Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1534836
"W hat's too painful to remember," sings Barbra Streisand, "we simply choose to forget." It sounds like a good formula, but in reality, most folks have a pretty darned good memory of their pain, even though they would probably like to forget about it. Bad financial decisions, wrong-headed relationships and excessive consumption of sloe gin swiped from your buddy's parents' liquor cabinet (all of which can lead to equally exces - sive projectile vomiting) leave indelible and painful marks on the noggins of otherwise respon - sible humans. But that's what she said, way back in 1972, the first year of the Kawasaki H2 750 two-stroke triple. Even Babs had a soft spot for two-strokes; her current husband, James Brolin, rode a two-smoker Yamaha on the old "Marcus Welby, M.D." television show. Two-strokes were the way we were in those days, and H-2 owners were the luckiest people in the world. Cycle News' editor Art Fried - man took a unique approach to testing the new Kawasaki in the May 30, 1972, issue. Even though he was an experienced road racer, Friedman decided to put the 750 superbike through the paces—as a tourer! In 1972, that would've been akin to ask - ing Raquel Welch to grill burgers. Kawasaki's Mach III H1 500 was the fastest kid on the streets, and his big brother would be even quicker. Why in the name of Spiro T. Agnew would you want to make like a Good Sam and take him on a road trip? "We all know it's fast," he wrote. "The Kawasaki 750 is as fast as you will ever need a bike to be. It is the strongest. That's all." But what his fellow staff - ers also discovered was that it was more than just a speedy motorcycle; it was also a good one. In comparison to its feisty sibling, "the 750 is much more confidence-inspiring and flexible. It is a much better all-around motorcycle. The ride, seating, suspension, engine flexibility and controls are much more comfort - able and civilized on the 750. In fact, performance-oriented riders may be happier with the 500." Even though the two pow - erplants looked similar on the CNII ARCHIVES P142 BURDENED WITH THE WRONG IMAGE BY KENT TAYLOR THE 1972 KAWASAKI 750 MACH IV H2 In 1972, the Kawasaki 750 Mach IV H2 was known as a screamer, but it was also a formidable long-distance hauler, something it wasn't intended to be. Still a handsome motorcycle after 50-plus years.