The Joy Of Six - Was Kawasaki’s Big Z Better Than Everyone Thought?
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- Wobbly Phil finds an old book in his shed that rekindles his joy of six - the inline six cylinder motorcycle, that is, and specifically the Kawasaki Z1300.
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KZ1300 on street:
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I bought the last (4th) Z1300 of the first batch imported into NZ unseen, unridden for $7,200. I shipped it to Australia for $90 (1 weeks pay) when I moved here in 1981. You could buy them in Australia for $3,500 new at that time, but there was a restriction on how much money you could take out of NZ, so I took my bike and $1,200 cash. The bike was turbine smooth at 200kph and no slouch despite the porky package. It handled exceptionally well on the move. I did have to replace the main bearings at 5000kms before leaving NZ. The bevel gear driven shaft drive needed to be re-shimmed at the gear box around 30,000kms. Both these jobs required the engine to come out. 4.5 years later at 45,000kms I flew it back to NZ for $300 (less than 1 weeks pay), rode around the South Island and sold it for $6,000 NZ. It also suffered a broken oil sender switch (under the sump) and required a new cam chain. Overall, it was an impressive motorbike but not the maintenance free machine Kawasaki would have you believe. I have kept the original brochure and the full-workshop manual as the latter is quite an amazing document.
Thanks for that, it’s added a lot of detail. Good to hear from an owner! Your comments more or less tally with the 1982 review.
I had a 79 and never had any weird problems like you had. You must of got a lemon. Was the smoothest most powerful cycle I've ever owned, and handled well also! < thou not quicker than my G.S.
1100 79 Suzuki which handled good also, bot I liked the Suzuki's adjustable rocker screw + nut valve adjustment setup compared to Kawasakis shim + bucket valve adjustment set up.😖👎
Suzuki really "got it right "
With the GS--1100 in78-79 👍👌🎯
It was a good handling fast bike, felt light compared to my 73 Z-1
< with a 1105 big bore kit >
Suzuki GS et-- 11.49 ?
Kaw. 1300--11.79
No speed wobble 80-90 mph like Z-1's were known for. You had to speed up out of the wobble zone--
Or slow doun from it on z-1's
No wobbles on the big Zed
1300 or the 1100 gs Sazook! Two best street bikes I've ever owned, oh yeah I forgot to mention my GS 1100 was the Ltd model with the better styled gas tank--- step seat--- small chrome headlite+separate tach and speedometer-- < has opposed to that funny square headlite+instrument panel box on the stock GS 1100 origional. And no funny duck-tail trip but a chrome fender and a seat grab bar in back of the seat. < like it should >
Oh yeah---- last but not least----- BIG LTD CRUSING HANDELBARS
which I much prefer over little dinky low bars. 🤚👳♂️
AND--16 " rear tire < more stable - better looking >
Also-- taller front forks--
A much better verson than the stock set up❗😖🤚👳♂️
Well said 👏 🇬🇧
@@MarkChristie-n8o the first model didn't have locating pins on the main bearings and they could spin. Pins added to the next model and that problem disappeared. Next was the carbs to fuel injection that then started icing. Heater added solved that one.
@@nickhall5959 Very interesting to know why the main bearings failed. I had always blamed Bob Toomey (motorcycle racer) who was seen racing up the freeway on it before I was able to collect the bike. It had 30kms on the clock by then. I also fitted S&W rear shocks but a ride to Bathurst and back (2000kms) two up wrecked those. I bought original Kawasaki air shocks that were standard for the second model and never had an issue with those except Kawasaki wouldn't sell me the joining coupler so I had to make one myself. They never leaked or needed any topping up. The oil sender switch broke off when a rock hit it coming off the front wheel. I rode 500kms with the oil warning light showing as I was a long way from anywhere at the time.
My dad had a 1980 1300. It was a good bike.
