Mecum Motorcycle Auction: Top 10 Kawasakis!

At the Mecum Motorcycle Auction, the world’s largest antique and collector bike auction, we go on the hunt for the 10 best Kawasaki Motorcycles and find some real gems. In this video we will go through the painful process of trying pick just 10 classic Kawasaki motorcycles in an endless sea of Kawasaki KZ 1000 ELRs, Mark II, ZIR, Z1, Z2, GPZ 750 Turbo, Kawasaki H2 750 and even a custom Allen Millyard Kawasaki H2 1000. We will see some of the bikes my father owned including a 1976 Kawasaki KZ 900, a Kawasaki ZRX 1200, the Kawasaki S series Two Stroke Triples and a lot more. Enjoy and share the Top 10 best Kawasaki Motorcycles we can find from the 2025 Mecum Motorcycle Auction. #motorcycle #motorcycles #bikes
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[@mchristr]

While riding my RD350 in 1975, I saw an H2 at a Shell station with a for-sale sign. I pulled in and told the owner I was thinking of trading up. Amazingly he gave me the key. I went down the street, turned right on the 101 on-ramp, and pinned the throttle. Even though I'd ridden a Honda CB750, that 2-stoke Kawasaki was terrifying. After that, riding my RD was never the same.

[@treeguyable]

Still have my 71 R5b Yamaha 350, I bought in 72. It is a heap of rust, but, recognizeable. I ride an 06 R1, and 5 other bikes now.

[@raymondpick4945]

Hello jack i am 68 1975 had z1b in blue age 18 , 1979 had new CBX 1000 in red, also blue H2 750 . i am running KZ900 now living the dream .top man jack.

[@themister3865]

I have a 1974 Kawasaki Z1 that I purchased in 1978 as the second owner. It has 19,000 original miles. I did a frame up restoration on the bike about 30 years ago. I had the frame powder coated, and all the chrome redone. It's been in a heated and air-conditioned garage ever since. I wish it was a 1973 but I'm still happy with the '74.

[@johnfeit6916]

My dad was the first person in Allegheny County PA to own a 500 triple. It was a 1971 blue. He put 42 thousand miles on that bike. Good memories.

[@tedecker3792]

Had a blue 71 also, traded it for a Z1 in 1973.

[@johnfeit6916]

@@tedecker3792 My dad bought his up in Butler Pa. We lived in Monroeville Pa. I will never forget the smell of that bike when he pulled into the garage. Great memories.

[@imagehunter1]

1978 Z1R its my favorite and i had the silver blue with a Kerker with K&N cone air filters bigger jets and advanced electronic ignition…still my top Kawa👍🏼😎👍🏼 until today

[@andrewdunlap9828]

I enjoy the Kawasaki only content. Great top 10 list.

[@paulwainuskls2842]

I know the feeling. My Denco 120 King Cobra is a beast. Luv it. 😁

[@mitchfleming274]

My favorite is the Kz 1300 six cylinder and sounds like an indy car with a header at full song

[@gregmannos]

That 750 Turbo 🫡🫡

[@kennethanderson2273]

My favorite…. H-1 500 all years H-2 750 all years Kz1000 all years 83 GPZ 750 especially 85 GPZ 750 Turbo especially ZX 7 750 Actually I love all makes models but I’m Kawasaki man especially

[@stephenbrowning3286]

❤❤emotional and awesome ❤❤ CycleDrag forever ❤❤

[@jaygdav]

Great content and choices.

[@toddclark332]

Yes sir Jack definitely cool to own or a78kz 900 my High School bike have a great weekend

[@MikeJ6129]

I had a 78 KZ 200 in Junior High school.

[@dannyjamison8337]

The Eddie Lawson replica KZ1000R was a 1982 model. By 1983, Eddie Lawson had left Kawasaki and joined Yamaha for 500cc Grand Prix world championship racing. So, Kawasaki changed the name of the KZ1000R to "Superbike Replica." There is no such thing as a 1983 Eddie Lawson replica.

[@cmc7106]

I buddy of mine let me ride his 73 ZR1 . Went out and purchased a76 KZ 900 . At 19 years old. Lucky I am still alive today at 68 years old !! Haha!

[@themister3865]

I don't think they made a ZR1 in 1973. It must have been a Z1 in 1973, the first year of production.

[@cmc7106]

@ , you are correct,it was a Z1.

[@tedecker3792]

Had a H1 in 1971, a Z1 from 73-79. Sill riding at 77yo. Stick to my CX500 and CRF250X these days.

I still own a few on his list A 1973 Z1, early production, that I bought new. A 1976 KZ900, and I think near.perfect, 1985 GPZ 750 turbo, with under 6k miles.

[@mototechsam3051]

I bought in Oct 0f 2001 my ZRX1200A2 at citrus cycle Inverness florida as i was a motorcycle tech there i i put 114k on that bike corbin gunfighter seat full akro system Ivan's jet kit and a KnN airfilter. One of the best bikes and reliable .kawasaki needs to bring it back and a 6 speed this time and fuel injected

[@theoriginalmungaman]

That ELR has tons of mods! You didn’t notice the swing arm, oil cooler, engine cover, rear sets, seat?

[@trentruffin9576]

Wheels, brakes,rotors.carbs 3:18

[@dannyjamison8337]

@theoriginalmingaman. And whoever did all those mods was not smart enough to keep the original items.

