Is the Kawasaki Z1 still a good bike?

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The Kawasaki Z1 is a bike that I have long admired. It is what a motorbike should look like. I've ridden and reviewed Kawasaki's modern offering, the Z900RS. It is a fantastic motorcycle that very much pays homage to the Kawasaki's from the 1970s. But, I've always wanted to have a go on the original or as close to the original as I could get my hands on, in this case one of my very good mate's 1976 KZ900, that's like a Z1 only better.
The KZ900 quickly gained popularity among motorcycle enthusiasts due to its powerful engine, sleek design, and smooth handling.
In this RU-vid review, I will take a closer look at the Kawasaki KZ900 and explore its key features and capabilities. Starting with the design, highlighting its classic lines and timeless styling. I look at how the engine delivers impressive acceleration and top-end speed, making the KZ900 a thrilling ride and a bike worth considering if you are looking at buying a classic machine.
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11 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 129

@rv16ad Год назад

they are only called KZ if it is an american bike ,as they were the only country to call them KZ in australia they were always called Z900 A4 4 is because it was the 4th model of Z900's. i have owned a 76 Z900 for about 5years now it has doubled in value ,but will never be 4sale i love riding the bike too much .thanks for this great video and review of this iconic masterpiece.

@BikerTorque Год назад

Thanks for watching, I know how you feel, I loved riding it also, great bike. We’ve got a few more classic bike reviews coming up

@billbalyx8799 7 месяцев назад

they were called KZ'S in Canada also...i bought one brand new out of the box, was the first year of the KZ and the last year of the 900

@ozyrob1 5 месяцев назад

Nice review. As someone has alreay pointed ot KZs were the North American bikes. Our last z900 was the A4. An incredible bike. I owned one myself.

@BikerTorque 5 месяцев назад

Thanks for sharing!

@davidmccall4776 5 месяцев назад

I had a 1976 KZ900, a brown one, which was the only color other than green available that year, and it was a beast! The only complaint was with the frame's tendency to flex and get "squirrelly at high speeds (105mph and above). I still have the sales receipt, $2609.00 US. Be careful out there. Seeya! ☮✌

@BikerTorque 5 месяцев назад

Awesome bike, how long did you have it for?

@davidmccall4776 5 месяцев назад

@@BikerTorque I totalled it in 1981,sadly. It took a little while to get back on the bronc again, but I did, on 77 Harley Lowrider. I've owned several bikes since, but none as quick as the 900!

@BikerTorque 5 месяцев назад

@@davidmccall4776 on no, hope you were OK. Big change riding a Lowrider. What are you riding now?

@davidmccall4776 5 месяцев назад

@@BikerTorque A black 97 Heritage softail.

@BikerTorque 5 месяцев назад

@@davidmccall4776 nice one

@billbalyx8799 10 месяцев назад

Had the brown 1976 KZ900, best looking Japanese bike ever made, put 44,000 miles on it in 2 summers, wish I still had it

@BikerTorque 10 месяцев назад

They are a great looking bike. Thanks for watching

@Alexie3333 7 месяцев назад

That's a lot of milage in two summers!

@billbalyx8799 7 месяцев назад

yes it was.@@Alexie3333

@joehooyen725 10 месяцев назад

I traded a CB 750 on a new Green Z900 in 1976, used it to commute to work ,toured on it & also drag raced it . Only negatives i remember were tubed tyres & points ignition.Handling was ok for those times. Ended up trading it on a new 1st model CB900 in late 1979. Nice on the eyes video mate!

@BikerTorque 9 месяцев назад

Thanks mate, glad you liked the video and thanks for sharing your experience with the Z900. We have plenty more new bike, classic bike and rider stories videos on the channel if you are interested.

@165alice1002 Год назад

I bought one new in 77 , loved that bike.

@BikerTorque Год назад

I’m guessing you don’t have it anymore? Great bike, thanks for watching

@tedecker3792 Месяц назад

My new 73 Z1 ran in its sweet spot at 100mph. 200 miles from home to college was a two hour trip. Wide open SD roads and very few police.

