The 1982 Kawasaki Z1000R Eddie Lawson Replica | The Bike that Kawasaki Couldn’t Shift

You can find the XLMOTO Vintage backpack here: bit.ly/3qIT4KI
To be able to ride a genuine, original Kawasaki Z1000R Eddie Lawson Replica (known as the Kawasaki KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica in the USA) was a real honour.
These were built for just two years (1982 and 1983) to celebrate motorcycle racing’s Hall of Famer Eddie Lawson’s back to back AMA Superbike Championship victories in the US.
These were in essence a souped up version of the big beast that was the Z1000. More power, better suspension, and with a styling nod to Eddie Lawson’s championship winning KZ1000R.
Very few of these were built, so the chances are you will never see one on the road- they really are now just found in private collections. To be able to ride one on the road in Tenerife was a privilege.
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The Kawasaki Z1000R ELR in this video:
A genuine 1982 Kawasaki Z1000R Eddie Lawson Replica sold in Sweden from new. About a month ago it was shipped over to its current owner, Richard, here in Tenerife. It is in very close to original condition, with 27,000km on the clock and unrestored.
222kg (dry). About 240kg+ fuelled up.
102hp
1000cc
Air Cooled
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Gear for the Day:
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Timeline:
- 0:00: Intro and Full Walk Around
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Locations:
- Tenerife, Spain
- Petrol Station: Gasolinera El Gomero, TF-652, 38639 Oroteanda Baja, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
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- My personal bike: 2010 Triumph Bonneville 865cc (the base version)
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Buy us a coffee:
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Find me on:
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- FACEBOOK: / freddiecmdobbs
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- Filming and editing: @monikameraki (Instagram)
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Music:
Pastis 2: My California
Billy Bill: Shades of You
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#kawasakiz1000 #eddielawson #kawasakikz1000r
*Some affiliate links may be used. You won’t be charged a penny for clicking on them, but I may get some commission from any purchases*
References:
Rider Magazine:
ridermagazine.com/2021/03/16/...
Motorcycle specs:
www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...
raresportbikesforsale.com/tag...
Moto Fomo
motofomo.com/kawasaki-eddie-l...
KZ1000R:
www.kz1000r.com/index.php/kz1...

[@HARMARSCH2]

Good Morning Monika and Freddie, Nice review of the Kawasaki Z1000R EL, and yes I remember seeing the green version where I live in Canada. The Dealership brought one in as a Special Order but the Customer saw the price and decided not to buy it. I believe it was sent back to the States.

[@FreddieDobbs]

Morning🙂 This is brilliant to get your first hand insight of these bikes in the North American showrooms- thank you for sharing!

[@donaldwalklett4074]

That is a stock Z1000R , the ELR came stock with a Kerker exhaust and a gold numbered plaque with Lawsons signature behind the fuel cap . Small differences but big difference in price and desirability .

[@richard9444]

I had the 1100R in Lawson green back in 87 had it 7 years, never missed a beat , heavy cumbersome but powerful bikes , I got that back pack by the way, only 25 delivered! ,, Regards Richard London UK 🇬🇧

[@duncanbeattie1219]

i think what Freddie missed was all these 750s and 1000 cc bikes back in that day were all roughly the same weight and at the time were very fast,maybe 140 wasn't fast in his eyes but it was in the eighties

[@waynester71]

I had the ‘similar’ bike to the ELR, a Kawasaki GPz1100B1 30 years ago.. It had a 4:1 Kerker exhaust and was a hell of a bike to ride at age 18! 😄

[@LunaticTim]

It took me 38 years to get my all time fave bike the 1982 KZ1000R R1, and you're right, you don't buy it thinking it's the latest and greatest, it's a pure emotional buy. The North America KZ1000R's came with Kerker 4-1 exhaust as standard equipment, not with quiet GPz style exhaust like on the one you rode. There are differences between an '82 & '83 model. R1's have KZ1000J gauges, where R2's have GPz style gauges. The R2;s also have a bit longer swingarm, and GPz1100 cams, for a bit more power. Thank you for a great review, for an unloved beast when new, but getting the attention it deserves now.

