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In 1976, Kawasaki introduced the KZ650 four (also called the Z650) to compete with the popular 750 cc class. Despite the 650’s displacement disadvantage, Kawasaki’s all-new engine and chassis gave the KZ a fighting chance against its intended competition: Honda’s CB750, Suzuki’s GS750, and Yamaha’s XS750.
To prove the KZ650’s performance, Kawasaki arranged an extreme endurance test at Daytona in hopes of snatching the 24-hour average speed record from the 750 class. Luckily for us, the cameras were rolling.
A small team of riders took turns in the saddle in an effort to cover as much distance as possible in 24 hours. Only minimal modifications to the motorcycle were allowed so that the test bikes weren't substantially different from the production version. The two KZ650 test bikes had enlarged fuel tanks, a few bodywork alterations, dropped handlebars, track tires, and a few other changes. I got to see one of the two KZs used in this test at the launch of Kawasaki’s new Z650RS twin, and I probably spent more time checking out that old relic than the brand new RS parked a few feet away. The KZ still smelled like hot oil and race gas.
Spoiler alert: The mighty KZ beat the 750s with a 24-hour average speed of 117 miles per hour. Both motorcycles completed the test, and another test bike nicknamed “The Rabbit” picked up a few more records in a six-hour test that allowed more modifications. The KZ650 went on to become one of the most popular Universal Japanese Motorcycles (UJMs) of its era, and it enjoyed a fairly long production run that included some cruiser-ish variants.
Today, the KZ650 is an affordable way to get a 1970s classic into the garage. The various KZ650 models don’t command the same price premiums as their older Z1 and Z1-derivative siblings. This also means they’re common choices for custom builds, and there are plenty of hop-up parts if that’s your scene. Potential buyers might be encouraged by the fact that two carefully prepped examples ran wide open for almost 24 hours. Kawasaki’s record attempt might have had a similar effect on contemporary buyers eyeing the field of motorcycles available back in 1976, too.
When I finally rode the new Z650RS, it had the ducktail, raked-back gauges, and iconic green paint that the KZ650 made famous. There was a bit of that giant-killer attitude, too, but Kawasaki invested the bulk of its glory days pride in the Z1’s grandson, the Z900RS. Even so, the Z650RS tells us that Kawasaki is still thinking about the KZ650 nearly 50 years later.
Big thanks to the zedsforfun YouTube channel for uploading this.
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