Kawasaki Zephyr 750 Ride Review

[@willycowan9467]

I have a c4 750 had from new it has been a fantastic bike solid dependable and fast enough for any reasonable person, riding all of my life I am 63 years old and a vehicle restorer, not a rattle can boy. good vid I have enjoyed watching

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks Willy! Fine bike!

[@Toni62R]

Nice Review again - I had my own Kawa Zephyr 750 from 1997 to 2009, for eleven years !! It was a great, very beautiful bike, brown and red like the legendary Z900 of the glory 1970s; all stock. 78 horses much enough for an elder driver like me. Lazy torque at the bottom about 3000 to 6000 rpm. Top speed? I don't know exactly , about 200 km/h - I never tested it out. I remember I once drove 160 km/h with about 8000 rpm, very windy, very shaky - enough. And that is one of the - I' ll say - probs of the Zephyr 750: When you cruise about 100 km/h, it revs and revs and revs even in the last (fifth) gear. And that's annoying. The bike always challenges you to rev, there is no smooth area of revs, no really sweet point of the engine. At the end that's not satisfying. Suspension was ok, not to stiff, but also not very comfortable; and about all it is NOT a nimble bike. In reality it feels heavier than you might think of 228 kg. The air cooled inline four sounds good, but also very mechanical. If you like it, ok. Vibrations are always there, fine, but you can feel it anywhere. Not heavy like on a Harley, but also permanent. Beautiful clocks, especially with a fuel gauge that works (and which I miss on many modern bikes). Maintenance was no problem, only battery went down flat once in winter. .....Today I've much more fun with my Kawa W800. It has less power, but it's smooth, comfortable and also timelessly beautiful. Nevertheless, the Zephyr 750 is a remarkable, classical bike - and 2009 I sold mine (to about 3000 Euro) much to cheep....

[@AndyManCam]

Totally agreed on all counts! Beautiful machine but sadly looks and sounds better than it performs! My dad always says of his "anything over 60mph and the engine gets 'very busy'!" You're right about the weight. Felt very heavy in the corners. Like it preferred to just keep going straight!

[@lewismacnab7248]

I thought I'd watched all of your videos but after finding this vid it became obvious I hadn't. I have a Zephyr 550, which has recently developed a hole in the exhaust, and now sounds absolutely monstrous!

[@AndyManCam]

Ha! I have them hidden all over the place ;D I can imagine that sound pretty awesome!

[@rtep5]

Thank you for posting your video. Your observations on the handling and sounds of this machine are dead on. Just got me a '92 Zephyr in August; have put about 400 miles on it so far in just about 2 months. I love this motorcycle. I haven't been on a motorcycle in 20 years but this is a joy to ride around town. I like it on the highway for short stretches as well. Its about 12 miles to downtown Chicago from where I live and the ride down I-290 and then on Lake Shore Drive is lots of fun. I haven't tried doing 30 mph in 5th gear yet but I will. My cousin is the motorcycle guy of the family and he got me into this. His take was that these machines like high revs so I've been riding it between 4 - 5K mostly. I love the take off in 4th and 5th. When you punch it this baby really takes off. Anyway, thanks again. Enjoyed your vid.

[@AndyManCam]

+Petr Novak Thanks Petr. It's a fabulous bike. And looks so much more of a classic than it's age indicates! I bet this bike thrives on the US roads. It's a thoroughly enjoyable cruisy type with SO much grunt! Keep on enjoying it!

[@Spartansrule118]

Hi Peter, do you still have the bike? Is it reliable?

[@chenoir]

I've got the same bike, and I just love it. It's reliable, easy to ride, gorgeous, and I love the sound.

[@AndyManCam]

Griot David She is a fine machine. My dad absolutely swears by his. He says he would only ever change it if he got a good deal on the 1100 version!

[@russelllocke7180]

AMC, this is the first vlog I viewed of yours. Seen the lot now and enjoying them immensely. Motivated to venture from Aust. To the UK & continent and ride some of those crazy twisties, through forests & alps. Plenty here at home to enjoy, but wow, have you showcased some rippers. I too have a1994 750 C4 Zephyr. A great machine for cruising around town and a filter master. Passed it onto my son now who has done his time learning to ride and do mechanical work on an old CD250 Honda. He now studies at Uni in Copenhagen so babysitting the beast for a year. My new ride, and yes, I know what you have said about them in the past, is a GS1200, but in my defence, at 57 with old injuries and the bastard arthritis, I find the upright riding position, quick shift pro & cruise control are keeping me riding. Love the beast and it seems to love the road. Keep up the great work, subscribed soon after finding you and now a ‘patron’.🏍🤙

[@AndyManCam]

Full circle eh! I find it really interesting to hear how folks have found their way to my channel! Great bike that Zephyr. Always looks great and it's still going strong! Don't worry mate, I've got nothing against the GS's. They're undeniably awesome bikes! Ultimately, if it puts a smile on your face, it's the BEST bike in the world!! Thank you VERY much too for the Patronage!

[@nazzers2794]

kudos on the Kermit impression.

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks. Your praise is un-frog-gettable

[@kraftybeard4272]

Theres just something about riding older bikes that is great fun! Had a 1980 Suzuki SB200 twostoke while I was on my A2 license, nothing special but man I regret selling it!!

[@AndyManCam]

It's true. I loved blatting around on dads old Yamaha XS400 when he loaned it to me. The noise out of those trumpet pipes was amazing. Who cares that it handled like a psychotic pig?!

[@joshuamelomodesto2548]

Thanks for posting this, I just bought myself a 91, in red.

[@AndyManCam]

Very nice! Congratulations!!

[@SupaNautica]

Nice review, enjoyed that thanks. The 750 sounds very similar to my 550 in it's gearing and characteristics. I considered going green on mine too, but I love the black, polished and green scheme. We don't have many floating around in Aus, you guys got loads of spares, so jelly

[@AndyManCam]

SupaNautica Cheers! It was a great fun ride. Bit heavy though! I very the 550 is more flickable? You'd be surprised about spares. Pretty rare in UK too. Dad made the collector pipes from scraps and the cans are from a GSXR for example! Breakers yards laugh at you when you say Zephyr!

[@SupaNautica]

Well it feels quite solid, she's light but maybe the centre of gravity is a bit high. The 550 is quite a nice bike all round, Quite fast off the line, ballistic to 100km/hr and then it's out of puff.

[@AndyManCam]

SupaNautica Exactly like the 750. Really torquey and smooth up to about 120km/h and then it's like there's a parachute opens behind it! "NO FASTER!!". It definitely makes people look though! Never got looks like that for my Fazer!

[@SupaNautica]

I just designed some custom stickers for mine. We recently named her "Boogie Monster" and running with the Monster theme from the energy drink well suits her. Hopefully I can get the tank pad done to finish it off. I will probably hold off using the stickers until the bike can be painted first though.

[@SupaNautica]

I just posted the designs on facebook actually

[@GentlemanBikerVlog]

Putting fuel in another mans bride is one thing, but putting fuel in your father's bride....? I say. That's a beautiful old beast Squire, Love it.

[@AndyManCam]

But, perhaps Dad re-married? To Mila Kunis? It'd be hard not to consider it I think!

[@GentlemanBikerVlog]

I'd 'fill her up'.

[@AndyManCam]

OI! Stop eyeing up my new Stepmum... She's mine...

[@GentlemanBikerVlog]

Don't worry about that, you've got the Zephyr to worry about!

[@alessandrodamario3319]

Amazing review. Interesting to hear the comparison to the phaser. Laughed my balls out with the gear change comparison

[@abcanimal]

All inline Kawa 4 cylinders have that clunk sound at idle. Even my 83 KZ750 LTD had it.

