TOPIC:

My bike tops out at 85mph in top gear without coming close to redline. It seemed like the engine could give more but was running out of gas at that speed. It may have been running around 7000-7500rpm.

This was full throttle on a naked bike carrying about 150lbs with rider and gear. I always thought it would be the redline that limited my top end, but I can't reach it. Is this typical for an older kz550 in good running condition? What should the limiting factor be?

I don't really have a need to go that fast, or faster, but it felt like something was out of tune. Carb synch and rebuild? 85mph would suit me just fine if it pulled a little stronger on the way there.

im trying to find the test ride pee wee gleason did on that turboed kz550 back in early 80s,but not having any luck!

I'm still trying to find the data for the 550 but according to Kawasaki,the top speed for the kz500 is 111.8 mph.

Naw there is a problem there. I'm a lot bigger than you and I could pull 90. And 0-75 is a hoot! 6th is basic overdrive. Something is out of tune.

tellietubbie wrote:

I'm still trying to find the data for the 550 but according to Kawasaki,the top speed for the kz500 is 111.8 mph.

did they have it strapped on the back of a truck when they estimated the top speed?id be really shocked to see a kz550 run that speed,ive done it enough times on bigger bikes to how hard it is and how long it takes to reach that number on a stock 900-1000:whistle:

www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=17410
Your American bikes must be slower than ours:)

Post edited by: tellietubbie, at: 2006/11/18 22:34

Or the 83 Z550 LTD at 110.6 mph.

Only approximately 5 mph faster than a 1970 Kawasaki A7 (350 twin) Avenger

steell wrote:

Or the 83 Z550 LTD at 110.6 mph.

That sounds about right for top speed. As you can see in the bikez.com pic of my 1983 KZ550, it has a large plexifairing. Despite this and my weight over 200lbs it reaches 93 mph easily in 6th accelerating slowly after that. Motorcyclist April 1983 pg.90 reports a ¼ mile time of 12.88 sec at 101 mph. Try 5th gear where you should be able to reach 100 mph at the red line.

Post edited by: oldcoldankles, at: 2006/11/19 00:06

how do they handle at those speeds?i always thought they looked a little top heavy to me;)

Wireman you say top heavy like it's a bad thing .
Geez !!!

wireman wrote:

how do they handle at those speeds?i always thought they looked a little top heavy to me;)

I could cruise 75 all day but as for the LTD handling mine would not be called a canyon carver by any means. I would imagine the standard or the GPZ model would be worlds different. The little shaftie was grabbed up by delivery/dispatch people across the pond so I guess they handled pretty good too. I thought the front end was the weak point of the bike. The forks look almost like they are extended. Loved the bike tho!

Hey Geerbangr have you dyno'd your bike and if so what was the HP. Where exactly does it start to produce big power. Is it for Drag racing or just street use? Nice cans too.