[@donnie8955]

Had a 82 kz1000j model 30 years 77000 miles. Best air cooled 1000, silver not red or green. Replaced it with an 05 zrx 1200 still riding it 68 years old!

[@Ds-xi2sq]

Jack like i said ...Big Bucks !! I use to have a KZ 1000 LTD 1977 ...1st year Kaw

[@robgreggs4933]

The kz 900 engine wasn't painted black but, still good example

[@stephenbrowning3286]

❤❤Rest in peace 😢dear John…..❤❤ Massive blessings and condolences to his close friends and family. ❤❤❤luv ya dude! Respect Jack, ❤❤❤legend ❤❤❤

[@billgreen4148]

Worked on the assembly line in Lincoln Ne. I did buy a 77kz650 6 months after starting there. I was always a huge fan of the kz1000 but could only afford a kz650.

I liked the way the kz650, ran, and handled.

[@kentwgazlay]

still haven't showed a 1980 kz1000 factory fuel injection. Yes I do have one.

[@terrybarton8388]

All the KZ 900’s came out with straight Ali engines. None came from the factory black!…

[@LicensePlateHider]

Coool vid! Check out this license plate hider which is also a fender eliminator in 1 🤯

[@lowlevelcritter7577]

Btw, ZRX 1200 has 125 hp. And was available as ZRX 1100 from ‘99-‘00. Then ZRX 1200 from ‘01-‘05.

[@rover100bunson]

Alan millyard makes those bikes in a little garage in his house legend in the uk

[@Prangeracing88]

Great content. Question: why do some widow makers have chrome pipes and others have the black? Was it a year thing?

[@alexcallas8222]

No- chrome was always original from the factory for all 500's and 750's. Black means aftermarket pipes.

[@SSV-i-c-e]

I love my 71 350 avenger it was fully restored but wrecked by a flood in 23 but im slowly fix it .i love two strokes and my dream like a lot of guys my age [56] is a h2 750 so expensive though a rg500 and i forgot about the z1r turbo thats on my list to and would be good to ive got its little brother a rg150 38bhp rare little bike.hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@tcooper5863]

walked right past the suzuki xn85 turbo...........rarest japanese production turbo.

[@mopartony7953]

Z2?? The best Kaw?? And no Z1R?? Astonishing.

[@KurtSmith-j6m]

1971 kv 75

[@endriubiker195]

Greetings from Polish.

[@johnlawson1866]

I had two 750s H2. kawasakis a 1972 and a 1974

[@willmc42]

Seca 750 turbo was before it's time.

[@willmc42]

The S2 350 was horrible to ride on the street. The RD350 was a lot more comfortable and rideable, the powerband was wider and more manageable. My brother had a 79 KZ1000 with the square tank, he traded it in on a 1984-85 Ninja 900 , the first real Superbike Kawasaki offered.

[@bobwalker5564]

Where is my 1985 900 ninja?

[@rover100bunson]

Anti dive forks,what happened to those?

[@ramonwoodworth2778]

Was hoping you'd give the VIN on the Z1. My '73 is 00109. Curious to know what the earliest survivor's number is.

[@53Scirocco]

He hesitated with the VIN #, because it was a higher VIN than he expected. Did your frame VIN and engine have matching numbers? Your early Z1 engine should have the vaccum connectors on bottom of the cyl. head intake ports and not on the carb rubber boots like the later models.

[@ramonwoodworth2778]

Engine # 00113. Early carbs without the rib.

There is a lot of data on Z1 vin numbers My Nov 72 Z1, doesn't have the ribs, with a vin 2696.

[@ramonwoodworth2778]

Thanks. I have a Z1 book. I believe mine had a Sept manufacturing date. Don't have the book with me at this time.

[@carlzavalney6739]

Top 10 SUZUKI Jack! #T350,T500, GT380, GT550, GT750, Re5, GS750, Wes Cooly GS1000, GS1100, GS1150, Katana, GSXR750, GSXR1100, Bandit 1200, TL1000, Hayabusa

[@garneauweld1100]

Go ice racing on motorcycles or sleds, buddy! I don't know where you're from.

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

Team Green, that gpz750turbo is pristine.

[@rover100bunson]

Love the z1000 mk2 ,s lad over the road had a black gold z1000h,fuel injected,god i covetted that machine

[@donbrashsux]

The age trend is very evident.. aging enthusiasts moving their passions 😢

[@alexcallas8222]

You can really see that trend with British road bikes from the 1960's- those guys are closing on 80 years old. Not many of them can ride, or care about the toys they had 60 years ago- they've aged out of motorcycles.

[@rejnormandin4658]

Had one …. Sold it , should have kept it in a corner of the garage ….. Same with a Thruxton ACE Cafe edition ….. Stupid me

[@richierich2534]

My brothers almost died on a triple 500 it was bad

[@jaakkoseppala6788]

Hey Jack,one legendary Finn,always a Z1300 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKDSdq2ibqdmo7M

[@davebiltucci564]

I don't get it Jack my 83 ELR has a red R and no Kerker lettering on the tank I'm second owner 10,0 00 original miles

[@donreidontthinkthatsyourbu4414]

dear Santa ,,,,, please bring me the new ... w8(o)(o)

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

I never heard of Kawsakis motorcycles. Must be rare.

[@bobbybecker80]

Not interested unless you report the final bidding price.

[@bradnixon6220]

Go watch cartoons then nobody’s forcing you to watch

[@cycledrag]

@@bradnixon6220lol nice!

[@johnrambo1227]

Pre game tailgate party .