KZ650 RPM and GEAR relationship

Took my bike (1977 Kawa KZ650) out today after it sat for 1.5 months ( have other bikes and rotate them).

On all my other bikes, including my 77 KZ750, I noticed that in first gear at 4k rpm Im usually at 23-25mph.

However on my 77 KZ650 It have to get up to 5k rpm in first gear to get to 23-25moh. Is this normal?

Sounds normal. The 750 is a twin with a lower redline and more torque, so it can be geared taller.

That's why your kz650 will beat all your other bikes out of the hole.
And stay up with stock 75 900's to a point, I use to do it all the time.
My buddy's 74 was untouchable, dam shame what happened to that one

bluej58 wrote: That's why your kz650 will beat all your other bikes out of the hole.
And stay up with stock 75 900's to a point, I use to do it all the time.
My buddy's 74 was untouchable, dam shame what happened to that one

When you say "out of the hole" do you mean from 0 to 60?

I have found the KZ650 to be shitty compared to say, a KZ750 twin or Yamaha XS650 which will beat a lot of bike coming off a red light.

HOWEVER. the KZ650 is a MONSTER from 50 and above. The bike just doesnt want to quit. It was the ultimate middle finger to Honda's CB750 (I have a 1972 CB 750 so I know what Im talking about). The KZ650 is one INCREDIBLE machine.

The only thing I have more potent in my stable is my 1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport, seen here - just two photos of my 5 bikes

650Dude wrote: ...................I have found the KZ650 to be shitty compared to say, a KZ750 twin or Yamaha XS650 which will beat a lot of bike coming off a red light....

Either there was a problem with the bike or the rider. The KZ650 is considerably quicker and faster than the XS650 or the KZ750 twin. I can tell you from personal experience that my KZ650-C1 is easily quicker than either of those other models. For instance, with a typical rider the 0-60 mph time for the KZ650 is 4.9 seconds while the 0-60 mph time for the XS650 is 5.8 seconds. Ed

Reference:
greatbikesoftheseventies.com/bikes-speci...ecifications-01.html
motoprofi.com/motospecspictures/kawasaki/z_650-1978.html
cruiser.mototribe.com/motorcycles/other-xs650/specs
www.chuckhawks.com/yamaha_xs650.html

0 to 60 !
I use to ride with a lot of 900's and 1000's
My buddy in the red helmet had a 77 XS650 and my bike was that blue 77 650 custom up front
They couldn't shake ether one of us off the line
Other then " The Bulldog's 74" that is
Circa 77-78

bluej58 wrote: 0 to 60 !
I use to ride with a lot of 900's and 1000's
My buddy in the red helmet had a 77 XS650 and my bike was that blue 77 650 custom up front
They couldn't shake ether one of us off the line
Other then " The Bulldog's 74" that is
Circa 77-78

Great photos!

Maybe Im doing something wrong but my KZ is SLOW from a stoplight. Hmmm. Maybe I should rev higher and let her go?

Hang on tight and shift at red line!

Note: you do have good tires right?

bluej58 wrote: Hang on tight and shift at red line!

Note: you do have good tires right?

Yeah great tires!