Why the KZ1000 is MORE FUN than the GSXR 1000 or SUZUKI Hayabusa! 

I bought a brand new 1975 Z1B in July of '75. $2,525.00 otd. Rode it to California and back in 1977, and 1978. Started a family, so it became a fast street/strip bike. 1,105cc Yoshimura engine. Before I finally sold it in '94, I made a trip to the gas station with no plates or insurance. As luck would have it, there was a GSXR 1,100 there getting gas, too. I told him I was selling it, and didn't even have plates or insurance, and asked him if he knew anyone who would be interested in buying my bike. He was a young kid, early 20s. I was 40. He sneered at my bike, then said "My friends wouldn't want a bike that old"! I told him "You'd be surprised how good this "old" bike runs". He said when I got my plates to come look him up. I told him I didn't need plates to get gas, and let's go run them now. We did, and he lost!!! When we stopped at the next stop sign, he wanted my phone #!!!!! LMAOROFL!!!

Love the old school classic Kawasaki...always a great time after all these years!!!! And still going...

Still riding my KZ1100 Shaft 1982 (which I bought new) here in Cape Town South Africa. Been through many adventures with her!!!!! A traffic cutter deluxe - we can white line ride here. Plenty of power to jump out of big truck slipstreams and then blast past. Strangely kids in their teens love it + come talk to me.

I had a 1973 Z1 900 that someone built up and I only weighed 120 lbs at the time and I would fly around town doing hole shots. One day I put my friend Kathy on the back and she weighed a good 200 lb. Instead of a whole shot when I dump the clutch all I saw was the front wheel and the heavens above. It's like time stopped. The wheel came down and my ribs were pinched very hard by her. I played it off like I popped a wheelie on purpose, but my heart was pounding. At least I survived it. Those bikes had a lot of power and we're a lot of fun. I miss them.

MY STORY is I'm a 55 yr old, born 03/1965 & purchased a 1973 Z1 900 in 03/1982 for my 17 th birthday present to myself, and dragged constantly for many years, achieving 10.8 second ,135 MPHr passes regularly, but mainly a daily rider,touring most weekends 8n Queensland Australia to regional drag strips,travelled 1,200,00KLM( a million miles), until regrettably selling in 1988, still own a KZ500 a beautiful baby sister to the Z1R 1000!

My favorite was the one I had, a 1978 Z1R 1000, Wiseco 1075 kit, Andrews cams, Barnett clutch, oil cooler, steering dampner, No baffle 4 into 1, Avon super venoms. Lots of fun, including a high speed pursuit with local cops. Goes without saying my favorite movie was Mad Max (1979).

Beautiful! Nothing sounds better!!!

I just found a 1980 KZ1000 in a basement. 5500 miles and had been sitting since 1986. Just got it running and wow am I impressed ! It’s gonna get a cosmetic makeover this winter but for now I’m gonna get it mechanically lined out and ride the hell out of it this summer !

I remember those kz,a from whoen I was kid they would ride them to drag strip win an drive home no trailer no bullshit I'm Harley guy but you have to recognize badass no matter who makes it or rides it have good day

I miss my kz 1000, we used to ride that thing everywhere, 4" stretch, lowered, me and my wife rode it to Daytona, beat us to death lol.. Bought it as a basket case, filled the bed of my buddy's s10 with it, took about 6 months to get it together, engine was stock, still had alot of fun..

I had a 1976 KZ900 LTD in the late 70's. Loved that bike. Been riding for over 40 years and now have 5 bikes at 66.

I have owned a 1975 Kawasaki Z1b, for over 30 years. The day I brought it home it was put into my will, because I knew I would never sell it. Stock motor, chrome 8 spoke Invader rims, vintage rear shock relocation kit, chrome engine parts, Kerker 4 into one chrome header, oil pressure gauge, bullet fairing, 160 speedo, 3 panel custom leather seat with stitched flames in the seat, vintage rear sets, electronic ignition with a dyna 2000 spark box that with the flip of a switch, goes from street mode to full on race mode, aftermarket oil cooler, painted with 200 Ford Explorer sport trac mandarin copper metal flake. There is nothing like the sound and feel of a Z1 or KZ ripping down the road...

