Please clarify. I don't get it...

I was reading in a thread how someone was looking to buy any of these bikes: KZ1000 mk2 / Z1 / Z1R / ELR. And it was told to him, that he had "picked two of the top five priced kz's". I love twisting wrenches and fixing things, but I'm new to the world of Kawasaki, so I don't quite understand what makes them more sought after than the other bikes? Are they just rare? Is there something special about them that the other KZ's don't have? What? And I guess another question would be what are the most sought after? Say top 5... And why?

some people like 55 chevys.

some people prefer edsels,i personally prefer 55 chevys over edsels! :woohoo:
simple enough? :laugh:

My two cents anyways... Like anyone gives a Rats Ass... :blush: :laugh:

* The Kawi Z1 truly started a new generation of powerful DOHC 4 stroke super bikes. Granted if I remember correctly, Honda came out with their design first but the Z1 ruled the roads for many years after that. All manufacturers were playing catch up for years, for the Z1 was king.

* The bikes you mentioned are/becoming rare, some more then others..
* If obtaining for a investment, these will bring in more $$$ in the end.
* Pending numbers of models sold, worth more to a collector. Thus more $$$ on the sale.
* Sentimental value to the owner whether investment or just pure joy in owning a Z1/KZ.
* They were/are extremely well designed & simple machines... You truly have to screw up to destroy one these. NOTE: Drag racing builds, crashing, lack of maintenance doesn't count...
* Even compared to today's technologies/design, she's still one ass screaming FAST bike...
**NOTE: I'm not saying she'll beat a new designed bike or in BHP/Torque so give me a break here...

Then as Plumi mentioned, it's all about what trips your boat, some may think it's ass ugly POS
and others may think that is the most gorgeous/coolest bike/car ever... :woohoo:

I think of it this way, back in the late 70's I had a Honda CB750, for a new kid to road riding she was fast so nice ride no doubt but once I got my ass seriously handed to me by a KZ then there truly was no other for me. It was like OMFG are you freaking kidding me, what the hell just happened here...

First what is that beautiful Kawasaki power beast and second I MUST HAVE ONE SOMEDAY.

Oh yeah, almost forgot... Look at her gorgeous lines, she's just a sexy ass old girl.... Yummy!

OMR

Up until 1979 Honda 750's were single overhead cam. Kawasaki's dual overhead cam was one of their big selling points (along with googobs more power than the Hondas). And of course, Honda never was coil mod friendly. :laugh: Ed

"Honda never was coil mod friendly. "... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Yeah but did they use BS-34's as well.... :pinch: :whistle:

EDIT: Had to look it up... mostly 28mm carbies in their series....

Well stated OMR. It is a difficult question to succinctly answer.

my thoughts on top five. Kz1000s1 z2a early z1 mk2 black moly turbo?

Early Z1's seem to be getting top dollar, especially '73's and '74's. I remember when these came out they were an instant legend. So even back in '73 and thereafter they were desirable. And now that the young generation of the time have hit middle age and have some disposable income (like myself), they have become very popular again, but also rare. For myself, since getting one. I keep an eye out for them on the road. Haven't seen any yet. I really only see HD's, Japanese HD' types or rice rockets. My favorite is a '74 Z1 with a Candy Brown and Orange paint scheme. I owned one in the early '80's. Lots of memories. My vote is in the following order (not being an expert).

1. '73-'74 Z1 900
2. '78-'79 Z-1R
3. '77-'81 KZ1000
4. '76 KZ900
5. '80's GPz's

My list is based only on the sense I got from when I was searching to purchase a Z1 or KZ. Not from an authoritative source.

peter1958 wrote: my thoughts on top five. Kz1000s1 z2a early z1 mk2 black moly turbo?

Although others might disagree...you have come pretty close to the mark...

Ah, ok. that does make a lot of sense. As I said, I'm knew to kawasaki, and I was actually going to pass on buying my kz1000 ST. But when I told my older brother, (he's 11 years older than me), he told me to call the guy back and get it. He hadn't seen any pictures of it, didn't know what kind of shape it was in, I hadn't told him that it had been sitting outside for a couple of years, he just said for me to get it. When I drove out to take a look at it, I took him with me, and even after seeing it all, he still told me to get it. I only got to ride it for 3 weeks before I had heard some tapping in the engine and tore it all apart, but those 3 weeks were enough to get me pretty hooked on them. Now I'm pretty much at work, sleeping, or on here reading. My friends keep asking why they don't see me all that much. I reply, "I'm reading about motorcycle stuff." They roll their eyes, smile, and walk away. I've been absolutely enthralled with what you guys have done with your bikes! Reading the old project threads, and your advice on the more recent stuff, I can definitely see why you have such passion for these amazing machines.

As for the top 5... I'm still learning the differences in all the models. And even the differences between years. I did see one bike where it looked like the exhaust wrapped around, looked like it came back into the airbox, and then exhausted. It looked pretty cool by itself; the rest of the bike could've been a piece of art on its own, this put it on a whole different level!

This is my first shaft transmission, and I have to say, I really like it a lot. I can't wait till I can actually put my bike back together and really ride it for awhile. I've only put about 1k on it in the 3 weeks I got to ride it... I've got some catching up to do. Now I just need to get another job so I can afford to buy the parts I need, and we'll be in business!

Thanks everyone for helping me to understand, and for sharing your choices also.

The shaft drive 1000 is the best one to own if you want to ride, other than crap for parts availability, it had style of th MKII, same good engine with a much better and tougher frame and forks, not to mention shaft drive which is 100x better than chain any day. I have the ability to compare the ST an MKII side by side as I have both and the ST is the much nicer bike. Most top 5 kind of go by current popularity. No one can dispute the Z1 was one nice looking motorcycle and still is, and always will be. The MKII was one good looking model too, The ELR is rare I suppose, just a GPZ1100 with uglier paint was all it ever was to me, I could have bought a new one for $3000 when Kawasaki had their $1 a CC rebate back in 1983 and regretted that I didn't see the attraction then.