[@FreddieDobbs]

Ahhh this is very interesting- thank you for sharing this insight, Tim (I wasn’t 100% sure on these differences, so really appreciated🙂)

[@zedwakefield3887]

Hi Freddie I have really enjoyed the review. I still have my 1983 Polar White Z1000R2 ELR that I bought new in New Zealand at the age of 27. It only has 15,051km on the clock. Unfortunately it has been sitting around for many years so I had decided to strip it down and rebuild it. I hope to get it running again for it's 40th Birthday next year. I have the original ownership papers and registration plate, so it should be relatively easy to get it reregistered for the road again. You are right in that it is a heavy bike, but back in those days, you just rode it because that's how it was back in the day. I also have a 2018 Z900RS as well. As a friend has said, "I hope you realise that once the Z1000R is back on the road, it will handle nothing like the 900RS". You know what? I don't think that it will matter once I get my leg over it again. I have very clear memories of the straight-cut primary gear whine as you take off...

[@Theophilus1968]

That sure brings back memories. My very first bike was a 1982 Honda cb900f with a kerker full exhaust. I was 18 years old. Big bore Japanese fours from the eighties were pretty awesome! Great vid!

[@FreddieDobbs]

What a first bike to get!🤩🏍 They were awesome (and so heavy!) beasts

[@kevinshaffer1047]

I remember when the KZ900's first came out..they were the most powerful bikes on the road at the time...younger guys were wrapping themselves around telephone poles all the time..not being able to control the power..another excellent video...good choice of music too Monica...good job you two..

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Read Cycle World magazines review of the Z1000J. It's not often you read a review this good. I was never a Kawasaki fan, but these models are awesome bikes. A million times better than previous 900's and 1000's. Yes, I've ridden and worked on them all. The GPZ900 was super modern but what a pita to service.

[@al4904]

Back in 1984 I bought myself a Z1100R. I loved the look of the Z1000R but like many others, not the colour. When I saw the Z1100R in Kawasaki racing green. I just had to have it. I loved that bike and wish I still had it sitting inside my garage today. I remember it been comfortable two up and great for long trips. I fitted a LOUD Harris 4 into 1 exhaust and attempted to calm its tendency to wallow in high speed sweepers by fitting a steering damper and a braced box section swingarm which made no difference whatsoever to the lively handling but along with cutting about 10" off the long rear mudguard made a mean looking bike look even better. I don't remember feeling the slightest bit intimidated by its size or its weight. I do remember every ride, in one way or another, causing a great big grin. I turn 63yrs old this year and these days I have slowed down somewhat and ride a nice and sensible and sedate Triumph Rocket III. 😉 I guess you young blokes of today would find the size and weight of that "intimidating" too. 😄

[@Shinysideup]

After 40 years it’s still a great looking bike. It was heavy and compared to bikes today slow. But as it was my first experience of a 1000cc it felt amazing at the time. I think it didn’t sell because the GPz 1100 with fuel injection was cheaper. But I’ve never seen another one since I rode one forty years ago. A definite collectors bike now. Great cinematography and production in all your videos awesome stuff.

[@markwilliamson2795]

I watched Eddie Lawson , Kenny Roberts , Mamola and others (also Carroll Shelby and his huge car trailer at a vintage show ) race at Laguna Seca back in the 80's in his prime..I would go up and camp out over night on my 1977 Triumph T 140 V red and white tank , what a party you have never seen...get into the pits a day before the races...saw the King Roberts on his Yamaha in the pits readying it for the race next day with his manager...great days....Lawson was forced off the track by a back marker on the corkscrew..laid it down...parts and pieces of the fairing everywhere...I went to the pits after..been there many hours before...his manager gave me a piece of the broken fairing...it was the part next to the hand grip...some clear plastic and colored plastic and the words Eddie Law....the rest was missing..broken off...I thanked him...I was working at a motorcycle shop at that time in sales...the head mechanic there was a friend I showed him that piece of the faring and he was shocked...What I asked...he said look at that support strut...it's hand made..no bolts no nothing just a carved piece of plastic ? attaching the faring to the bike...amazing...I gave it to him...Great days back then...Kenny Roberts was a God..to see him ride with the worlds best and wait for them and look back on the front straight after the last turn..then show them the way around that track as an awesome sight I will never forget.. You and Monika have re-captured those times Freddie in this video and you should be proud of that...I am stunned you think that bike is slow and old maybe you did not open her up and feel the power come on hard . My Bro's earlier 1000 had less horsepower and loved to kill people..nearly got me.

[@mikepopelka2349]

You've hit the nail on the head! I've been nostalgic for my 1969 BSA Rocket3 for years and yet I periodically return to reality to realize nostalgia is not dependability, comfort or abs, traction control, ride modes etc. Nice to think about and look at old bikes but riding, not so much. Enjoyed the video as usual, thanks.

[@robertpearce2244]

Famous quote from a bike magazine of the time, “unaccountably painted white and lacking ground clearance.” Not sure why, but I always remember that…! 🤩😂

[@peterhopkins605]

Hi guys, love your videos. I hear you when it comes to nostalgia, as a young man I often drooled over the 80's Kawasaki. Just recently I bought my dream bike from that era, 74 Norton Commando 850, beautiful to look at, but hard work dealing with modern traffic. I'm happy keeping it for special occasions, my modern Triumph can do the daily grind. Looking forward to you showcasing more 2 wheeled nostalgia.

[@paultomlinson3436]

cracking review and well done Richard being the proud owner of this stupendous example. that'll be why it won at the volcano hunt and ill be looking forward to tagging along with you lad on the DGR ride coming up. what a bonus to having the mustang roll up, what a stunner and caught Monikas chuckle when it rolled up knowing Freddie would be wetting himself..ha. thanks for doing such an informative review on z1000r. brill stuff

[@matthewbruce8839]

Thanks for the well produced "ride" down memory lane. Another great video from the best vlogger in this space!

[@mckav2358]

Im so glad i still have mine in the shed with 14,758kms on the clock, not white but green

[@bigbob8192]

Thank you for your films Freddie, i love the relaxing way you make them , iv been biking all around the earth since 1984 and i see the same passion in you ,

[@henryhartley9993]

Beautiful bike, an appreciating classic that's better than having money in the bank....

[@theslowwalkhome7314]

Literally my favourite KZbin channel ever !!!!!

[@jasonadams5187]

Awesome video and awesome content can’t wait for the next video Thank’s Freddie and Monika

[@wgc60]

Many thanks Monika and Freddie for another fantastic Sunday morning video! Just purchased the XLMoto backpack, had been looking for a vintage one to go with my new CCM Spitfire Stealth Bobber which arrived this week! Oh happy days!

[@FreddieDobbs]

WHAT A BIKE!!!🔥 Really glad you like the backpack🙂

[@backstraightblast]

Thanks Freddie, my XLmoto Vintage backpack just arrived in Cape Town, South Africa. It's awesome, thanks mate.

[@clique53]

Love it.... Great review 💪🏻

[@alexandercoll4863]

Good job on the Bonnie! Glad she’s back up and delivering you to more great adventures

[@BlueMarbleRider]

Great video, Freddie. Despite all the bike's warts: it has great proportions - what a great looking bike! Thanks.

[@HARRODPROPERTYChilcompton]

Great review as ever guys. Super work. Ride safe.

[@FreddieDobbs]

Thanks Harrod!🙂

[@billy.g3597]

My older brother had one these in the 80's. I remember it had a 4 into 1 exhaust and it's bellowing sounded glorious !!!.

[@MaximLovesBikes]

Congrats to 40k 😁👍🏻

[@debenhamdave4314]

Wow stunning looking bike, as you say not for everyday use but wonderful for weekend rides and to loving keep and just to admire in the garage. Mustang a beauty too. Cheers Freddie and Monica.

[@8888swatt]

Great video and always love an 80s or 90s bike. Can't believe how good the weather and scenery is in Ipswich.

[@abdulazizsaleh8650]

That a stunning bike... I love the genuine sound of it....priceless 👌🏻🥇

[@Jgom42]

Mannn the content keeps coming 🔥 🔥

[@ndres839]

You definitelly are a drimer living a lot of golden drims, that motorbike is a piece of history The teast of those bikes are different

[@mantarayal]

Thanks guys...great review...cool bike with gobloads of history...but I'll take that old Transalp thanks!! And in that same dream, have roads like Tenerife to ride on!! They're epic. Take care both and ride safe.

[@SPROCK3TMONST3R]

Great video! I have a 2020 Z900rs Cafe in the lime green and black. It is the best of both worlds. It has that 1982 look and all the modern tech, to make it fun, safe, and reliable. The ELR is what spurred my purchase, and I am glad I did!

[@FreddieDobbs]

I’ve heard incredibly good things about the Z900RS. I cannot wait to try one🤩

[@jimmyb4982]

Just so you know, Freddie. I smash the like button within seconds of playing your videos. Cause I know they're gonna be awesome. That's how I roll.

[@livonian]

Very nice bike, although the ultimate bike from that era is Suzuki GSX1100S Katana 🙂 Metzeler ME33 in the front, that tyre is almost as old as the bike 😄 Water cooling+monoshock arrived to big-bore sportsbikes in 1984, in 82 they were all air-cooled still. The reason it didn't sell was the price, as a regular 81-82 Kawasaki Gpz1100 was a lot cheaper, looked pretty similar and had more power.

