How long do they last?

I guess this most relates to the engine forum. If not, sorry, I'm new. I was wondering how long a KZ650 will usually last. A friend of mine has one with about 14,000mi on it for sale for $400. It looks to be in pretty good condition, so I'm planning on selling my Honda CX500 Custom and getting the KZ. Also, if any of you have riden a CX500, do the KZs handle much better? I'm selling the CX because it seems so top heavy and slugish in the handling department. It's my first bike, though, so I don't have much to go on. Thanks in advance.

Jeremy

Welcome to the KZR nation. Glad to hear from you.

I have about 58,000 Kilometre on mine. I have read that some members have well over 100,000 Kilometres.

I'm just under 6 foot and about 170 lbs and I find my bike to be top heavy when parked. However, when driving mine is quite agile.

Got a pic of this bike-to-be? :dry:

Best of success.

PS
Add your location to your signature. It helps get the best responses. If and when you get this bike you can add the year and model.

14,000 miles is nothing and I am sure you will love the differance in handling with the KZ650.

Jer,the KZ650 will blow away the CX500!
And like mentioned,14k miles is nothing on that engine.(or ANY KZ engine)
What else can you tell us about the bike?
Details and pics...

Ditto to both JT's and Sandy's replies. Period.

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures yet. I probably won't until I get the bike. Thanks a lot for the replies. Where would I look/ask to find out about any common problems or things to look for on a KZ? There isn't really a general forum, and I checked the articles and files. I heard that they had some problems with carbs in the beggining, but don't know how reliable that info is. I'd be getting a 79'.

Jeremy,
My 78 KZ650 has 38,000 mile and is still going strong. Even with abuse and lousy maintenance seems these KZ engines hold up very well. However, you can never be sure the engine won't dump on you a week after you get it. Of course, your current engine would probably crap out quicker, it's a honda ) not a kawasaki!!! (okay okay, actually honda's are pretty reliable also, but they are still not kawaski's!!
Better watch out about Bill's request for your location. He may be wanting to know where he can find the bike for himself. lol. A 14,000 mile kz650 for only $400 is a rare find I think, unless it is a basket case and needs much tlc. But, if it is in decent running shape, imho, it's a great deal. You need to snatch it up before someone else does.
Terry!

If you check the posts by Ronkz650 you'll find at least a couple where he mentioned the KZ650 that he has ridden around 160,000 miles.

If there were anything to look out for on the KZ650's, then he'd know what it is.

The KZ650's are generally known as nimble good handling bikes.

Haha, well my Honda is actually known to go for quite a while with little problems from everything I've read. And it has just under 5,000mi. on it and is in great shape for a 29 year old bike. Shame I don't like it more, I guess. Atleast I can sell it for more than the KZ will cost me and put the extra into anything the KZ might want right away. I'm just looking forward to it handling so much better than that top heavy slug of a Honda.

I saw a really nice restored CX500 just the other day (I like all older bikes, BTW) but to address your original topic, the 650 has low mileage. The killer for these bikes is not the mileage but rather how the bike was maintained and the age of the bike...time is your enemy. If the bike has sat a number of years (and many of these low mileage bikes have) then many of the seals, gaskets, and internal hard rubber cam chain adjuster bits/gears tend to deteriorate.:ohmy:

I would ditto the comments on the 650.

Generally a reliable engine - especially if well maintained. How it's been stored would be the primary issue.

Rubber parts tend to deteriorate if the bike has been sitting. You'll need to keep an eye on master cylinders and calipers for the first few months of riding to make sure there's no weeping brake fluid.

If the bikes been sitting for a while, go through it very carefully...

I don't have any comparison data as my KZ650 is the only bike I've owned and ridden for the last 28 years! But it IS a very nimble and fast bike for it's size. I've got over 51,000 miles on mine with minimul mantenance and it has NEVER left me on the side of the road. You will not be dissapointed.