KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

ZG 1000 Concours

  • Kelly E
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08 Jan 2024 09:48 #893768 by Kelly E
ZG 1000 Concours was created by Kelly E
Does anyone else have a ZG 1000 Concours for long distance riding?
I've had mine since 2017 and love it. I've done a few changes to it to make it better.

When I got it the #4 exhaust lobe was bad and it clacked like crazy. I replaced the exhaust cam with the last Shouldabeen Eng. torque cam and a good used follower. I also added the redrilled intake sprocket. The improvement was great. Now I shift at 8k rpm to stay in the torque band. I distance ride with a pair of FJR's and a C14 Concours. I can beat them all up to 85mph now.

I've also added a set of Progressive fork springs, a fork brace and a 320mm big brake kit. On the rear I installed a ZZR 1200 shock with adjustable preload. I've also drilled out the 1" lollipop baffles from the mufflers, blocked off 1 3/4" of the airbox opening and attached the ignition box ground directly to the negative terminal of the battery.

The bike may weigh 700lbs but now as soon as it's rolling it thinks it's a Ninja. It is a little top heavy when the 7.5 gallon tank is full but that also goes away once moving. With around a 280 mile range I just top off when everyone else is almost out. The bike is plenty comfortable with the stock seat. I've ridden it for 11 days straight going to Sturgis and back.

Kawasaki produced the first generation ZG 1000 Concours from 1986 to 2006. They are a very capable sport touring bike. It will do anything a Goldwing can do but is way more fun. The best thing about them now is they are cheap. I got mine for $1800 with 24k miles and have racked up another 16k miles so far.

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda Sabre 700
1984 Honda Interceptor 1000
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000
1994 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours

And more
The following user(s) said Thank You: howardhb, Wookie58

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08 Jan 2024 10:11 #893770 by Mcdroid
Replied by Mcdroid on topic ZG 1000 Concours
No, I don't  have a ZG1000, but I have, over the years, thought about getting one for just those occasions as you are using yours.  

Michael
Victoria, Texas

1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A

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08 Jan 2024 15:44 #893790 by rstnick
Replied by rstnick on topic ZG 1000 Concours
I've also considered a Concours for many years.
Have only heard good things about them.
The weight I did not know about. 

My ZRX is just over 500 lbs.
I used it for a two day 1000 Km ride last Summer:

[IMG
[IMG


I have been looking for something lighter with more fairing.
Found a 2005 z750s that might fit the bill:

[IMG

Rob
CANADA

Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me

1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s (aka GPz750)
1978 KZ1000 project

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  • Kelly E
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08 Jan 2024 15:56 #893791 by Kelly E
Replied by Kelly E on topic ZG 1000 Concours
Don't let the weight scare you, you can't feel it once you are rolling it thinks it's a Ninja and carves corners better than quite a few bikes. I'm 5' 5" 125lbs and can ride it just fine. The weight is very beneficial out on the 2 lane blacktop bucking headwinds and passing semi truck blasts. It punches right through that stuff. I've ridden through a horrible lightning storm with 60mph gusts and torrential downpoursin eastern Montana on the way to Sturgis. It took 90 minutes to get through the storm at 75mph. When it was over I wasn't even wet.
The Concours is every inch a Kawasaki Heavy Industries product. It is built especially for long distance riding. We have a dozen other bikes but if we're going more than an overnight I ride the Concours.

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda Sabre 700
1984 Honda Interceptor 1000
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000
1994 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours

And more

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08 Jan 2024 23:05 #893800 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic ZG 1000 Concours
I rode. 1992 ZG for a bunch of years and over 60,000 miles. One more mod you should do is the starter chain tensioner.
www.kwick.biz/product/tensioner-tamer-al...chain-tensioner-fix/

Are you sure about that weight? Sounds higher than I remember.

Also, I now tour on a ZRX1100. I must admit that I miss the shaft drive and hard bags on a long trip.

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
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  • DOHC
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09 Jan 2024 05:57 #893813 by DOHC
Replied by DOHC on topic ZG 1000 Concours

I have been looking for something lighter with more fairing.
Found a 2005 z750s that might fit the bill:

[img

What do you think of the z750s?  I had the same model in black.  I was a great bike in every way except it had the most uncomfortable seat I've ever encountered.  I sold the bike because of that.

'78 Z1-R in blue , '78 Z1-R in black, '78 Z1-R in pieces
My dad's '74 Z1
'00 ZRX1100

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10 Jan 2024 20:36 #893865 by RonKZ650
Replied by RonKZ650 on topic ZG 1000 Concours
I bought a new one back in about 1990. I hated it and got rid of it before it had 2000 miles on it. I had a string of motorcycles I hated between 1989-91 or so. The Concours was not bad really, but just for some reasons I didn't like it. I also got a new BMW 1000 boxer, and I hated it and got rid of it before 2000 miles as well, then got a Yamaha FJ1200, that one was worst of all, and I got rid of it at 600 miles. Three real winners for me in a row that soured me for many, many years. That FJ1200 still makes me violent and want to get a sledgehammer out every time I think of it.

321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

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11 Jan 2024 04:22 #893870 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic ZG 1000 Concours
I've seen a few around my area for sale at low prices.  They seem to be the touring workhorse.  

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

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  • Kelly E
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11 Jan 2024 20:04 #893899 by Kelly E
Replied by Kelly E on topic ZG 1000 Concours
They are great bikes and very affordable. Don't let Ron's bad attitude bother you, apparently he hates everything.

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda Sabre 700
1984 Honda Interceptor 1000
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000
1994 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours

And more

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  • SWest
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11 Jan 2024 22:11 #893901 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic ZG 1000 Concours

They are great bikes and very affordable. Don't let Ron's bad attitude bother you, apparently he hates everything.


 

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  • hardrockminer
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12 Jan 2024 04:40 #893906 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic ZG 1000 Concours
There is a nice looking one for sale on FB, near me.  Price is $1,900, has been driven 70,000 km.

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

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  • Kelly E
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12 Jan 2024 11:26 #893919 by Kelly E
Replied by Kelly E on topic ZG 1000 Concours

I rode. 1992 ZG for a bunch of years and over 60,000 miles. One more mod you should do is the starter chain tensioner.
www.kwick.biz/product/tensioner-tamer-al...chain-tensioner-fix/

Are you sure about that weight? Sounds higher than I remember.

Also, I now tour on a ZRX1100. I must admit that I miss the shaft drive and hard bags on a long trip.


It weighs around 650lbs but when you pack your stuff on it it's 700lbs. With a couple of minor suspension changes it handles every bit as well as my buddy's FJR. He swears they feel the same. The best part is they cost half as much.
 

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda Sabre 700
1984 Honda Interceptor 1000
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000
1994 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours

And more

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