83 KZ1100 70mph 5500 rpm?

Ok haven't had this particular bike that long but was on highway the other day at about 70mph tach was at 5k. Seems a bit high to me. Also figuring most bike Speedos read a little faster than actual. This is likely made to sound worse by the baffle mod from previous owner.. It's basically the end cap.. It screams.. Like ear plug loud on a decent road trip..

My 11 has been off the road for too long and i can't quite remember the gearing, but my 750 is around 4000 at 55mph and 7000 at 90mph in top gear, so I guess you aren't far out.

These motor's aren't V twins, they are high revving fours with quite long duration cams, peak tourque is well over 2/3 of the way to the redline: they are more efficient at high rpms.

The 'overlap' period on the cams makes these quite wasteful at 3-4k rpm: opening the exhaust valve too early is great for rpm performance but wastes power....

A Loud pipe on an 8 valve Zed howling through pod filters is music to my ears, pure heavy metal... just gets old really fast on a long trip. You could alter the gearing and the 11 has plenty of tourque but maybe your pipe is too loud. Improving the baffles increases back pressure and whilst reducing top rpm power might increase midrange power and overall efficiency at 1/2 throttle cruising speeds.

I had 135 mph out of my ELR, with more to go. With your gearing 10 000 rpm would be 140 mph, as fast as most zed 11 will ever go.

I'm at 70 around 4-4500 RPM. 3500 at 55.
Steve

pods also.. It sounds GREAT driving through city. But on highway at 70 mph for any length of time and I seriously had a ringing in my ears with full face helmet.. Ear plugs will be a must on any long trip. You mentioned altering gearing .. I didn't even know it was available on shaft drive models.

ok it is a shaft drive, well I guess we can assume the gearing is standard, again what i said about these kz/GPz being high revving,fairly short stroke motors with plenty of cam being most efficient working fast.

You can keep the growl but loose the dB levels with baffles and wire wool packing. Unless you are doing Laguna Seca superbike racing, in the real world, for road use on an 11 it is all about midrange power imo.

To get into the power band, I have to drop down 1 or 2 gears. Rolling it on at 4000 is like being on a smaller bike.
Steve

76KZ900 wrote: Ok haven't had this particular bike that long but was on highway the other day at about 70mph tach was at 5k. Seems a bit high to me..

That's exactly what my stock KZ-750 did also. That's why I changed the gearing.

That drive line robs power. I suspect the only way to change it is a conversion.
Steve

Took bike out for another ride yesterday. Tach is actually at 5500rpm @ 70mph. Is there/was there a way to switch gearing on shaft drive bikes?. I'm looking forward to take on some extended rides this summer and thought maybe driving 3k from red line wouldn't be all that good for motor or gas mileage. Sorry for first post that said wrong tach reading. Greg

Trust in Ma Kaw. She really knows the best ratios! The engine is designed to run at those speeds. I suggest you get the noise under control and you'll find that the bike seems better suited at speed.

Bill

Currently have 130/? Tire on now.. Is taller available ? It's tubeless if that matters.