Best bike for everyday road riding 1969-1984 ;o)

[Andy J]

rocketonarail: Shaft drive 72 BMW 750S 2 Cyl Boxer - Smooth and probably the best 2 up mopeds ever designed and do 115 mph - Expensive ($2,100 CDN back in 71/72) - I know because a friend bought one when I was negotiating for my 70 Breganzie 750 SF ;o)

Breganzie 3 Cyl's were not available then ;o(

I think my 2013 BMW 600 Sport is a better moped than that...

 

[Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond]

Oh yes GPz900R who can catch a Kawasaki - first proper superbike in 84 - loved it - torque from the word go - 160 on the clock first model
The best paint job

 

[Laverda SF]

Sir Sidney: 84 Kawasaki GPz900R 160 on the clock WOW! But a 60 Hp 7500 rpm 1970 Breganzie 750SF Twin can do 120+ down ANY straight and blast through corners at 80mph on the winding asphalt and hills of the Cambrian Shield (Sweet Balanced Machine). I blew away 1100 Kawasaki's when it came to Fast Cafe with my antiquated 14 year old Breganzie and she was almost as fast in acceleration. Consider I was 5'11"/138 lb's.

That GPz900R was definitely better the 1100 LTD - How did it stack up to the Honda CBX 900F or even a 1000cc Breganzie Jota for it's time ;o)

1984 was the year that Jap Bikes killed Laverda Breganze's ( A bike that reigned for over a decade) - No if's and but's - Just amazing that Ducati held on considering Laverada's money was in Farm Equipment and Laverda copied the early 60's Honda 350 Hawk Engine design for their Bikes. Really surprised they were never sued - Maybe because Laverda built a better Motorcycle then the Japanese or anyone else during them years ;o)

Fuck! I loved the 69 650 Bonny and 70 Norton 750 Commando no matter how cantankerous they where !

Loved my 70 Laverda Breganzie 750 SF better - Not the fastest Motorcycle but fast enough to win a race ;o)

Hard to say but I don't believe there was a better handling motorcycle "for the street" between 69 and 84 then the 69 650 Bonny up to 100mph. Except for some Dirt Bikes but not for a HWY Cruiser.

One thing about the 69 Bonny - She was "LIGHT", balanced with a fair amount of low end torque to 100 mph and one pain in the arse to start - Yes a Kick Starter - So where Norton's but Breganzie had an Electric starter ;o)

I had a sweet heart of a Bar Maid push my Breganzie down main street at 6:00AM to get me off to work - So don't count on that Breganzie Electric Starter ;o)

 

[Dellortoman]

That photo brings back some memories Sir Sid. I had the same model.

 

[Laverda SF]

Andy J:

I think my 2013 BMW 600 Sport is a better moped than that...

Of course she is but your a PUPPY ;o)

BMW F 800 ST - What a Machine compared to my old Breganzie. Met an Arab on one at a Truck Stop on the North Shore of Lake Huron and he said he spent less then $30 for Gasoline between Vancouver BC to the Lake Head in Ontario - Really over 2000 miles !

 

[Steve G.]

Andy J:

Of course she is but your a PUPPY ;o)

BMW F 800 ST - What a Machine compared to my old Breganzie. Met an Arab on one at a Truck Stop on the North Shore of Lake Huron and he said he spent less then $30 for Gasoline between Vancouver BC to the Lake Head in Ontario - Really over 2000 miles !

I will concur with this statement. While the 800 cc vertical twin is an emotionless engine devoid of passion , combined with the gearing of its belt drive final drive, it’s capable of astounding fuel economy. I’ve personally witnessed 75mpg imperial gallon, and a genuine 200km hr GPS confirmed.

 

[Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond]

Oh just for the memory 84 South of France oooh you’ll get me all
Excited again

 

[Andy J]

Oh yes GPz900R who can catch a Kawasaki - first proper superbike in 84 - loved it - torque from the word go - 160 on the clock first model
The best paint job
View attachment 90056

Q. Who can catch a GPZ900R Kawasaki? A. Geoff Johnson on a Honda!

Prints of Geoff Johnson (Honda) 1985 Production C TT

Geoff Johnson (Honda) 1985 Production C TT. Our beautiful Wall Art and Photo Gifts include Framed Prints, Photo Prints, Poster Prints, Canvas Prints, Jigsaw Puzzles, Metal Prints and so much more #MediaStorehouse

www.ttracepics.com

 

[Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond]

Q. Who can catch a GPZ900R Kawasaki? A. Geoff Johnson on a Honda!

Prints of Geoff Johnson (Honda) 1985 Production C TT

Geoff Johnson (Honda) 1985 Production C TT. Our beautiful Wall Art and Photo Gifts include Framed Prints, Photo Prints, Poster Prints, Canvas Prints, Jigsaw Puzzles, Metal Prints and so much more #MediaStorehouse

www.ttracepics.com

But wasn’t his win the previous year on a GT motorcycles GPz 900R ?

