Why are CBs and KZs the popular ones.

[Nessism]

I'm with you there Ed. Yamha had it in the RZ/RD sphere, Honda lost the plot IMO with the DOHC 750, I found it to be a lesser bike than the SOHC. Kawasaki always had the pizazz, going for the max performance and craziness with the triples. But Suzuki was the balanced one, in the end. Then the early to mid 80's came along like mullets - I watched friends buy 80's bikes like Secas, Visions, even XN85s, CX500 turbos, all the funky 80's bikes. None compared to the '82 GPz 750 I found for a friend during my USAF days in Texas. It was painted to match the Eddie Lawson. That 750 was better than my '82 KZ1000 in every way except grunt.

On a downer note, the guy I found it for was never stable on a bike. He dropped it during a safety class where you had to brake and turn when the light went green in the lane (or straight) you needed to take. He just didn't have any feel for machinery and when he sold it in Athens Greece, I was happy to see him leave motorcycling, turned out to be forever, which was/is good. I was also happy for the guy that he sold it to, and had a conversation with him at the 'auto hobby shop' the day he bought it. He rode off without a helmet after our chat, and 5 minutes later he died. I remember I warned him about the streets being made up of a lot of crushed marble. His head hit a curb after a high side. I felt so sad for his parents, far far away, hearing the terrible news. It shook me up and I hardly knew him.

I agree Tom. The KZ/GPZ 750 was based on the KZ650 which was about 50 lbs lighter than a Honda & Suzuki 750 of the same era. Those 16V engines made more power but it wasn't enough to make up for the extra bulk.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I see only a 27 pound difference in wet weight between an '82 CB900f and an '82 GPz 750, and the 900 is quicker and just as fast.

 

[Nessism]

I see only a 27 pound difference in wet weight between an '82 CB900f and an '82 GPz 750, and the 900 is quicker and just as fast.

According to this article the KZ750 is 53 lbs lighter than a CB750F...
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/kawasaki_z750f-II 80.htm

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I think there is a distinct difference between 1980 and 1982 for these bikes.

Look at the weight of the CB900f here:

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cb900f_82.html

 

[oldGSfan]

An old Cycle World article - https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1980/6/1/kawasaki-kz7504

The CB750 I had was a Limited Edition I got thrown in on a trade, with a spare zero mile engine and perfect paint. I'd have much preferred an F model but hey, I made some good $ out of it. One of my lucky days indeed. It was a pretty bike but just felt too peaky and porky. Not a bad bike by any means but it was just not for me. The twin shock Kawi 750s (KZ, GPz) I rode hit the spot, plenty of power and very smooth. Here's pics in case anyone likes pics The KZ750 was free too, in Australia. It was sitting my brother-in-law's shed and I rattle-canned it with stuff I had on hand, orange (!).

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I'd say there is a big difference in how a CB750K feels and how a CB900f feels over the road. I've ridden a '78 CB750 and it was a bit of a pig, but the 900f is a very nice handling, very quick bike with great road manners. I think Honda improved the breed exponentially with the '81 and up iterations of the CBf line.

An aside on aesthetics: The latter models of the CBf lineup were gorgeous.

 

[oldGSfan]

Yeah the 900F is a great bike and gorgeous, I agree completely. Especially in that livery. The extra cc's over the 750 must be just what the Dr. ordered, would love to have one.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Mine is in pieces, but I'm planning to keep it mostly stock other than a spin on that paint scheme, a Sargent World Sport saddle and a 985 kit and appropriate jetting (plus modern rubber and braided steel brake lines).

 

[zuluwiz]

I note that Hondas and Kawasakis of the 70s and 80s seem to be more desirable than Suzukis (go figure)(not to us, obviously). But what happened to the Yamahas? They werent bad bikes, and I always thought the black ones were really good looking. Why does there seem to be no demand for these bikes today? I don't get it.

 

[timebombprod]

I note that Hondas and Kawasakis of the 70s and 80s seem to be more desirable than Suzukis (go figure)(not to us, obviously). But what happened to the Yamahas? They werent bad bikes, and I always thought the black ones were really good looking. Why does there seem to be no demand for these bikes today? I don't get it.

i believe the handling was not up to par when they started competing with 4 cylinder bikes, and they were still making 2 strokes by the time 4 cylinders were all about so they were a bit late to the party. i know the xs650 and some of the xv line up are desirable bikes to get, billy joel sure liked the virago.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Virago ... shudder ... Some of the most aesthetically challenged Yamahas bore that name.

 

[storm 64]

The Yamaha Virago, my friend had a Virago. He would make it backfire by killing the ignition then turn it back on then BANG. He did it one time, then the bike didn't run good after that. Here, he blew the carburetor out of the rubber manifold! Pushed the carburetor back in and he was good to go.

 

[timebombprod]

Virago ... shudder ... Some of the most aesthetically challenged Yamahas bore that name.

not a fan of the looks of anything after say about 83, the 750 i have looks pretty nice for the most part but once you hit the the mid 80s, oh boy... the vulcan and intruder arent too far behind as for their looks, but the virago really takes the funky cake.

 

[timebombprod]

The Yamaha Virago, my friend had a Virago. He would make it backfire by killing the ignition then turn it back on then BANG. He did it one time, then the bike didn't run good after that. Here, he blew the carburetor out of the rubber manifold! Pushed the carburetor back in and he was good to go. 

ive known a few people who rode viragos, they dont seem to differ too much, they ride the crap out of them, and then some more. didnt know you could do the killswitch thing with them.

 

[Cipher]

Viragos were lovely. Beauty all the way.

 

[Rob S.]

TV is broke, so I'm spending even more time than usual staring at Suzi. The SUZUKI decal on the tank looks...cheap. The KAWASAKI badge on my Z1 had 3 dimensions and color.

Remember the 327 badge on your '68 Camaro? Or how about the Z/28 badge? It was metallic, had color, and chrome, and depth.

My 11E's tank just looks cheap. That's why CBs and KZs are the popular ones.

 

[Cipher]

TV is broke, so I'm spending even more time than usual staring at Suzi. The SUZUKI decal on the tank looks...cheap. The KAWASAKI badge on my Z1 had 3 dimensions and color.

Remember the 327 badge on your '68 Camaro? Or how about the Z/28 badge? It was metallic, had color, and chrome, and depth.

My 11E's tank just looks cheap. That's why CBs and KZs are the popular ones.

Just got back from flu shot and in the lot saw a nice 2000 Monte Carlo ambled over cos it looked super clean.
Then I saw the guy painted over badges and all

Yes the decals were cheaper easier to make the tank etc.
The badges always seemed to break. What was that pot metal expanding contracting at a different rate than what it was affixed to?

 

[Rob S.]

Then I saw the guy painted over badges and all

South of the border that's a federal offense.

 

[rphillips]

Your own fault Rob, you shouldn't have got such a new modern bike, the first 2 yrs the 1100E had the nicer looking emblems.

 

[Rob S.]

Your own fault Rob, you shouldn't have got such a new modern bike, the first 2 yrs the 1100E had the nicer looking emblems.

I'll bet the battery was easier to access then too.