[@FreddieDobbs]

Thank you for this Livlander, really appreciate the extra info on this!🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@splodge5714]

The 1984 Kawasaki GPZ900 was a massive turning point for motorcycles. Watercooled, full fairing, monoshock, lighter, smoother, better handling and faster than all the Japanese bikes before it. Can only think the styling has held back the prices although I thought they looked great at the time, a real game changer.

[@peterhoward4799]

Hi, Freddie, thanks for the heads up on the XL MOTO backpack. I've just purchased one. I'm extra chuffed as I didn't realize that it was made in Sweden. I'm planning to move to Sweden next year, so I'm pleased to be helping their economy, ha ha.

[@drevil4454]

we used to modify them heavily in the 80's in South Africa. 200km/h and then the brakes will almost always fail. still have one in storage somewhere. still have my old bol'd'or that I ride every so often.

[@SuperfloDee]

Love every square inch of this beautiful machine..perfection..cool biker gear aswell freddie🦾🔥🔥

[@42crazyguy]

I love the white. But then I love the old red white and blue Honda liveries too so I guess it reminds me of that. Still gorgeous.

[@andrewdeacon4737]

You have a great talent for KZbin Freddie. That talent is to take something I never heard of, and make it entertaining viewing.

[@nunotomas7606]

Hey got it XLMOTO Vintage backpack :) thanx for the info.

[@tylerrichardson6530]

Freddie I just stumbled across your channel and I must say, fantastic! I'm loving all your videos I've watched thus far. I'd be highly interested in you getting you hands on a newer Kawasaki W800 to review. Best of luck and you can add another Subscriber and many likes from me!

[@peteward3990]

Great review, I wondered if you could handle it after having flash backs to the Triumph Scrambler😉 but you did it justice so fair play. This is a bike from my first few years of riding and everyone dreamed of owning the kwacker Z1000ST but couldn’t afford it in the late 70’s. Listening to you intently and then that bloody Mustang turned up and that’s all I could focus on, such a thing of beauty. Similar to when Monica appears on screen and our heart’s start to flutter 🥰

[@FreddieDobbs]

Haha I’ve shown this to Monika😆💁🏻‍♀️

[@576103]

I’ve got a 1982 GPz1100 and 1983 KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica. Love them both. My GPz handles better because the ELR frame was altered to have a steering head with a greater angle (29 degrees instead of 27.5), ostensibly for greater high speed stability. Low-speed maneuverability suffers as a result. Also my GPz is fitted with slightly longer Koni shocks which raise the rear slightly and steepen the steering head angle. That aids maneuverability too. The seat on the ELR is considerably lower than the one on the GPz. It also has a padded hump at the front. The result is that it places the rider lower and further aft, and then riding position is cramped in the legs. The example you are reviewing is interesting but is most emphatically NOT a true Eddie Lawson Replica. The 1982 and 1983 ELR were USA-market bikes only, with some distinctive features not found on the bikes sold in the rest of the world. As a Euro market Z1000R the bike seen here is fitted with a GPz1100 exhaust system (the ELR had a Kerker 4-into-1 system which was much, much lighter and only a bit louder), lacks the ELR badging on the tank, has the standard 27.5 degree Z1000 head angle, and of course it’s the wrong color (although they were also sold in green). So it’s a close cousin to the genuine article. Also, the 1982 and 1983 ELR models had different instrument clusters from one another. The 1982 bike was developed in haste and the fairing/headlight were just thrown onto the front of an otherwise standard round headlight front end. By 1983 they had taken the time to craft a properly fitting and integrated instrument cluster. The bike in this video is a 1983 model, the first year of the Euro market Z1000R. In Europe it was replaced from 1984 by the Z1100R, which was powered by a carbureted version of the 1984 GPz1100 engine, and fitted with the seat and instruments and handlebars from the ELR and Z1000R. They had a 28-degree head angle which makes me think it was built using the 1982 GPz1100 chassis, effectively making it a carbureted GPz1100 with an ELR seat and instruments. I’ve got almost 100k miles on my GPz1100, and even though I also have a 1983 Honda CB1100F, which is a bit faster, I think the GPz is the best twin-shock superbike ever made. The ELR has proven to be a better investment; I paid $1800 for a beat-up example in 1990, restored it, and it’s probably worth $25-30k now. (The bike in this video, in contrast, is worth a fraction of that). Production figures were approximately 900 1982 ELR, 1200 1983 ELR, 4300 Euro 1983 Z1000R, and 1400 Euro 1984 Z1100R. I just saw a silver Canadian-market Z1100R for the first time a couple of weeks ago at the Classic Motorcycle Festival at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama and found it quite fetching. I certainly wouldn’t mind having one!

