Suzuki GT750: history, specs, pictures

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1973-Suzuki-GT750-Blue-0.jpg
Suzuki GT750
Manufacturer
Also called Water Buffalo, GT750J, GT 750 J, GT 750
Production 1971 - 1978
Class Standard
Engine
Bore / Stroke 70.0mm x 64.0mm
Compression ratio 6.7:1
Top Speed 119 mph (192 km/h)
Horsepower 61.69 HP (46.0 KW) @ 6500RPM
Torque 61.22 ft/lbs (83.0 Nm) @ 5500RPM
Fuel System 3x Mikuni VM32
Spark Plug NGK B6ES '72-74
NGK B8ES '75-77
Battery YUASA YB14L-A2 '72-77
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed

Final Drive: chain

Clutch: Wet multi-disc
Final Drive Chain: 530x104
Front Sprocket 15T
Rear Sprocket 40T
Suspension Front: Telescopic Fork
Rear: Swinging Arm Fork With Adjustable Shock Absorber
Brakes Front: dual disc
Rear: expanding brake
Front Tire 3.25-19
Rear Tire 4.00-18
Wheelbase 57.52 inches (1461 mm)
Length 87.2 inches (2215 mm)
Width 34.02 inches (864 mm)
Weight 251.0 kg (wet)
Recommended Oil Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
Fuel Capacity 3.75 gallons
Competition Honda CB750K
Triumph Trident
Kawasaki H2
Manuals Service Manual

Brochures ·

Suzuki GT750 Ad
Suzuki GT750

The Suzuki GT750 was a in-line three, two-stroke Sport touring motorcycle produced by Suzuki between 1972 and 1977. It could reach a top speed of 119 mph (192 km/h). Max torque was 61.22 ft/lbs (83.0 Nm) @ 5500 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 61.69 HP (46.0 KW) @ 6500 RPM. This bike is heavy, comfortable, economical and extremely smooth, the GT 750 is capable of high 13/seconds standing start quarter miles. This Suzuki motorcycle was known as the Water Buffalo to many riders, also known as The Kettle in the U.K., Suzuki had officially nicknamed it the Le Mans. It was a 750cc 2-Stroke triple.

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a liquid cooled in-line three, two-stroke. A 70.0mm bore x 64.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 739.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a port control.

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the Wet multi-disc.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 3.25-19 front tire and a 4.00-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via dual disc in the front and a expanding brake in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic Fork while the rear was equipped with a Swinging Arm Fork With Adjustable Shock Absorber. The GT750 was fitted with a 4.49 Gallon (17.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 57.52 inches (1461 mm) long.



Two by Three[edit | edit source]

The early 1970s showed Kawasaki and Suzuki's response to Honda's already legendary CB750K by inaugurating the new technique of transverse three-cylinder two-stroke engines. Just as theTriumph Trident was in simple terms, one and a half of the their 500cc twin, the GT750 shared the 70x64mm bore and stroke dimensions of the T500 along with similar porting. If the layout was the same, the offerings of the two rivals represented very different philosophies. The air-cooled Kawasaki H2 was a supersports machine with out-of-the-ordinary performance: over 125 mph top speed and a standing quarter in 12.1 seconds. The Suzuki was a real GT: heavier, larger and with a water-cooled engine.

Two Errors of Judgment[edit | edit source]

Suzuki's main error lay in not having foreseen the trend of the market towards sportier machines. A second fault was retaining a front drum brake while Honda, Kawasaki (on its H1 500 and 750) and Yamaha (on the XS650) had already opted for discs. They would later almost over correct (in a positive manner) all these errors in the 80s with their introduction of the Suzuki GSX-R750.

Extraordinary Track Machine[edit | edit source]

Built until 1977, when it appeared in the catalog alongside the four-stroke GS750, the GT took a long time to build up its image. It was small consolation that it had spawned an extraordinary track machine, the TR750.

However, the GT was an excellent touring mount which marked a turning point in the history of the two-stroke. Reliable and mechanically silent, possessed of remarkable torque, it was a docile road bike, unlike the Kawasaki, which was brilliant but noisy and guzzled gas.

1972 GT750J[edit | edit source]

  • FRAME #: GT750-10001
  • ENGINE #: GT750-10001
  • ENGINE TYPE: 738cc Two-stroke Triple
  • MODEL CODE: 310
  • COLOR: Newport Blue, California Burgundy
  • Dual, front drum brakes
  • Headlight mounts and housing, side covers and radiator covers primary color
  • Water cooled

1973 GT750K[edit | edit source]

  • FRAME #: GT750-31253
  • ENGINE #: GT750-31357
  • ENGINE TYPE: 738cc Two-stroke Triple
  • MODEL CODE: 310
  • COLOR: Royal Red, Royal Blue
  • Dual, front disc brakes
  • Chrome radiator covers
  • Locking flip-up gas cap

1974 GT750L[edit | edit source]

1974 Suzuki GT750L
1974 Suzuki GT750 in Orange
1974 Suzuki GT750 in Orange
1974 Suzuki GT750 in Orange
1974 Suzuki GT750 in Orange


  • FRAME #: GT750-40247
  • ENGINE #: GT750-43041
  • ENGINE TYPE: 738cc Two-stroke Triple
  • MODEL CODE: 312
  • COLOR: Firemist Orange, Firemist Blue
  • Chrome air cleaner covers
  • Chrome headlight mounts and housing
  • Silver radiator covers
  • Digital gear indicator
  • Power increased to 70hp @ 8500 rpm

1975 GT750M[edit | edit source]

1975 Suzuki GT750M
1975 Suzuki GT750 "Water Buffalo" in Gray
1975 Suzuki GT750 "Water Buffalo" in Gray
1975 Suzuki GT750 "Water Buffalo" in Gray
1975 Suzuki GT750 "Water Buffalo" in Gray
1975 Suzuki GT750 "Water Buffalo" in Gray
1975 Suzuki GT750 "Water Buffalo" in Gray


  • FRAME #: GT750-52823
  • ENGINE #: GT750-57533
  • ENGINE TYPE: 738cc Two-stroke Triple
  • MODEL CODE: 316
  • COLOR: Gypsy Red, Jewel Gray
  • New tank stripes
  • Black dust seals on lower forks, instead of fork boots


1976 GT750A[edit | edit source]

  • FRAME #: GT750-61729
  • ENGINE #: ..... GT750-67558
  • ENGINE TYPE: . . . 738cc Two-stroke Triple
  • MODEL CODE: . . . 316
  • COLOR: Coronado Blue, Ontario Orange
  • New tank stripes
  • Locking gas cap cover
  • Dropped Le Mans nickname

1977 GT750B[edit | edit source]

1977 Suzuki GT750B
1977 Suzuki GT750B in Black
1977 Suzuki GT750B in Black
1977 Suzuki GT750B in Black
1977 Suzuki GT750B in Black
1977 Suzuki GT750B in Black


  • FRAME #: GT750-75739
  • ENGINE #: ..... GT750-82605
  • ENGINE TYPE: 738cc Two-stroke Triple
  • MODEL CODE: 316
  • COLOR: Red, Black
  • Black headlight mounts, housing and side covers
  • Front fender without supports
  • New tank stripes



Videos[edit | edit source]

In Media[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]