Kawasaki Zephyr 550 Reviews

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Kawasaki Zephyr 550
★★★★☆
4.4
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Latest Reviews

“Café racer”

★★★★☆

written by RickyRyan on 24/12/2014

The 550 Zephyr by kawasaky is a perfect Moto for a café racer ! Fiability perfect, look retro perferct and not expensive !

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“After much searching I bought a ZR550 for my daily...”

★★★★★

written by on 24/02/2010

After much searching I bought a ZR550 for my daily commute, and it is a gem. I really like the retro look that this bike has, and although it's no road burner, it does exactly what I expected. The seat is low and comfortable, everything works well enough and at town speeds, I have no complaints. actually had to ride it for three hours to get it home when I bought it, and compared to my other bikes (a Suzuki SV650S and a Honda CBR1000), it was a true "feather-bed" experience.
As long as this bike is purchased with the understanding that it is very much old school in character, and will behave as such, then it makes a great all rounder. There's no point in trying to chase full-on sportsbikes, and although there are many places who will sell you parts and accessories to personalise or hot-up your ZR, it will never be a potential track tool.
The best way to approach a ZR550 is to relax and enjoy the ride. It has it's downsides but it gets many more admiring comments than either of my other bikes.

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“I paid £800 for my 1991 550 zephyr with 21000ml onthe...”

★★★★★

written by on 08/09/2009

I paid £800 for my 1991 550 zephyr with 21000ml onthe clock, i came with a new ninja green paint job, new custom seat (very comfortable) belly pan, brand new tyres and a META M357T-V2 alarm, but ripped that out when it went faulty and immobilsed the whole bike.
i have since had fitted a rentec grab rail/rack, a green MTC exhaust, (sounds awsome)
My views are that the zr 550 is a great bike with enough power when you need it, if you wish to streetfight it, then you have a great base to start from, engine runs sweet, handles well, but going round roundabouts the back wheel has a tendancy to flick a little, i have been told to cure this is to fit a low profile tyre to the rear.

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“ Kawasaki Zephyr 550 is light and nippy reminds me...”

★★★☆☆

written by Bald ricc on 10/03/2009

Kawasaki Zephyr 550 is light and nippy reminds me very much of xj55o yam i had for years.like the styling the bike was bought accidently as i went to fix it for sum1 and ended up buying it after test riding it. i found it very revvy but really easy to ride needs new petrol tank cant find 1 any where. usual 80s rust tank and quick oxi alli

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“The exhaust system on the 550 is sooooooo good...”

★★★★★

written by budd1 on 28/10/2008

The exhaust system on the 550 is sooooooo good looking. I have been biking for over 20 years and had many bikes of all sizes and speeds. I have had my lovely Zephyr now for 7 years and i have to keep sneaking into the garage just to admire it. It is a beasty looking bike and proper old school with a modern touch and drives like a dream. Its low maintenance too. I will never sell it and it will probably be buried with me if they can find a hole big enough!

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“I just bought the Kawasaki Zephyr and just restored...”

★★★★★

written by aciddream8213 on 05/09/2008

I just bought the Kawasaki Zephyr and just restored it. I really love it. Its great on gas and rides great. Of course I'd like a little more power but for the money and the fact that in 7 years it will be vintage. That is worth the time and effort.

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“This is a first class old school bike and really gets...”

★★★★★

written by on 18/08/2008

This is a first class old school bike and really gets the looks from other riders. Use a good oil or maybe Slick50 to keep the motor runing sweet.

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“A very good allround bike and a very good looker. Good...”

★★★★☆

written by jonny 123 on 20/06/2008

A very good allround bike and a very good looker. Good bike for traffic busting, sunday rideouts and touring. Good engine if maintained properly.

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“I bought a 1998 Zephyr 550 for my wife's 40th, sorry...”

★★★★☆

written by Johnpd67 on 27/04/2008

I bought a 1998 Zephyr 550 for my wife's 40th, sorry 39 and a bit, as a surprise.
4 days later she told me, "It was really an ER-5 I would have liked!".
As luck would have it, I found an ER-5 and bought that thinking I would resell the Zephyr 550....I'm glad I didn't.
It's a cracking bike!
Retro looks, great shape, and it draws as many looks from other bikers as the big "poser" bikes!
Parts and spares are easy to get hold off at a reasonable price if you look through the internet.
All in all a great buy, must admit, it's the first time I have been glad she never liked her present.

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Annie12's Response to Johnpd67's Review

Written on: 09/09/2008

Well I wanted a zephyr for my 39th and a bit. I didn't get one. I didn't get any bike. But it's my 39th plus 2 at the end of the month and if my husband doesn't get me one I may have a midlife crisis and it will cost him more in court.

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Guest's Response to Johnpd67's Review

Written on: 07/10/2011

One of the best reviews I've seen on this bike so far. I have an opportunity to do a straight swap, my suzuki gz 250 for the zephyr 550, but the zephyr is looking like its seen better days and need to know what im getting into.

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“I bought a 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 and it runs as...”

★★★★★

written by fittyinstructor on 07/03/2008

I bought a 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 and it runs as smooth as the day it rolled off the line its a good bike not that many in Ireland bandit country here nice to have something different. Overall I am happy with my Zephyr - all round comfortable bike to drive.

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“The Kawasaki Zephyr 550 is my first real bike after...”

★★★★★

written by PeterF1969 on 04/09/2006

The Kawasaki Zephyr 550 is my first real bike after riding on a 150PX Vespa for years. Anything feels powerful after the little Piaggio. I love the look of the Zephyr, a real 70's look with 90's engineering. Acceleration is smooth up the rev meter, handling is sure. In Australia, I get lots of admiring looks as the ZR550 is rare -- wasn't a big seller. Things get a little hairy over 100 km/h, although I plan to fit a small windshield. Highly recommended.

