Does anyone else have a ZG 1000 Concours for long distance riding?
I've had mine since 2017 and love it. I've done a few changes to it to make it better.
When I got it the #4 exhaust lobe was bad and it clacked like crazy. I replaced the exhaust cam with the last Shouldabeen Eng. torque cam and a good used follower. I also added the redrilled intake sprocket. The improvement was great. Now I shift at 8k rpm to stay in the torque band. I distance ride with a pair of FJR's and a C14 Concours. I can beat them all up to 85mph now.
I've also added a set of Progressive fork springs, a fork brace and a 320mm big brake kit. On the rear I installed a ZZR 1200 shock with adjustable preload. I've also drilled out the 1" lollipop baffles from the mufflers, blocked off 1 3/4" of the airbox opening and attached the ignition box ground directly to the negative terminal of the battery.
The bike may weigh 700lbs but now as soon as it's rolling it thinks it's a Ninja. It is a little top heavy when the 7.5 gallon tank is full but that also goes away once moving. With around a 280 mile range I just top off when everyone else is almost out. The bike is plenty comfortable with the stock seat. I've ridden it for 11 days straight going to Sturgis and back.
Kawasaki produced the first generation ZG 1000 Concours from 1986 to 2006. They are a very capable sport touring bike. It will do anything a Goldwing can do but is way more fun. The best thing about them now is they are cheap. I got mine for $1800 with 24k miles and have racked up another 16k miles so far.