1978 Kawasaki KZ200 out of storage (new member)

In 2000, with small kids, I stored my Kawasaki KZ200 that I acquired in new condition with 1800 miles on it in 1992. I put 3000 miles on the bike ambling around the Finger Lakes Region from 1992-1995, stored the bike until 2000, rode it again for a few hundred miles, and stored it until now. In 1994 I put a low handlebar on it (cafe racer style), and, swapped the stock 40T rear sprocket and chain for a 37T (matching chain).

www.dpreview.com/galleries/1280783007/al...0-1978-usa/slideshow

Now, with my kids a bit bigger, I spent the holiday weekend swapping the stock handlebars back and swapping the stock 40T sproket back on. The carb was squeaky clean having been drained and then engine turned over to suck any remaining fluid from the jets.

I plan to teach my son on this bike.......and am looking forward to a safe, light weight, learning experience. Too bad these bikes are not still for sale.

The pictures are high resolution for anyone wanting to tour the details of the somewhat rarish KZ200 four stroke street bike. It gets 73 mpg, top speed about 55 on a flat road. But, I rode it around at around 40mph for 3000 miles just sightseeing.

Engine is bullet proof.

Flipping awesome looking little bike. too cool

That really is the perfect bike to ride around the finger lakes sightseeing. That's a beautiful part of the country, there's nearly zero traffic, and there's no reason to drive fast. Ed

The only downside to this bike in the fingerlakes is the hilly nature of some of the roads. In those cases where I end up on a hill, with traffic behind, I pull onto the shoulder and continue at 35mph (because that is not far from the top speed for this bike up a hill).

Also, I own a pristine 1999 SV650 for serious touring.

Imo, the reported performance of this fine little bike is for whatever reason significantly below what should be expected.

73 mph (see final post in this link)
kzrider.com/archive/viewthread.php?tid=17975

dadsvintageads.blogspot.com/2009/03/1978...d-test-pictures.html

www.amazon.com/1878-March-CYCLE-Magazine-Features/dp/B007ZGTXG4

merzy-rider.blogspot.com/2012/06/yew-emm...ki-kz200-review.html

www.100india.com/videos/kz200/

zomobo.net/kawasaki-kz200

www.veengle.com/s/kawasaki%20kz200.html

merzy-rider.blogspot.com/p/specification_22.html


Good Fortune!

from the first link: "My first bike was a KZ200. I found the top speed on mine to be about 73 mph with the throttle wide open. Maybe I had a tail wind...."

I probably just never had the guts to ride the Z200 at 9000 rpm long enough to get to top speed....or....I just never had a long enough straightaway? Be along one needed for sure.

By 7200 rpm and 50mph it feels like I am flying along...so...I probably just held it there.