Life In America
1971 – The median family income is $10,000. President Nixon makes historic trip to China. The New York Times releases the Pentagon Papers. DB Cooper jumps from a passenger jet with $200,000, never to be seen again. On TV the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour debuts. Peter Falk begins his long shuffle as Columbo. The Doors Jim Morrison dies in Paris. Joy to the World, by Three Dog Night is the number one song. Dirty Harry cleans up the streets of San Francisco, and Gene Hackman creates havoc in the Big Apple in The French Connection. A Porsche 911T is less than $7,000; a gallon of gas is $.40 and an MV Agusta 750/4 is $3,200 in Italy.
| Number One Motorcycle Trend For 1971: |
| Two motorcycles, the Honda CB500/4 and Suzuki’s GT750 point the way to the future. The Honda demonstrates Honda’s willingness to produce smaller displacement four-cylinder motorcycles, which will eventually lead to today’s biggest class 600/4s. Suzuki’s GT750 is the first mass-produced water-cooled bike since Scott went out of business and starts a trend that will gain momentum in the ‘80s. |
European Brands
Montesa Cota 247, 125 Cappra MX, Cota 25. BSA Victor 500 MX, 650 Lightning. Triumph Bonneville T120R. Moto-Guzzi Ambassador 750. Ossa Pioneer 250 Enduro. MV Agusta 750/4. Bultaco Matador 250, Sherpa T. Ducati 450 R/T. Bronco Apache 100. Zundapp 125 Enduro.
Asian Brands
Kawasaki 500 Mach III, 125 Enduro, 350 S2. Yamaha 360 RT-1B, JT-1 Mini Enduro, 200 CS3B, CT-1C 175 Enduro, XS-2 650/2, LT-2 MX. Honda SL125, CB350K3, SL70, CB500/4. Suzuki TM499R, TS250 R Savage, GT750.
American Brands
Carabella 125 Caliente (Mexico).
Racing
Harley-Davidson and Cal Rayborn unseat Don Vesco as fastest motorcyclist on earth.
ISDT Malcomb Smith and Ron Bohn win Gold Medals. Czech’s win team awards in trophy and vase categories.
Baja 1000 won by Yamaha 350 ridden by Phil Bowers and Mike Patrick. Cars still win overall.
Trans-AMA MX series introduced.
Inter-AM MX series won by Czech rider Valek Valastimil. Current Victory honcho Mark Blackwell takes 12th place.
Other Issues
Hercules introduces a Wankel-powered motorcycle.
Demand for motorcycles outstrips the ability of OEs to provide parts. Dealers hard-pressed to find technicians to service bikes.
According to Wards Automotive; motorcycle consumption in the US is up 44.7% over 1969 with 928,374 units sold, vs. 641,526 in ’68.
National proposal to mandate honking horn and flashing lights when vehicle exceeds 85 mph.
In effort to fight noise problems, MIC adapts slogan; “Less sound = more ground.”
Wow, just found this site. In 1971, I got out of Vietnam and bought my first 2 motorcycles in the same day — a 1952 Matchless G80S and a 1970 Yamaha DT1-250 Enduro. Both great bikes! After several other bikes including my first new one — a 1976 BMW R90S, I now have a 2003 Harley LowRider and a 2009 Kawasaki 250 dirt bike. I’ve been nursing a severely broken ankle/leg after letting the Kawasaki fall on me in first gear — in the dirt!
Loved 1971.
Glad you found our site. Hope you enjoy it.
[...] OEM parts and service technicians are in short demand. Competition Accessories daily blog has the full recap, plus all the previous weekly entries that started with [...]
I know this is not 71 but I tryed twice to post for 1970 with no luck. I will try again. I got my first motorcycle in 1970. It was a Sears Sabre 50cc. I was 15 years old. The following year I got a Yamaha 250. Shortly after that I got a Honda 450. Then a Kawasaki 750H2. In 1974 I bought a new Kawasaki 900Z1. I owned it for 32 years. I presently own a Kawasaki ZRX1200R. I am 55 years old. For the past 40 years I have never been without a motorcycle. And it all started in 1970.
Norton Commando 750, fastest production motorcycle for sale in 1971. And no mention in this supposed history of motorcycling the past 50 years. This series of history has not been accurate of what it was really riding at the time.
This is too cool. I’m glad somebody thought to publish this great time in our, not so long ago, history, as well as a memorable time in my life when I started riding. I regret that I stoped riding for years since that time, but I am so glad to be back in the saddle the last few years. I enjoy riding now more than ever and i”ll never stop. Well at least i can’t imagine life without the freedom of riding and the never ending road ahead.
Carabella 125. Wow! I bought one from Warren Bales at Competition Accessories in Xenia, Ohio. Raced it one time and got lapped by Jimmy Low on a Hodaka 100. He was good. I was not.
Later ordered a BSA 500 MX from Warren. Came in with a Triumph tank and Triumph paperwork. Love that bike.
Speaking of Warren, he loved bikes and was super knowledgable. He was also one of the best salesmen I ever met.
Thanks for the memories!
John Stanley
Kettering, Ohio