Kawasaki Z 1300

[Rams]

Went to look at a sidecar yesterday, the gentleman that had it also had a KZ 1300 six cylinder, age unknown.   He plans on restoring it.   The more I looked at it, the more I appreciated what i already have.   The Valkyrie is by far a better, sexier and safer motorcycle.

He asked if I might be interested once he's done getting it running.  Pulled out my phone and showed him a picture of what i ride.   He said, I see, never mind.  

Rams

[Rams]

Not familiar with Kawaski sounds like maybe made in Poland

Honestly, I can only state that it said Kawasaki on the tank and it had six cylinders.   At first I thought it was a Honda CBX.   Had to google KZ with six cylinders.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=kawasaki+six+cylinder+motorcycles&form=ANNTH1&refig=f233702fa3174946a566e5de4bc3e9e3&pc=LCTS&sp=1&lq=0&qs=RQ&pq=six+cylinder+kawasaki&sc=2-21&cvid=f233702fa3174946a566e5de4bc3e9e3

Rams

[Jess from VA]

I cannot say I've ever seen one in the wild.

Made by Kawasaki from 1979 to 1989.  (no kidding)



Doubt they were made in Poland, probably Japan.   

From Wiki:  In 1982, Swiss specialty car manufacturer Sbarro constructed a mid-engined sports car with hatchback bodywork called the Sbarro Super Twelve. The Super Twelve had an inline twelve-cylinder engine (a nominal straight-12) which consisted of two "joined" Z1300 engines.  The two engines were not a unit, as such, they were connected only by belt. Each engine kept its own gearbox and drove its own rear wheel. The car weighed 800 kg (1,764 lb) and produced 240 bhp. Performance was described as "ferocious".  Only one was ever built.

[Rams]

I cannot say I've ever seen one in the wild.

Made by Kawasaki from 1979 to 1989.  (no kidding)



Doubt they were made in Poland, probably Japan.   

From Wiki:  In 1982, Swiss specialty car manufacturer Sbarro constructed a mid-engined sports car with hatchback bodywork called the Sbarro Super Twelve. The Super Twelve had an inline twelve-cylinder engine (a nominal straight-12) which consisted of two "joined" Z1300 engines.  The two engines were not a unit, as such, they were connected only by belt. Each engine kept its own gearbox and drove its own rear wheel. The car weighed 800 kg (1,764 lb) and produced 240 bhp. Performance was described as "ferocious".  Only one was ever built.

I hadn't ever seen one myself but, that's the bike I saw, just not in new condition.

Rams

[Rams]

Not familiar with Kawaski sounds like maybe made in Poland

Ya caught me in a spelling error.   It happens.
Corrected now. 

Rams   

[Pluggy]

Around 1981, there was a motorcycle auction.  Our local Honda dealer was liquidating all new and used motorcycles.  They were going to sell cars only.   Anyway, a guy showed up riding that Kawasaki 1300 and it sure turned some heads.  It looked like the world's biggest, most powerful motorcycle.  It probably was.  Must have impressed me as I still remember it.

[Robert]

Had a KZ1000 as my first bike and it was a blast to ride. The thing was quick and pretty comfortable to ride. A much different day in the concept of motorcycles also. Today when think and compare it to my 1800 Valk its really pretty funny. Nice bike, alot of fun, would I buy one again, NO. Nice to remember what process bikes have gone through to get to where they are today.

Kind of like outboard motors. When I first was thinking about buying a outboard the biggest engine was a 18HP Johnson, then quickly they progressed up to 200HP.

Nice to think about wonderful to see some of these older engines but memories are sometimes better than the real thing.

[Rams]

Had a KZ1000 as my first bike and it was a blast to ride. The thing was quick and pretty comfortable to ride. A much different day in the concept of motorcycles also. Today when think and compare it to my 1800 Valk its really pretty funny. Nice bike, alot of fun, would I buy one again, NO. Nice to remember what process bikes have gone through to get to where they are today.

Kind of like outboard motors. When I first was thinking about buying a outboard the biggest engine was a 18HP Johnson, then quickly they progressed up to 200HP.

Nice to think about wonderful to see some of these older engines but memories are sometimes better than the real thing.

Yep, I also had a KZ 1000 and rode the heck out of it all over the country.   It was the bike I was on when I had a rear tire blow out somewhere above 120 mph while crossing the Painted Desert.   I was very lucky to have not crashed that bike.   It was then (while sitting on the side of that interstate) that I realized how few people would even slow down to help a stranded biker.

About 14 hours after the blow out, a trucker finally stopped and gave me a ride to a fuel stop 30 miles down that road.  

Funny how I don't even remember ever even knowing about a KZ 1300, always thought the CBX was the only in line six till I saw the one on the Mississippi Coast just recently.  But, as I said previously, all it made me do was appreciate the Valkyrie.

Rams

[Robert]

   It was then (while sitting on the side of that interstate) that I realized how few people would even slow down to help a stranded biker.

Funny how I don't even remember ever even knowing about a KZ 1300, always thought the CBX was the only in line six till I saw the one on the Mississippi Coast just recently.  But, as I said previously, all it made me do was appreciate the Valkyrie.

Rams

You were a biker, the thoughts about bikers were much different then. Surprising they did not actively try to run you over.  

As for the 1300, I remember it, but I more remember being sold the KZ 1000 for 1200.00 with pipes, carb work and that was the only thing I could see.  

[scooperhsd]

The KZ1300 eventually evolved into a touring bike (The Voyager I think ?).

[Robert]

The KZ1300 eventually evolved into a touring bike (The Voyager I think ?).

I think I have seen one of those. They look nothing like the Valks but if I am correct it was not bad looking, it was just old school.

[Rams]

The KZ1300 eventually evolved into a touring bike (The Voyager I think ?).

I think I have seen one of those. They look nothing like the Valks but if I am correct it was not bad looking, it was just old school.

Well by today's standards, some folks think the Valkyrie is Old School but, as the picture Jess posted shows, it IMHO is very old school.

Rams

[Robert]

The KZ1300 eventually evolved into a touring bike (The Voyager I think ?).

I think I have seen one of those. They look nothing like the Valks but if I am correct it was not bad looking, it was just old school.

Well by today's standards, some folks think the Valkyrie is Old School but, as the picture Jess posted shows, it IMHO is very old school.

Rams

 

The Valk is really not old school per se, I prefer the term, RETRO!

All the style of the past with the modern touches of tech.

Some of the tech stuff was not available back in the day and to see the Valk put together with the modern tech but in keeping with the old style is what sold me on the bike. Said it many times the fact that the Valk has an alternator went a long way in my estimation to buy it. That was not around really at the time. 

Long thought about some of the older car body styles done with modern tech and the ones that they did were beautiful in many cases.
 

[Rams]

The KZ1300 eventually evolved into a touring bike (The Voyager I think ?).

I think I have seen one of those. They look nothing like the Valks but if I am correct it was not bad looking, it was just old school.

Well by today's standards, some folks think the Valkyrie is Old School but, as the picture Jess posted shows, it IMHO is very old school.

Rams

 

The Valk is really not old school per se, I prefer the term, RETRO!

All the style of the past with the modern touches of tech.

I can agree with that!   

Rams