KZ's vs Sportbikes

i just dropped around 8000 dollars into an engine tha makes about 30 horse less then a stock zx-14 or a busa, i need a remote starter[24volt set-up] the batteries and starter set-up weigh almost as much as my bike.the 14 or busa will run on pump gas and start with the push of a button. my 1393cc monster motor will need a ton of workjust to keep running at it's peak the 14 or busa will need the occasional oil change and possibly air pressure adjustment. all that having been said i love the fact my motor makes over a hundred percent more horsepower than it did stock and i'm the one that has built the entire bike with my own two hands. also have i mentioned that i'm stubborn and i would rather fight than switch.

i ve had both and they both have their strong points and weak points.....my zx9r had a hell of a motor stock and handled great, but i had a note on it and full coverage was a bit pricey...the ergonomics werent the best for me either....my kz was bought as an occasional get-a-way rider and has got waaayyy past that point both in money and time.....but it has a comfy seat, good ergonomics, is paid for, and liability costs me 80 bucks a year....i m 42 , married , and have two little girls...my days of trying to beat the other 3 guys out of the hole are long gone and i enjoy the wrench time in the garage with a beer and the radio ....for me, at this time in my life, an old kz is a no brainer ....plus owning a kz brings you here, which is a good thing because there are a lot of knowledgable people here who are also downright good people....couldnt have done half of what i ve done with my bike without the help here...keith......p s saxon definitely has a future in literary imagery......

Mechanically, the Z1/KZ engines are the 350 chevy engines of the motorcycle world. Super tough, overengineered, but versatile lumps that are easy to work on. They can be used as everyday transport, road-raced, drag-raced, used in microrods and much more.. They can be punched out to obscene cc's, you can run stock cranks (albeit welded) and get 300hp or more before needing to replace the rods. Compare this to most modern engines that are incredibly light, super powerful, but built right on the limit. Make relatively small performance changes to most of the modern bike engines, and you end up replacing half the engine.

Well.....I'd like to think I've got the best of both worlds.
My 650C2 is the perfect run-around-town ride....but it IS usable for road trips (as shown by my 1000 miler last September). OTOH, my 1200 Bandit is kinda modern with kinda modern suspension and a kinda modern engine.....but everything in NOT cutting-edge. Just a little bit "behind the curve"....which is exactly why I bought it.
I would probably have bought a ZRX1200S if they had brought 'em to North America, but nooooooo......Kawasaki knows better and only sold 'em in the UK and Europe. Dolts !!!
I'm still pissed about that whole thing...Grrrrrrr..

Jeff.Saunders wrote:

Mechanically, the Z1/KZ engines are the 350 chevy engines of the motorcycle world. Super tough, overengineered, but versatile lumps that are easy to work on. They can be used as everyday transport, road-raced, drag-raced, used in microrods and much more.. They can be punched out to obscene cc's, you can run stock cranks (albeit welded) and get 300hp or more before needing to replace the rods. Compare this to most modern engines that are incredibly light, super powerful, but built right on the limit. Make relatively small performance changes to most of the modern bike engines, and you end up replacing half the engine.

i cant add much to what jeff said.like ive always said the ol kaws are the 55 chevy of the motorcycle world!an old kaw with a little bit of work is more than enough to out run any of the roads we have around these parts :laugh:

PLUMMEN wrote:

Jeff.Saunders wrote:

Mechanically, the Z1/KZ engines are the 350 chevy engines of the motorcycle world. Super tough, overengineered, but versatile lumps that are easy to work on. They can be used as everyday transport, road-raced, drag-raced, used in microrods and much more.. They can be punched out to obscene cc's, you can run stock cranks (albeit welded) and get 300hp or more before needing to replace the rods. Compare this to most modern engines that are incredibly light, super powerful, but built right on the limit. Make relatively small performance changes to most of the modern bike engines, and you end up replacing half the engine.

i cant add much to what jeff said.like ive always said the ol kaws are the 55 chevy of the motorcycle world!an old kaw with a little bit of work is more than enough to out run any of the roads we have around these parts :laugh:

I call the Z's a cast iron Hemi vs the 350 chevy. There is a time and place for both.

oh i fear not the hemi !:laugh:

I can't take credit for this, I think it was Jay Leno that said it.

I just can't get to like a motorcyle I can't see through.

...or something along those lines.

WPBill wrote:

I can't take credit for this, I think it was Jay Leno that said it.

I just can't get to like a motorcyle I can't see through.

...or something along those lines.

works for me!

this is my bike...a kz.....if i could have only one bike...it would be a z-bike 73-83 anyone will do and anyone can be made to do any job in the sport.....it is the king of all motorcycles and was the fastest thing on the planet in all race types for a long strtch uninterupted.....

when i see a person diving one i know they know too.....

just like when i see one of these go by

performance sheets and write ups and time sheets can not make one of these years or newer like the one i posted before it ever no matter what they build...same as a kz...they will never get a bikes design and motor soooo right again....or even on the same league

this is a superbike