Im 2 weeks away from finishing my 1327cc KZ cafe racer. This makes me too excited

Man... love those old school KZ’s The best bikes. I miss my 78 KZ 1000 Z1r had it in the late 80’s and early 90’s A big regret in my life. Keep on full-throttle 🤙🏼👍🏼😃

The "TOE CUTTER" whould be very impressed!! 👍👍

You said a a KZ and 69 Camaro I had both. I own about 5 KZ 900-1000 wish I still had them

Saw this last year, ended up buying my first street bike - an 1982 KZ1000 - love it so far - I have a few things to adjust, but it pulls nice at 5k and beyond! - I'm used to Muscle Cars!

Your bike was the inspiration for Kawasaki to bring back the retro style with the new Z900RS. I own a 2019 Z900RS and love it. Watching your bike was a true pleasure! Thanks for keeping that treasure going.

Had a Kz1000 in a Kawasaki Mojave frame, done right with air shifter and run on alcohol. Even setup for total loss with a solar trickle charger. Man she was sweet. Not much competes with that sound, Someone else owns her now.

My KZ Top Gas bike was my favorite.1428cc motor,40mm Lectrons, N20(120hp shot),1,2,3 auto trans. A.R.T Lockup clutch,28x10x15" slick..Best E/T 7.87@172mph...

Love this era, actually still look like bikes, the KZ was the quintessential drag bike

Man I really appreciate all the old school bikes videos great video

These are just so much fun and nobody has one on the street. I used to have one and rode it everywhere and no matter whether it was a Harley guy or sport bike guy, I got lots of respect from all. These bikes are just beasts and god I never got tired of them

I had a '75 Z-1 bored to 1170. It was faster than anything stock for many years, maybe into to 90's, but I'll take correction if somebody says otherwise. The body work on the Z-1's is still some of the nicest of all time, IMHO. That scooter had a RC pipe, and at top end with no baffle, it sounded like a siren. I like the nitro Harley videos too.

Damn, you guys are makin' me bring my '76 LTD 900 street brawler out of retirement!!! I've owned every year of the Z-1 and KZ, except for the 1973 Z-1!! If I ever get one, I'll be sure as hell to restore it back to original!!! Kawasaki really did and do LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!! Mr. Z-1 Nate from Philadelphia 😎😎

I traded a '69 Roadrunner for a '75 Z1 in 1979. Loved that car, but loved the thrill of riding that bike even more. The dude I traded with constantly complained about stuff on the Plymouth, and we were gonna trade back...I was living in Ca. by then and when I arrived in Phoenix to trade back, found out that the car had been totaled. I rode the bike for a few more years, but sold it when it developed ignition problems. Back then, if you couldn't find it at the motorcycle shop or the wrecking yard, you were shit out of luck. You live and learn. If I ever get another chance to own one, I'll keep it until I die. Same with the Roadrunner

Wow Both are in beautiful condition, Love these machine from my time as a teenager

I had a 79 KZ 1000 mkii. I Loved it 17,600 miles on it the 1st year I had it.

I'm totally a Suzuki man,but I love a good looking, clean Ol Skool drag racing bike!. And those Kaws were very nice!.

Its something about those bikes. Love it.

The KZ sound has always been my favorite. I still own my high school CB 750 kerker header & into One S&W air ride Lockheart oil cooler. A sled but fun to ride. Its lowered about three fingers off the ground.

I was a Kawasaki fan . A 1980 KZ550 , 1975 Z1 , 1982 KZ1000R and a 1983 GPZ750 . The GPZ was the best of them surprisingly . The 1000R was a beast .

Yes we love our Kzs for me its always been a bike i could and still do depend on getting me where i need to go. Never breaks down. These two are an 82 1000 and a 83 1100

My first experience with a KZ 1000 it was a 1977. Biggest bike I have ever rode so far. I had an open face helmet on it was to big for me. When I hit a straight stretch I down shifted couple gears. Then I cracked the throttle. I went so fast so quick the helmet almost pulled my head off. Lol. That was a blast. I should have bought that bike.

