Fully Restored 1978 KZ650

Hi there,

I'm brand new to the site and to riding in general. Haven't had my own bike for thirty years, but am interested in taking a cross-country trip this summer. I've found a restored 1978 KZ650 on Craigslist and have two questions for readers here: 1) Is this bike worth $1600? 2) How much will I have to invest (approximately) to make it "trip worthy?" Here's the link for the Craigslist ad:

sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mcy/2200362880.html

Welcome!

That bike is worth $1600. The 650's are great bikes!! I'm not sure you would want to go across country on one though...

When I see "fully restored" I would expect "restored". That 650 does not fit in any way that word. It may be "very nice", "lots of work done", "runs like new" and a lot of other things, but it is not close to "restored". I would not buy it, but that is just my personal preference in the way he's fixed it up. I have ridden a lot of miles on KZ650s though and for cross country rides I would not recommend them. For city and a few 300-400 mile days sure, but long highway rides are not the KZ650s strong suit. For that get a KZ1000 if you want these old KZs. If it was me I'd look for a KZ1000 shaft or KZ1100 for cross country rides. You be patient you can get one of these, not butchered, oops "restored" I mean for the same basic price, maybe $500 more, but money well spent.

Thanks so much for the responses so far. Both have been precisely what I was looking for. I really appreciate the wisdom and candor!

Yeah as a KZ650 owner and lover I wouldn't say I'd like to go cross country on one.

T_Dub wrote:

Yeah as a KZ650 owner and lover I wouldn't say I'd like to go cross country on one.

as the owner of several 900/1000s i can honestly say ive never had one of them id ride cross country on either! :laugh:
thats what they make pickup trucks with leather seats and climate control for,toss the bike in the back and haul it 2000 miles! :woohoo:

:laugh:

Point taken! However, I don't own a truck and I've done the cross-country thing in a four-wheeled vehicle many times over. This time, despite obstacles and hardships, it's got to be on a bike. Not a KZ apparently though... back to searching for that perfect KLR then

Don't disregard the KZ1000 so quick. It's a great highway bike. You see in my sig some of the trips I've taken. I did 10,300 miles in 13 days, 10,800 in 13 days, 4 1000 mile in 24hrs and 6 other trips over 4,000 miles each all on a 1979 KZ1000MKII. 10,800 miles in 13 days is 830 a day. That bike covers the pavement pretty good. Much better than a 4 wheel vehical, riding is the only way to go.

That is a great deal for that price. I have ridden my 78 KZ650 cross country several times. It was a blast, it is no Gold Wing but still fun as long as you take a lot of breaks. back in the day people use to put on a vetter fairing and saddle bags and ride these cross country all the time.

depends on what kind of shape your back is in i guess! :laugh:
ive done a couple 500 mile one day rd trippers on an 80 ltd,and spent the next 3 days asking myself why? :S :woohoo:

Forgive, But, In the day, My wife & I used to "tour". I rode a CB750 & KZ1000, my wife , her KZ650. 300-400 mile days were the norm. & mileage never the question. (yes windjammers & bates were fit) that was 30 years ago, would you consider driving a 30 year old chevy coast to coast today? (I still ride my KZ1000A1 to the coast& out of state periodicaly) But...I also pack the title & plastic in case of "catastrophic engine/other damage". Age gets to us all, In my case, "getting to where I want to ride" (IE Zion, Yosemite)often takes a back seat to "getting there".Hell, even in my 30's I would "truck" the bikes from San Diego to north of LA, to "ride" PCH to the races at Laguna Seca. rather than fight traffic for the last hunnert or so miles home. there's more to consider on a "old " bike than tires & brakes. Tho to be fair, Motorcycling in general has changed. Today's cyclist Knows little but starter button & gas station. & cares less. go for it, have an adventure. luck g

windjammer on a kz1000? :ohmy: i dont think any of my bikes would start with wind jammer on them! :woohoo: