Life In America
1978 – The average income is $17,000/year, and inflation is still an issue. A new home sells for $58,000. The first mobile phone is introduced. The Japanese now account for 50% of import car sales. 918 followers of Jim Jones’ People’s Temple commit mass suicide in Guyana. The Blues Brothers debut on Saturday Night Live. When we’re not riding we’re watching Dallas, and Taxi, or listening to The Bee Gees, who dominate the charts with Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive. At the movies we’re torn between the Deer Hunter and Animal House, but the number one flick is Grease. Gas is about the same, $.65 and Suzuki’s RM400 will make your wallet $1,698 lighter.
| Number One Motorcycle Trend For 1978: |
| While the number of European brands has shrunk somewhat, the number of models being imported by the Euros has fallen significantly, and with a few exceptions most are out of the street-bike business. The Japanese on the other hand are down to five OEs, but literally hundreds of models. |
European Brands
BMW: R80/7, R100S, R65. Bultaco: Alpina 350. Ducati: 900SD Desmo. Husqvarna: 250CR, 390OR. KTM: 250MC-5. Laverda: 500 Zeta Maico: Magnum 450. Montesa: Caprra VB360. Sachs: Hercules GS250 Enduro. Triumph: Bonneville 750.
Asian Brands
Hodaka: SL175. Honda: Elsinore CR250R, MT125R, CBX1000, CX500, CB750A, XL250S, XR75, Gold Wing GL1000. Kawasaki: KL250, KZ200, KZ1000A2, KX250A4, KX125, KZ650SR, KZ750 Twin, KD100. Suzuki: GS1000, GS550C, RM400, RM250C2, GS750, DR360, SP250, PE125. Yamaha: SR500, XL1100, RD400, XS750E, IT250, SR500, XL1100, RD400, XS750E, IT250, YZ250E, XS750, XT500, GT80MX, IT175.
American Brands
Can-AM: 250MX-4, 175 Qualifier, 370 MX-4. Harley-Davidson: FXS Low Rider, FLH-80.
Racing
ISDT – Czechs win World Trophy, US takes 4th.
Marty Smith wins 500cc AMA Motocross title.
Kenny Robert’s 750 two-stroke flat-tracker is raced to a 4th place finish at the British Long Track Speedway Grand Prix.
Mike Bast wins 3rd straight National Speedway Title.
DeCoster wins 4th Trans-AMA Motocross series championship in a row.
Daytona 200 miler won by Kenny Roberts at record 108.485 MPH. Steve McLaughlin wins Superbike Race and Marty Tripes wins the Supercross.
Kenney Roberts becomes first American to win a 500cc GP World Championship.
Other Issues
Studies report the biggest problem facing motorcycles is noise.
The US Treasury, in response to Harley’s dumping complaint finds Kawasaki, Honda, and Yamaha guilty of dumping. Suzuki is exempted by findings.
NYC passes bill banning motorcycles from the city streets. The bill is not enforced.
Minnesota adopts helmet law that precludes anyone not wearing a helmet from suing for head injuries that could have been prevented by wearing one.
Laverda shows a longitudinally V-6 1000cc power motorcycle that it claims produces 140 HP.
KTM will no longer be sold in the US under the Penton name.
Can-Am announces it will no longer build or sell street bikes due to cost of certification.
Joan Claybrook is appointed Administrator of the NHTSA, and now the fun really begins!
I bought a GS1000 suzuki in 1978 – put 50 k miles on it. It is the one bike I regret selling. It had power – handling – and was the fastest stock bike around. It had pickup that you don’t get from c.v. carbs. and it was smooth too.
I was a 21yr old sales rep from Sacramento, I stopped at Rogue River Yamaha and saw a 78′ 400YZ. The owner told me he’d sell it for $1380. All that I had was a check from my out of state bank. He looked at me, a long haired out of state kid with a check and said “I’ve had good luck with checks, that will be fine”. I also bought a Rogue River Yamaha jersey that i have hanging in a closet to this day, a reminder of a great bike and a nice motorcycle dealer
1978: I thought I was a real trials rider; placed 2 points behind Curt Comer (1981 champ) in an event. My dad had a 1974 BMW R75/6 & I had a Yamaha RD 350, the coolest bike I thought I could own at the time. Bassani chambers, K&N air filter – it was quick!
In 1978 I was basking in ALL the great bikes available from many manufacturers. It was a wonderful time to be a rider with a vast model selection from many countries. Haven’t stopped riding them yet!
Bought a new 1978 Susuki GS 1000 ( at 22 years young ) and have have it yet today. I broke a gear in trans back in 2001. Have spent the last 10 years riding three other bikes 215000 miles while trying to find parts and time to get it back on the road. Have riddened around the nieghborhood and still like the the power and sound of the stock machine it is. Live in NC now and can’t wait to get it to the Dragon for a spin. It has been a great 33 years hope for another 33.
I have a practically perfect 78 gs1000e for sale. original down to the pipes, and some restoration done. rides as good as it looks, bought it in seattle and rode it 1400 miels in two days. checked out by wes cooley’s bro in law, mickey, mcm motorsports, claims it is a new 78 in 2011. asking 4500, has original tol kit and owners manual, just over 23k original miles-a beauty. contact me at mohn_triumph@cox.net for pics. true, it still runs with the bigger boys. just try to find one-in any condidtion for sale, this one looks brand new.
Mike
In 1978, I was riding a new Triumph 750 Bonny. After getting out of the Marine Corps, I rode from San Diego to San Francisco on my quest to see the world. Unfortunately, that proved to be too much for the bike, having burned the valves with only 1400 miles on it.
Traded it (at a big loss) for a 10 year old Harley HydraGlide at the dealership across town. Continued on my trip around North America and South America, putting on 185,000 miles over the next 7 years. Have never been without a Harley since.