I love a nice KZ❤️ And I had a landscaping and lawnmowing job when I was a young teen in the late 80s. Anyway, one day while mowing someone's lawn I spot it. A 1978 kz650 4cyl rotting away under a deck. It was hammered ,all the lights and turn signals busted and bent. I ask the boss if I should ask the customer about it. Sure ,go ahead. Long story short I got it for 50$, we loaded it on the truck right there and I had a project. The ritual was new to me , but do the old fuel system work. Clean the carbs and tank and it ran! Time to strip the broken stuff off and go dirt bike riding with my buddies on their modern 2 stroke dirt bikes. I had a blast! On a straight flat trail like the railroad bed ,she would leave a nice rooster tail at 70. The fellas knew to look out for those , but I never did em on purpose because that thing would take an eye out! 😂 Work with what you got,that's why I still Hillfolk it to this day. To a 13-14yo kid at the time , that thing was a rocketship! It looked like a burnout box in front of my house. The road had that tar that seeped up in the summer and I could do a nice drag style burnout for 6-700 feet. That was hard on the shoes as I dabbed the ground to hold er steady. I could usually wring it out until maybe 75 before it would hook up. Yup, I can hear it now : cool story bro 🤣

Since the late 70s kz has been the screamer to beat !

I restored a 1978 Kawi 750 Tripple, it was a fun little bike. . .

Both of those are stupendous looking and running bikes ! WOW !

He blipped that throttle and the little boy in the red shirt behind him jumped up and took off. Lol!!

My father bought his '75 Z1 in '78 from a co-worker. The co-worker had bored out to 1003cc's because it wasn't "fast enough". My father rode it for 13yrs and handed me the key to in 1991 after I returned from Saudi Arabia. I rode it for another 5yrs before a Mitsubishi Galant turned me into a hood ornament. Miss that bike something bad...

Join the army in to get a brand new black gold KZ1000. Road it till about 88 and wrecked, separated shoulder , sold what the guy that bought it just lives up a few blocks, still hear it running around!

Im in South Africa we still run those beauty's down south great great old school Z9's and 1000's..great video.

My dad had a KZ1000 drag bike when I was very little, maybe 3 years old. My first memories at the drag strip are of him racing that bike. I hope to build one with him one day soon

I have an 83 kz1100. Absolutely love it

Had a 78 KZ1000. Just a street bike, nothing fancy, bought it for 600.00 from a guy. Just about everywhere I went people would stop and ask me about it. Just a great old motorcycle.

Sweet! I had a Black 1000LTD - Loved it! Wish I had it back.

I used to own a KZ 900 with 4 KZ 1000 carbs on it. This bike was scary fast! 3rd gear powerband that no matter how far forward you sat, would bring the front wheel up, and wouldnt drop it until you either shifted gears, or let off the gas. If you had the balls to shift into 4th gear, you could take it to 18,000 rpms before 5th gear. One you hit 5th gear, you better be "completely committed" because you're about to be going 180 mph!

Had 1978 Z1R. Bought it brand new of the dealer floor. Mods - 29mm smooth bore Mikuni carbs , 6" open yosh stacks, Pulled the base gasket and had the cylinder walls honed. Marteck electronic ignition, stainless steel intakes and Andres coils with hi performance wires, , Clip On bars, wellie bars and struts for the track . Best time at Atco raceway (NJ) 1/4 mile 11 flat @ 127. Last but not least a Rickman frame kit :).with a 5.5" Goodyear road racing slick on the rear. Only saw one other on the road. I lived in Philadelphia PA. This was my daily transportation. Rich K.

Personally I’ve ridden an old friends 79 KZ and fell in love. Took me ten years to get my uncle to sell me his 76 KZ 900, and can’t wait to build it. Currently my 99 Vmax is my only two wheel ride going atm

Bought a 1980 LTD 1000 brand new off the showroom floor in 1982. The economy wasn’t great back then and the dealer in the small Arkansas town where I bought the bike let it go cheap. Rode it for about five years, had one accident with it (t-boned a ‘68 Buick bent the forks) never raced it but loved riding it.