@BikerTorque Месяц назад

Sounds like a fun commute to college

@tedecker3792 Месяц назад

@@BikerTorque I liked to play with cars on I-90, I’d be behind a car driving 75 at an interchange, accelerate down the off ramp, make a full stop, then blast up the on ramp and come out ahead of them.

@Kaw900 2 месяца назад

I still own 2 kz900s, had a 74,2 75s and a 77 kz1000z1, there was never a bike any better in my opinion

@BikerTorque 2 месяца назад

That’s a great collection, I loved the KZ when I got to ride it. My mate still has it, I may have to borrow it again

@SherKhan-b1kes 6 месяцев назад

One thing I love is how Kawasaki spent more time in the styling, instead of being about basic functionality. Even coming towards the late 80‘s they were pricey which made me opt back then for a more affordable Suzuki Gs1000s. Thanks for taking us pillion down memory lane, Best wishes from Germany

@BikerTorque 6 месяцев назад

Couldn't agree more! Glad you enjoyed it

@Jedders1968 3 месяца назад

Great video! I'm lucky enough to have a Z1 (1973) and a Z1B (1975). I've got other bikes but these are just fantastic .... I can't get enough of them. Just need some decent weather! 🇬🇧 👍

@BikerTorque 3 месяца назад

You are lucky indeed, much difference between the two?

@Jedders1968 3 месяца назад

@@BikerTorque The Z1 has twin front discs which was an option at the time but I had the second disc fitted - it is a good upgrade. I try to alternate taking them out on dry days. I use the Esso 99 fuel in them and they run much better on this imo. They don't like not being used and need a good blast at least once a month. The Z1 is the Orange and Brown colour and the Z1B is Candy Blue. The Z1 has a black engine and the Z1B has a silver engine. I can't detect any difference in power. The Z1B has had 3 of the spark plug holes helicoiled (before I owned it) and the 4th one blew the spark plug out on a recent ride so that is now helicoiled too. This might indicate a potential weakness with the aluminium head but the Z1 is still standard and no problems to date. PS I've also got a 1985 Kawasaki GPz 750 Turbo which is a mad bike! 😄👍

@colinhall8998 6 месяцев назад

It’s the Holy Grail. There will never will be a better range of bikes than the 70’s Z’s. They were designed for one thing, speed!

@BikerTorque 6 месяцев назад

Couldn't agree more

@winkydinkandyou 9 месяцев назад

In America we all got a Kerner header and upgraded to dual disk in the front. Never paid attention to how many miles on it only that it was well taken care of in good running condition. Nobody had a leaky bike that's not true. The brakes and everything about the bike wreck just fine back then they were as good as it gets. Today people totally describe the bikes half correct and half wrong. Super easy to work on. I owned 4 and a 1980 z1r 1000. I'm 64 I'd say I have enough experience back in the day to say today I'd rather have a newer bike.

@BikerTorque 9 месяцев назад

I hear you about newer bikes, but I do still love the older ones for a lazy weekend ride

@BigBert Год назад

Love those old classic bikes. That is a well looked after unit 😎👊🏻

@BikerTorque Год назад

Yes, they are great to ride. It is well looked after, needs a couple of things but nothing major. You may see it next year in Tassie Big Bert

@kawasaki900guy 9 месяцев назад

Great review mate! I remember drooling over these in centerfold ads in Cycle magazines in the mid-70's when I wasn't even old enough to drive yet. I finally bought a '74 Z-1A in my graduation year of 1979, and I still have it to this very day. IMO, there has never been a nicer, better built motorcycle ever conceived. Mine has been upgraded with disc brakes front and back from a '78 KZ 1000, and it has an engine from a 1980 KZ 1000 that has NEVER ever been rebuilt, with electronic ign, a Kerker pipe, and 29mm smoothbores. However this winter it's getting a piston kit, and only because the valve seals are causing the engine to smoke a bit, so why not do a total top end rebuild? . The bike is green with gold stripes and I can't go anywhere with it that people aren't turning their heads, or yelling out open windows or from sidewalks, or walking up on me when I stop just about anywhere. Owning and riding it never gets old, even though I'm a 62yo man on a 50yo motorcycle. It's simply heaven in motorcycle form & a real-life time machine!. Btw, many of my buddies who also had them in the old days still have them. Kawasaki Lets The Good Times Roll!

