Is the Kawasaki KZ650SR the World's Best Bike? 5 or 8 Reasons why I think so!

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  • Опубліковано 12 тра 2022
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 74

  • @evilwestsidefan9249
    @evilwestsidefan9249 2 роки тому +9

    I owned a 1978 KZ650, it was a great looking bike with the chrome fenders. I had a Kerker 4 in 1 exhaust and K&N HV air filters. The bike was rated in the mid 60's hp wise and would do 126 mph. It was clocked on the salt flats at 141 mph and with mods could do the 1/4 mile in the 12 second range. It won the 6 hour 750 class endurance race in 1978 and 1979, it holds the Daytona 750 class endurance record running 117 mph for 24 hours. Great motorcycle, rode it all over the USA, only thing I hated was the seat let you know you had an ass, it was like an ironing board. Bullet proof just like my Vulcan 800 Classic and Concours 14, Kaws rule.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому +1

      Wow, thank you for the history lesson - I knew the specs, but not the racing history - too cool! :D And yes, Kawasakis are awesome :D Thanks for watching & sharing that!

  • @philv930
    @philv930 Рік тому +4

    I still have my dads, that he bought new back in 1978, it has less than 5,000 original miles too.
    Needs new tires, and a good polish but it runs great!

  • @theodorstravels
    @theodorstravels 2 роки тому +3

    I like how you solved the lack of the second camera with the reflection.

  • @rokkimason4199
    @rokkimason4199 10 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for this video! I have a 1979 KZ 650 D, and I just love it. It has been garaged since 1991, keep getting calls about selling it. But now I think I'm going to get it running again and transport myself back to the days when I first bought it!!!! Thank you again Sir!

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  10 місяців тому

      That is awesome! You're welcome - and thanks for watching!

  • @michaelbove4244
    @michaelbove4244 6 місяців тому +2

    I was a motorcycle mechanic in the 80s I had a KZ650 Moon Dust Silver, it had saddle bags, fairing with 50 watt stereo. I miss that bike, it was great.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  6 місяців тому

      That's awesome! Ever thought about buying another one and building it like the one you had?

    • @michaelbove4244
      @michaelbove4244 6 місяців тому +1

      @RoadReality After having heart surgery and I'm 66 now. Not feeling like my old self. Don't want to take a chance.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  6 місяців тому

      @@michaelbove4244 Yeah, can't blame you there! Stay healthy!

  • @phoenixarizona8441
    @phoenixarizona8441 7 місяців тому +2

    Badass bike i found one for $2500 mint condition Kirker 4 in 1 exhaust and these old Sports bikes are what started today's kawasaki zx6r and zx636r

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  7 місяців тому

      That's awesome! What a find - mine is not mint, LOL.

  • @Iancad1
    @Iancad1 10 місяців тому +2

    Happy days! Owned one when living in Groveland. Many, many wonderful trips over the Sonora Pass to Bridgeport and down Hwy 395 to Lee Vining then back home over the Tioga Pass.
    California ain't all bad.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  10 місяців тому

      Sounds like great rides - and that you stayed out of the city!

  • @msteingart
    @msteingart 2 місяці тому +1

    I had a 1981 CSR 650. I rode it from San Diego to NY when I was on leave from the Navy.
    That bike would have been perfect if has a 6 speed transmission. 5 gears got you there, it really needed a 6th for it to be a bona fide cruiser like the LTD’s. This bike was more of a street fighter in cruiser garb.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 місяці тому

      Wow, that must've been one heck of a ride!
      I agree, a 6-speed transmission would be great on these bikes... but heck, even my Vulcan 800 has a 5-speed. Come to think of it, I don't know of any non-bagger cruiser that has a 6 speed.

  • @GoofyBastard
    @GoofyBastard 2 роки тому +2

    Such a great bike!!! Love seeing it on the channel. Get a new battery for that and show it off more on the channel!!

