Life In America
1965 –Average family income is $6,900. A new house will set you back $13,600. The Rolling Stones top the charts with Satisfaction. Dylan goes electric at the Newport Jazz Festival. In San Francisco, the Warlords begin a long and strange journey as the Grateful Dead. On the tube you’re watching I Spy with Robert Culp and Bill Cosby. or possibly Get Smart with Don Adams and Barbara Feldman. Peter O’Toole stars as T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia. The average car is only $2,650 and a gallon of gas $.31. The newly introduced Honda CB160 will set you back $530.
| Number One Motorcycle Trend For 1965: |
| 1965 produces a bumper crop of new and interesting motorcycles; the long rumored Honda 450 being the most significant, as it’s the first indication of the Japanese desire to participate in the “big-bore” market. |
European Brands
Greeves Challenger 250 Scrambler. Vincent Black Lightning (retro review., Cotton 250 Cougar. Royal Enfield Interceptor 750. James Cotswold 250. Ducati Portable, Cadet 90, 160 Monza JR, and 250 MkIII. Montesa Impala Sports and 175 Enduro. Rex KL100. Triumph TR6R 650, and TR6SC Trophy Special. Benelli 200 Sprite. Allstate 60 Sport. Bultaco Metisse (AKA Pur Sang). MZ ES150. 750 Norton Atlas. Testi 50 Telstar and 90cc Trail King. Ossa 175 Sport. BSA Spitfire Hornet 650 Scrambler and 350 Enduro Star. Rabeneick Binetta Super 5 and K103 GS Scrambler
Asian Brands
Honda CB450, 90, and CB160. Yamaha 305 YM1, Big Bear Scrambler and , TD-1B 250cc Road Racer. Omega Sports Special. Suzuki 150 and X6 Hustler. Rabbit S-402 Scooter.
American Brands
Harley-Davidson F XLH Sportster 883
Racing
George Roeder is Grand National Champ
Racing is a mess. The popularity of road racing is creating lots of clubs who don’t want to conform to the AMA’s rules which are very restrictive concerning displacement and models. Motorcycling International Committee United States (MICUS) has called a meeting to unify these clubs under rules similar to FIM.
Daytona AMA event is won by Roger Reiman on his HD 750cc KRTT with an average speed of 90.4 mph. The AMA event starts in the rain, a new experience for US riders.
Mike Hailwood wins the FIM race on his MV with 99.6 mph average. Only one American, Buddy Parriott is entered.
Bonneville is plagued with rain, most competitors go home, but still some records are set, none faster than 144 mph.
Other Issues
Gallagher Report states motorcycle sales booming. 1960 – 45,000. 1964 – 298,000. Predicts 744,000 by 1967. Honda has 67% of market, followed by Berliner Motors (Norton, Matchless, Ducati) with 7.3%. Triumph 4.6% and Harley-Davidson 3.7%.
Snuff-or-Nots, $1.98 each.
Bud Ekins hosts a show featuring motorcycles and motorcycle personalities. Theme written by Henri Mancini. First guest, Keenan Wynn. Film of Jack Pine enduro.
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1965 was a big year for the Honda Cub 50cc bike. At the time, my parents had a 325hp Impala Super Sport…very powerful car. 15 years later I was riding a 50cc Puch moped which was well built and I sold it a year later for what I paid for it.
I rode the big bear and all of the hondas out in 1965….also, rode a new triumph in 1964, never had any use for a HD, and still don’t. I ride a R1200RT and love it. My friend has a restored Black Shadow, very nice. The big bear was very fast