Just bought my first KZ550 for a trip around EU!

Hi all, thanks for having me here! After finishing a 3 month tour of the US, I've been planning and planning and planning for a similar EU trip...finally in motion! Did piles of research on bikes, and decided a GT550/KZ550 was the one.

Well...actually that's not true. I had zero idea what I wanted, was searching unhappily through piles of plastic-fairing-junk, old cruisers, interesting but soul-less Transalps, etc. Happened to come across a GT550 on DoneDeal.ie and fell in love (lust?). Similar to the first time I found my other favorite, an '88 Honda Hawk NT650. Had to have it! So AFTER that I did a pile of research, found this GT550 was highly regarded as a great touring bike/commuter, and all was set.

So here I am, in Ireland, have purchased what a thought to be a 2000 GT550, and a do love it! However, it's apparently not actually a 2000, the rims are marked with either "86" or "98" (impossible to tell which), the VIN is only 12 numbers long, and the logbook shows 2000. Very confusing. I wouldn't really care, but I need to get some parts for the bike, ASAP!

I'll post this in the technical forum as well, but it seemed to fit with my intro...so here it is. Anyway, thanks all for having this great forum, looking forward to spending far too many hours digging through in search of info and knowledge

PS- anyone mind telling me items I should purchase to create my own tool kit for this bike? Mine is missing the stock one, I'd like to get that built up right away. Thanks!

Really nice looking bike! Ed

Thanks Ed, and thanks for fixing the pic!

Im pretty sure they had stopped making the GT550 long before 2000. Its more likley that its an import and was first registered in Ireland
in 2000. Hence the log book. No problem though GTs were always a solid reliable bike. Very popular with dispatch riders from what I remember.
No,wait.Im wrong. 1983 to 2003. There you go. Learn something new every day!
Hold on again;

From 'Used Bike Guide' 2005

For more details,questions or parts try ZPower All things Kawasaki and very helpful;
www.z-power.co.uk/merchantmanager/index.php?cPath=4_81

Enjoy Ireland (Murphys in Cork,Guinness in Dublin)

Neat, thanks Davido! "Imortal and Highly Practical", eh? That's good to hear

Though, they forget to mention dead sexy!

So, it could be a 2000...but likely something a tad older? Still looking into it...

Should be a grand adventure. You are planning a trip thread with copious pictures, yes?

Have you got a waterproof camera?

Very nice looking, should be a solid bike for the kind of trip you are planning. Very Jealous!! Have fun be safe!

TexasKZ wrote: Should be a grand adventure. You are planning a trip thread with copious pictures, yes?

So far, so good! Not good at posting pics though...will try! I'll try to remember to post 'em here, otherwise I'll post the link to our previous trip's page here: www.facebook.com/3monthsand2wheels

Or, my wife is keeping up to date somewhat well: www.eatingpaint.com

davido wrote: Have you got a waterproof camera?

Erm...we do, but we forgot it back in the US! Ahhhg!!!

fixitmann wrote: Very nice looking, should be a solid bike for the kind of trip you are planning. Very Jealous!! Have fun be safe!

Thanks! So far it's been great