Testers appreciated the lighter weight of the Kawi, noting that motorcycles in general were getting too fat. The Kawasaki proved to be lithe and nimble with good handling, adequate braking, and decent comfort. While having no particular standout positive attributes, “It’s a motorcycle totally without serious fault,” said Cycle World.

1977 Suzuki GS750
• 60hp @ 8,500rpm/120mph (est.)
• 748cc air-cooled DOHC inline four
• 5-speed
• Disc brake front/drum rear
• 550lb (wet)
• 35-40mpg
• $1,000-$3,500

With the RE5 rotary tanking, the 1977 Suzuki GS750 - the company's first 4-stroke four - had to be right. And it pretty much was. Combining its 2-stroke expertise with lessons learned analyzing the CB750 and the Z1, Suzuki created a high-revving, short-stroke, DOHC 2-valve-per-cylinder engine with a bulletproof roller bearing bottom end.

The 1977 launch bike featured spoke wheels and a single disc brake front and rear, though within two years the specification included cast wheels and dual discs up front. Showing more than 60hp on the dyno, the Suzuki recorded a 12.75-second standing quarter at over 104mph. Docile and tractable on city streets, the engine had something of a split personality: Once the tach hit 6,500rpm, power came on even stronger all the way to the 9,500rpm redline, where it was still making almost 58hp. Peak power came at 8,500rpm.

Testers praised the Suzuki’s handling and lack of steering vagueness, credited to the bike’s rigid frame, needle-roller bearing swingarm and its long, 59-inch wheelbase.

“It is without question the best motorcycle in the 750 class,” wrote Cycle in January 1977. Big Red took note, and responded in 1979 with the 4-valve-per-cylinder Honda CB750.