[@AndyManCam]

More of a bag of spanners on an old washing machine in the back of a steam train noise than just a clunk! 😂

[@huwbishop6995]

I had a 92 c2 awesome bike. Sounds like a bag of spanners on tick over, primary chain with no tensioner. The gpz750 had a tensioner. I dropped the rear sprocket by 2 and put an extra 1 on the front, made the most of the mid range. Carburetors are shockingly bad, and a pain to get off. But overall a hell of a bike.

[@AndyManCam]

My Dad lovingly calls his 'The Klattersaki' because of that noise! Sounds great when you rinse it though. I know he has had all sorts of adventures removing and overhauling those carbs! I often actually recommended to him that he do as you did with the gearing. He does so little mileage that he's still on the chain and sprockets it came to him with!

[@huwbishop6995]

+Andy Man Cam I do miss the zeplin as I used to call it. I down graded to a cbx250rs then slightly upgraded to a 400 wet dream. Tempted by a cb750f2n now. Similar to the ZR but Honda style. Can't really justify another 500cc plus bike to go with the blade. My Mrs had a 600 bandit, zeph was much better, even though on paper the zeph was 8hp down on the Suzi. Just that midrange grunt of a seven n' arf.

[@AndyManCam]

So many folks forget that BHP doesn't equal real life performance. On paper the Versys is 35 horses down on the old Fazer 600. But the versys feels like a faster bike because I don't spend much of my time up at 8000rpm! On a race track I'd have no hope. In real life I'm take mid range over max power every time.

[@Neontrifle]

Thanks for this, it really took me down memory lane. I have had many bikes but I loved this one especially the torque. I had the 550 as well which was more chuckable. I'm off to see if there are still any good examples about now..my wife won't thank you for that.

[@AndyManCam]

It's a great bike! Let your wife know that I'm sorry, but I also hope you found something!! :D

[@casbrides]

Ha, watched this video when it came out. Watching it now again, but now I own a Zephyr myself. It's a 550 but I like it a lot.

[@AndyManCam]

CasB Rides I considered a 550 myself. Good looking bike and nice and solid too! Sadly the breathless top end ruined it for me as I have done an insane amount of motorway riding! Plus over here in Germany on the Autobahn, I'd have blown through the rev limiter LONG ago!! Have you seen ***** 550? His '550 is back' video sounds AWESOOOME!

[@casbrides]

Andy Man Cam His bike does sound good! But yeah, for the autobahn a better top end could be a necessity. But for me (not doing a lot of high way stuff) it's good enough. At least for now, because it's my first bike.

[@MotoTingle]

Its 2018, I found your vid via a google search after being offered a tidy Zephyr for £1000 - Thanks for doing this review. I dunno if I will buy the Zeyphr but your video have formed part of my research. Just sayin...

[@AndyManCam]

Cheers MT! It's a lovely bike, but it wouldn't do for me. Bit to heavy in the corners and busy at speed for my liking. But if you want a comfy straight-liner that looks great, you can't go wrong!

[@roryconvey3550]

Great video, awesome looking bike!

[@AndyManCam]

Cheers Rory! Yeah, she’s a corker!

[@spicer2006]

"it does sound like a washing machine full of spaners" never a more true word said, i love my Zephyr 750 97 but always worried about how it sounds at idol! pleased its not just me

[@AndyManCam]

It took me ages to stop asking dad if 'that racket' was normal! Apparently it's fine, even though it sounds like parts are trying to get out! !

[@martinoconnor4314]

My 91 Zephyr 750 C1 sounds like there is a bag of grenades going off inside the motor when its ticking over but my 94 C4 is as quiet as a mouse fart on tickover. Why? The C1 has less mileage and is in much better condition but the C4 just seems to have better build quality, how many C1's have still got their original exhaust systems compared to C4's? My C1 has a Nexus, my C4 has original.

[@Gefrce]

@@martinoconnor4314 Hey Martin, I too have a 91' and it's making the same racket at idle and low speed decel, all of them that I've seen do. The reason for this is the lack of a primary chain tensioner. I wonder why your 94' is quieter. Edit: mine still has the original exhaust, it's like new. I have no idea how. The previous owner must've only taken her out on clear days well after all the salt has been washed off the roads.

