Commando prices...

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A good craftsman never blames his tools.

However it happens to be true that if you were used to riding your Commando that the Yamaha 650 felt like it had to be forced into a corner. I rode a lot back "in those days" with a friend who had a '72 650XS, blasting along a freeway was no big deal, but if we got into the twisties, I'd end up waiting for him somewhere. I never understood it until one day when we swapped bikes. I always liken cornering on a Commando to skiing, if you are going too fast you just lean into it harder, but that Yamaha felt like it was on rails. Straight ones. It was like dancing with a very big, strong woman who wanted to lead and didn't feel the same rhythm! As a result I never really gained much respect for them. I suppose in the hands of a better rider it would not have made a difference, but then again, why use tools that cause discomfort when you have ones that don't? I've always loved twisty roads and top speed isn't a major concern to me. If I don't have to downshift, the road is too straight.

And no, I'm not attacking Yamaha lovers. I never cared for the big Hondas either. It might be that the kind of riding I do, the Commando was the perfect tool. Or maybe I'm just a tool? But I suspect there is a reason that a bunch of us still love these bikes. BTW, you can buy a nice Yamaha 650 or a Honda 750 from that period for about half or maybe two-thirds the cost of a Commando.
 
It was like dancing with a very big, strong woman who wanted to lead and didn't feel the same rhythm!
That made me laugh out loud!
The wife asked if I was watching stupid car crash videos again......
 
There is a late 60’s Peugeot 10 speed racing bicycle with original leather seat hanging in my basement my first 2 wheel love ... backroads on the Commando can be ridden same way as I did on the bicycle only more noise .... corners just like being on the Peugeot , why I still ride mine .... the Commando just makes me young again for a brief bit ....
 
My Goldwing was the first fat girl I really tried dancing with, and it cornered as you were mentioning....Felt like had to climb off the saddle and stomp on the lower footpeg to make it lean into a curve. Okay for straight highways with slow curves, but toss a twisty in there and you had to pull your drawers out of your bung. Awkward beast kept wanting to go in a straight line
I am biased and have no trouble with it. The last high HP Nip I hopped on was some Honda F 1000 my oldest turned up with. Scariest bitch I've ever ridden for speed & acceleration, but heavy & wasn't nimble at all. 6th gear roll from 70-130 in one blink = Near soiled drawers.
 
Fat lady LOL. Wasn't there a Suzuki that had the nickname "Water Buffalo"?
 
Yes, I had one, bought a new water cooled two stroke Suzuki triple 750 I think around 1971 or so, water buffalo
 
Fat lady LOL. Wasn't there a Suzuki that had the nickname "Water Buffalo"?
In the U.K. the GT750 was and still is know as a "Kettle". In the German part of Switzerland they call them the "Wasserbüffel" (Water buffalo).

The early 650 Yamaha's were renowned for poor handling, and they eventually employed Percy Tait to sort them out. Commando's also earned their own moniker for poor handling, being referred to as "Bendy's". (Probably due to poor ISO maintenance).


Cheers,

cliffa.
 
Around my way the GT 750 Suzuki was known as the "water bottle" or "kettle"
 
Saw a Suzuki GT750 "kettle" earlier today in glorious metal flake gold which sparkled fantastically in the sun.
The engine was polished to mirror finish and it sounded gloriously ring ding ding as it drove off !
 
Saw a Suzuki GT750 "kettle" earlier today in glorious metal flake gold which sparkled fantastically in the sun.
The engine was polished to mirror finish and it sounded gloriously ring ding ding as it drove off !

I saw one too in the car park at the Borders Classic show in Shropshire. Mint condition black with gold and blue pin stripes. I spoke with the owner for quite a while as he also owns a Commando.
 
Think they stood test of time well if kept indoors , always kinda liked them when they were new .... stuck in four stroke world now and that okay .....still like Suzy as a brand
 
Ok, so as this thread is already waaaaay off track.

There were a surprising number of GT750's on and around the IOM for Classic TT this year. At Jurby I spotted at least 6, but by way of comparison I don't remember a single CB750.

Back in 1973 or 4 I went to the Motorcycle Mechanics motorcycle show in London (somewhere near Victoria I seem to remember) , and was given a floppy vinyl 45 called "Shake a Tail Suzi" I lost it years ago, but somebody has kindly uploaded it to YouTube..




Some of you folks may also remember it.


Cheers,

cliffa.
 
Catchy tune, no recollection though , thanks for posting up Cliff ...!
 
So Commando Price thread has morphed into a XS 650 / GT 750 comparison/recollections.
Here's what I recall. The XS650 was an ill-handling toad that any Decent Commando rider could quickly dispense of.
The best thing it had going for it was Yamaha maintenance vs. Norton maintenance.....
The Gt 750 was ugly as hell and smoked..Never ran up against or rode one, so I have no opinion or comment about it's performance.

45 years later I have a greater appreciation of both. Can actually see some beauty in each.
At the time, didn't care for either one.
 
So Commando Price thread has morphed into a XS 650 / GT 750 comparison/recollections.
Here's what I recall. The XS650 was an ill-handling toad that any Decent Commando rider could quickly dispense of.
The best thing it had going for it was Yamaha maintenance vs. Norton maintenance.....
The Gt 750 was ugly as hell and smoked..Never ran up against or rode one, so I have no opinion or comment about it's performance.

45 years later I have a greater appreciation of both. Can actually see some beauty in each.
At the time, didn't care for either one.
 
my xs650 is 75 model ... fast enough for fun looks great handles good enough for me...is dead reliable.....I had a brand new one when I was 23 years old wanted another one something about reliving youth.
 
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