My father had a KZ 1000 77. As a child it’s all I wanted to do. Love that motorcycle!

Man yall got me wanting to build one now...

Had a KZ 1000 LTD loved it one of my first bikes

Just style wise, old Zs, GSs, CBs, and XSs take the win. I have a 81 GPz and a Z900rs and I constantly get compliments on them. Especially from old schoolers who used to ride them.,

KZ1000...My true 1st love!...Only thing left is my V&H sidewinder and Koenig 8" swingarm. 😥😥😥 Still love them...

A real blast from the past ! 👍👍

Insane. Makes me want to rebuild my 76 900!

I bought a new Z1900 in 1973 while in the Air Force in Marquette MI. After discharged I rode it home to Mobile Al. and in those days the bike was not well known as the CB750 since it just came out. Man did get the stares on the way home, people wanting to look or race. Not long after getting home it was stolen. I still have the title with the VIN #.

73 Z1. Stock except headers and dual disc. Used to run 1/8 mile at San Diego Jack Murphy stadium back in the 74 and 75 years. Bets run 7.97. Also ran Carlsbad raceway 1/4 mile one time. Ran 12.1 and got spanked BAD by a non stock H1 500 triple. Good days. Ride a Yamaha XV1100 these days. No more racer in me.

I still have my KZ-1000 that I bought back in the 80's. I'm not bragging but it's cleaner than that one. And I hope to drag race it again here in 2022. Let the good times keep on Rollin.....

My old man had a kz1000 when I was a young teen. I snuck it out one night for the weekend, boy was he pissed. Sold it after I brought it home.

These beautiful bikes offer the very best in low level flight.

I'm rebuilding a '77 kz1000 LTD right now, I hope it runs

I have my grand dads 79 kz1000 painted the same color with flake & a lion's head on the tank & the main is flames with the lord's prayer air brushed on the rear fender as well as the seat wrapped in Swede & leather... i also have 2 original mint rear fenders painted the same. It's a kz900 frame with a kz1000 motor bored over to 1100cc. Wish i could post a picture of it. Cool thing about it is my grandfather had one leg & rode with a 8 ball slap shifter, he passed in 2001 & the bike is exactly the way he left it. Much love guys #2's up

I've owned a 77 kz 1000 since 92 its been over 12 yes since I touched it I got a bike mechanic that has it I'm going to get it back rebuild the motor and up grade the wheels after watching the show I never thought they were still so popular

I love my old school 78 KZ 1000 black and gold with only 12k miles on it. She’s still sitting in my garage all covered up

One of my buddies in the army had a KZ1000 we were at Tooele army base in Utah and I got to run his new bike on the salt flats in 1978 and I can tell you it did do the 130 miles an hour on a stock bike off the showroom floor!

Fantastic, AWESOME video Jack 😊😊😊👍. Old skhool bikes never die 😜. Like a Phoenix . Way more fun than newer bikes 😛😛

Wow this thing is beautiful. I always wanted to own one of these or the kz900

I have one stretched raked and lowered. Best riding bike I ever got on. I get stopped all the time to talk.

Lol old dudes on old KZ and gs's are more fun too.

Love the old kaws

Good as always!

Mike from Jersey thanks Jack old KZ’s never die. 🏍️🏍️🏍️

My wife tells me she can tell when i'm on my way home, cause she can here my 77 KZ1000 with stock pipes but modified air box. Sounds like a JET Plane coming. Love that Carburetor HONK!

That's Wright cow's short for k , mine factory white letter tires deep black tear drop painted tank it was built strong back then it was and still is the bike.we would race on Sundays at an old airport strip. We would draw a crowd of people. Yes the sound it was my music. What a great hobby these owner's have.

Miss my XS100 cafe street build. 11 second bike stock, I removed 600+ lbs. It was like riding a smooth spaceship.

It would have been nice to know what kind of ETs they were turning in.

