KZ400

Hello all,
Glad to see a site dedicated to the badass KZ, its taken me a while to find ya but I think that says more about me than it does about yall.
So unfortunately I do not yet have a KZ, but I am hell bent on finding one, preferrably a 1000-1100. But as it is, my funding is quite short and I found someone selling a KZ400 for a good price and wanted some opinions from people who would know, can the 1976 KZ400 hang? Right now i'm riding a yamaha XT225

and it gets me around, especially off road, but I want something with some more balls on the road. Also, Im not sure if its the kz400 "special" or the "standard" - whats the diff?
Thanks again for putting up a great site!
p.s.
oh and what got me into kzs you might ask? THE TOECUTTER! FTW!

Post edited by: KZJerry, at: 2007/11/06 01:06

Welcome aboard! And thanks for the photo.
It's perfectly okay to bring along
the Yami and its classic saddle bags).

The Z1's and KZ900's are
also extra nice! :lol:

And the KZ400's can definitely hang.

Maybe re-size the photo to
"500" width and it should
keep text within the screen page.
Meanwhile, can invert screen
to make off-screen text more legible.

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2007/11/05 21:21

...not sure if its the kz400 "special" or the "standard" - whats the diff?

Point (don't click) at KZ Information in the green ribbon at top of page.
On the drop down menu, click on "Model information."

Scroll down to 1976 KZ400 Special
and click on it to get a pic and specs.

Repeat -- Scroll down to 1976 KZ400 Standard
and click on it to get a pic and specs.

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2007/11/05 21:51

Hey Jerry, welcome to the site,

I'm just coming out of newbie stage, but since I've had a kz400 for almost a year and a half I thought I'd put in my $0.02 worth.

The 400 is a great little commuter with it's twin cylinders, it'll go all day under 55 mph. At 65 mph it's winding up and in the flats or downhill 75 mph is possible, but if you're looking for something with balls on the road, I'm afraid you might be disappointed.

Since you're considering a 1000 - 1100 anyways, you might want to keep your eye open for one of the 4 cylinder kaws like the 650 or 750. They can be pretty reasonable and have alot more power.

Have fun!

thanks for the welcome an the photo tip patton, it definetly seems like a roadworthy bike.
however, thanks to link with your personal experience, I heard exactly what I wanted to hear - thats right about where the ole XTmutt starts whining and complaining, right around 65 it says "UNCLE" an thats what I wanna get away from - I wanna be able to pass that semi truck when I need to and keep up with my buddies on their 750 nighthawk and 920 virago so sounds like 4 cylinders is the ticket for me, cause I just dont wanna go the vtwin route - too many of em on the road. As much as I like the simplicity of the parallel an single piston engines, the inline4 is the one thats haunted my dreams since watching the final toecutter chase scene in mad max years ago.:evil:
so, any helpful hints on where I might find an affordable 4 cyl kawa? ive been watching the local craigslist and ebay an found a couple but theyre either too far away or too much...

If not already done, would also click on Classifieds in the green ribbon at top of page. Then navigate to motorcycles for sale.

oh come on! a 400 will hit the fair side of a hundred, it is not comfortable, and the bike does not like it but i will do it. they are wonderful commuters and can be outfitted to be pretty good touring bikes. they really suck in the mountains when you get up in elevation. they are nice and simple two cylinder with minimal work required to keep them running tip-top. i prefer the newer post-1978 machines, but i also own a 75' which works just as well.
S model or standard= kick start only, front drum, less chrome. single exhaust
D model or Deluxe= electric and kick, front disc, chrome fenders. dual exhaust and a tach.

Post edited by: flht1997, at: 2007/11/06 09:18

Not arguing about it being a good commuter, I used the bike every day in the summer when I could.

I guess it just depends on where Jerry lives... down in the lowlands of say, Oak Creek, WI (elev 702') 100 mph is probably possible. It gets a little harder in say, Fort Collins, CO (elevation 5,003). I've modified the airbox to let more air in and had it carb fuel/air mixture tuned by a mechanic. She runs like a champ....as long as you're not trying to do 75 mph up an 8% grade going over a 6000' pass to Larimie to visit your daughter. :woohoo:

Could be too that I've got the Ltd model, although the only major difference that I know if is it's 6 speed.

aha, I see how one would have a bit different running characteristics at 6000' - I live about 6' above the water down here in sunny FL;)
flht1997- that makes perfect sense that the standard and deluxe would have a few performance mods... (d'oh!)
I may go by and check the bike out - apparently the previous owner did a few mods to the bike and it isnt running tip top shape, so we'll see.

well I am now a KZ owner! Ill post some pics here an see yall in the technical forums!

not a bad deal for 250 bones... however its got some work to go.

KZJerry wrote:

well I am now a KZ owner!...

Cool. Congratulations.... you must be a proud pappa..

haha biquetoast - thats hilarious. never thought i'd see a kz popping out of a toaster!
yer damn right, now i just gotta get her runnin an its gonna be on!