The old 4 cylinder Dinosaur

The Old 4 Cylinder Dinosaur

Many of you, who are owners of older bigger 4 cylinder Kawasaki’s, may have noticed when out for a ride for a snack or a “Cold One” how a crowd will gather next to your bike.

Statements will be made about how they had one, or their Fathers, Brothers or Uncles owned one and how fast it was, and how for the most part, the newer, faster, sports bikes on the street tend to be ignored when you drive up on your “Dinosaur”.

Sure, the older bikes cannot compete with today’s motorcycles in handling and acceleration, but they can sure turn heads when they rumble down the streets exhausting through a nice 4 into 1 collector.

If the owner of a new sport bike wonders why the interest in your bike, ask him/her in 20-30 years will his/her bike attract as much notice as your’s does today? Our older bikes are like the “Muscle Cars” of the 70’s.

Nothing can quite compare to the sound of a big, 4 cylinder Kawasaki, getting it’s act together and moving on down the road…

Amen Brother. It happens to me all the time. A guy was checking out my bike real good yesterday. He had owned the Kawasaki dealership in town when the MachII trippples came out.

I was told I could never sneak up on anyone on my bike.

+1 here all the time being its a police model.

MFolks wrote: The Old 4 Cylinder Dinosaur

Many of you, who are owners of older bigger 4 cylinder Kawasaki’s, may have noticed when out for a ride for a snack or a “Cold One” how a crowd will gather next to your bike.

Statements will be made about how they had one, or their Fathers, Brothers or Uncles owned one and how fast it was, and how for the most part, the newer, faster, sports bikes on the street tend to be ignored when you drive up on your “Dinosaur”.

Sure, the older bikes cannot compete with today’s motorcycles in handling and acceleration, but they can sure turn heads when they rumble down the streets exhausting through a nice 4 into 1 collector.

If the owner of a new sport bike wonders why the interest in your bike, ask him/her in 20-30 years will his/her bike attract as much notice as your’s does today? Our older bikes are like the “Muscle Cars” of the 70’s.

Nothing can quite compare to the sound of a big, 4 cylinder Kawasaki, getting it’s act together and moving on down the road…

True that brother!

I cannot believe the number of compliments I get on my bike! Random guys (mostly ) who roll down a window at a stoplight, guys at the muffler shop, hanging out at the motorcycle shops around town. Heard quite a few stories- "I wanted one but my gf said no, glad I listened because I married her" and the occasional "a friend of mine was killed on one..." Pull up to bike night and the Harley guys will come over, the occasional crotch rocket riding squid will mumble a compliment under his breath, and sure I get a lot of "why do you ride THAT old bike?!?" Truth is, I quite honestly wouldn't trade it for nearly anything!

P21 wrote: +1 here all the time being its a police model.

I really want to get a KZP. I'll ride it as is too. I've seen a bunch of KZPs that the owner strips the fairing and bags off of and gets a banana seat. Whats the point?

Happens alot tome to kind of makes it even more fun doesnt it.

This is exactly what I needed to read. I've been debating for the last couple of nights whether or not to put the KZ in the garage and buy a used Harley. I don't want a Harley, I don't really like Harleys, but in some moments of weakness I just got fed up with the semi-constant tweaks/repairs/"Well that's interesting" moments required in owning a motorcycle built in the late 70's.
But you're right, there's something special about our old bikes. I know I'd just be disappointed if I went to something different.

Anybody know a shop in LA?

Where in LA?

Should have been clearer, LA as in Los Angeles. If that's what you meant then I'm game for any shop with a good reputation. I'm in Pasadena though

Thats my problem too. I try to do my own work most of the time, but occasionally it would be nice to have a good shop to bring it to. I live in the pittsburgh area, and none of the bike shops around here have any idea what they are doing with old bikes. They always try to convince me to buy something new, but they obviously dont understand the statement made above.

MFolks wrote: Many of you, who are owners of older bigger 4 cylinder Kawasaki’s, may have noticed when out for a ride for a snack or a “Cold One” how a crowd will gather next to your bike.

Yep...and it's usually Harley guys! LOL!

There are days where I think I would love a "modern" bike, to just turn the key, hit the start button and never have to worry about mechanical gremlins messing your ride up. But these bikes have a soul....a crazy as it may be to explain to someone. I actually do my walk around before I ride and have a nice quick chat with the bike in my head, sometimes aloud. Just to align the motorcycle Gods with the days journey. I love these old bikes