BUYING AND SELLING

Suzuki’s timeless, two-stroke triple, the GT750 ‘Kettle’, always brews up interest

Focus on the Suzuki GT750 and how ‘serious buyers’ don’t exist

Suzuki’s GT750 remains one of the best-loved bikes of the ’70s. That might be because it’s a little bit out of the ordinary, just a touch over the top or maybe simply because it’s a fine bike that’s fun to ride and rewarding to own. But whatever the reason, there’s no doubting the popularity of the water-cooled ‘Kettle’.

Back in 1972, when the first J models went on sale, the GT750 was something of an eye-opener. It was the first mass-produced Japanese machine to feature liquid cooling, for a start. And, at a time when four-strokes seemed to be the future for big-bore bikes, it was a stroker. It was also big, impressive, decently fast (Suzuki’s factory TR750 racers leaned heavily on the GT750’S engine technology) and sophisticated. And what a glorious exhaust note, too. Before the end of the decade, the Kettle might have gone off the boil thanks to increasing stringent emissions legislation in the USA, but it was a lot of fun while it lasted.

It still is. It also has one of the most active – and friendliest – owners clubs (thekettleclub.com), a parts supply situation that’s actually improving and prices that are steadily rising. There’s never been a better time to own one – well, not since the mid-’70s, anyway.

First-year J models – with a twinleading-shoe front brake – are the most collectable and desirable. The short-lived 1973 K model – it was only on the market for about eight months in the UK – got twin disc front brakes and, from 1974, the L models feature a redesigned exhaust that gives a little more cornering clearance. There’s increased compression on the 1975 M – upping top speed a touch – and raised gearing and a lockable fuel cap for the penultimate model, the GT750A. The 1977 B model is the last of the line.