Top 10 or top whatever is usually associated with pop songs however Dr. Moto decides to have a TOP 100 motorcycles. It's not a top 100 of all times or top 100 ever produced. It's TOP 100 through the eyes of Dr. Moto. The bikes are based on 1) impact leaving designs 2) favorite of the masses 3) success in sales 4) success in sports 5) quality 6) innovative 7) trend setter in its field 8) idea triggering.
Top 100 Motorcycle of Dr. Moto’s choice are not necessarily from personnel experience.
Dr. Moto has not included motorcycles produced within the last 10 years as Dr. Moto feels that a period of at least 10 years is required to determine some of the criteria.
For opener we list below motorcycles occupying the 100 to 91 positions.
100. Mondial 175
Mondial is rarely heard of these days. This Italian make was what the Yamaha RXZ is today. In the late 50’s to early ’60 every young hot blooded wannabe rides an Italian be it a Gilera 150, Parilla, MotoGuzzi, MV or a Mondial. As a kid then the sound of a speeding Mondial generate sliver due to ‘want’ factor. Definitely one of the dream bike especially against the more expensive British offerings.
99.Yamaha YB 100
Very popular among despatch riders, postal services and also by utilities companies during the early 70’s.
Personally I do not like the shape of the tank as I find the Suzuki A 100 is much more handsome. The fact that many specimen are still around today proved that the YB 100 lasts.
98. Honda CB 175
Very popular since the day it was introduced. One of Honda’s CB twin series, the CB 175 outsells it’s CB125, CB 250, CB 350 and the CB 450. Single carburetor version were also available but carried the designation CD. First choice motorcycle for those just starting a working life. Even though it is only 50 cc bigger than the CB 125, it has very usable power and the torque is adequate.
97. Honda S 90
A very popular mount especiallyamong students in the early sixties and workers in the construction industry. Never found out the reason why. The workers in this industry were either S 90 mounted or they ride a Vespa. It is a very easy motorcycle to look after. Washing up the bike is no problem, spray as much water and soap and it will still start on the first kick.
96. Honda CB 350 Four
After the success of Honda Fours in the World Grand Prix in 250, 350 and 500 classes, consumers were just waiting to get a hand of road going fours. However it never was popular in Malaysia unlike in Singapore. Every other 5 – 10 bikes that you see on the road in Singapore then was the CB 350 Four.
95. MZ TS 250
Before the eighties this MZ TS 250 was a favorite mount for people going on long distance travel. I like meeting up with these globe trotters when they come by to Malaysia, and most ofter their ride is either a BMW R74 or the MZ TS 250. MZ derived from DKW at its factory in Zschopau in the then East Germany. The name MZ came in only in 1956 when the factory was renamed VEB Motorradwerk Zschopau or MZ in short. With the fall of the Berlin Wall MZ’s popularity too faced a down trend.Malaysia firm Hong Leong took over the factory and produced some interesring and modern motorcycles, however it did not survived.
94. Yamaha Y 80
This is the motorcycle Yamaha put up to fight against the popular Honda C 70. Hoping to remove the C70 Yamaha had an additional 10 cc advantage. But so did Suzuki with the FR 80 (upgraded from 70). However Honda was not intimidated and launched the C 90 to fight the two stroke attack.
93. Yamaguchi 50
Ask anyone on the street if they recognise the name Yamaguchi as a motorcycle. Bet none will know that a once famous brand of motorcycle carried the name Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi was one of three Japanese motorcycle first brought into Malaysia commercially (of course Rikuo was brought in earlier but it was by the Japanese Army during WW2). The other two being a Suzuki and a Honda. The Yamaguchi initially was doing well for a couple of years before disappearing from the roads in Malaysia due to problems faced by the factory in Japan.
92. Yamaha YDS
Among the first twin two stroke from Yamaha.
Many believed that the YDS series were the basis for future and more successful models like the RDs. This bike was also the basis for the racing machine TD1C which made racing affordable. Anyone can now race. As writing this, images of Adnan Natsir on a TD1C at the Batu Tiga Circuit comes to mind.
91. Yamaha XS 650
When Japanese motorcycles got rooted in South East Asia, British motorcycles were still fighting back. The British had lost the smaller capacity market but they not about to give up easily in the bigger capacity market. The XS was the Japanese attempt to put the final nail to the Nortons and Triumphs in South East Asia. Whilst in Malaysia, it was like gone, the Singapore police took orders for Norton Commandos (Interpol). But that was the last of the British as the Singapore Police a couple of years later took delivery of new Honda CB500’s.
In the next installment we shall bring you the bikes in position 90 – 81.
TopMc 100-91
99.Yamaha YB 100 
97. Honda S 90 
95. MZ TS 250
91. Yamaha XS 650
