Posted by Witch Doctor on February 02, 2000 at 05:44:13:
In Reply to: 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650 ? posted by Bruce Clarke on February 02, 2000 at 02:22:34:
1977 Kawasaki (aka Cowashitti) vs. a late-model Savage. Hmmmm, let me think about this...
Just for the sake of argument...While my 98 Savage is tolerable for my 6'2" body around town, the ride sucked on the highway. My father in law has a recently reworked 82 GS750T (Suzuki touring version of the earlt Katana motor). This thing ways about 700 pounds, not counting the full fairing, windshield, or any luggage I can get to stay on it. Fuel economy is pathetic (4.5 gallons is about 175 miles). The frame mounted fairing shakes and rattles fit to beat hell, no matter how tight the fasteners are. Ergonomics suck. I dropped it at less than 2 miles per hour in a bike shop, and I can tell you that a bike this big takes 3 or four grown men to pick up when it is on top of you. I can leg press over 1200 lbs, and I couldn't budge that old monster.
If you get the KZ, be ready for a lot of problems. They shake and leak worse than the AMF era Harleys. They have zero resale value unless they are in near mint or better shape. Parts are 85% or so obsolete for this era. Antique rice bikes generally aren't worth the trouble.
It's your money, buy the ride if you like it. I wouldn't take it if you gave it to me.
-WD