VOLUME ISSUE DECEMBER , P179
needed two more cylinders to
get the job done.
Cycle News (and other maga-
zines) took a look at the parallel
twin, missing its front downtube
on the frame, and immediately
likened it to a Honda Super
Hawk, a sporty bike that shared
a similar design during its short
life. But no one combines form
and function like the Italians, and
the SF2 stirred the soul in a way
that most Japanese motorcycles
could not.
On the road, CN compared
the SF2 to a Norton, stating,
"The road feel of the machine
is excellent, the frame is rigid,
the tracking is spot on, and the
suspension does a thorough,
no-nonsense job of coping with
wavy pavement." The British
similarity continued. "Touring
straight up, it hearkens back
to the ol' Triumph riding, miles
gobbling days of yore," wrote
Campbell. He went on to state
that the SF2's steady-as-she-
goes character was at its best in
the 60-70 mph range. The bike
was daunted by neither wind
nor rain or bumps in the night.
The reader could've imagined an
awkward stretch from the thin
seat and longish "tapered bread
loaf" fuel tank to reach the "low
and wide" handlebars, but CN
makes no mention of feeling
uncomfortable on the bike.
In the corners, however, the
Laverda's big bike feel became
something of a liability. "This ex
-
ceedingly stable motorcycle is a
handful to throw down and pick
up quickly," CN said. "This limits
your speed through extremely
tight, twisty stuff…" Ground
clearance was also an issue, as
Campbell was able to scrape
the "bulbous, exhaust crossover
pipe." But he went on to compli
-
ment the bike in the wide, 50-60
mph sweeping corners, where
the bike "just feels so fine."
The parallel twin, with its
single overhead camshaft, pro
-
duced enough power to prompt
the test crew to label it as "very
strong and responsive." The
360-degree crankshaft suggests
that the SF2 would likely bring
not-so-good vibration to the rider,
and it did, with CN likening it to
a "high-frequency foot and hand
massage." The Laverda shook
itself free of a few nuts and bolts
during the 800-mile road test, but
excessive vibration was much
more the norm for 1970s era
motorcycles, and it didn't seem
to cost the SF2 any style points.
In the area of little things, the
Laverda included a well-written
and illustrated owner's manual,
complete with parts explosion,
so that the rider could see how
their motorcycle was making its
65 horsepower.
The SF2 retailed for $2863, a
full grand more than the Honda
CB750. Spotting a Laverda on
the street today is as rare as
catching a glimpse of a whoop
-
ing crane. The company itself
was absorbed by Aprilia and
despite many comeback rumors
over the years, Laverda is fully
gone, taking the beautiful SF2
with it.
CN
Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives
The Laverda 750 SF2 sold for $2863
and manufactured 65 horsepower.
The Laverda's parallel-twin engine.
Our caption in 1975 read: "Heart
of a plump lady. Hold the pregnant
Honda jokes, please."