 

[Exmoor beast]

Q. Who can catch a GPZ900R Kawasaki? A. Geoff Johnson on a Honda!

Prints of Geoff Johnson (Honda) 1985 Production C TT

Geoff Johnson (Honda) 1985 Production C TT. Our beautiful Wall Art and Photo Gifts include Framed Prints, Photo Prints, Poster Prints, Canvas Prints, Jigsaw Puzzles, Metal Prints and so much more #MediaStorehouse

www.ttracepics.com

I was pit crew for a team next to Geoff Johnson when he hit the wall with his shoulder- he came into the pits, stopped and they had to hold him up, leathers ripped off and bleeding shoulder hanging out. I had a camera poised ready to take picture of him as he came in but I couldn’t press the button as he looked so awful.

 

[Andy J]

Okay Sid, I’ll concede Geoff did win on a Kwacker in 1984 and in 84 & 85 the GPZ was the weapon of choice for the majority of riders before the Suzuki Gixer kicked it into touch.
As an aside, I was able to more-or-less keep pace with a lot of the GPZ’s in 85 on Ray Peacock’s Corsa that I had only ridden for one shakedown lap on open roads.
So I very much agree with Ron, that up to 1984, and possibly 1985, your old Breganze could still give the oriental upstarts a run for their money.
And it was in the area of the Black Dub that Geoff hit his shoulder on I believe a rock face rather than a wall. Scary place to get on the wrong line.

 

[piranha-bro2]

As an aside, I was able to more-or-less keep pace with a lot of the GPZ’s in 85 on Ray Peacock’s Corsa that I had only ridden for one shakedown lap on open roads.
So I very much agree with Ron, that up to 1984, and possibly 1985, your old Breganze could still give the oriental upstarts a run for their money.

What's the top speed or overall performance diff between various triples? Corsa, 3C/CL, Jota?

 

[rocketonarail]

Is this a Jota or a Mirage !
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/roadtests/laverda_1200_jota_78_cycle.html

The bog standard 1200 was marketed in the USA as the Jota America ..... So it`s neither , really .......... Test weight of 721 Ibs would include the rider ... !! ......

 

[Andy J]

What's the top speed or overall performance diff between various triples? Corsa, 3C/CL, Jota?

I would suggest not a great deal in top speed, 5-10mph maybe, but IMHO I think the Corsa would give better overall performance due to better handling and brakes. This is of course based on bog stock versions, not ones that have been ‘breathed on’ or modified in some other way.

 

[Laverda SF]

Andy J: Was not the Corsa originally a manic 500 Breganzie Racing Twin then renamed as a Triple . A rare Breganzie either way.

 

[ausbean]

I saw my Jota past the speedos 240kph mark.

Maybe it was out, but it was moving pretty quickly, and had nobody else with me to confirm it.

I believe you Chris!
I had it to the ND symbol
Long down hill stretch in middle of NSW.
Tucked in behind the tank bag.
Only time I did it, that was enough!

 

[Andy J]

Working on the principle that the speedo was over-reading by 5% (and possibly more) that is still around 140-145mph, which is entirely possible in the circumstances described.

 

[Andy J]

Andy J: Was not the Corsa originally a manic 500 Breganzie Racing Twin then renamed as a Triple . A rare Breganzie either way.

Not sure Ron about the 500 but agree the RGS Corsa was produced in small numbers.

 

[chrisk]

I believe you Chris!
I had it to the ND symbol
Long down hill stretch in middle of NSW.
Tucked in behind the tank bag.
Only time I did it, that was enough!

Thanks Phil, I was feeling a little lonely out there by myself (and questioning my memory)

For the naysayers, I purchased the bike in question off Phil, Ausbean. Ex Stanco (Victorian Laverda Dealer) backed race bike, back in road form.

Where the fuck is the booty shake imoji when you want it?

 

[Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond]