Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126327
By Dale Brown 'ifhe Kawasaki KZI 000 LTD is the dressiest, fastest and plushest bike in their four-figure cubic rentimeter lineup. Kawasaki started with the KZlOOO and added new paint, a stepped seat, new exhaust pipe, Goodyear tires, Mulholland shocks, mag wheels and extra chrome. When they finished they had a bike that looks like classic aristocracy and goes pretty dam fast. But to be honest , we were a little disappointed at first in the LTD's power output. While some other Japanese big bore fours have the capability of separating arms from shoulders with a twist of the throttle, the LTD just doesn't/eel that fast. Gas it, shift , gas it , shift , gas it some more. What's the big deal? The bike feels like a 750 . But then you look down_at the speedometer and you 're going 75-85 mph . You 'll get up to speed in a hurry on- the LTD , but without a tremendous rush , unless your riding philosophy goes something like : "What's a redline for if you don't use it?" Tractable power delivery starts at around 3,000 rpm and keeps on being delivered to the 9,000 rpm redline . Best engine speed for cruising is four 10 six thousand. Responsiveness suffers below four , vibration sets in above six. According to a Kawasaki -supplied dyno chart , the 1000 makes its best horsepower at 8 ,000 rpm . The LTD is furnished - with a different set of pipes, which according to the folks at Kawasaki , make the LTD their fastest bike, capable of 125 mph sto ck . The bottom line? The KZ 1000 LTD is more than capable of - violating U .S. and state maximum .speed laws. In ' fifth gear, 4 .000 -6 ,000 rpm . means 65 -90 mph, wh ich makes the Kawasaki a good base for a lOuring bike. There are only a few drawbacks in long distance operation. The stepped seat is soft and plush; probably the most comfortable stock seat our buns have felt in a long time. Its only problem is that yo~ can't move around on the seat to adjust hip-kneefoot angles for comfort. You sit in one ' position , period. Highway pegs would be a good .idea. Also hampering total rider comfort are the kickstarter, which rubs against the shin and soon becomes bothersome, and the rear brake pedal , which needs to be tucked in slightly so the rider will not be hitting it all the time. . Handlebars are well-shaped to achieve a comfortable riding posture, but the grips are trash, especially for the bare- handed biker. They're hard , ribbed plastic and will leave palms very tender after a day's riding. Replacement with softer rubber grips is recommended . Starting the Kawasaki is effortless , due to the electric start, but it's a little cold -blooded and a few minutes' wann·up is advisable if the bike is cold. Getting out on the highway , you'll discover that the LTD is not a racer, really, but Kawaski made the brakes for racers who get into trouble, Double discs up front and a single disc aft will keep the LTD rider from becoming permanently erneshed in the rear of a parked garbage truck . The front double discs (the regular KZIOOO had only one up front) is extremely powerful , and the rear brake will lock the wheel in a panic stop , but used normally, the brakes are very good , Aiding the brakes are Goodyear Eagle tires ,· front and rear. They gave excellent traction during all phases of our ride . As a n added bonus , th e Goodyears tot ally ignored th e ra in grooves on so u t he r n Cal ifornia freewa ys. We could find no handling faults on the LTD . Stability in high speed , sweeping turns was excellent. In tighter cornering, the Kawa seemed to belie its 529 -pound (claimed) weight , but power on after the apex was a ' must. The suspension, which wasn't as plush over bumps, freeway expansion joints and other obstacles as some bikes we've ridden, didn't allow the LTD to wallow. The KZIOOO LTD is a very attractive motorcycle. · Shiny black is its color, with red and white pinstriping. Detailing is very well done and the bikes comes off as a very well fin ished package. Bits and pieces: The throttle seems stiff the first time you use the bike , but after you adjust, you can go at least 150 miles at a stretch without complaint from the right hand and wrist clutch pull is very light there is no center stand , so oiling the chain solo is a bit of a bother . . . we wish that Kawasaki would follow Yamaha's example and incorporate the fork lock into the ignition key nodule . . . we didn't grind anything off in corners. In conclusion , we liked the KZIOOO LTD , On the . road it is confidence inspiring; the engine makes enough horsepower to do what you want and go as fast as you want ; the bike's versatile enough to double as a Sunset Boulevard cruiser and a cross-cou nt ry road machine. As an added bonus, Kawasaki's been mak ing the 900 /1 OOOcc fours for a few years now, whil e th e other companies just jumped in with rnulri -c ylinder 1000cc equipm ent , with th e Honda GoldWing and Harley's in general as the excep tions, So that ought to be a good sign for those looking for a wid e availability of parts and accessories. Gotta go now. Kawasak i is com ing to pick up th e bik e , and with a little luck , we'll make Albuquerque. • (Above) Crankcase vents into airbox. (Below) Mikuni carbs made for easy starting. 19