Testing the New KZ 1000 Build Against a Modern Suzuki Hayabusa!

[@roadrunner1580]

ive owned my 80 kz ltd 1000 since march of 83. it had 1800 miles on it when i bought it. its got 26,500 on it now and i still own her!!!! it still runs great and is all stock still too!! great video, cheers.

[@ftgrat1]

Love the KZ 1000! Love me some kawis! Im 64 yo and first kawi was a 75 400 2 stroke followed by a 80 750 LTD and then a very smooth fast 82 GPZ 550 that i destroyed 750 class bikes with and then finally i fell into a KZ 900 76 vintage that i restored mid 90s. Love the 4 cylinder Kawis!

[@cycledrag]

Tell me more about them. Awesome!

[@Dc8fixer]

Great video! Old inline 4’s are the bomb. My dad bought the 1st 1978 Suzuki gs1000e available in lacrosse Wisconsin back in 1978. He had it for 40 years and sold it. Turns out by chance the lady that came and bought it. Was the saleswoman that sold the bike to dad in 1978…. I wish I would have bought it. It had a Russ Collin’s 4 into one header and dad used to take the baffle out of it. It gave you goose bumps when you heard it run!

[@cycledrag]

So cool! Tell me more about his bike. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@drhkleinert8241]

The GS 1000 was my second bike after i had an accident with my first one, a CB 550 f. The GS was from 78 too, in red. Heavy, big, strong, pure...fast enough for me bec i never was a "speedo", i like the feeling to sit upright, a big engine below, lots of metal and silver...great one.

[@paulbaluch439]

I got to tell you Jack the KZ1000 is my favorite I also like the 900 that blue is one of my favorite colors have a great holiday season Merry Christmas and thanks for all you do😎👍

[@cycledrag]

Merry Christmas! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@paulbaluch439]

It's got to be that KZ1000 it just always was my favorite bike it always looked good and it's got a nice amount of power I just love the feel of those bikes very easy to become one with yep that would be my pic😎👍👍👍

[@drhkleinert8241]

I prefer the dark original Kawa green ones. But bec the old Kawas were all beautyful i love all colors on them.

[@garvincollins8632]

It seems both cool and strange to hear one of my bikes from my early days of riding called "vintage". I thought it was fast until one of my buddies on an 84' Honda VF1000 Interceptor rolled past me as I was pulling through 3rd gear. Still can't call the KZ slow, it was great rode bike. I had the 77' KZ1000 in red. My first liter bike.

[@cycledrag]

Time flies! I can't believe the Busa is 25! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@garvincollins8632]

​@@cycledragI would have to go for that old feeling with the KZ1000.

[@garvincollins8632]

​@@cycledragAll the things KZ1000 has going for it, cable clutch, cable throttle, carbs, no abs, no quick shifter, no auto blipper, no electronics. I will be fully responsible for what happens on that ride🙂

[@drhkleinert8241]

My first bike was a CB 55 f from 76, i bought it in spring 83. 4 Decades ago at the age of 18. In 24 i gonna be 60, incredible and better not think about. We " old-timers" who started and grew up with this big, air cooled bikes were more infected with these classics than todays boys who wants perfect mechanic and lots of speed.

[@garvincollins8632]

​@@drhkleinert8241Are you still riding? I started at 18 on a new 1981 Yamaha 250 Exciter. I turned 60 two months ago. The KZ1000 was my 3rd bike and I bought it used in 1983. I currently have a 2017 CB500F and a 2021 GSXR1000R. The love for riding has never gone away.

[@mrwhite2628]

I rode an 80 LTD 1000 for years back in the day. By buddy had an 80 GS 1100L. We had so much fun on those bikes. Still have several bikes. Still love to ride. Cool video guys. Thanks for posting it.

[@StanHarp-o4p]

LOVED MY HIGHLY MODDED 75 Z1 900

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

I like the old school KZ because of how easy they are to work on.

[@michaelbrill6609]

Never have to work on the new one! Lol

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

@michaelbrill6609 so the new Kawasakis now have hydraulic lifters and lifetime air filters? Or maybe you just have the dealership mechanic do all the work?

[@michaelbrill6609]

Do everything myself. If you can't change an air filter, you shouldn't own a bike! My point is, the new stuff is so much more reliable and efficient.

