1978 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season

The 1978 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 30th Road Racing World Championship season.

There was an air of excitement at the start of the 1978 Grand Prix season. The popularity of defending champion Barry Sheene had boosted the appeal of motorcycle racing into the realm of the mass marketing media. The arrival of Kenny Roberts from America added to the anticipation. A young Spaniard, Ricardo Tormo took five of seven rounds to claim the 50 cc title for Bultaco. Italy's Eugenio Lazzarini won the 125 cc crown aboard an MBA. South Africa's Kork Ballington pulled off an impressive double, winning the 250 cc and 350 cc titles for Kawasaki, matching the double championships of Walter Villa in 1976 and Mike Hailwood in 1967.

In the 500 cc class, Suzuki returned with its defending world champion, Barry Sheene, along with team mates Teuvo Lansivuori, Pat Hennen and Wil Hartog. Yamaha's official factory team entered former 350 cc world champions Johnny Cecotto and Takazumi Katayama. Lacking a competitive bike with which to compete against Harley Davidson in the AMA Grand National Championship, Yamaha's American subsidiary decided to send its former AMA champion Roberts to compete in the 250 cc, 500 cc and Formula 750 F.I.M. road racing world championships. Roberts also secured the financial backing of the Goodyear tire company.

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