[@impalaSS65]

Wow great info! Thanks!

[@adamg7270]

I started my riding addiction in the early 80's. I can't recall ever seeing one of these in the wild in CA. Soon after this KZ550's and GPZ750's were dominant, until Suzuki took over. There's nothing like a Kawi inline 4 with after-market exhaust in that era (Super-Trap or Kerker 4:1) I'm looking to pick up a Z900RS SE soon. Would love to see you do a review of that bike, as a modern retro.

[@MOTOUK1]

Lovely to see this bike again, thanks for sharping Freddie. 👌 your face when that mustang pulled up Classic 😂👍🏁☕️ safe trip back this week, 🙏

[@FreddieDobbs]

Thanks Nick- the packing begins!

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*I'm so glad I came across the Dobbs Historical Documents because this is a delight.* I've seen those front turn indicators for cheap and I can try to fit it on a Z900RS Cafe, replacing the units that seem more at home on the non-classic Z900.

[@volt8684]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. My friend had one we both upgraded from Honda cb750 4’s. He this bike and me a cb900. I had it a month or two. After the 750s they were barges. Overweight, overlong ( very hard to carve corners) . Riding this and a modern 750 is a world apart. I truly love the look and build quality of the old bikes but not for the riding experience or for that matter the maintenance. This is especially true for me having sold an 1100cc carbed yamaha last year purely because the slow running jet blocked or at least fouled in months esp winter, the bowls were full of jelly and varnish. This new fuel will really compromise the older carbed bikes unless you are competent enough to strip, clean and balance the carbs. I am very competent but just had enough of it. Admittedly my bike had no pet cock or drains on the bowls. ( unusual engineering for Yamaha). Even you look quite small on that Freddie.I would prefer your bonny anyway. Tragically I sold my cb900 and was bought by a new pass 17 yr old who killed himself in a week by hitting a lamp post on a fairly sraight road. They were so long they had to be hauled and pushed round bends and I think going from a 250 to a 900 was unsafe. Just don’t think he made the bend at very high speed, nothing else involved. Thank god for modern machinery esp fuel injection😎😎. Great to compare these though. Nice you are so frank. So jealous of the weather. Just spring here and have fell off mountain bike and broke ribs. Staring at new motorcylce in garage with self pity😩😁😁😁

[@FreddieDobbs]

This is a fantastic insight of real ownership- thank you for sharing this, Volt🙂

[@j.rothchild173]

Awesome bike! I have a 1981 KZ1100 and a 1979 KZ1000 MKII. Both are great bikes.

[@6060don]

These were great bikes! In Canada we called them the KZ 1000 J. They were so quick. I raced the KZ 550 at the time another awesome bike!

[@macpdm]

Never forgot the launch of the GPz900R and it was awesome. Sadly never go to ride one

[@howardrathbone2120]

I had the exact bike in the early eighties! We toured all of Europe! Wish I had it now! Even remember the rego A281HNC, I now ride a ZRX1200R..

[@nickduffy8482]

Another great start to my Sunday morning thanks to Freddie and Monica. Eddie must have been a big strong 23 year old to manhandle that beast around the track, not my style but a piece of motorcycle history. The motoring vibe in Tenerife seems to be near perfect, the weather, the roads, the scenery, and the number of enthusiasts living there. How are you ever going to leave???

[@FreddieDobbs]

It’s biking heaven Nick- I genuinely cannot imagine anywhere better❤️🏍🏝🤘🏻 I don’t know how I’ll feel once we do actually leave (it may be harder than i think)

[@deborahchesser7375]

82’ was an especially bad economic year for the US, nobody was selling a lot of anything. I sure remember seeing that green monster and I immediately wanted one, knowing then and there at 16 yrs old, that this very bike would indeed be a classic machine. At $6000 give or take, that was big $ back then, especially for a motorcycle.

