Why do you have more than one KZ?

Right now I have only one KZ, and I'm keeping it as a weekend fun toy only; no commuting on it. But just last night I was thinking of getting a small bike for commuting, to save on gas. Maybe a KZ400/440/454, or a KLR650, if I can find something decent for a low price. The KZ1100 gets better gas mileage than the CB550! So the 550 is out. I'm thinking of selling the 550 this spring anyway. My commute is only 8 miles, so it's hard to justify purchase price and insurance on another vehicle, but it's fun to daydream. I already pay insurance on 2 bikes and 3 cars.

tjhiggin wrote:

....The KZ1100 gets better gas mileage than the CB550! So the 550 is out....

I'm quite surprised by that mpg. Wonder if something is wrong? I would think that'd make a perfect commute vehicle for your short 8-mile ride.

Yeah, my 400 gets 55+ mpg. My 750s get right around 48-50 mpg on average.

Biquetoast wrote:

tjhiggin wrote:

....The KZ1100 gets better gas mileage than the CB550! So the 550 is out....

I'm quite surprised by that mpg. Wonder if something is wrong? I would think that'd make a perfect commute vehicle for your short 8-mile ride.

According to the reviews of the day, even when new the CB500/550 four-cylinders rarely got above 40mpg (CB500 twin is a different story). I get in the upper 30s on the 550 so I figure that's about as good as it's gonna get. It runs around 5300rpm at 60 mph so multiplied by 4 cylinders those revs go through a lot of fuel in a short time.

The KZ1100 gets about 42 mpg. I sure wish it had a 6th gear or a taller 5th to lessen the vibrations and increase the fuel economy.

I get 31 mpg in my Miata commuter so to justify another vehicle I'm going to want 60+ mpg. I can't really see myself on a Honda Rebel 250 though.

tjhiggin wrote:

Right now I have only one KZ, and I'm keeping it as a weekend fun toy only; no commuting on it. But just last night I was thinking of getting a small bike for commuting, to save on gas. Maybe a KZ400/440/454, or a KLR650, if I can find something decent for a low price. The KZ1100 gets better gas mileage than the CB550! So the 550 is out. I'm thinking of selling the 550 this spring anyway. My commute is only 8 miles, so it's hard to justify purchase price and insurance on another vehicle, but it's fun to daydream. I already pay insurance on 2 bikes and 3 cars.

Here is some temptation for you TJ. I saw this on ebay and thought of you item # 280196984271 looks pretty good and it is in your neck of the woods.

I get asked this question all the time over here in the UK. My daughter reckons I need some sort of counselling but if I see another KZ that I like I am just going to buy it. The good news is that I have just been offered storage on a farm for some of the bikes so it looks like I could be shopping around again pretty soon.

Why do women have over a hundred pair of shoes?

The Gringo wrote:

Here is some temptation for you TJ. I saw this on ebay and thought of you item # 280196984271 looks pretty good and it is in your neck of the woods.

My, yes, that is tempting. Get thee behind me, Satan! :evil:

Post edited by: tjhiggin, at: 2008/01/31 18:41

The proper retort to the question posed is, "Why not?" That will keep the philosophers busy long enough to get my hands on a few more. :evil:

I got the second one because I couldn't stand the sight of it sitting in the neighbor's yard any longer a couple of years ago. That and it doesn't cost much more to own two than one. :pinch: