1984 KZ700 Road Test and Kawasaki Accessories

As a follow-up to my very first post I offer you a road test from August, 1984 Cycle Guide magazine on the KZ700-A1. This is the bike that I own so I am of course partial to it. The review does not exactly start out flattering. The author writes that the KZ700 is state-of-the-art technology from two years prior. Huh, just two years passed and now what was state-of-the-art is not good enough? If this guy is still is still around he must be having a helluva time--things are obsolete far quicker than that now (according to some people anyway).

Personally I like my KZ just fine. I have always thought it was a great all-around bike for the type of riding that I like to do.

The article does end with a more positive tone. If you are a KZ700 fan and you do not like the article at first just finish it. It is pretty short anyway.





Here we have another page of the Cycle Guide listing the 1/4 mile times and top speeds of bikes they have tested. Note that the 1984 KZ700 is a mere 0.31 seconds behind the 1984 GPz750 in the 1/4 mile. Not too shabby for "outdated" technology.



The cover of the magazine. Mine was purchased on eBay.



Now from the 1984 Kawasaki Accessory Catalog we have a few items that could have been bought for the KZ700.



Unfortunately I missed out on all these items.





The case guards would have been nice (they are black so very hard to see). However, I did order the fairing, windshield, and headlight parts for a ZRX1100 ('99 I think). The headlight bracket for the ZRX bolted right to the steering stem (lower triple clamp) and it also has turn signal mounts. A few other things have been done but that will be for another post.

Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki

Early 1980s Kawasaki Snowmobile Accessory Catalog

Winter is coming. Well, I am in Florida so it is not going to look like this for me in winter 2021/22. Let's take a look back about 40 years to circa 1981 or 1982. It is the Kawasaki Snowgear and Accessories For The Good Times On Snow. The book is not dated but the newest machines listed are 1981.

































Laid out flat the cover has a nice large picture of a Drifter 340.



"Don't forget your booties because it's cold out there today." Groundhog Day.

Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki



June 2022 Update:

In the 1990 Bright Kawasaki had these bumper stickers printed for dedicated sledheads.

1985 KDX200-A3 in Red

Quick post. While gathering some info for another post I stumbled upon this in the August 1984 issue of Cycle Guide magazine. There was a comparison of enduro bikes and the Kawasaki involved was RED. My memory of this was gone. I do remember the white KDX200 from a couple years later but had forgotten the red one.







Unfortunately I do not seem to have a KDX200 brochure from 1985. The closest I have is from 1986 but red is not listed as an available color. If somebody has one and wants to contribute pictures that would be appreciated.

As far as the white one goes, White is listed as an available color on the 1988 KDX200-C3 brochure although it is not pictured. I will post something on the white variety when possible. Until then...

Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki