1982 Kawasaki KZ750-N Spectre from United States of America

Summary:

Great reliable ride that would be a little bit better with a tweak or two

Faults:

Starter went out about the two year mark, replaced and never had another problem.

I had to replace the speedometer three times.

Clutch cable would break every three to four years; my fault though because I put a heavy duty Vance and Hine clutch kit in it the first few months I owned it.

General Comments:

My first bike, which was bought out of the crate at the dealer in 1984. Great looking bike and really quick once it hit into the power band around 3800RPM. Really good brakes with triple disks. You could lock the front wheel if you wanted, not recommended. Engine / transmission / shaft drive / rear axle and clutch were bullet proof the whole time I rode it.

Stock handlebars sucked so I replaced them with a flatter bars off a Yamaha triple, which greatly improved handling. After about a year of riding experience, I would drag the pegs running through the mountains in California.

Even though the speedometer only went to 85, a nice California Highway Patrol officer informed that he had me at 140mph when he pulled me over.

I rode this bike from 1984 until 2011 in California, Florida, Japan and Arkansas.

Great bike; if they made them new again, I would buy one.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th March, 2016

1982 Kawasaki KZ750-N Spectre from United States of America

Summary:

Cool old bike, but not the bike for me

Faults:

Nothing. This thing was absolutely reliable for the month that I owned it.

It always needed choke in the morning, but started first time every time.

If it sat for more than an hour, it needed choke, but again, always started.

General Comments:

It's a beautiful, classic-looking UJM/cruiser.

It's also heavy for a 750, nearly 600 lbs. I dropped it in a parking lot and had to pick it up myself, and it nearly folded me in half.

It's also top heavy, so low speed handling is "interesting" and cornering is just okay; not a "flickable" bike.

Motor is great though, awesome sound, good acceleration, though it's a bit slow on the bottom end.

The shaft drive is very nice, low maintenance and very little intrusion into the suspension/handling; barely noticed it was there except under very hard acceleration in the lower gears.

Has adjustable air suspension front and rear, which worked decently.

Transmission is flawless, just shifted beautifully; I never had any issues with it.

I hated the handlebars and the seat though. Made for a pretty uncomfortable highway riding position, and I could only last about 30 minutes in that seat. I didn't want to invest in bars and a seat for this bike however, because that riding position coupled with the sheer mass of the thing, motivated me to sell it and I don't miss it... Well, I might a tiny bit :)... But not enough to buy another one.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th August, 2013

2nd Dec 2015, 15:32

The 750 LTD shaft drive Kawasaki weight was about 515lbs. Change the handlebars to the standard kind and get a small fairing. They are a good looking, fast and fun bike.

10th Dec 2015, 16:32

They are a great bike!!!