[@markshelley6465]

Nice review. You went through my village (Willingham) and you went to the same school as my son!

[@AndyManCam]

+Mark Shelley Small world eh! Thanks Mark!

[@bikermouse86]

Whoaaa I thought your kermit was great, untill I heard your clarkson imitation... :P

[@AndyManCam]

So the Clarkson impression was SO bad it ruined the Kermit one!? :D

[@kwfries]

Great review, loved your humour

[@bikermouse86]

Nice video and awesome imitation of kermit the frog :)

[@theglove78]

Another great video despite the dodgy Kermit impression :-)

[@xxsunniebunniexx7848]

What reg year was the bike?

[@AndyManCam]

I think it’s a 1996.

[@mikegla1746]

It's same as zII right? ZII=750CC ZI=900CC?

[@AndyManCam]

I think so. Although i think it was more of a development from the old engine than a straight transplant. There was a gap of 15 years or so between the release of the ZII and the zephyr. Though I'm sure that the changes were mostly cosmetic!!! Lazy engine designers!

[@ninjanelly3506]

Nice looking bike for a little bimble around but not much fun if you want to press on a bit or travel on motorways.Id rather have a 1000 or 1100 and have a bit more grunt at the top end,horses for courses I suppose.Have you gone for a 1000 Fazer yet Andy.....mmm?😉

[@AndyManCam]

ninjanelly350 You're preaching to the choir there. This bike is pretty tiresome on the motorway. Plus the screen is too small for anything other than leisure rides. If it were mine, I'd fit a smaller rear sprocket to increase the legs and a bigger screen. But that would ruin the look of the bike!! So I just don't have one! I like a bit more flickability too. This is a cruiser in muscle bikes clothing! mmmmmmmm.....Fazer Thou.....mmmmmmmm

[@russelllocke7180]

This was the first vlog that introduced me to AMC about a year ago. I had just bought a 1994 750 Zephyr and was looking around for experiences of others. Your fathers bike is very cool. Mine is in the standard maroon livery, but what a well cared for bike she was & still I. It’s still in the garage. I’ve passed it onto my son who had been building experience on on old CD250 Honda he had converted into a cafe racer. Looked good, but no performance of course, but he learnt the basics of both riding & mechanical know how. Babysitting it now whilst he’s at completing Uni in your hemisphere (Copenhagen) for a year. A great bike for around town. Easy to filter, Low c of g, and very light compared to my recent ride, the I know, all too common GS 1200, but hey, I’m late 50s, carrying injuries & arthritis & the upright seating position, quick shift pro & cruise control are keeping me biking. Just about viewed all your vids, and really building up a desire to head up from Australia & our the UK & continent on two wheels. Keep it up please AMC, subscribed and now a keen ‘patron’.

[@ericppagel]

I loved my first bike, 1982 Suzuki GS450E, didn't do any maintenance, poor thing, beat the living crap outta her, never let me down though. I was shipped off to Korea via the military a year later, sold it to my room mate before I left. (sniff)

[@AndyManCam]

It’s a sad day when you HAVE to sell a bike! I was gutted when i shifted my ER5 on because I was moving into London. Longest 6 bike free years of my life!!

[@AndyManCam]

1 view and 6 likes?! I like the ratio, but how is that possible?!!

[@schijasd]

you've got 1view and 7 likes now :p

[@AndyManCam]

Steve David Thanks! I'm loving these odds!!

[@JosephMelia]

Kermit...lol..funny shiznit,

[@AndyManCam]

Couldn't resist the obvious joke! And the chance to roll out the not so often heard Kermit impression! 😂

[@veryAngryandy]

allways thought it was a bad name for a bike,makes me think of a big fat cow ;-]

[@AndyManCam]

Ha! Really?! But 'Zephyr' means a 'light wind'! Though the bike is more like a fat co than the Name! Heavy Bitch of a machine!