[@garlandlewis9149]

​@@thinkingimpaired5663r

[@cycledrag]

Easy access. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@SuperBoss351]

I'm from Chicago, still have 2 of my kz bikes, one stock one 9 sec street bike 78,Ltd. I used to ride with Kent stotz who started on a 76 kz 900ltd that ran 11.08 in 80. He than made it into high 6s on street tire with his son. I love the channel and love that blue kz.. so many memories brought back. Merry xmas and thx for vid..cheers ,dan

[@tomtaylor6163]

Love my 79 KZ1000 Shaftie. Just put a Don Vesco Rabid Transit fairing on her.

[@KevXRDuke]

Not a Windjammer? Hahahahahaha!

[@cycledrag]

Very cool. What else do you have done to the bike? Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@RadDadisRad]

Great looking bike. The ZRX1200R is on my list to add to my garage.

[@cycledrag]

I appreciate it. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@josephchapman6874]

I appreciate guys that actually love bikes becuse they are motorcycle enthusists they actually ride there bikes and not hang them on a wall !!

[@cycledrag]

"ride em, don't hide em!" Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@gorflunk]

Been on the road since August and I miss my KZ something fierce.

[@cycledrag]

Tell more about yours. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@clifffoltz651]

Old school no doubt, the KZ still rocks the pavement anywhere you go ! Thanks Jack ! Beautiful KZ ! ❤❤❤

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching! Did you own a KZ?

[@clifffoltz651]

Just a 78 650 with cams and a kerker pipe and rejetting ! It was alot of fun but would LOVE to have a 1000 !

[@charlieliddell3978]

Great video I had a 73 and then a 74 motor in a Rickman Maltese Frame. Miss the both.👍❤️

[@cycledrag]

Wow, you had a z-1? Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@charlieliddell3978]

@@cycledrag I have loved the Busa since they came on the seen. They look like they are doing a buck just sitting there but I have never been on one. I think I would good with the Kawi for simplicity and nostalgia.

[@davekyle433]

Nothing like an old school kz 1000s first bike i owned was a brand new 79 ltd 1000. I own a 78 ltd now. Waiting for a total rebuild.

[@SuperOperator4]

Love the KZ's with a KERKER header. Not crotch rockety...

[@phoenixarizona8441]

Kz1000 is what started today's sports bikes with the right sprocket setup and rider the kz1000 will run with a crotch rocket all day

[@lg740xx]

@@phoenixarizona8441 no

[@cycledrag]

That's a great sounding exhaust too! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@cycledrag]

tell me more @@phoenixarizona8441

[@cycledrag]

Please explain you stance@@lg740xx

[@ramoncruz9910]

I had a kz1000 years ago....loved tgat bike❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍

[@cycledrag]

What year? Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@ramoncruz9910]

@@cycledrag my kz1000 was a 1982 model. If we was to ride I will pick that blue kz1000....... because is bad as ride and brings me memories....😬👍👍👍🙏🏼❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@rodneykaup7687]

I love it I have one and I actually worked at the shop like that gentleman did at the same time good motorcycle 🏍️

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Man, that was just cool....love the blue kz

[@cycledrag]

Thanks a lot! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@jimmyjam813]

I had a 1000 very similar, I went down on the Highway and it got stolen roadside before I could get it picked up. I sure miss it.

[@ajpinnataro7915]

Had a KZ1000 ltd 1979 thing was a monster could break loose in 3rd and 4th gear on the highway, sat in a shed for over 30 years with the motor all torn apart, then for some reason I decided to scrap it to the junk yard for 150 bucks, one of the biggest regrets I ever made.

[@michaelbrill6609]

Ive had both. I was so sick and tired of tuning carbs and adjusting valves, i cant even tell you!

[@cycledrag]

They can take a while to get right, that's for sure. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@jesussilvaalvarez3243]

Super video Jack ❤

[@cycledrag]

Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@larryharry7221]

Wow the KZ looks great.

[@cycledrag]

Thank you! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@drhkleinert8241]

In my opinion were the old Kawa Z (no matter if 750 twin or the 900/1000) the most beautyful bikes ever. Esp with the 4-4 exhaust. I mean the silver motor, the lines, the back, the class of it all...its a shame that the air cooled 4 cyl no more build. I am happy to buy one of the last big ones, a 2007 Yamaxa XJR 1300 that reminds me to my old times, late 70s, early 80s. I dont like the modern watercooled black engines, the bizarre exhausts, the hunchback gasoline tanks, high backs with mini or not passenger seats...my world is the big, pure thing. And it seems that some other people agree, when i see the prices for these old used Z 900 or CB 750... And i love to see these precious at Mecum auctions in incredible conditions.

[@cartdoc]

Back in the day.. you had to learn a new clutch technique if you installed a Barnett clutch!