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks GB! I'll give it a shot :D

  • @dylansender5032
    @dylansender5032 Рік тому +2

    great vid i love the energy

  • @ChopperFett
    @ChopperFett 2 роки тому +1

    It’s a great looking bike that will run forever with basic maintenance. I’ve been looking for a 70s Z around here and the 650s tend to pop up the most. Great one Jon, now I’m gonna go ride my Z

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому

      There's lots of 650s for sale all over, and most of 'em are cheap - but the 750/900/1100/1300 - well those are a LOT more expensive. Especially restored! Enjoy your Z :D

  • @GVPARTS
    @GVPARTS Рік тому +1

    Great vid, I had a 79 sr650 back in 79, it was red and so pretty, had a slightly different tank than the 78. Bought it brand new when I was 19 and I road the hell out it. Great bike, I wish I still had it.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  Рік тому +1

      Nice! My dad's 78 was that same red - beautiful bike! Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

    • @daniellargey8430
      @daniellargey8430 6 місяців тому

      persimmons red if memory serves me right as I rolled off the showroom in the spring of 1979

    • @christophertyacke6019
      @christophertyacke6019 2 місяці тому

      I bought a 79 650sr from the original owner in 95 for $650. Had 11.000 miles and the full faring. If you lived in Yorktown, VA, back then, you might be that guy. I wish I had that bike now as well. My bike was the color of his side covers.

  • @boxwoodgreen
    @boxwoodgreen 10 місяців тому +1

    I bought a '77 KZ650C brand new in my home in Canada near Detroit. Right after the break in period, I rode with 2 buddies to Denver, through the mountains into Utah. Hiked the Grand Canyon. Visited Las Vegas, crossed deserts into Los Angeles. From there to Houston, then back north home. Needed a new back tire after the deserts. Had to change brake fluid. Other than that, it ran perfect for over 5000 miles. Downside was that the '77 "C" Model (C for Custom) had early generation mag wheels ... way too heavy. I had to sell it to go back to college. Not a week goes by I don't miss it.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  10 місяців тому

      Man, you might not have the bike, but you've got some awesome memories! Thanks for sharing your ride with me!

  • @Soldier9811
    @Soldier9811 4 місяці тому +2

    I’ve got a kz650 cafe racer and it’s beautiful. Its my first bike, first crash 😂 and first love

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  4 місяці тому +1

      Oh, so cool! They look GREAT as cafe racers!

  • @MisplacedMotoVlogger
    @MisplacedMotoVlogger 2 роки тому +1

    Cost me $500 for mine back in 2000. Was a great bike to learn on, and a joy to ride. If I came across another one nearby, I'd probably pick one up.

  • @1kzrider
    @1kzrider 5 місяців тому +1

    I have one I put loads of money into due to getting ripped off by shops sadly . But, it has a 750 top end bored to 810cc. V&H 4 in 1 pod filters with electronics vs points conversion. Dyna super coils. The bike sounds wild. But, do to the shotty work done engine was leaking at the cylinder base after 500 miles or less after al the money invested. I pushed to side and been siting ever since. I can't wait to get it back up and running again. I had to buy but, never got to install new clutch plates since the rebuild the bike had to much power and was slipping.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  5 місяців тому +1

      Wow, that's quite the upgrade! Too bad the shop didn't do the work properly :(
      I hope you get it up and running soon!

  • @BlackphoenixEntertainment
    @BlackphoenixEntertainment 2 роки тому +2

    as someone who is also bad at math, I approve of this video lol. the old bikes were so awesome and simple.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому

      Thanks BPE! Yes, old, awesome and simple, like the creator of this video :D

  • @stevecalovich3682
    @stevecalovich3682 Рік тому +1

    The SR-650 is the second favorite of eight. The bike I wish I could've purchased at the time, was a Kawasaki H2. My current bike and favorite is a 2019 CBR 650R.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  Рік тому

      The CBRs are great bikes! I have several friends who own them. The original H2 was a monster bike - and the current one is no slouch!
      Thanks for watching, and I'm glad you dig the SR :D

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  Рік тому

      Oh, and if you liked this video, you'll probably like THIS one even more! (more KZ650SR riding!) ua-cam.com/video/mrVvi2Juk7I/v-deo.html

  • @phoenixarizona8441
    @phoenixarizona8441 Рік тому +2

    I prefer older sports bike's over new sports bike's they are all around great bikes awesome beginner bikes as well

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  Рік тому

      So true! They're very forgiving, even if they don't have today's tech.
      Thanks for watching!

    • @phoenixarizona8441
      @phoenixarizona8441 7 місяців тому +1

      ​@@RoadRealityif you don't mind me asking where is this looks like Michigan or Indiana

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  7 місяців тому

      @@phoenixarizona8441 Maryland! :)

  • @carlthomas3074
    @carlthomas3074 7 місяців тому +1

    yes! smooth and tame. you can ride all day! mine went thru coils quickly for some reason??

