Looking at a KZ700 to buy - What to look for and what MPG to expect?

Hey all. I'm looking at an 1984 KZ700 with 37k miles. It looks to be in pretty nice shape and just had a recent valve job and clutch. Fired off as soon as the starter was touched and idle sounded smooth. What should I look for and what king of gas mileage should I expect? The owner said 28mpg but that sounded very low. Any comments welcome.

Thanks,

John

Hello John...yes, you should expect more than 28mpg. Does the bike have aftermarket pipes and individual airfilters (or stock airbox)? These might decrease mileage somewhat...if the bike is bone-stock, then mileage is definitely low. What does the owner want for the scooter? It has been my experience that many owners of the KZ700 consistently overestimate the value of their bikes...although there were only 2000 made, the collector market has not yet developed for this motorcycle.

Also which 700 are you looking at? They made a std as well as an LTD and also a V-twin Vulcan 700. Any one of which should get better mileage than that.

flyloki wrote:

Hey all. I'm looking at an 1984 KZ700 with 37k miles. It looks to be in pretty nice shape and just had a recent valve job and clutch. Fired off as soon as the starter was touched and idle sounded smooth. What should I look for and what king of gas mileage should I expect? The owner said 28mpg but that sounded very low. Any comments welcome.

Thanks,

John

As a guess, I would think city only driving mileage in the 40 - 45 range would be possible, depends how much you rev it up. If it has a bunch of aftermarket mods and is getting low mileage, it may be jetted up too rich.

Highway might be 50 - 60, depends a lot on air drag and how fast you ride.

Thanks for the quick responses!

It's an A1 sports and appears stock as far as pipes and airbox.

I don't know how closely the owner checked the MPG - he did say something like "all Kawis are kinda thirsty". I remember the '78 KZ1000 I used to ride got signifigantly better than that 28 tho.

He's asking $1299 but the ad says make offer. I was going to pay a visit with $700 in cash and see if he bit.

Sounds like a good plan and that just happens to be a buck per cc. And everyone knows that's all an old Kaw will bring :whistle: .

I wouldn't bargin at all with you if thats what you offered. Just my opinion.

Be ready to point out the flaws. The mileage, the gas guzzeling, any scratches or rust, tire make and condition. , new brakes?, old brake lines, old blinker fluid. Like was said $1 a cc is a starting point. Then it boils down to how much do YOU want it and how much does HE want it gone. It would have to be one damn nice specimen to go more than 150 more. Make sure all orig equipt is there such as airbox mufflers. I don't think your offer is insulting at all. But is a starting point maybe. If he takes it as a insult give him a contact number and walk.

flyloki wrote:

He's asking $1299 but the ad says make offer. I was going to pay a visit with $700 in cash and see if he bit.

That reminds me of the good old days when I went used car shopping with my dad. he would lay cash on a salesman's desk and then just stare at him. I remember a $600 cash offer on a clean Corvair that had a window price of $1299. In the end, we drove it home.

He knew just how to make a salesman sweat.... and then make him cry.:laugh:

i would do what loco says,pick it clean,mention every little thing hey,the guy i bought my bike from wanted 15 and i talked him down to 8 by noticing the smallest things also know more about the bike than he does...good luck

Was the choke on when you thumbed the starter?? The reason I ask is because if it lit right up and it wasn't on choke it could be running kinda rich which would also explain the low MPG. I personally wouldn't pay more then a grand for that bike but I also could car less for anything that is or was "limited" or "rare". I just want it cheap and to be fun. That going there with cash in hand sounds like a great idea though I've never heard of doing that before but I definitely will remember it!! Thanks.