KZ 750 twin vs 4cyl

How does the 750 twin compare to the 4cyl, early 80's vintage? I'm looking at a good looking twin on ebay , just curious how the ride differs with the 4. I've got a 750 spectra ,750kz and a couple of 650 all 4's.


Anybody out there have any experiance with the 1100 spectra ? I enjoy my mide size bikes but would't mind something bigger for two up riding.

Thanks for anyone taking the time to reply.

jamie

Subjective opinion (I own a couple of 750 twins).

Not a good bike for two up, unless combined weight of both people is under 300 lbs.

750 twin has almost the same acceleration and top speed as the 650 four, but doesn't stand a chance against a 750 four.

For a daily rider, commuting to and from work, running errands, casual riding, I prefer the 750 twin. For go fast conditions, I much prefer a 750 four (especially a modified one).

A stock 750 twin makes about 55 horsepower, the four makes about 75. The four cylinder weighs about ten or fifteen pounds more, but still has a better power to weight ratio (.16 vs .12).

There's no comparison, the 4 cylinder bike will eat the twin.

Here's some specs:

750-twin:

www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-details.aspx?id=7398

750-four:

www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-details.aspx?id=7394

Dang! Just can't get anyone to argue

If anyone is interested, Kawasaki 750 four cylinder stock hp ranges from 74 to 115 or so for the air cooled fours.

turbo's don't count that's the only way you will be able to buy a stock 750 with a 115 horse engine, and i haven't seen to many hairdryers on this site.

timebomb33 wrote:

turbo's don't count that's the only way you will be able to buy a stock 750 with a 115 horse engine, and i haven't seen to many hairdryers on this site.

GPz750 Turbo's don't count?

Factory stock, air cooled 750 four cylinder motor, manufactured in 84 and 85 by Kawasaki.

I think there are at least a half dozen members with one, including Lorcan with his 211 mph GPz750 Turbo.


Hmm, lot's of GPz's here, 550, 750, and 1100, so it must not be the GPz part that disqualifies it. So is it disqualified for being a turbo? Does that mean the Z1R-TC is disqualified also? And all the bored out, turbocharged, 1000's that are constantly being discussed?


Perhaps you could explain to me what does count, I really hate to break the rules due to ignorance


Here's a pic for you, it's the one behind the 750 twin

Two totally different animals. The twin is a more sedate bike, the four is higher strung. The twin has some major rotating mass with those balancers, so you're not gonna set the world on fire, but you'll get where you gotta go. I have to say I prefer the twin, but that's just because I have one!

Yes, the twin isn't as quick or as fast as the four cylinder, but it's still fun to ride.

The joke is that you could dump the clutch from a stop in 4th gear with a fat girl on the back and the bike would happily chug away.

guitargeek wrote:

...The joke is that you could dump the clutch from a stop in 4th gear with a fat girl on the back and the bike would happily chug away.

Is that a joke? I thought it was part of the advertising campaign, verified by the engineers;) :lol:

Love my twin

Thanks for wading in guys. I had no idea there as so much performance difference between the 2 and 4.

Is the handling and suspension similar for the bikes ? ie do both engines share the same frame ?

Anyone had any luck with after market shocks for the kz 650 and 750s ? I am kind of a fat A , about 225 , occasionally ride 2 up. I bottom the shocks on most bumps. A while back I read where a guy modified some auto shocks pretty cheaply for replacements. Anyone have any experiance doing this ?

Great forum ,thanks for the insight.

I wouldn't even consider using auto shocks on my bike. Progressive Suspension has good info on springs, dampening, preload, etc. on their website:

www.progressivesuspension.com/index.html

Ikon (the 'descendant' of Koni) also has good info:

www.progressivesuspension.com/index.html