[@biker_dale]

Great video, it's amazing how the motorbike has developed over the years and how it looks, when you parked next to the modern Kawasaki. It's great to see the old ones still about and sad they aren't ridden as much. You'd love the 'Bike Specialists' in Sheffield if you haven't already seen it, some amazing and old and rare bikes 👍

[@FreddieDobbs]

I’ve never come across the Bike Specialists- I’ve just saved this. Thanks Dale🙂

[@ds1v0r19]

Great review of the Eddie Lawson Kawasaki Freddie. I had a 1975 Z-1B 903cc Kawasaki back in my riding days. I gave up motorcycling in the early eighties when I was 28 years old. The Mustang that you showed near the end was a 1965 fastback with a small block 289 cid V8. Looked like a Shelby at first but I not sure if any of the Shelby's had an automatic transmission in those early models.

[@R0bstez]

Nice vid! See if you can find a CB1300 (2003/2008) naked version. Those are awesome machines!

[@IrishBog]

Sunday morning with coffee and a new Freddie Monika video. Can it be better? Yes it can ….. just passed my A motorcycle license test on Thursday !! Cannot wait to go to the dealers to start test riding for a new bike. I think it will be a Royal Enfield. But which one ?

[@jcvinaja5542]

Get the 500. Hopefully its still available.

[@FreddieDobbs]

CONGRATULATIONS!😃🕺🏾 And to pass just before summer starts- it really doesn’t get better🙌🏻 My pick; the Interceptor or the Meteor… or the Classic 500🙂👌🏻

[@volt8684]

Try one then ride it back to back with say honda 500. I am mcyclist of nearly 50 yrs. RE have come a long way but I would not own one. Try a versys nc 750 or v strom.

[@IrishBog]

@@volt8684 Oooh I do like the look of a Rebel 500. But prefer the old school retro style. Right now I’m leaning towards a black Classic 350 - but will compare to the Interceptor. I have learned on an old Honda 750 so maybe I’ll miss the power

[@volt8684]

@@IrishBog I have a new 21 nc750 and test rode all 600-900 bikes and chose this. Each to their own😁

[@kolovodza]

I will so miss la tejita 😢 saw your bike the other day on the parking lot 😎

[@nigelbews3335]

I’ve got one exactly like that, but needs restoration…thanks for the info!

[@jonathanstyles5033]

A real blast from the past, thoroughly enjoyed this Freddie. I remember these hitting the shops alongside the early GPZ1100s in 1982 then replaced in 1984, when the GPZ900R of Top Gun fame arrived. It was a fast changing and exciting decade to ride through. You sould now be looking to ride a Honda "Freddie Spencer" replica to follow this theme! 😄

[@FreddieDobbs]

I must try and get a GPZ 1100 on the channel! I’ll lock in this Honda, too😆👌🏻

[@felipedourado5721]

Hello Freddie, I loved the video and I tend to agree with most of the things that you pointed out. You've made, as usual, a sensible review. But I'd like to say that (hope I'm not being too picky) looking at Maria Callas was pleasant since she was beautiful, buy not listening her voice is a shame, just like admiring the stunning beast that you rode but, without the exhaust sound, the experience gets cut in an important esthetic aspect of the fruition of a bike. Other than that, great video. Congratulations for the improvements on the Monica's technics of filming. You together make a sweet couple. Best regards from Brazil. ✌

[@jean-pierrefernandez2460]

quite a gem, my new bike is based off this beauty!

[@donny2327]

Class. I think the chaps in Chips rode Z1ks in the late ‘70s. Nice.

[@impalaSS65]

I had one almost exactly like the one shown. Rear fender intact though. Even a metzeler ME33 front tire. That was a 1983 model. The clocks are specifik for 1983 on at least the J-model. On the j, the clocks were round in 1981-1982. I'm guessing this has clocks from a 1983 bike. Second, they were advertized as 97hp in Sweden. Magazine tests at the time were NOT impressed by the performance. They even doubted the 97hp figure. Their curb weight was 255kg. Dry weight might have been 221kg as you said. The exhaust was a black chrome 4-2, as in this example. The ELR sold in the states had the Kerker 4-1. The bikes Eddie Lawson and Dave Aldana rode where heavily modified. Geometry, weight, output, ergonomics - nothing was the same except parts of the frame and the looks of the tank, side covers and ducktail. They weighed 170kg, put out 150hp, had 18" (I believe) magnesium wheels, with factory works grand prix brakes and suspension, rear sets and a lower handle bar. The R1 and the gsxr, 30years later, were equal on paper. Love the looks to death, but it felt like an old bike, even as a beginner. It needed everything in performance upgrades to live up to the looks. I mostly ride a zrx1200s now, that looks almost right, and it weighs exactly the same, with 122hp that really feels like 122hp, and pulls strongly from 3500rpm to 11000rpm thanks to 4valves per cylinder. With brakes and suspension way better than any japanese bike at the time (don't know the GPz:s from the period) are.

