Old-School Cool: 1980 Kawasaki Z1R for Sale

1980 Kawasaki Z1R
Miles: 30,812
Clean Title
Listing Price: $19,000 Or Best Offer
Listing Ends: May 14th, 2024

Prior to the introduction of the Honda CB750, the big bore performance motorcycle world was largely defined by British motorcycles. But while the four-cylinder Honda will be forever linked with the rise in prominence of the Japanese brands, it’s easy to forget that Kawasaki was working on their own inline four at the very same time. Worried their bike would be considered an “also-ran,” they delayed its release by a few years to avoid being overshadowed by the CB and added 150cc to create the Kawasaki Z1. Displacing 903cc, the bike was a bit late to the party, but eclipsed the CB in terms of outright performance. Introduced in 1978, the Kawasaki Z1R was an evolution of that bike, with more angular looks, a significant displacement increase to 1016cc, triple disc brakes, cast wheels, and a beefed up frame in an attempt to improve handling. At a time when naked bikes were all the rage, the prominent fairing was a significant styling departure. By the time the Z1R was introduced, it was already a bit of a dinosaur: in just a few years, monoshock rear ends and full fairings and clip-on handlebars would be all the rage among the sportbike set. But for a brief few years, the Z1R was a very fast dinosaur…

A super nice 80 KAWASAKI Z1R KZ1000, mk II engine format the bike is turn key ready to ride, is numbers correct and has been recently fully serviced and reconditioned, it’s a really nice bike and well worth the asking price. It’s a totally reconditioned original survivor watch video for all the work that was done. I am giving the purchaser the option to paint the bike factory black with pin stripes for a extra $2k, so take it as it sits or paint work total $21k the bike is super rare and hard to find not all jacked up. Comes with stock exhaust. Sold with clear open title ready for transfer. Have a lot of original owner paperwork. The bike runs /shifts/ rides fantastic no issues

This particular bike is claimed to be in excellent running condition, which is a huge plus. And, although the original paint is faded, the seller is happy to take care of that for you, if patina isn’t your vibe. Obviously, the 4-into-1 pipes look great, but if something a bit more classic is to your taste, a set of 4-into-2 pipes are included. It’s rare to see a Z1R in such clean, original shape, but very nice examples do show up from time to time. The $19,000 asking price for this one seems very steep though.

-tad