Never owned one but the local Kawa/BMW dealer had a test day for all Kawa's So I got to ride Z1000, Z650, Z1300 in that order. Best handling Z650. The Z1000 was a step up from the Z900 but handling was very poor. Z1300 fast, not bad handling for its size, very smooth power delivery (electric motor like), comfortable, no chain snatch (shaft drive), heavy (someone at the dealers had dropped it on to the radiator guard). Did not buy one, had a BMW R800 twin instead, later a GS800 PD on/off roader.
That kind of bears out the 1982 review of the Z1300 that I quote in the video. Thanks for taking the time to contribute. 😊
Just love the guy saying "God bless America" in response to seeing a Japanese bike.
A Japanese bike MADE IN AMERICA❗REWATCH THE VIDEO AND LISTEN CLOSLY.
@@jamesrindley6215 That's Kaplan America, he is a bit of a knob, but he reviews a lot of cool motorcycles on his UA-cam channel.
@@ccrider00 I noticed that the first time thank you. And it's spelled "closely", since you're the one wanting to be pedantic. Typed on my iPhone "GOD BLESS CHINA!".
Thanks from a first time viewer and new subscriber. The Z1300 isn't exactly my style, but I can see the appeal. Although I've been riding for around forty years, I have only rarely seen one. I'm from St.Paul, Minnesota and we have among the highest riders per capita in the USA with a huge vintage motorcycle scene.
I've had café racers and a BMW R1100RS, currently I'm riding a KTM rc390. I ride ten miles to work down the Mississippi River Road and I know the route like Rossi knows Mugello!
Thanks for watching, and thanks for subscribing! I have a few regular commenters from the US and they’ve always got sensible points to make, which I value. I always dreamed of riding across the States - on a Harley, of course, even though I’m not really a fan of Harleys! But sadly I’m probably too old to do that now. Nice to hear from you. 😊
The Z1300 was almost a cult bike in South Africa as it was the biggest available. There were many modified with smaller tail sections so they looked like a "bodybuilder" with large shoulders tapering to a smaller waist.
I nearly bought a k1600.. but bought a gtr1400 instead… its such a weapon 👍
I was almost tempted by the K1600 too, but I was behind a guy on one on the motorway for a few miles and I have to say it looked as if he was finding it very cumbersome. Perhaps he’d just picked it up from the dealership and was being a bit careful. Whatever, it put me off. I’ve never owned a Suzuki but love the look pf them. 👍
I thought it was a cool bike in the 1980s but it wasn't very common in the USA. I put my money on a Honda V45 Sabre with the Hondaline frame mounted fairing and suitcase saddle bags. The V Four engine was smooth and powerful. In the end it was the transverse four that reigned supreme.
My friend John had one and we watched him pass a Ducati MH 1000 on the outside of the hairpin on the local mountain run. John insisted that it didn't handle that badly. In reality it was just that he could ride anything fast. he noted that the most of the valve shims need changing up until the 86,000 km service.
Well there you go! I used to ride my Lambretta GP200 like a lunatic, which proves you can get anything round bends with a bit of practice and derring-do!
I always thought the Z1300 looked a better bike. The engine was more integrated into the design, whereas the CBX looked like bits of bike attached to an engine. That said, I'd be more than happy to own either of them 🙂. Nice video, cheers 3Phils 👌
Thank you for the nice comment. 😊Personally I prefer the CBX because the Kwak has got that chunky, squared off styling that was coming into vogue right at the end of the 70s and into the 80s, a bit like my Dad’s Ford Granada at the time. To be honest, the one I’d really like to own is the Benelli Sei. 👍 But those are way beyond my pay grade!
@@3Phils 😄👍
@@3Phils in the 80's the 1300 law got a facelift. A more teardrop gas tank along with a chrome headlite-- and separate tach + speedo-- ( the way it should be, kinda like a gs 1100 Suzuki as opposed to the gs 1100 Suzuki 1100
" LTD " Modle - a big improvement in the looks dept.
@@paulstokes393 the zed engine sits in the frame. The CBX hangs from it. Hence the difference.
I love the humour involved in the production, brilliant work again, sir 👏
Personally, I would take a CBX over a Z1300 myself.
Another eccentric English man in a shed is single handedly, adding to the number of 6 cylinder bikes on the road. Allen Millyard has built two superb looking Z1 super sixes as well as many other fantastic creations.
Thank you. 😊 Yes, Allen Millyard is very enjoyably cylinder-mad. Possessing, as I do, all the mechanical skills of a lettuce I find what he does fascinating. I’d take a CBX over a Z1300 too, tbh!
The 1300 was quicker than the honda and handled better- more stable !
The gs 1100 Sazook was quicker than both with about the same top speed- 140- 145
MPH. But 1100 sazook had better valve screw + bolt adjusters👍😁 as opposed to shim + bucket setup on honda + law 1300.👎😖❗😫
Bullshit shims could ( and did sometimes ) at high RPM'S
< POP OUT >😱😩🤭🤮😫👎
SUZUKI 1100 GOT IT RIGHT!👍💯% {🎯} 🤚👳♂️🥳
@@3Phils Alan even made a 1300 V-12-- he's an amazing individual-- truly { ONE OF A KIND }❗👍💯% 🤪 🤚👳♂️
@@ccrider00
That is a 2600 V12!
The engine's weakness was the centrally mounted cam-chain which stretched prematurely and necessitated completely disassembling the engine to replace it. I drove one once and the handling was not too bad as long as you were reasonable .
Re the handling, it’s the same with any heavy bike I guess. Awkward at low speeds but manageable once you pick up speed.
The kwak was always my favourite 6
Whoever told you the CBX handled ok had obviously never ridden one. I have. The poor handling is what doomed the bike. They did not sell, even though they had such a beautiful engine that made such glorious sounds. They were the heaviest of the litre sport bikes, with the poorest suspension and frame. They even used nylon bushings for the swingarm instead of needle bearings. Honda cut costs everywhere on the bike to pay for that 6 cylinder symphony it produced. On the racetrack it was pathetic. In 1979 I beat one on a bone stock Suzuki GS750. And against a GS1000, they stood no chance at all. That is why you could still buy a brand new 1979 CBX in 1982, for a 40% discount. What else could Honda do, but try and give them away. The utter failure of the CBX, and subsequent price slashing to try and liquidate them, is what gave Harley Davidson the proof it needed to convince Ronald Regan to impose tarifs on large Japanese motorcycle imports. Ending up with a 50% import tarif on the wholesale cost of all Japanese bikes 750CC and up in 1984. People look back on the CBX today with great admiration. But the reality was, in it’s day, it was Honda’s biggest failure.
That’s very interesting, thanks for taking the time to comment and I bow to your greater knowledge. All I really had to go on re the CBX, never having owned or ridden one myself, is reviews and an acquaintance who’s owned a CBX from new, he’s 80-something years old now. He obviously doesn’t race it or do anything especially wild on it, but he says it’s fine. Of course, at his age there may be a bit of rose-tinted hindsight going on! Anyway, great to have a detailed summary from someone who knows. 😊
CBX would still tickle my fancy ;-) I wish Honda still sold the CB1300 bol d'or, (in the UK), that I would buy today.
Well, my CB1300 is the Bol d’Or without the fairing. A nice, unmolested, well maintained 2010 example too! Sadly, though, the battery has just gone kaput. They don’t make Yuasas like they used to.
As with so many dreambikes of the era, they should remain a dream.
Well, I do wonder whether owning one now would open up a world of financial pain!
@@hans-verhoeven why, though?
A friend of mine rode it for 35 years without any problems.
Then what happened?
It was great to see so many custom frames for the CBX and the KZ1300.
Make em handle as good as they sound!
I always liked the Moto Martin CBX.
Names like Harris and Spondon come to mind, with their frame kits and accessories.
The new BMW 1600 six should at least handle acceptably as a modern alternative, if you can afford the entry fee.
Owned one for the last 12 yrs. I have a number of classic bikes but the 1300 makes them all feel like toys by comparison. Nothing else from that era comes close especiall if the bike is nicely tuned.
Nice to hear from an owner! 😊 When I was making the video, I did wonder about tuning. How difficult is it with three carbs into six pots? I find the three carbs (admittedly ancient Amals) into three cylinders on my Trident a bit of a pain, tbh, hence the question.
Great review.
It was a very exciting time to be just starting out in motorcycling.
I had been following the progression of two strokes and all the configurations of 4 strokes as a teenager. The Japanese were bringing out new machines almost yearly, while the Italian, German , British and Americans were just refreshed older platforms.
Though many of the machines were considered over exuberant, it was great to have the choice, and they were affordable to a degree. Plenty of CZ-Jawas and MZs about for the ones who don’t want any excitement in their lives.
Nothing wrong with those machines, my first bike was a CZ 125, a wonderful gift from my Grandfather to launch my motorcycle adventures!
New subscriber 👍
Thank you for the kind comments and thanks for the sub. 😊 Yes, there seemed to be lots to talk about in the late 70s and early 80s! Four strokes were becoming more prevalent and all the manufacturers were trying to outdo each other in power, speed and number of cylinders. Or if, like me, you were a poor student you could make do with a 2-stroke, in my case a rather nippy Lambretta GP200! Nowadays there’s lots of choice, but somehow much of it just feels like a different take on the same theme.
Financially, we were both in the same boat lol, but that Lambretta was definitely a lot nippier than my poor CZ.
A few years before I got my license, a friend and myself fished an old scooter out of the canal, fixed her up, a few mods and it was ready for a very entertaining summer and fall.
It was a blast I can tell you!
Those were the days when you savored every drop of gasoline you could scrounge up 😝
Yes, I do remember the Lambretta being an easy fixer-upper, and indeed me and my mates even managed to improve on the originals with a bit of bashing of the baffles and polishing of the ports! I always regretted selling that GP200.
I think they still race scooters, I used to watch them at Aintree and the likes, very modded and super quick.
They would give a stock street two stroke a run for its money.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Cheers!
@paultruesdale7680 Yes, we used to watch scooter racing down at the Lydden Circuit in Kent!
I still regret selling my '79.
I had a Z1300, the last Dfi model made in 1987. I always wanted one, but it was disappointing. It's width meant that filtering was a no no, parking it took some thought because of it sheer weight on a cambered road, it did 35mpg, ate a rear boot in 2000 miles and had hopelessly soft front forks. But it was super smooth and long distances were effortless even with a pillion. Brilliant mechanicals but overall not for me.
Great to hear a review from someone who owned one. Tbh it sounds a bit familiar, my CB1300 isn’t much use in town either. Trying to roll it back at the traffic lights when the Ford Focus in front of me decided to reverse and change lane without looking in their mirror is, er, just one sweet memory. There was a lot of swearing involved.
I had a mate who had a turbocharged Z 1300. It had about 185-190 hp and went pretty well but it got nicked.
Another mate have a Z 1300 with sidecar. It must have done around 400.000 km by now. All of them with sidecar. It still gets serious use.
Presumably the turbo was nicked by 12 very large fellas lifting it into the back of a van? Seriously, though, what a shame to have such a special bike stolen. I’ve had bikes disappear in the middle of the night, it’s always very depressing to say the least. Good to hear your mate’s Z1300 and chair is still going strong! 👍
Too bad Suzuki didn't give us its Stratosphere in 2005, it promised 180hp and 100 lb-ft of torque from just above idle .
Your still doing something right...On my travels today saw a hustler,GT500,kettle,H2,LC250,RD250,TS125,....yep summit in the air for you to ponders Phils by the way which ones 3 ?