@BikerTorque 9 месяцев назад

Thanks, glad you like the video and thanks for the info on your bike. Definitely up there with my favouite bikes of the 1970s, although if Im honest the bike I really lust after from the 1970s is a Daytona Orange BMW R90S, one day I'll get one, but would love a Kwaka in the garage also.

@Jedders1968 3 месяца назад

It is so cool that you have the same bike from '74. Respect! 🇬🇧

@kawasaki900guy 3 месяца назад

@@Jedders1968 Thanks bro, I'm just getting her ready for the road now. Just light duty stuff like oil change, chain adjustment, tire pressure check & overall check up.

@RWilko221 Год назад

Make sure your mate takes it to Tassie, you will have a blast and exactly the roads and distances for the classics, do it in style!!

@BikerTorque Год назад

That’s what we are planning to do at this stage

@JC-vw9qz Год назад

Awesome bike and review. I’ve heard about Tim that owns this bike and he is a bloody legend!! Keep up the good work Ross.

@BikerTorque Год назад

Tim is a legend, proud to call him my mate. Plus he lends me his bikes when I get bored riding my own. Now @jc-vw9qz just trying to work out who you are…

@JC-vw9qz Год назад

@@BikerTorque Hah!!! speak to the man himself. He will tell you. Safe riding mate.

@BikerTorque Год назад

@@JC-vw9qz lol, pretty sure I’ve got it, how’s the GS?

@JC-vw9qz Год назад

@@BikerTorque 👊GS Going well…would have been great to join you for Tassie but not to be unfortunately. Look forward to hearing about that adventure and many others in between. Love the channel and looking forward to the next installment. Look after yourself.

@BikerTorque Год назад

@@JC-vw9qz I’m heading to Walcha in August if you are keen to do a long ride. Might give the Laverda a test run.

@JimmyMacTavish Год назад

Been waiting for this one 👍🏻 Nice work!

@BikerTorque Год назад

Glad you liked it. Thanks for checking it out

@chrismoody1342 Месяц назад

I have 75’ Z1b in the garage. New bike are faster but back in the day nothing was faster. Speaking of fast, 120 mph is way off. I’ve personally had mine rung out to 145 mph (indicated). Wouldn’t exactly trust Speedo accuracy. None the less I go to cars and coffee and draw attention, I ride the Z1. The modern Ninjas are a dime dozen. Not going sell mine till I got one foot in the grave.

@BikerTorque Месяц назад

Certainly is a quick bike, hope you enjoy yours for many years to come

@thepointingfinger Месяц назад

Riding old bikes is like playing an old Fender Stratocaster, sure there are newer faster and better bikes, guitars. But they do they job well, right? I don't see the need to cruise more than 50 - 100 km/h down a road. I'd feel a bit unsafe at high speeds, then I'll use a car. It's the beauty of the ride, not the speed nor the cost. In my opinion. 😊 PS. I have an old stratocaster, not old enough for museum, but it's old enough not to have poly coating. 😋

@BikerTorque Месяц назад

I’d agree with that. It’s funny my mates and I were hustling talking about the link between music and motorcycles

@davidhayter8516 11 месяцев назад

Is the K9 still a good bike…when was it ever a bad bike. Along side the 750/4 they are a magnificent machine. love ‘em.

@BikerTorque 11 месяцев назад

Agree, it’s a wonderful machine, but to be e honest not really a fan of the Honda Four

@BDHO73 Год назад

What an awesome bike. Love it.

@BikerTorque Год назад

It certainly is. You might get a chance to take it for a blast one day.

@baumie4618 Год назад

Great review and history lesson mate.👍

@BikerTorque Год назад

Glad you liked it, we’ve got a few more on these classic bike reviews in the works

@user-sf7jo7yv4s Год назад

Awesome review as always Rosco and a good looking looking bike as well .😉

@BikerTorque Год назад

Thanks T, wait a minute, what’s going on here😂😂😂

@themister3865 2 месяца назад

The 900 cc Kawasaki Z-1 was built from 1973 to 1975. After 1975 they were KZ-900's.

