Hi, I just happened across your site due to this Kawi reference. I see that you don’t know about the gem that you have! That is either an 81, 82,83, 84 or 85 Kawasaki KZ440 LTD. You can find out here: http://www.analogx.com/CONTENTS/vinview.htm
(note: it will say “model specific: unknown” instead of 440LTD but that’s normal)
Allow me to share…I’ve had 3 of them because:
1) I’m a motorcycle nut, 30 yrs and counting, have put in some tracks in a few countries so I can talk like this, lol, and love classic “things”.
2) The KZ440 LTD won “Best Performance in its Class” in North America 82,83,84.
3) It has a high-performance 6 speed engine that kicks butt!
4) These bikes, when taken care of, never die!
5) They discontinued them because of that. Same goes for certain bikes at every make. There are always the ones that never make them any money in replacement parts and this engine was JUST TOO GOOD to keep around.
6) I did a trip on this bike that was 7000 miles in 7 weeks on ALL terrains, in ALL sorts of weather and it was absolutely amazing..but I knew it would be of course!
7) These bikes ride like go karts with kick ass (pardon) engines and tons of torque at your fingertips. Very deceiving 440 displacement! Unlike most mid-size bikes, this bike doesn’t vibrate until you hit 110 KM/HR and even then it’s an ok ride. Not much vibration at all! Very unusual. Therefore, it’s great on highways where most other midsize engines are not. This is mostly because of a “counter-balance” chain in the engine, another special touch!
9) On that particular trip I did backroads only, eastern Canadian provinces and the northwestern US mountain range states. Part of that awesome (spontaneous every day) route was riding the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec. Bikers fly their bikes over from Europe just to ride it. My bike and I, Lucas, with it’s incredible engine and awesome chick at the helm, lol, beat out several Harleys on those extremely long grades through paradise. It was hilarious, if I do say so myself! ; ) (I love Harleys too, old school, or a new softail custom, but there’s nothing like a classic Jap like this bike that you own and should take care of forever)
You inspired me to speak out, to possibly save the gem that you have and to give it it’s proper dues. You seem like an intelligent guy who has no idea what he’s sitting on so I thought I’d share. : ) I’ve honestly never done this before. Your lucky day!
Not many people know about the history, or are enthusiasts to the degree whereby they know how kickass this bike truly is performance-wise. Let me assure you, it’s a LOT of fun! Power, torque, smooooothe ride, and oh yes (!), the counter balance ratio on this bike is THE BEST! I’m not kidding here. The weight displacement from front to back is absolute perfection. You won’t find it while sitting on any other classic Jap. Not gonna happen. Remember sitting on a perfectly balanced wooden riding horse when you were a tiny kid? Like it would just take you somewhere and you didn’t have to do any work? Balance-wise? Well, that’s another thing that Kawi perfected with this bike and hasn’t done since.
Give it a name, restore it, and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. And most of all, don’t underestimate where it can take you. : )
October 30, 2009 at 5:33 am
Hi, I just happened across your site due to this Kawi reference. I see that you don’t know about the gem that you have! That is either an 81, 82,83, 84 or 85 Kawasaki KZ440 LTD. You can find out here: http://www.analogx.com/CONTENTS/vinview.htm
(note: it will say “model specific: unknown” instead of 440LTD but that’s normal)
Allow me to share…I’ve had 3 of them because:
Unlike most mid-size bikes, this bike doesn’t vibrate until you hit 110 KM/HR and even then it’s an ok ride. Not much vibration at all! Very unusual. Therefore, it’s great on highways where most other midsize engines are not. This is mostly because of a “counter-balance” chain in the engine, another special touch!
1) I’m a motorcycle nut, 30 yrs and counting, have put in some tracks in a few countries so I can talk like this, lol, and love classic “things”.
2) The KZ440 LTD won “Best Performance in its Class” in North America 82,83,84.
3) It has a high-performance 6 speed engine that kicks butt!
4) These bikes, when taken care of, never die!
5) They discontinued them because of that. Same goes for certain bikes at every make. There are always the ones that never make them any money in replacement parts and this engine was JUST TOO GOOD to keep around.
6) I did a trip on this bike that was 7000 miles in 7 weeks on ALL terrains, in ALL sorts of weather and it was absolutely amazing..but I knew it would be of course!
7) These bikes ride like go karts with kick ass (pardon) engines and tons of torque at your fingertips. Very deceiving 440 displacement!
9) On that particular trip I did backroads only, eastern Canadian provinces and the northwestern US mountain range states. Part of that awesome (spontaneous every day) route was riding the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec. Bikers fly their bikes over from Europe just to ride it. My bike and I, Lucas, with it’s incredible engine and awesome chick at the helm, lol, beat out several Harleys on those extremely long grades through paradise. It was hilarious, if I do say so myself! ; ) (I love Harleys too, old school, or a new softail custom, but there’s nothing like a classic Jap like this bike that you own and should take care of forever)
You inspired me to speak out, to possibly save the gem that you have and to give it it’s proper dues. You seem like an intelligent guy who has no idea what he’s sitting on so I thought I’d share. : ) I’ve honestly never done this before. Your lucky day!
Not many people know about the history, or are enthusiasts to the degree whereby they know how kickass this bike truly is performance-wise. Let me assure you, it’s a LOT of fun! Power, torque, smooooothe ride, and oh yes (!), the counter balance ratio on this bike is THE BEST! I’m not kidding here. The weight displacement from front to back is absolute perfection. You won’t find it while sitting on any other classic Jap. Not gonna happen. Remember sitting on a perfectly balanced wooden riding horse when you were a tiny kid? Like it would just take you somewhere and you didn’t have to do any work? Balance-wise? Well, that’s another thing that Kawi perfected with this bike and hasn’t done since.
Give it a name, restore it, and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. And most of all, don’t underestimate where it can take you. : )
Hope I helped inspire you back,
Sue
April 8, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Excellent article, I’m a big fan of this site, keep on posting that great content, and I’ll be a regular for a very long time.