[@Snoozzzzzze]

I remember that bike being released. Bike magazine at the time said something like “even popping over to your gran’s you can’t fail to notice that this is a very fast bike”. That looks lovely. I thought that the 1100 was green and the 1000 was white?

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Good value backpack. I bet this bike is 222 kg dry. I like the green ZR1200 replica that came out much later. It was based on the one you're testing. The only supernaked I have ridden was the Suzuki B-King I had for over seven years. It used to frighten me. I wouldn't pay through the nose for an old bike. I think you summed them up well at the end. I'll keep my MT-01. 9:21 my favourite boots.

[@LionTheHeart]

Reminds me of my old Kawasaki Z1000... apparently it was the Z1000 they used in the film Mad Max! Good one Freddie!

[@peterhobbs7609]

Looks good Freddie, takes me back to the early 80s, friend of mine had the Z1000H, at 18 years old after passing his bike test a few weeks earlier, halcyon days!

[@fyorbane]

I had a Z1000H in the early 80's. Great bike and lovely to look at in it's black and gold paint scheme. It was a bit smoother running than the Z1000 mk 2 and made a couple of horse power more [good bragging rights in the pub]. Good old days.

[@LTLT900]

Yeh i had my full motorcycle licence when i was 15 in NZ. Back in the days when you would see kids in school uniforms riding Suzuki GS1000's. Ha ha

[@ohn1234567]

Lovely video Freddie and Monica. I have a question: With the new-and-upcoming neo-retro/classically-styled bikes that are being developed, would it make sense to look for these old gems of motorcycles, or would it be wiser to get the newer iterations of clasically-styled bikes? In terms of reliability, the newer ones win, of course - but is there something magical about these 30-40 year old bikes that would make you choose them over getting a Guzzi/Triumph/RE? I would love to hear this topic discussed either in a video or your podcast. Cheers 💪

[@FreddieDobbs]

This is a brilliant question. Modern every time for me. My first two bikes were Suzukis and both carb (not fuel injected) from ‘93 and ‘02 and the problems I would have with starting and cold weather running were unbelievably stress-inducing. In cold weather (around freezing) when i used to commute to work, it was 50/50 as to whether they’d start😆 For ease of use, handling, reliability and every day living, the newer the better, I think🙂

[@eddyhoughton6542]

I should have read your comment before sticking my two pennies' worth in. Yep, modern classic wins hands down. I own a '21 Guzzi V7 Centenario and it's a gem. But check out Triumph' s Street Twin and the lovely Enfield offerings as well. I am thinking of getting a 350 Classic as a second bike because I love the look and feel of it.

[@abdulazizsaleh8650]

@@FreddieDobbs Wow ..I wasn't aware you would choose the Modern bike😄 I was telling my self Freddie is a Classic bike man...but nah... I'm wrong 😄😂 Although it's a wise choice 👌🏻

[@palstuart6891]

Loving that cafe bar next to the garage 💙🥃🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌎☕️🤪

[@leeandjancruise]

Yeah heavy bikes are difficult, that was the problem with my Suzuki RE5 rotary, great to look at but a pain to move about in tight areas where as my Bridgestone 350 GTR was so light and nimble. Another well informed and well shot video, thanks to you both. As the weather is good here in South Wales today I'll be taking out the 1972 Honda CB450 K5 this morning.

[@edthecaferacer132]

Great video Freddy i used to race one in the 80s very heavy and not very good handling the GS1000 was in my opinion a better bike so we used to take the engine out of the Kawasaki frame and put it into a packet and McNabb frame called the P&M

[@carlossaavedra5508]

I LOVE the world motocicleta!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@chrisb5986]

What a great bike for its day.

[@richardfoster5851]

Hi Freddie lovely video ,I actually own Z1000 mk2 1980 and have done for 32 years ,I still run it about so if you ever in Plymouth come on down and I’ll show it to you😁👍🏍 mad Max time 😆

[@FreddieDobbs]

Hugely appreciated, thank you Richard!🙂

[@05rollerman]

If possible, get your hands on a 2018+ Kawasaki Z900 RS. You will love it!

[@MikMech]

That era was probably the Golden Age of Replicas. My all time favourite bike, has to be the 1983 Mike Hailwood Replica. After that would be an 83 Katana 1100.