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  7 місяців тому

      Yep, that 4-cylinder is SMOOOTHHHH. I once went out for "a quick ride" and came back 4 hours later sunburnt and happy.
      Coils? Do you still have the points system, or did you convert to digital ignition? I've not put but 2k miles on the Dyna S2 ignition, but it seems to be working just fine, so far.

  • @RRatedCustoms
    @RRatedCustoms 2 роки тому +1

    Thay driver just wanted to be in the review! Wasn't the 650s the bikes of choice of Toecutter in the first Mad Max movie? If they can last the apocalypse then they should work forever!

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому +1

      LOL, I bet they did! I don't recall if the 650 was there, but given how little riding and maintenance I do on/to this thing, I'm surprised it runs as well as it does. At this point it's been sitting for 8 months... so it's a 50/50 shot she fires up whenever I DO get a chance to pull her out from under the cover.

  • @user-tc9ss6vv6i
    @user-tc9ss6vv6i 9 місяців тому +1

    Had that exact same SR. 42 yrs ago. Paid 900$. At the time though it was bulky. Prefered the. 500xt

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  9 місяців тому +1

      Dang! I think I paid $1,250 for it about 5 years ago, that's wild! Hopping off my Harley or my Vulcan 800, it seems like a featherweight :D
      Thanks for watching!

  • @DeweyRides
    @DeweyRides 2 роки тому +2

    I love old bikes. It is a different experience than the modern bikes. I mean, I like the modern bikes as well, heck. I just like bikes.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому +1

      +10 Internets to you, sir! Yep - those old bikes have more personality, but all bikes are great :D

  • @mikematthews2985
    @mikematthews2985 6 місяців тому +3

    Just hate how a lot of people will chop these old bikes up and make them look like shit-cafe bikes- and look like Frankenstein bikes. Leave them alone and ride them

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  6 місяців тому

      I'm with you - they look great right from the factory!

  • @NooBiker
    @NooBiker 2 роки тому +2

    Ah yes, cool classic bike. In the UK, because it's 40 years old it would also be exempt from yearly vehicle tax and road worthiness checks.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому +2

      No MOT, right? I hear about that on the KZ groups. We have Historic tags here that do the same thing, essentially.

    • @NooBiker
      @NooBiker 2 роки тому +1

      @@RoadReality yes, no VED (often incorrectly called "road tax") and no MoT (Ministry of Transport yearly checks for roadworthiness)

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому +1

      @@NooBiker Cool! Thanks for the clarification - nobody ever mentioned VED.

  • @EasyRiderGreg
    @EasyRiderGreg 2 роки тому +1

    Most Japan bikes clutches are easier to adjust than Harleys. But they use weird screws though and most people strip the heads 'cause they don't know they are not Philips heads.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому +1

      Ahh, the old JIS screw! Yes, I have bits for both, and I test fit them before applying any torque to any cross-head-lookin' screws! Been down that stripped screw path WAY too many times :D
      Good to know about the clutch adj. vs. Harley... the Kawis I own each have 3 adjustment points for the clutch cable.

    • @EasyRiderGreg
      @EasyRiderGreg 2 роки тому +1

      @@RoadReality Harley has 2. 1 is inside the derby cover and must be done first before the cable is adjusted. And it is a pain. At least I think so.

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому

      @@EasyRiderGreg Good to know, if I ever get a Harley with an adjustable cable - my Glide has a hydraulic clutch - no adjustment.

  • @darrenlingerfelt5879
    @darrenlingerfelt5879 2 роки тому +1

    👍

  • @MotoMango
    @MotoMango 2 роки тому +1

    This would be a perfect bike to café out... JUST SAYING 😜😜😂😂

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому

      Yes, EPIC COLLAB opportunity - show up with tools and parts and you can cafe it out :D I agree, every cafe-d KZ I've seen looks badass.

  • @KrakensGarageandAdventures
    @KrakensGarageandAdventures 2 роки тому +2

    I can find 5 reasons to buy any motorcycle! 🤣

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  2 роки тому +2

      Absolutely! Except maybe a Vulcan 800 Classic/Bobber... or is that a preview of what's to come on my channel? :D

  • @Hanksupermotofield3
    @Hanksupermotofield3 5 місяців тому +1

    I gave 200 for 1977 kz650b

    • @RoadReality
      @RoadReality  5 місяців тому

      Nice! That's quite the deal :D

  • @Shadowban69
    @Shadowban69 11 місяців тому +1

    It is the ugliest of the kz650's.