@BikerTorque 2 месяца назад

Thanks

@andrewwitts1389 Год назад

Beautiful bike - love the colour!

@BikerTorque Год назад

Sure is, thanks for watching

@RodKrisBisdakMotovlog Год назад

Wow that's really cool classic 900cc bro. Keep it up and more vidz to come brother.

@BikerTorque Год назад

It certainly is. Glad you enjoyed the video

@faystanford2367 Год назад

Another good review Ross.

@BikerTorque Год назад

Thanks, thinking of buying one?

@garyspracticalworkshop357 11 месяцев назад

Great work, I need to learn how to put it over as good as you , Nice one, Gary UK

@BikerTorque 11 месяцев назад

Thank you! Cheers!

@peterhoulis1184 11 месяцев назад

Personally as a rider whos owned a z1a , z1b 3x z1000a and z1R and i prefer the z1000a to the 900 bigger motor ,better brakes and stiffer frame

@BikerTorque 11 месяцев назад

haven't ridden the Z1000, but imagine it's a step up.

@TheTestride 6 месяцев назад

Yes agree . Owned 2 Z9s and my Z1000A was my favourite by far. 👍

@PetesClassicCycle Год назад

AWESOME VIDEO!! Very informative and well put together

@BikerTorque Год назад

Glad you liked it!

@hachewie Год назад

Awesome classic bikes. I think my next bike might be something older.

@BikerTorque Год назад

Good idea Chewie, cheap rego to if you put it on historic rego

@queenslander954 11 месяцев назад

Z1 , Z1A & Z1B .. were the good mail, the cheap paint-jobs on the Z900 killed the vibe .

@BikerTorque 11 месяцев назад

I do love a Jaffa.

@RoadsOfOz Год назад

Kawasaki made some quick bikes in the 70’s and 80’s. Also it is easier to get parts for the 70’s models as they are well supported. You looked like you had a ball on the big zed.

@BikerTorque Год назад

Absolutely loved it Matt. Thanks for watching

@tedecker3792 Месяц назад

You could “kick” start a Z1 with your hand. Won a few bets that way!

@BikerTorque Месяц назад

I’ve heard that

@richardmikesell1335 Год назад

I have a 1976 kz900 z1 frame code. I rode 200 miles on it today!!!!! No fucking shit great bike, she is my blue bitch. I've had her of 20,30 years. I cant get over how smooooooth that air cooled motor runs. Don't forget Marvel Mystery oil for air cooled motors. Thanks for the video.😆

@BikerTorque Год назад

Glad you enjoyed the video and great to hear you are still racking up the miles on this classic. Thanks for watching

@iancrombie8862 7 месяцев назад

Beautiful bike!😍😍🏍

@BikerTorque 7 месяцев назад

It sure is!

@teneretraveller8980 Год назад

Nice one. The original King. I remember them being released. Gawd, I'm old. Nice review, mate. Safe, happy travels 👍 .

@BikerTorque Год назад

Cheers glad you enjoyed it

@williamchristie7365 10 месяцев назад

I would love to see you review the 1983 CB1000 Custom if you have not already done so. Cheers!

@BikerTorque 10 месяцев назад

Would love to do a video with the CB1000 Custom, the issue is getting my hands on one for a few days to ride and get enough footage for a video

@wilharnecker2575 8 месяцев назад

Do the Tasmania trip!!!

@BikerTorque 8 месяцев назад

We are heading down there next month, but not on the old bikes unfortunately. The Laverda is having a few engine issues, and the Z1 has a few issues that need sorting with the carbs, so it’s modern bikes for the trip this time.

@email4664 8 месяцев назад

@@BikerTorque This is the best review of this type of bike yet. Thank you for being a fellow gearhead and getting all of the points. Love it that you gave us all the first gear thunk. I adore that about my other 4 cyl bikes of this era. Lovely bike

@BikerTorque 8 месяцев назад

@@email4664 thanks, glad you liked it.

