Looking at KZ550

OK, this is my first time here, and I don't even have a bike yet!
I am looking at a 1980 KZ550. I just love that style, but I am not sure about its power and such. i was really looking more in the 650-750cc range; I think the >900cc is too much for me (I don't trust myself with that much power). I guess I'm wondering if a 550 is a good strong bike, with good acceleration.
Let me know your experiences and whether this would be a good sizing for tooling around and commuting to work, or if I'm going to get bored with it for lack of power. Thanks for any insite!
-gary

Great bike! Nice power, economical, nimble, good lookin'.... What more do ya want? I'm shopping for an ol lady with the same merits +1....rich!

i've got a set of gpz550 cams you could put in it to boost power alittle

I think it will be a good bike for me. Someday I'll move up to the 1000.
Going to look at it today. Only thing, he's asking $1650 for it, which I think is way high. If it's super clean, is that reasonable?

It would be worth $1650 only if it's a really nice original one, no repaint and only the standard model. If it's LTD and stuff like that, those are not worth it.

OK, I'm new to the KZ world. Why is LTD worth less than std?

The GPZ's of that era make around 60bhp. I would imagine the KZ's are pretty close to that. Which is more than enough power to keep you grinning. Hell the modern Suz GS500 only makes it to the mid 40's.
I think condition is what dictates price more than model but who knows.

civilengr3 wrote:

OK, I'm new to the KZ world. Why is LTD worth less than std?

This is strictly my opinion, others probably disagree as always so no offense.
The standards were always better suited to any ride, better riding position, better gas tank range, more usable in every respect, not to mention the styling of a standard is so much nicer. They sold millions of LTDs so they are not particularly collectable and styling of the standards is timeless, will never go out of style, where LTD while very popular can not say that. Anyone that bought a LTD new was more into style than function and a LTD does not currently express common style. For that you need one of those Harleys.

$1650? I'd have to be ready to eat fried eggs off it. Just sold a cherry 550 LTD with 9,000 on it for $900 a few months ago. I was ready to come down but buyer never tried to talk it down.

If a 550 fits you, and is comfortable to ride (and it should be, unless you play for the Pistons), then it's a good bike.
A 900 or 1000cc bike isn't all that big nowadays. What with 1600cc cruisers and 1800cc touring bikes.
After riding my 1200cc Voyager, my 900 seems like a mini bike.

My bike is a 1980 standard and i really like it! It is a little small for me(6'3" 195lbs) but has good power and the six speed tranny helps alot! This is a great bike for commuting or tooling around town. The only thing i don't like is when its windy it seems to blow around too much but thats what happens when you have a smaller bike that don't have much weight to it.

I would agree $1650 is too much unless it is very nice.

Unlike some other members here I happen to like the LTD. I find it's riding position to be quite comfortable. I, being an old fart could give a rats a__ about my bike being in "style". (Yours may be prettier but mines payed for) It's my bike, I love it so bite me.

Well, now that we have that off our chest.... The 550 has proven to be a very reliable bike for me. As well as being old, I'm a biscuit over substantial shall we say..... I took the 550 to Americade in Lake George, New York this year. My average mileage on the trip was 54 mpg. So it will also be an inexpensive mode of transportation.

I agree the ride on the heavier 1000 is far more comfortable, but it's not at 54 mpg...