TOPIC:

I'm confused and Google didn't make it any better. My girlfriend is looking at a Kawasaki GT550 and it looks like a KZ to my new-to-kz eyes on the picture she's shown me. Are they different? It's a GT550 (says so on the bike), not a Z 550GT.

If they are indeed different, any info on it compared to a KZ?

I own a beautifull GT750

GT750 and GT550 is just another name for Z750GT and z550GT, just google the pics.

you have to like the looks, I do, and they wil never brake down on you, they are super reliable bikes..

Ah, I thought they looked the same! So what is the difference between a Z 550 GT and a non-GT? The shaft drive?

I know it is great bikes. I own a 700 myself (:

In my opinion the gt's are very different from the rest, not many of the parts are interchangeble...
from the factory they have air suspension in the back, and air supported suspension in the front and ofcourse the shaft drive.

An air supported suspension? Is that a normal suspension (spring in oil) with air vent in? Because the normal KZ has those too.

I'll look for a service manual or at Kawasaki. Interesting what differences there are.

Edit: So I found some more info.

"1982 Kawasaki Z750GT (Europe)

Touring was being quite the craze and riders wanted to see the sights on bikes. With Kawasaki introducing shaft drive to it's touring models like the Z1000, Z1100ST and Z1300, the new Z750GT extended the sports tourer shaft drive lineup.

The Z750GT was derived from the Z750E model with a revised engine and dual overhead camshafts that contributed to a healthy 78 hp @ 9500rpm. Forks were air-assisted shocks and had progressive action but could be easily load adjusted. Engine was rubber mounted and an oil cooler helped to promote moderate engine temperatures under long range loads. Kawasaki even included a large tank, shaft drive and comfortable bench seat.


1983 Kawasaki Z550GT (Europe)

After positive sales experiences with the Z750GT; Kawasaki increased their tourer line with a new 554cc based on the proven Z550 reliable four-cylinder engine with an oil cooler producing 50 hp @ 8500 rpm with a shorter final drive ratio for more toque and a shaft final drive. Using two air-assisted spring front fork legs together with a fill valve the suspension adjusted to different loads much better."

Kaw. only used the KZ name in the USA rest of the world they were just Z's,
K.Z. was a Natzi prison camp name didn't go over well in Europe.