Safe speed in a Kz.

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03 Jun 2023 20:43 #885573 by MLMG
Safe speed in a Kz. was created by MLMG
I heard a while ago that the kz1000 A1 tend not to be stable at high speeds, is that true? What would be the safe speed for my KZ?

1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 A1

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03 Jun 2023 23:51 - 04 Jun 2023 01:19 #885577 by Warren3200gt
Replied by Warren3200gt on topic Safe speed in a Kz.
Assuming all bearings, wheels, swingarm, headrace, etc are good and correctly adjusted then if you've any stability issues it'll be due to tires/balance. 
Z1000'S  all had frames made from thicker walled steel tube and don't need steering dampers unlike early 900's and don't suffer from frame flex like they did.

Proviso, the surface your riding on is not full of pot holes! As pointed out by Dr G. 


Z1000J2 somewhat modified!

Last edit: 04 Jun 2023 01:19 by Warren3200gt.
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04 Jun 2023 00:42 #885579 by Dr. Gamma
Replied by Dr. Gamma on topic Safe speed in a Kz.
If you ride your bike hard enough through corners or over pavement that has some ripples or bumps it will shake the bars or worse start going into some form of a wobble. It just depends on how hard you push it. I myself won't ride any motorcycle without a steering damper. I have had some scary high speed wobbles on and off the road race track!! And not just on Kawasaki motorcycles. A steering damper doesn't eliminate wobbles, it just makes them controllable.

 

 

1972 H2 750 Cafe Racer built in 1974.
1976 KH400 Production Road Racer.
1979 Kz1000 MK. II Old AMA/WERA Superbike.
1986 RG500G 2 stroke terror.
1986 GSXR750RG The one with the clutch that rattles!

Up in the hills near Prescott, Az.
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04 Jun 2023 04:08 - 04 Jun 2023 04:08 #885584 by hugo
Replied by hugo on topic Safe speed in a Kz.

What would be the safe speed for my KZ?
Not moving at all.
Last edit: 04 Jun 2023 04:08 by hugo.
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04 Jun 2023 04:43 #885585 by sf4t7
Replied by sf4t7 on topic Safe speed in a Kz.
Only ride as fast as your skills allow.  Your motorcycle probably knows how to go faster than you do.  I know mine does.  

Scotty


Scotty

1974 Z1A
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04 Jun 2023 06:14 #885589 by Street Fighter LTD
Replied by Street Fighter LTD on topic Safe speed in a Kz.
The saying is 
 Don't Ride Faster Than Your Angel Can Fly.
I'm with Dr. Gamma on Steering Dampners
But I have pushed my bike  way past normal limits racing  
 I learned with my 750 H2 what a Death Wooble is............. Not Fun   Had to accelerate  further to  break loose of it 
Tapered steering neck bearings  make a huge difference
All our frames can flex if  pushed to hard.  95 percent of riders don't push to that  threshold 
So , Be carefull and keep your bike  maintained  tight  and enjoy
DD


Original owner 78 1000 LTD
Mr Turbo Race Kit, MTC 1075 Turbo pistons by PitStop Performance , Falicon Ultra Lite Super Crank, APE everything. Les Holt @ PDM's Billet Goodies . Frame by Chuck Kurzawa @ Logghe Chassis . Deep sump 5qt oil pan. RIP Bill Hahn
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04 Jun 2023 10:28 #885606 by MLMG
Replied by MLMG on topic Safe speed in a Kz.

What would be the safe speed for my KZ?
Not moving at all.

1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 A1

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04 Jun 2023 10:32 - 04 Jun 2023 10:33 #885607 by MLMG
Replied by MLMG on topic Safe speed in a Kz.
Thank you for your feedback.

All the bearings are new, including the roller steering bearings (All Balls).

The motorcycle feels good. Yesterday, while riding on the road at a slightly higher speed of 140 kilometers per hour, I recalled the words that Z1000s tend to not handle well in corners (tend to go straight) and can be unstable.

So, it's better to ask those who know.

1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 A1
Last edit: 04 Jun 2023 10:33 by MLMG.

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04 Jun 2023 15:10 #885625 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic Safe speed in a Kz.
To upgrade the cronering performance and high speed stability, i did upgade to a beefier swing arm/wheel combo in the late 90th.

Than:

 

and now five years ago:

 
 
 
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04 Jun 2023 16:09 #885632 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic Safe speed in a Kz.

Thank you for your feedback.

All the bearings are new, including the roller steering bearings (All Balls).

The motorcycle feels good. Yesterday, while riding on the road at a slightly higher speed of 140 kilometers per hour, I recalled the words that Z1000s tend to not handle well in corners (tend to go straight) and can be unstable.

So, it's better to ask those who know.
There is a big handling difference between my Z1 and my KZ1000.  I don't ride either very fast anymore but have ridden the Z1 at up to 130 mph (on the speedo) without issues.  When cornering you need to look where you want to go, not straight ahead.  Keep your head looking into the turn and pull on your bars instead of trying to lean the bike.  The harder you pull the more it will lean over.  Lastly, don't brake in a corner.  That's a great way to start a wobble.

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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04 Jun 2023 16:44 #885634 by F64
Replied by F64 on topic Safe speed in a Kz.
Each bike is different.
Especially, as the bikes get older.
And depending how much you weigh--Where that weight is placed and how high your forks are in the triple clamps..
That will affect handling as well.
You'll know very quickly the limits of your particular bike when you get to that edge.
There are just too many variables.

81-KZ440-D2.
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05 Jun 2023 10:19 #885656 by MLMG
Replied by MLMG on topic Safe speed in a Kz.

Thank you for your feedback.

All the bearings are new, including the roller steering bearings (All Balls).

The motorcycle feels good. Yesterday, while riding on the road at a slightly higher speed of 140 kilometers per hour, I recalled the words that Z1000s tend to not handle well in corners (tend to go straight) and can be unstable.

So, it's better to ask those who know.
There is a big handling difference between my Z1 and my KZ1000.  I don't ride either very fast anymore but have ridden the Z1 at up to 130 mph (on the speedo) without issues.  When cornering you need to look where you want to go, not straight ahead.  Keep your head looking into the turn and pull on your bars instead of trying to lean the bike.  The harder you pull the more it will lean over.  Lastly, don't brake in a corner.  That's a great way to start a wobble.
Thank you very much for the information, I don't think I will run more than 100 miles per hour, but later on I will add a steering damper as Dr Gamma suggests.

1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 A1

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