Couple of questions...........

These are prob dumb questions, so don't laugh! :laugh:


First - Do any of you long time KZ riders know if there is any difference in engines between the kZ550-A2 and the kZ550-C LTD???

I mean they look identical, and I can't find any spec info that gives cc/HP on them on the web....My husband swears my LTD is quite a bit faster than his A2???


Second - Is it ok to run high octane gas in these 30 year old bikes? I have been running 87 in mine and on last fill-up I put in some 89 and it seems to run smoother??? Weird? Just want to be sure it's not bad for it?

Thanks ALL!

Rae;)

I am pretty sure my 550 spectre had 50 hp, yours are likely similar...do you have a manual for the bikes? I think I have an e-manual somewhere I could send you

found it!

www.metrovationinc.com/christemple/KZ550.pdf

I think they're just geared differently... the GPz 550 may have a bit more power than both of those machines.

I think the GPz has like 62 horse or something...

I have a KZ650-C1 not a KZ550. I've always run premium fuel (93 octane or higher) since I bought my bike new in 1977. I've never had a fuel related problem. Ed

From my FSM

81 A2 (US)
HP- 53 @8,500 rpm
Max Torque - 4.9 kg-M @ 7,000 rpm
Final Reduction Ratio - 2.5 (40/16)

81 C2 (US)
HP- 53 @8,500 rpm
Max Torque - 4.9 kg-M @ 7,000 rpm
Final Reduction Ratio - 2.3755 (38/16)

81 D1 (US)
HP- 57 @9,000 rpm
Max Torque - 4.9 kg-M @ 8,000 rpm
Final Reduction Ratio - 2.5 (40/16)