[@KevXRDuke]

I have one on my XR1200. The stock Harley Sportster clutch couldn't handle the extra HP. It would just slip when I hit the throttle.

[@cycledrag]

Tell me more. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@cartdoc]

@@cycledrag Well Jack it would be a bike from long ago..a 78 gs1000 punched to 1174cc with Andrews s3 cams..pipe from Star racing.. highly modified 34mm dirt bike carbs (before the big smoothbores. This bike became too radical to ride on the street! Love GS! Race losers called it GORILLA SNOT!

[@DonaldPup-ww4mf]

I can't tell you how many I've had that I only paid $300 for. Nice bikes and big money to buy now. I have a 74 900. 77 1000

[@rvega314]

Love it men. Let's go riding. Could do vintage with my Kat, cbx or CB's or modern with busa, Harley or metrics. Let's gooooo.

[@cycledrag]

Let's ride! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@rvega314]

@@cycledrag That would depend on what kind of riding and what others are riding. Love my busa for the power and looks but also my vintage bikes for how unique and compliments I get. I like them alllll. 😁. Merry Christmas!!!

[@CourtJester1960]

My first big bike was a 1978 KZ 750.

[@Rdrace42Rdrace42]

Hey Jack, just remember who invented the 'Heel Clicker'.....did that jacket shrink on Schmoe?

[@cycledrag]

Kevin Fardoux! lol. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@kenandrieling5885]

I built a couple of these motors with thirty six millimeter mikunis and nitrous. If you weld the crank they can take up to 3 or four hundred horsepower

[@davekyle433]

If you dont weld it shut. Your limited to about 130 horse. So if you open the bottem end. Please weld it shut. Then rebalance the crank.

[@clintjohnson4947]

Had a k z 1000 in 1985 it would run like a champ

[@cycledrag]

Tell me more about it. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@bjarnepost5913]

Hello from Lolland Denmark xpost Bjarne Suzuki Gs 850 year 1982😮

[@cycledrag]

Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@shawndavis4015]

I want a KZ900 simply off the fact that my friends father had one. It was green with gold I believe. I remember it having really short handle bars and THAT MUTHAFUCKA WAS LOUD…..we lived a qtr mile from the street you come into the neighborhood and I swear you heard it well before he made the turn to come into the neighborhood.

[@bartholomewnathaniel807]

Yeah as I guess I am Old School too as I had a ‘78 Kawasaki and lots of memories of fast times tan Babe s and F- k the Cops!

[@davekyle433]

I used to out run the cops on my kz. Even though we had the same bike. I had headers and rejetted my carbs. With less weight. Id walk away from them.

[@yiannishayabusaofficial]

AWESOME video amazing fantastic superb top R E S P E C T

[@cycledrag]

Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@yiannishayabusaofficial]

With HAYABUSA I love HAYABUSA@@cycledrag

[@williambillwaynerobertson930]

Jack that would make a nice et dragbike

[@cycledrag]

That was the plan back in the day. Now it's so clean I don't want to do burnouts. Unless you mean the Busa, then yes. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@davekyle433]

Keep it stockish. Lol. So few stock one left

[@scrumthebum2451]

I had a 81 ltd kz 1000 brand was a blast to ride then I got a Harley & that’s why I’m still alive 😂

[@cycledrag]

I'm glad you are alive! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@1941392]

That blue!

[@cycledrag]

Nice color choice by Tim's Custom Paint in Virginia. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@cartdoc]

Undercutting the transmission should not affect finding neutral

[@cycledrag]

Dan "The Man" Wagner did some type of modification where he said it would be hard to find neutral. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@cartdoc]

@@cycledrag Suzuki have a certain amount of undercutting from the factory. Ramping the gear dog still has nothing to do with finding neutral. I'm not sure what was done either unless it was something done to the shift drum

[@markkraus3598]

OLD SCHOOL !!👍

[@cycledrag]

Love it! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@schwabenwurttemberg5916]

Ja, du kannst die Z nur gut fahren wenn das Gummifahrwerk und der Rahmen geändert wurde

[@josephchapman6874]

Age is only a number

[@cycledrag]

Amen. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over to ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@bradwilliams5242]

Turbo motor on old kz the best way to go

[@cycledrag]

That would be sick! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@blengravers]

Nice, too bad he didn't ride a B King.

[@cycledrag]

Why do you say that? I'd like to try one. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. If you came over ti ride with me, which bike would you pick as your ride and why?

[@josephchapman6874]

Busa ,I like power!

[@davekyle433]

Lol. The old school classic is an aquired taste. Us old guys that had one back in the day will always love the old kz's. But i respect your desires too.