[@Amory98]

I love your way of reviewing. You see the intimacies of these machines, like a true artist that is a rider. Please please get your hands on a Suzuki GSX S 1000 (I promise it's not your typical hooligan of a litre bike), I'd love your thoughts on it, and so will the the kind of people that subscribe to you.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Magnificent

[@karimrishani8298]

AMAZING

[@DAVIDTORRESANI]

What wonderful song!! My California

[@bmp72]

13:12 and this is exactly why I like old bikes and find the new ones bland. The new ones are too perfect, to much just transportation. The old bikes are a real experience. I got 2 Harleys from this era... I used to have a 1979 GS750E, you get used to his they ride and then they are ready to deal with, I could scrape the exhausts in the corners on that bike. I have my old Harleys not as an investment but as an continuing workshop project and because they are still allowed to make a lot of noise 😁

[@zone47]

I was crazy about the original 81 GPz550 and 82 GPz750 bikes. The 81 and 82 GPz1100 was fuel injected and had some problems. It looked like an ELR but only in red. I can remember the ELR bikes at the dealer but they were too big and heavy for me ... now I wish I snagged one because they cut the price way down to get rid of them in 82.

[@willfriar5163]

Totaly lovely Freddie . Brought all the memories back . Also messaged you via messenger

[@JordanKilliard]

Hey you just made me buy that backpack Freddie! £26 inc postage. Nice!

[@FreddieDobbs]

Delighted you like the look of it!🙂

[@greyriddance64]

Bikes like this show that it's hip to be square. Literally. Next review: FZ750? Just to remain on the Eddie Lawson theme 🙂 What a beautiful motorcycle this Kawasaki. Is that white taillight also stock? So cool!

[@FreddieDobbs]

Great shout on the FZ750- also a huge beast! To the very best of my knowledge it is a stock tail light🙂👌🏻

[@torrolindsey3459]

The United States Eddie Lawson replicas came with Factory Kerker 4 into 1 pipe!

[@fasthracing]

Not many left with the original exhausts as they used to rot away very quickly. They were big top heavy things.

[@emilefouquet9005]

The Eddie Lawson Replica was built for only two years 1982, and 1983. None of the ELR's had dual mufflers and did not have a Center Stand for that reason. They came with a Kerker 4-1 exhaust. Green was the only color in the US, and the side cover showed the model as 1000R. Other colors of White, Sand and Black were available in 1984, however any reference to a 1984 ELR is false.

[@GeraldGarcia]

Freddie, I'm curious about your opinion on in line 4's in general. Sound, character (or lack of) is it your cup of tea or not, etc?

[@FreddieDobbs]

Vtwins are my favourite for absolute character, but inline 4s, while maybe not hugely characterful, are very good engines and I’d very happily have one without hesitation🙂👌🏻

[@BuriStyle]

You need to test the vespa gts 300 hpe, i love your videos and its a real interesing bike.

[@fabxtrm2709]

Fun ep... I believe that colour is more a reference to Wayne Gardner in gp !!! I've a 81gpz the trick is to slouch on the bike & just use it to toe your body around on top! To try and RidE IT your in for a wrestle

[@jrandall5995]

Brill review Fred, had a T140 stollen 1982 and was about to get married so could only a Z750 but always loved Big Zeds currently a own a ZZR

[@FreddieDobbs]

Glad you enjoyed it! The big Zeds are beasts- such appealing bikes😍

[@blipco5]

I'd love to own an original ELR but my ZRX1200R scratches that itch.

[@blipco5]

Oh, great review. 👍

[@bigwill4423]

Great review of the ELR KZ1000. It's of particular intrest to me as I've just bought a Kawasaki Z900RS which is a homage to the original Z1 900 of the 1970's. Yes, you can see why it didn't sell, last of the overweight oil/air cooled sportsbikes which just couldn't cut it any more in the performance stakes and those angular looks were ugly in comparison to the beautiful classic style of the original Z1 900 with it's teardrop tank etc. If you ever get a chance to ride the original Z1 or the new Z900RS go for it, now they really are beautiful bikes! Still, for a forty year old beast I bet it still isn't leaking a drop of oil and with a service and a carb balance I bet it would run as sweet as ever. Shame about the uk colour scheme as it suited the lime green much better but hey, still screams "classic" every time you look at it! Had to laugh at Monica laughing when your jaw dropped as that Ford Mustang parked next to you! lol Great vid, keep em coming!

[@FreddieDobbs]

Thanks Bill, really glad you enjoyed the video🙂 I’m hoping someone may be able to let me know why they were sold as white in Europe🤞🏻🤞🏻