5 Legendary Yamaha Motorcycles From The 1970s

Table of Contents

.

Over the course of more than 50 years, from the 1960s through the 20th century, we'll be highlighting the five most significant Yamaha motorcycles from the 1970s. Many of these bikes represented groundbreaking technological advancements, some held significant historical importance, and others have become iconic favorites among riders for half a century.

]

* Price: $14,840-$16,440

The RD350 Was Right at Home on Twisty Roads

The Yamaha RD350 is a standout from the two-stroke era. Its 347 cubic centimeter two-cylinder engine produced 39 horsepower, which isn't enough to keep up with the fastest bikes of the time in a straight line. However, the R350 excelled on curves, thanks to its near-perfect handling and reed valve design that provided a broad range of torque. The RD350 was also a bargain; the 1974 model only cost $908, which is equivalent to about $6,100 in today's money.

Considered the "best bike of the '70s," the RD350, which features a lively air-cooled engine and functional design, can be purchased for $3,500 or less. However, some examples in excellent condition have recently sold for $10,000 or more.

]

The HT-1 Was the First Bike for Many Riders in the 1970s.

Some of Yamaha's most notable 1970s models weren't designed to stay on paved roads exclusively. The HT-1 was a dirt bike with a single-cylinder engine that displaced 89 cubic centimeters and produced a pleasant, almost growly sound. It churned out horsepower and torque in the single digits, which made the HT-1 an excellent beginner bike for many teens in the 1970s. The under-200 pound dry weight made it fairly easy to handle, and in 1970, you could purchase a brand-new model for the equivalent of less than $300 (which is approximately $2,000 in today's money).

He remembered spending late nights working on it in the garage when he was 12, the object that triggered everything - the reason for broken bones, financial problems, and a whole lot of other negative habits.

The XT 500 was a Paris-Dakar Rally champion.

For riders of the H2O who were looking for an upgrade by the middle of the decade, Yamaha created the XT500. Released in 1976 with a price tag of around $1,200, it was the street-legal version of the off-road TT500 racer and the first off-road motorcycle to use a forward-leaning inverted rear suspension. The XT500 gained a following among riders during the early days of the Paris-Dakar Rally, and in 1978 and 1979, Cyril Neveu won the first two events with an XT500 holding its own.

The 499cc single-cylinder engine with an overhead cam had 32 horsepower. Its 3.43-inch bore and 3.3-inch stroke and distinctive cooling fins made it look impressive right behind the frame. It was designed so well that it could do a wheelie easily and was also simple to maintain. The engine has also been known to work reliably over time, whether on the race track or on the road.

Muddy Enthusiasts Admire the YZ250

and debuted in 1967.

The production YZ250 survived both Don and DeWayne Jones. DeWayne passed away in 2016, while Don passed away in 2021. The YZ250 has remained part of Yamaha's lineup since the 1970s, and the 2025 model starts at $7,999, plus a $600 destination fee. It's the final Japanese-made production bike equipped with a 250cc two-stroke engine, and the longest-lived dirt bike model in history.

The XS-11 had Yamaha's largest engine to that point

When the XS1100 was introduced as a 1978 model in 1977, it played a pioneering role for Yamaha as its first bike to be equipped with a four-cylinder, four-stroke engine. The 1,101 cubic centimeter four-cylinder engine marked Yamaha's entry into the category of bikes with engines over a liter in size, which its competitors had been producing for several years. The XS1100 put its 95 horsepower to the rear wheel via a five-speed gearbox and shaft drive, making it a reliable long-distance bike. It was characterized by its length and weight, with a wheelbase of nearly five feet and a curb weight of more than 600 pounds.

This bike was incredibly fast in a straight line, capable of quarter-mile times under 12 seconds. It was a rare breed, combining the power of a superbike with the comfort of a touring machine. The bike featured a spacious two-person seat and a plush suspension system, making it perfectly suited for long desert journeys. With a 5.3-gallon tank, riders could easily cover over 150 miles on a single fill-up. CV USA named it the outstanding tourer for both 1978 and 1979, marking the culmination of Yamaha's remarkable decade.

Get the latest news headlines, expert advice, and step-by-step tutorials delivered directly to your email inbox once a day.

.