Yamaha TZ750

Yamaha TZ750
Yamaha TZ750 (1977)
ManufacturerYamaha Motor Company
Production1974–1979
Engine747 cc (45.6 cu in) two-stroke inline-4
Bore / stroke66.4 mm × 54 mm (2.61 in × 2.13 in)
Power120 hp (89 kW) @ 10,500 rpm
Wheelbase1,390 mm (55 in)
Weight152 kg (335 lb) (dry)
RelatedYamaha TZ 350

The Yamaha TZ750 is a series production two-stroke race motorcycle built by Yamaha to compete in the Formula 750 class in the 1970s. Motorcyclist called it "the most notorious and successful roadracing motorcycle of the 1970s".[1] Another journal called it the dominant motorcycle of the era, noting its nine consecutive Daytona 200 wins, starting in 1974.[2]

Another triumph of note was when Joey Dunlop rode to victory in the 1980 Classic TT during the process of which he upped the lap record on the Snaefell Mountain Course to an average speed of 115.22 mph (185.43 km/h).[3] This is also the fastest recorded lap of the Mountain Course by a Yamaha 750cc two-stroke machine.

It was rated by journalist Kevin Cameron as one of the five most influential motorcycle designs: its monoshock suspension, high-strength frame and wide tires were necessary to handle the high engine output, and became standard for sportbikes.[4]

Twin TZ750 engines powered the Silver Bird motorcycle land-speed record setting streamliner motorcycle, the first to break 300 miles per hour (480 km/h).

  1. ^ Mitch Boehm (February 23, 2009), "Yamaha TZ750: Meeting The Monster", Motorcyclist
  2. ^ Kel Carruthers. "Yamaha's TZ750: Where Legends Began". superbikeplanet.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010.
  3. ^ "TT 1980 Classic TT Race Results - iomtt.com: The World's #1 TT Website". www.iomtt.com. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  4. ^ Kevin Cameron (January 19, 2012), "Yamaha TZ750 - The FIVE GREATEST", Cycle World