@julianalderson3938 6 месяцев назад

Thanks buetiful bike'

@BikerTorque 6 месяцев назад

Thank you

@anthonynicholich9654 9 месяцев назад

Superior to a Honda that being said the best bike of the 1970s

@BikerTorque 9 месяцев назад

We agree

@johncunningham4820 Год назад

Funny Opener . Over-estimate Brakes . Yes . Can be VERY " thrilling " indeed . 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 . Been there.............. Back when Kawasaki was definitely the Performance King . Mechanically pretty well Bulletproof and reasonable Frames . PS : Also a Sydney dweller . Always have been .

@BikerTorque Год назад

Hey John, thanks for checking out the video. Yes 1970s brakes aren’t a match for the modern stuff, but agree it’s a bullet proof engine. Good to hear from another Sydney-sider. Might see you on the road some time.

@gregspice5916 Год назад

"Excellent handling", your kidding! They were / are terrible handling in stock form. I was there when they were released. I followed a mate up the Beach Forest road with this girl on the back, watching the bike flexing all over the place.

@BikerTorque Год назад

I have to say one I had handled pretty well, might have have a suspension upgrade, can’t confirm.l but most press for back in the 70s seemed to have a pretty high opinion of the bike, from what I found. I can’t confirm, as I was only 3 in 1976 and therefor didn’t have a full licence. Thanks for wTchingy

@letssee5213 Год назад

I have a diamond brown 76 KZ900 and it handles just fine.

@ekspatriat 11 месяцев назад

When you say renamed KZ I don't think they came to the UK ever. I thought they were all still just Z. (Even in Aussie)

@BikerTorque 11 месяцев назад

Definitely KZ for the 1976 model in the US, but may have been a plain old zed in Australia

@stevbrkr 10 месяцев назад

@@BikerTorque KZ900 was for the North American market only and had a single front disc brake. In Australia and the UK, they are called Z900 and have twin front discs as standard. The UK version had a longer rear mudguard. The Australian Z900 had the same short mudguard as the US version.

@neilharrison1203 Год назад

Definitely a lovely bike ….

@BikerTorque Год назад

It’s was absolute pleasure to ride. Thanks for watching

@carlnapp4412 Месяц назад

The Z-900 was the better bike, by far!

@BikerTorque Месяц назад

Thanks for watching

@trevorlock642 Год назад

One of the rear spokes is bent...

@BikerTorque Год назад

Yes, it might be getting re-spoked soon

@ianbonnick7640 6 месяцев назад

As soon as I heard it I thought the carbs are out

@BikerTorque 6 месяцев назад

It’s had a tune and carb’s looked at since we filmed this, running beautifully now

@brianazmy3156 10 месяцев назад

"It's like a zed-1 only better". Obviously they know nothing about performance. Go to any drag strip and look at how many z-1 engines are still being used. This will easily tell you which is better. For decades it was what every other manufacturer attempted to compare to.

@BikerTorque 10 месяцев назад

I think you’ll find it’s the same engine.

@monkmoto1887 10 месяцев назад

Dude it’s the same engine. And there wasn’t that much difference between any of them. Have a z1 and want a bigger motor? Put a 1015 or 1165 head on it. Carbs cams clutches cranks. It was like legos for bikes, parts everywhere and basically all interchangeable. But as far as the z1 vs kz900 it’s the same exact motor except maybe a couple of tuning differences

@ambmainman 6 месяцев назад

But wait a minute.... the handle bars on that bike are truly atrocious looking!

@BikerTorque 6 месяцев назад

Lol…harsh

@ambmainman 6 месяцев назад

@@BikerTorque But true!

@BikerTorque 6 месяцев назад

@@ambmainmancan’t agree with that assessment, but each to their own

@ambmainman 6 месяцев назад

@@BikerTorque There's a reason they were not put on as standard..... because they are hideous..... and totally spoil the look of an otherwise great motorcycle!

@colinhall8998 6 месяцев назад

Spot on. He looks like he’s scared of going fast with those bars on, what a shame 🤣🤣🤣