1980 KAWASAKI KZ550 LTD

[@bobparson4424]

I had a bike exactly like that. It was a wonderful bike. My friends said I looked like a bear on a little bike at the zoo cause I was 6'2" and 250 lbs but the bike had no trouble pulling me around and sometimes a friend on the back. I loved that bike. It was a daily driver for me as I had no car. That's right, year round wet or dry, no matter how cold it was !!!

[@macse7en]

I just picked one up today, I'm 17, 6'1, 200lbs. Has absolutely no issues. This is my first street bike, it has much more pick-me-up than I expected.

[@carterbanks3467]

My first bike was a LTD 440. It was a great bike. As an older bike it handled and rode great an awesome bike!

[@YTjndallas]

I owned this exact model from 1985-1991. Best story- I once picked up a blonde Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader wearing a white bikini, from Rockledge Park on Lake Grapevine, Texas, and took her across the dam and into town for a burger. I guess that was around 1988. Back in the day, in the hot Texas summer, all I was wearing was a pair of swim shorts, crumby sneakers that could get wet, and a pair of shades. Not even a T-shirt.

[@nurzrachit7133]

And then what happened!! Hahahaha, just messing with you, but seems like an interesting story.

[@YTjndallas]

Nurzrachit Well, I took out a three-stranded barbed-wire fence a year or two later at Meadowmere Park on the other side of Lake Grapevine. Thank God, I walked away without a scratch.

[@Speedytrip]

@@YTjndallas I don't think he was concerned about the bike hehe

[@AI_Surfer]

The 'LTD 550' the first brand new motorcycle I bought at age 17, on March 22, 1980. I paid just under $1800 for it from Brea Kawasaki in Brea California.

[@headkicked]

I'm currently rebuilding a 1980 LTD 750. The tank has some slight rust, the carbs are in need of a rebuild, needs a new chain, new tires, and a deep clean. The previous owner stored it outside for 18 months with a dust cover, thinking it was waterproof.

[@wjxjlife8959]

I have an 81 550 paid 250 for it runs and rides great love it.

[@YTjndallas]

OMG. THIS was my EXACT bike!!! 😍😍😍😍

[@jeffereystratton1955]

I have the same bike ny dad bought in 1983 still ride it everyday. Funny seeing a Gorilla ride one on KZbin

[@Bostonclassics1]

What a gem

[@Technewlogy]

Can someone tell me how much are these worth if in overall good condition with only 4000 miles?

[@kenweis7913]

3-5k

[@jerryg7391]

I have a 1973 that needs to be fixed that should not be much wrong with it. How much should I ask for it as is?

[@anearbytown]

I have a Kawasaki workshop manual for this bike. Would you like it? It is in the UK so a contribution towards postage would be appreciated. I wish I had kept mine having seen this.

[@kontrolermzk]

How tall are you? I'm 6,3 ft and looking for the first motorcycle, but I'm afraid it may be to small for me. Unfortunately I have long legs. Greetings from Poland!

[@rickyracer1970]

Fine kaw !

[@richard9444]

Nearly 40 year old bike ....that looks new WTF

[@alan15768]

I have a question for kaplan cycles , i ride a 2014 Honda Rebel , would that bike be powerful enough for the New York state Thruway or New England 95 ? It does okay on local parkways as long as the wind gusts are not going crazy and within the 55 MPH speed limit but if the traffic flow on the thruways is 70-75 the throttle would probably be wide opened and it would be pretty maxed out.

[@KaplanCycles]

It would do it without a passenger but for the long term you're better with a bigger bike

[@CharlesSeipke]

The hoses aren't properly sealed, probably why it runs a little ruff till the warm up

[@nancyblanchard9175]

Hey Ken, you make it look so easy to put any bike on a center stand

[@MBIKES21]

Superb.

[@scottgraney5275]

I want it dude.

[@jamesamsler2418]

My mom had a 440 belt drive...same yr bike but BLACK!!

[@nevertryberg]

Did it sell?

[@KaplanCycles]

Yes

[@garykeenan3724]

Nice motorcycle what’s the price?

[@sbifman]

I have one that was valued 4/5k euros

[@scottgraney5275]

How much dude

[@scottgraney5275]

That’s my first bike I want to buy it !!!!

[@mikestowe6136]

i hd a ltd 440 kaw great in town bike

[@thatonegamer9547]

Just wondering, any one know what octane to use for a KZ550? Mine is an 82 model (non-LTD or Spectre).

[@danm2422]

That One Gamer I have a 81 and run 93 keeps carbon off the valves and seems to run better, 91 is fine if you live in a state where you can’t get 93 octane

[@thatonegamer9547]

dan magda Just a quick update, I’m planning on moving to another state, and the don’t have anything over 90 octane, would moving the compression ratio down be a good solution, or should I mix it with octane booster? This is if I wanted to keep running 91-93 or go to 90

[@danm2422]

That One Gamer 90 should be good enough, putting a little octane booster wouldn’t hurt either. My 550 just runs so nice on 93 I’m glad we have it here in Michigan. Today was actually my last ride of the season before next spring 😐

[@scottgraney5275]

I paid 1999 for that bike brand new. Holy shit

[@TUNA.CAN.TOMCAT]

This guy makes every motorcycle look tiny.

[@matiasvilanova]

great motorcycle.. but what about the helmet...? is missing!!

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Freedom.

[@scottlochans4180]

NICE, Kawasakis are Good, And I'm a Banditless Hopefully only a semi retired Crazy Mad Banditateer,, fekkin Banditaholic, ruined for any other bike, and I ain't even lying. Prof.Bandit B.T.E, Torque Enjoyment only, out.

[@nitro914]

It Hauls ass.