Hehe! The other two Phils are taking an extended sabbatical so you’re stuck with me for now. Actually I’ve gaffer taped them up to the crates of old Bike mags in my shed, but don’t tell anyone. You’re lucky you saw all those awesome bikes. All I saw on my ride out was the usual. Maybe I’m going to all the wrong places. ☹️
A bike with a big six cylinder engine, wonderful idea, but they all did it wrong. They should have been silky smooth cruising bikes. Instead they made high RPM screaming race machines, the guys who ride those aren't bothered by vibrations.
I remember Bike magazine did a big feature on it back in the day. LJK Setright was not impressed, saying tge best thing that could have happened to it was an early abortion! EDIT it was another journalist that said that in the same issue, just checked
Yes, I thought I had that Bike review in my archaeological diggings, but I spent quite a while searching for it to no avail. I probably spent not enough time searching and too much time re-reading LJK Setright!
@3Phils I'm a sad nerd lol but I actually dug it up. I just kept a handful of them for old times sake. It's September 79. I was wrong it was Mike Nicks that said it I remembered it as it was a pull out quote. Here's a quote from LJK a few pages before Nick. The thing at which The Thirteen really excels ... clarity of purpose. He also says the weight is a good thing. Great video, now I'm off to read Ogri!
@solsol1624 Welcome to the Sad Nerds Club then, because I’ll be popping out to my shed first thing to rummage for that edition! For some reason I had a note that it was November 78, but I must have been hallucinating. Too much Wincarnis at bedtime, I suppose. Thanks for looking that up. 😊
@3Phils lol good to know others remember LJK he was some character eh. Subscribed to your channel so will catch up on what I missed
The bike itself was a big fat wallowy old thing the engine was as smooth as silk pulled like a train and was utterly bomb proof
Speaking as someone who is now a big fat wallowy old thing myself, I wish I could pull like a train and be utterly bomb proof. I am, though, as smooth as silk. 😉
@@3Phils sounds like we are both old enough to remember this bike 1st time around i myself are in need of a complete overhaul 🙄
🤣 Me too!
Comfortable did 4000ks on a bike tour 👍👍👍
👍🏍️
Bikini loved
Bike I loved🤣
🤣
some additional information:
ua-cam.com/video/gEOk9V1a_ZE/v-deo.htmlsi=FmaU91N4Ri_511Go
and some more bikes:
ua-cam.com/video/G74e5zndlHs/v-deo.html
Interesting Z1300 videos there, thank you for the links. 😊
No wonder my aircooled bandit 1200 has a piggyback alternator at the back
It's a shame Suzuki didn't produce their inline 6 Stratosphere model, as it didn't weigh a ton like the rest of these bikes.
Thanks for alerting me to that, I was unaware of it. I’ve just looked it up and it sounds amazing. I wonder why they never proceeded? Perhaps a six is just over-complex when you can get similar performance from a four, in various configurations?
@@3Phils Yes, perhaps it was thought it would only become a niche model that would put off mass purchases due to it having to cost a hell of a lot more. A damn shame, as was BMW not selling the concept model of their 1600cc inline 6. It isn't everyone who wants to cross continents behind vast screens etc. 'Fully dressed' bikes leave me cold, contrary though that sounds.
Hehe! Me too! I mean, I’ve never seen the appeal of loading up a bike to the point where it looks like a car with two wheels. Different strokes for different folks, though, I suppose.
It appears the European road testers were not flown to California but to Malta.
The review that features in the video was definitely done in California, according to the reviewer. Unless you’re saying he made that up? I’d be surprised if he was outright lying.
@@3Phils I have got no idea. I just recently looked at Z1300 specs and in blurb it said California for American and Malta for European press.
I think he may have been on a general tour of the US and stopped by a few places to test bikes he was interested in reviewing. He does mention that the review took place six months after the launch.
@@3Phils Oh OK. That makes sense now. Thanks!
If you wanted to play "my willy is bigger than your willy",made pointless by gsx 1100 and others,heavy ,thirsty,tyre eating pointless bike
Ha! Yes, there were certainly other bikes that had less meat and more motion. Thanks for the comment.