Kawasaki Zephyr anybody got one ?

**HanSoloNZ** · 16th August 2006, 01:27

I have a Zephyr 1100, it looks good and rides fantastically, way better than my mates 06 Hornet and 02 Triumph Legend.

**filthyfly** · 16th August 2006, 10:36

Originally Posted by HanSoloNZ

I have a Zephyr 1100, it looks good and rides fantastically, way better than my mates 06 Hornet and 02 Triumph Legend.

Man, thats a cool looking bike. I'd never even heard of them until my mate put me onto one. I'm hooked and pretty sure I'm going to buy it.
Black and chrome. Naked. Fast.
All good really!

**rogson** · 16th August 2006, 10:45

Just to make you aware if you are not already.
There are some 1100 Zephyr Jap imports around. The imported ones have the word Zephyr on the tank (instead of Kawasaki). If its an import I'm pretty sure it will be restricted (or would have been when imported). I don't know what it takes to derestrict them.

**filthyfly** · 16th August 2006, 11:44

Originally Posted by rogson

Just to make you aware if you are not already.
There are some 1100 Zephyr Jap imports around. The imported ones have the word Zephyr on the tank (instead of Kawasaki). If its an import I'm pretty sure it will be restricted (or would have been when imported). I don't know what it takes to derestrict them.

Its not an import. Thanks for pointing that out, I've done a wee bit of homework and I'm only interested in the ones with "KAWASAKI" in bold silver lettering on the tank! It would be a bit disappointing to have that kind of grunt watered down a little...

**Bonez** · 16th August 2006, 16:24

Originally Posted by rogson

Just to make you aware if you are not already.
There are some 1100 Zephyr Jap imports around. The imported ones have the word Zephyr on the tank (instead of Kawasaki). If its an import I'm pretty sure it will be restricted (or would have been when imported). I don't know what it takes to derestrict them.

Didn't the first of them have ZEPHYR on the tanks but Kawasaki had to stop that practice due to trade mark issues?

TWO WHEELS test in 1991 on the 750 available here - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-66818894.htm

**rogson** · 16th August 2006, 16:49

From what I understand, Ford objected to Kawasaki using the word Zephyr in the markets that Ford has marketed cars using that name (e.g. NZ). I think it was resolved by Ford agreeing to let Kawasaki use the name but not in a prominent way (like on the tank). Ford never sold Zephyrs in Japan and had no claim on using the name there.

It is possible Kawasaki initially had the word Zephyr on all the bikes in all markets and then stopped in the contested markets when Ford objected - inwhich case could those early non-Japanese market "Zephyrs" (on the tank) be worth a premium?

**JimO** · 16th August 2006, 20:08

just bought that mag thanks Bonez

**stevedee** · 16th August 2006, 21:10

Didn't know they made Zephyrs, damn what a fine looking bike, aways said Kawasaki made some of the best. I'm a naked bike fan myself, can't beat em in my humble opinion

spd:-)

**Bonez** · 17th August 2006, 05:46

Originally Posted by jimjim

just bought that mag thanks Bonez

Know worries. Real world experiance on owning one here- http://www.agrisoft-systems.de/kawasaki/

And

http://www.zephyr-zone.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

I've got that mag and the suzuki 800 v-twin test in front of me. There's one of those and one with the 550 on test up for auction as well. Always liked the look of the 750.

Performance wise it is not much better than Gerty or GasAxe though, apart from the brakes .

I wouldn't mind having in the shed all the same.

**filthyfly** · 17th August 2006, 09:22

Originally Posted by stevedee

Didn't know they made Zephyrs, damn what a fine looking bike, aways said Kawasaki made some of the best. I'm a naked bike fan myself, can't beat em in my humble opinion

spd:-)

I didn't know about them either and was looking at a zzr until someone in the know pointed a Zephyr out to me.
Took it for a blat and I'm hooked. Sounds like the guy with the bike mags on trade me has an 1100 review as well so I'll take that thanks!

**Drum** · 17th August 2006, 09:34

Originally Posted by marty

there's one for sale over tauranga at that little scooter shop off elizabeth st - quite nice and solid looking actually.
.........

Ive been looking at the Zephyr 750 as the next step up from my 250 - Any ideas on that? Would it be suitable? Any known issues with them?

And whats the name of thats scooter shop? I was looking at a Zephyr in TGA on tardme the other week, but didnt get my bids in on time. Would be interested in tracking down the owner.

**filthyfly** · 17th August 2006, 13:03

Having ridden the 1100, I'm hooked! Great sound, power, and they look cool too. The 750 seems the business too. I'd say it may handle better with a full tank of gas!