THIRTY YEARS APART.....

650ed wrote:

Kill me if you must, it may be faster, but that new red bike looks like it was designed by a Federal Gov't committee using parts from 6 different models. The KZ flows from front to back as a piece of sculpture. Take a minute and compare the beauty of the KZ tank to the humpty-dumpty red tank. I can't believe anyone would prefer the red one. ed

Now now, your bias is showing.

And I agree 100%. I've always been a huge fan of the early Z's and when parked next to a modern sport bike/track bike they look even better.

No comparison as far as performance goes but for most here the old Z lump is plenty entertaining. To each his own...

i'm old enough to remember the original Z-1's premier back in 1973 (the year i graduated from high school!). i was the proud owner of a 72 H2 750 a year later and a 35 year love affair with kawasaki ensued.
i like both bikes. i'm sure most here know the z1000 was kawasaki's 30th anniversary tribute to the original Z1.
this will raise some fur but i like the z1000 much better than the zrx1200 i had. faster, quicker, more compact, sits and feels like a super moto on steroids.

Here's KTM answer to the KLR650. A little heavier, but not that much. 130mph top speed 106hp. I think this would be great. Has anyone owned a KTM motorcycle?

I wasn't under the impression that 30 years ago the z1 was designed for old men. I mean thats what hardleys were for. The Z1 was designed to be quick, stand out and use the best technology that was avaiable.


I think Kawi did a great job with the new Z1's I just would have liked a better looking exhaust(keeping the 4 cans though! )

both get it going bill. the heart rate that is.

I have rode/raced several ktm dirtbikes my dad is in love with them. They still run a chromoly frame as opposed to an aluminum frame and are still the lightest bikes on the market. Theyre one of the few that comes with ahydraulic clutch from the factory and the best of the bike that do come with them. They are also the most powerful bikes in there respective classes all of them. there 450, 250,125,250 two strokes. Enduro bikes are just detuned motocross bikes. They are the most innovative bikes that aren't one offs.

I'm thinking one of these would be a riot or one of their 100 horse supermotos would be the ticket. literally with me onboard.

I don't know, when I think about the following lines I use on my girfriends (a girlfriend just now is any gal over 18 who'll get on the bike.)

(1) "Hold on, this bike is FAST -- but it is OLD, you never know what's gonna happen with a 30-year old bike!"


versus:


(2) "Hold on, this bike is fast...and...brand new and safe with excellent brakes, handling, and driveability and passenger comfort."


SHE'S HOLDING ON TIGHTER FOR (1) THERE

1 has a much more comftorbale rear seat!
if it had shocks on the back that is.