Advice needed

Hello forum.

A bit about my history:

I've done a lot of racing. Supersport, Moto-X, snowmobile X-country. Currently own a '08 FXDL, '07 Suzuki DL650, Just restored a '78 RD400 and a '75 Suzuki TS 185. Always admired the KZ as friends have rode them over the years. I've got a chance to buy a '81 KZ 1100 with 25k miles on it. All original and good condition. OR a '78 and a '79 KZ 1000 S. The '78 has 10k miles and the '79 has 18k miles. Both of the KZ 1000 S bikes are not in original condition. Different seats, exhaust, carbs.....

Not sure which of these three to buy? all are within $400 of each other.

Any advice and all comments welcome.

Thank you for the advice.

A bit about my history:

I've done a lot of racing. Supersport, Moto-X, snowmobile X-country. Currently own a '08 FXDL, '07 Suzuki DL650, Just restored a '78 RD400 and a '75 Suzuki TS 185. Always admired the KZ as friends have rode them over the years. I've got a chance to buy a '81 KZ 1100 with 25k miles on it. All original and good condition. OR a '78 and a '79 KZ 1000 S. The '78 has 10k miles and the '79 has 18k miles. Both of the KZ 1000 S bikes are not in original condition. Different seats, exhaust, carbs.....

Not sure which of these three to buy? all are within $400 of each other.

Any advice and all comments welcome.

Thank you for the advice.

you couldn't go wrong with any of them they are all cool bikes if you could exact models for us it might make a difference. if you can't then i would probably go for the lowest mileage one or the one that blows your hair back the best the 79 could be a very desirable bike if it is the right one.actually any one of them could be cool to have if they are right one . if you can get us pictures that would be even better it would make it much easier to identify the various models

I love the 70's kz's. So i would have to say the 79 and 79 would be a great bike to buy but it is up to you, the advantage of the 78 and 79 is they bith have a kick start if the battery goes dead on ya. I personally dont like the 80's "J" motor kz's.........except the eddie lawson replica ones those are sweet.

Here is the picture of the blue '81

Here's the red '79

the 79

The red picture looks like a 1978 KZ1000. The body parts/paint scheme, rounded cam covers, all look like 1978. Check the title and VIN. That one would also be my choice. Of course I am biased since I own a green '78.

SpeedMK wrote:

Here's the red '79

This would be my pick

Drive them before deciding to make sure it's an apples to apples choice from an engine perspective. They both look really nice but if either one has been tinkered with make sure it runs smoothly from idle to redline. Ed

I'm a bit confused on what you are terming 'S' models. The red one pictured is a 1978 KZ1000A2 model. Haven't seen the '79 yet. Parts are readily available for the KZ1100A and KZ1000A2 models...it all comes down to personal preferences.

jeez thats hard....get z-1 or kz 900...that way everywhere you ride you'll be the topic of strangers....the 900 kawis are like a 66 ss camaro and get a decent look at every stop sign,have the classic kawi style that was right from day one,and will always be "your 900"...my 2 cents....i will allways have a 900 it is just the best bike ever made.....