07-21-2014, 10:34 PM
I think prior to the 1965 450 Honda twin which would legitimately run 100 mph and best a lot of big British bikes in the quarter mile, the Japanese bikes were considered by many to be small commuter bikes, because most of what they sold was 50 to 125 cc machines. Once the performance was equal though, serious riders started to look at Japanese bikes as an alternative, and as a real motorcycle. It helped that the 450 also had electric start, and in 68 a 5 speed trans and in 1970 a disc front brake. It also was reliable and didn't leak oil. Triumph didn't get a 5 speed gearbox until 1972, a disc fr brake until 73, and an electric start (optional) until 1980 which is really hard to fathom considering what Honda had out by 1980 (including the CBX in 1979)