Which motorcycle is called the “Widowmaker”?

The motorcycle most widely known as the “Widowmaker” is the early‑1970s Kawasaki H2 Mach IV 750, a ferociously fast two‑stroke triple whose explosive powerband, flexible chassis, and modest brakes earned it a fearsome reputation. While a few other machines have picked up the label in certain eras or markets, the H2 Mach IV is the bike most closely—and enduringly—associated with the nickname.

How the Kawasaki H2 Mach IV earned the nickname

Launched for 1972, the 748 cc, three‑cylinder, two‑stroke Kawasaki H2 Mach IV arrived at a moment when power was outpacing chassis technology. Period tests lauded its straight‑line speed—low 12‑second quarter miles and top speeds around 120 mph—but also criticized its spindly frame, short wheelbase, skinny tires, and rudimentary suspension. The engine’s famously peaky delivery dumped a lot of power high in the revs, prompting abrupt wheelies and wobbles if the rider wasn’t ready. Combined with early single‑disc braking and the era’s tire compounds, the H2’s performance could overwhelm inexperienced hands, cementing its “Widowmaker” mystique in the press and the paddock.

Key facts about the Kawasaki H2 Mach IV (1972–1975)

The following points capture why the H2 Mach IV became both a legend and a cautionary tale in motorcycling history.

• Engine and layout: 748 cc, two‑stroke, three‑cylinder (inline triple) with a hard‑hitting powerband.
• Power and speed: period claims around the mid‑70s horsepower; contemporary tests recorded low‑12‑second quarter miles and ~120 mph top speeds.
• Chassis and brakes: light, flexible steel frame, short wheelbase, narrow tires; early models used a single front disc with period‑typical braking performance.
• Riding character: sudden surge of power at higher revs made for effortless wheelies—and demanded quick reactions and careful throttle control.
• Legacy: later model-year tweaks softened delivery, but the reputation stuck; today the H2 is prized by collectors as an icon of the wild two‑stroke era.

Taken together, these traits explain how the H2 delivered unmatched thrills for its time while also gaining notoriety that still colors its legend.

Other motorcycles that have been called “widowmaker”

Although the H2 Mach IV owns the nickname historically, the term has been applied—fairly or not—to a handful of other machines over the decades, usually where performance outstripped period chassis or rider expectations.

• Kawasaki H1 Mach III 500 (1969–1972): The H2’s smaller, earlier sibling, also a two‑stroke triple, was notorious for vivid acceleration and nervous handling.
• Suzuki TL1000S (1997–1998): Early bikes’ rotary rear damper contributed to high‑speed instability; Suzuki added a steering damper in a widely publicized fix.
• Big‑bore two‑stroke dirt bikes (e.g., Honda CR500R, Kawasaki KX500): Immense, abrupt off‑road power gave them an informal “widowmaker” aura among riders.
• Kawasaki Ninja H2/H2R (2015–present): Occasionally labeled a “modern widowmaker” in headlines due to supercharged power, but its sophisticated electronics and chassis make it far more controllable than the 1970s H2.

These uses reflect how the moniker tends to resurface whenever a bike’s performance feels intimidating relative to its setup or the skills of average riders—though none has the same historic association as the H2 Mach IV.

Why the nickname stuck

The “Widowmaker” label endures because it captures a pivotal transition in motorcycle development: engines were getting dramatically stronger faster than frames, brakes, and tires were improving. The H2 Mach IV epitomized that imbalance. Modern machines—benefiting from advanced frames, suspension, electronics, and tires—can deliver far greater power with vastly better stability and safety margins, which is why the modern Kawasaki Ninja H2 is thrilling but not infamous in the same way.

Summary

The motorcycle most commonly called the “Widowmaker” is the Kawasaki H2 Mach IV 750 (1972–1975), a two‑stroke triple renowned for brutal acceleration and notoriously sketchy handling by modern standards. While other bikes have occasionally inherited the label, none matches the H2’s iconic—and cautionary—place in motorcycling lore.

Which motorbike was known as the widowmaker?

1971 Kawasaki Mach III: Debunking the “Widowmaker” Myth. When folks laughingly refer to Kawasaki’s audacious two-stroke triple as the “Widowmaker,” they may not understand the subject fully.

What motorcycle do they call the widowmaker?

And H2R. This bike really was the H2 of its day and it was the original. H2 we’ll talk about that a little bit later this new 7503 Three-cylinder two-stroke inspired a whole new generation of

Why is the Suzuki TL1000S called the Widowmaker?

The Suzuki TL1000S was a Suzuki V-twin roadster sport bike made from 1997–2001. It is frequently referred to as the TLS or Suzuki TLS. It is notable for the 90° V-twin engine which is still used in Suzuki’s modern SV1000 and V-Strom 1000 motorcycles. Due to its problems, it has earned the title of ‘The Widowmaker’.

How fast was the Kawasaki Widowmaker?

Kawasaki H2 Mach IV

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Engine	748 cc (45.6 cu in) Air-cooled, oil injected, 3-cylinder, transverse, two-stroke
Bore / stroke	71.0 mm × 63.0 mm (2.80 in × 2.48 in)
Compression ratio	7.3:1
Top speed	190 km/h (120 mph)