WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE ST & THE MKs

hello all im getting back into these bikes from when i was teen and wanted to know what are the differences and the kawasaki 1000st and the kawasaki 1000mk??? the look the same to me? can you guys school me,thanks much

It will be easier and a shorter explanation to tell the similarities.
The engine and the carbs are the same. Maybe the handle bars.
About everything else looks similar but doesn't match up.

OR REALLY SO IS 1 BIGGER THEN THE OTHER??? IM LOOKING AT THIS 1979 KAWASAKI 1000ST IT LOOKS SWEET BUT I REMEMBERED THERE WAS THE 1000MK & THE MK2 BUT DIDNT REALLY KNOW WAS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN THE 3,IS THE ST THE LOWER END OF THE STICK TYPE DEAL OR WHAT SO HAD TO ASK BEFORE CONSIDERING BUYING :blink:

The ST is shaft drive. The MkII is more of the sport model. They are the same size, but
the ST is heavier.

THAT BEING SAID THE ST AINT THE WAY TO GO THEN? SO GET A MK OR MK2?

Nothing wrong with shaft drive bikes, its all a matter of preference, I used to own an 81 BMW R100RS (shaft drive)which just kicked B*** at high speed long distance touring and IMHO there is no other better bike at putting 1000 mile days on. Choosing which bike is better is only a personal opinion and not one where one bike is better or worse than another. I have really come to appreciate the square looks of both the St and Mk 2 bikes and hopefully will get one one day.

If you can find a running MKII under $8000, buy it. They didnt make many and there are not many left in the states. The shaft drive is a great bike and built like a tank. If you want a bike to ride, buy the shaft.

I own both. They are both great. Most has already been mentioned, but just to reinterate, there is nothing for the most part the same about the two except in the basic engine. All bodywork is different, different wheels, ST uses a 17" rear tire which is kind of oddball, all different everywhere although they look basically the same they are not. The MKII is collector item now so really out of the price range that makes it a good value, the ST on the other hand can still be bought relatively cheap. I'm glad I bought mine in the old days, but if I had to do it again and it was 1979 again, I would just buy the shaft and been done with it.

THANKS,SO WHAT ABOUT THE LTD,SEEMS LIKE I SEE THE 2 VERSIONS OF THE LTD,THE 1 WITH THE REAR TAL AND 1 WITH OUT 1?? I CANT STAND THEM KIND THAT LOOK LIKE A HARLEY SPORTSTER OR SOMETHING

BECAUSE I DONT REMEMBER SEEING ANY LTD WHEN I WAS LIVING IN JAPAN?

:kiss:

Good Fortune!

sorry about that i forget how people are so sensitive about that,dang computer nerds lol