceleration from a standing start above
all else.
This
group, labelled 'stoplight-to-stoplight freaks' by one magazine, was
even better served by the larger model, whose 748cc air-cooled engine
had a peak output of 74bhp at 6800rpm.
That
was not only 14bhp up on the smaller triple, but also put rivals such
as Suzuki's liquid- cooled GT750 triple and Honda's CB750 four in the
shade. Physically the new model closely resembled the Mach III, with
fairly high and wide handlebars
and fuel tank that was narrow despite the compact three-cylinder
engine's thirst. The chassis layout of twin-downtube frame, twin rear
shocks and slim forks holding a 19-inch front wheel and single brake
disc also matched that of the smaller machine.
Searing
acceleration
As
well as its extra capacity the H2 had milder porting and ignition
timing, which helped give a usefully broad spread of power.
But
although that meant the triple could be ridden gently, with minimal
use of its five-speed gearbox, that was not what this bike was built
for. Sheer speed was its forte, not so much the maximum of about
120mph (193km/h) as the searing acceleration that enabled it to reach
over 1OOmph (161km/h) from a standing start in less than 13 seconds,
and to leave the line in a cloud of smoke with its front wheel in the
air.
Chassis
performance was less impressive, as the triple's blend of power,
light weight and barely adequate frame and suspension could provoke
what one report described as a 'deadly wobble'.
Owners
were well advised to supplement the standard friction steering damper
with an optional hydraulic damper, for which a frame lug was
provided. At least the single front disc brake was reasonably
powerful, although many riders boosted the system by fitting an
optional second disc.
Plenty
of riders were happy to accept the triple's handling and thirst
because it was competitively priced and, most of all, so fast.
'The
Mach IV rates as the ultimate stud bike now available in terms of raw
power and sheer speed,' concluded American magazine
Cycle World.
'If being the fastest on your block appeals to you, so will the Mach
IV! Although tightening emissions legislation meant that the triple
was first detuned, then dropped, it would not be forgotten.
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