Wow takes me way back I used to have a 1979 LTD Kawasaki 1000 look just like those bikes to be honest with you I think they sound better than any other bike today the sound is treacherous deep and mean I used to run mine on Vance & Hines Racing headers nothing but good memorie the only problem I ever had with that bike was the throttle cable busted good strong running bikes yes nothing but good memories that red one with the wheelie bars looks just like the one I used to have after looking at these videos I wish I would have never got rid of it for me it was all about sound sometimes I used to take the baffle out first time I did that I got a ticket you learn from your mistakes besides when I did that I started getting poor gas mileage like I said nothing but good memories thank you for the Memories God bless everyone

When this 130 pound kid showed up in the early '80s with my GS1100ET, it was bad news for the Kawboys. I sure smoked a lot of them, through the years! And, my 2021 GSXR1000R 100 Year Anniversary/MotoGP Edition is the sexiest motorcycle, ever! IMO!

Kz1 or Suz are my favorite for old school Rails past time is the best Times.

I had the 1976 bi cent red white and blue flag paint job 900 in Daytona beach Florida It was awesome to ride on the beach in Daytona I traded it straight up for a 1969 Corvette stingray black with craters and a hot rod motor big cam vette I left Daytona early before daylight and crossed over the peace bridge in Chicago I slept in Canada that morning What a ride

Brother you hit the nail right on the head I had a 69 R/S Camaro and a couple of KZ 1000and Z1 900 it never got better than thàt n.

I run a 77 KZ1000 with a GSXR1100 turbo motor in it. It's always popular at bike meets, such a good looking chassis.

Got an Kawasaki z1r turbo with black Molly graphics coming on the scene hopefully I can get a interview with jack someday

My first bike 1978 Z!R......... Took shocks off and put struts on... It was tough riding around so cal freeways with them on bike...................... Miss it.

Had a 78 1000 LTD, it was bad to the bone. Didn't have baffles in the exhaust system so it was very loud and would shoot flames out the exhaust system in the dark.

I owned about 10 of these 900my favorite all time bike . Funny that you said 69 Camaro.I had both the KZ and 69

I was given my pops 77 he bought new from Kawasaki of Jacksonville in my 20s I'm 42 now I love my bike wouldn't trade or sell for anything kzs are bad ass

I agree the KZ series way more comfortable to ride

The KZ1000 is the sports bike that started today's ZX14 ill take another kz1000 over a new sports bike any day

Now thats what im talking about.my pops had a few kz1100s 1000s 650 and a few other kawis ...maby thats why i ride a zrx 1200r.😎

Is it for SALE...

I've got a 78 kz 1000 that was have never rode. Been working on it for about 4 years

I ride a '77 KZ1000 that looks great & runs great!!😊😊😊😊

Bought my 78 kz1000 from a guy I worked with back in 1997,it had a very tired 1075 kit in it that finally puked on my way home from work one day,on I 95 no less,it was a really ugly tiger pattern paint job on it which I sanded off and repainted myself,during that process I pulled the motor and brought it to a guy originally from Danbury CT named Ray Mancini,he put an 1105 kit in it,ported and polished the head,put big cams and oversized valves in it along with a Barnett racing clutch,36 mm mikuni flatslides and a few other go fast goodies,the bike was stolen from me by someone who called himself my friend but before that happened I pulled the motor and stuck it in a rolling chassis that I picked up for next to nothing but it had all the electronics,just needed a motor. I raced that bike from early 08 to late 2012 at Lebanon Valley dragway in upstate NY. It got my 240 lb at the time butt down the 1/4 mile right about 10.5 or so,was such an easy bike to ride,cane out of the hole straight every single time but unfortunately I had to have both hips replaced in the winter of 2012-2013! and haven’t done much racing since but I still have the bike along with a 9 second KZ conversion chassis that I have to put the finishing touches on and try to get back into it because it was some of the funnest times of my life and I really miss it,sorry for the marathon story.

Sweet ass old school nice 😁

I got a 1979 GS Suzuki 1000 it smokes anyting on the road I mean anything when it was my dad's it had the nickname cop Duster 🤫

I see you Baldwin! 💪🏼

I bought a left over Kawasaki 1100 spectre it was a 1982 bought it April 1983 I surely pissed off lots of cops I remember it still pulling so hard at 90 mph felt like arms getting pulled out of the sockets