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“As my first big bike I can't say much bad about the...”

★★★★★

written by Lines on 30/07/2006

As my first big bike I can't say much bad about the Kawasaki Zephyr 550. Not having a centre stand is frustrating when servicing comes round. The only problem i have had is the switch which kills the engine if the side stand is down when in first got stuck in hence the engine would cut out when i engaged first. Bit of a snip and a new connection and is all good. Haven't really pushed the bike to its limits but still hits 160kmph quite easy, gears are a little noisy when changing at high rpm, good round turns haven't got knee down yet but have had foot scrape and still felt comfortable, The power is good for what the bike is.... its not the bike if you wanna get the front wheel up.... but if you wanna go for a good long ride and still be comfortable than its great...

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“I would recommend the Kawasaki Zephyr 550 for a first...”

★★★★☆

written by MisterWilson on 23/06/2006

I would recommend the Kawasaki Zephyr 550 for a first bike or for someone getting back into riding after a period away. Reliable, predictable, comfy for long journeys. Not geared for long-distance and/or high speed cruising.

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Misterwilson's Response to MisterWilson's Review

Written on: 07/10/2006

Recently I've noticed that after a long ride the gear lever becomes very reluctant to engage neutral from first. Occasionally it becomes so stiff that I can't move it with my toes and have to "kick" the lever upwards with the side of my heel. Has anyone else experienced this?

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“I purchased a Kawasaki Zephyr 550 1998 model, candy...”

★★★★★

written by Valuetracker on 20/03/2006

I purchased a Kawasaki Zephyr 550 1998 model, candy purple in colour in 2000, with 37,500k's on the clock. It was an ex-government bike, so it had a full service history. I liked the look of it for the old Z900 characteristics, including a derivative of the old Z type motor. But this one had real brakes. It has the same rotors as the ZX7.
My inital reaction to my first ride was that the handling was silky smooth at any speed. The bulk of the weight is slung so low that a 'U' turn in a back alley is of piece cake. Wet road, bad road, wounded, this horse will get you home safe.
The power factor is quite dignified for a middy. Through the twisties it will keep the ZX7 in check, and yet with two average sized riders (200kg), it will still get you a ticket up hill or around the hill. Forget any back wheel tricks, but it will still climb over 210km/h. The 4 into 1 exhaust is quiet at idle but starts beating it 's drum over 5,000rpm.
If you don't mind the Gummy Bear colour selection and your arms stretching due to the lack of fairing, this bike is possibly the best value all rounder. The ER5 is not a bad replacement, but give back our brake disc and two extra cylinders!

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“After owning an 1981 Z750 in early nineties I recently...”

★★★★★

written by Vlad on 12/01/2004

After owning an 1981 Z750 in early nineties I recently bought a 1993 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 in perfect condition (never dropped) with 24000Km on it for CAD2500.

It's a very fun ride, light and fast enough. It took me less than a week to get comfortable enough to push it to the speed limit (arround 180Km/hr). It's very comfortable for a rider my size (175cm/80Kg) and I had no problems making 500Km+ day trips. Riding position is great (upright) except that footpegs are a litle high for my taste (bent at the knee a bit too much). Like it was already said, pay attention to the trousers.

Passenger seating position is a different story. Footpegs are even higher. My wife has nothing to hold on to except me which might be beareble if the seat wasn't at an angle towards the rider. My arms hurt after just ten minutes of riding through the city and my wife refuses to go with me on trips longer than 50Km.

Otherwise, no problem touring at 140, even without any fairing. I haven't had a hart to drag my knee on it yet, but I'm pretty sure it would behave well in tight curves.

Neither me nor the previous owners had any problems whatsoever with this bike, and I know that one of them used to ride from Toronto to New York (~1000Km) quite frequently.

It looks timeless and with proper maintenance it will turn heads for decades to come. It's so nicely designed that I haven't had an urge to change or add anything.

It's the only one I've seen so far in Toronto, which also makes it unatractive to thieves.

Oh, yes, the centre stand. Four-in-one is great, but cleaning and oiling the drive chain alone is hard without the stand :(.

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Trocar's Response to Vlad's Review

Written on: 19/02/2004

I have the other 550 zephyr in the Toronto Area
<br>
<br>Mine is a 1991 that could not be sold until '93 because of the court battle regarding the name.
<br>
<br>Fantastic bike. Runs perfectly, has 19000km on it currently. Since it my first bike I have little to compare it to, however I think it is really well set up.

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Vlad's Response to Vlad's Review

Written on: 17/02/2006

I sold my Zephyr to a friend in August 2005 with 47.000Km on the odo. Let's just say it did not depreciate in value by a single cent. Thanks to a great carburetor cleanup and tuneup by my mechanic it was running better than ever too. I only wish I could have kept it for my wife...

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Vlad's Response to Vlad's Review

Written on: 17/02/2006

I'm sorry to hear about your problem plumbum, I hope you got that Zephyr cheap. Unfortunately it's probably in worse shape than if it was ridden hard for those 13 years. The tank is repairable, but it will take time and money as welders are reluctant to work on tanks (some will outright refuse it). I wouldn't even try to start the engine before it's taken apart and thoroughly inspected. Only then you will know if it was worth the money you paid for it.
<br>
<br>You can find help on many Zephyr related questions at http://www.zephyr-zone.com

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Plumbum18's Response to Vlad's Review

Written on: 14/06/2005

Well it sounds like you have all had better luck than me. I recently bought a 1990 zephyr 550 with under 5000 miles on it. It had been sitting in a garage for 13 years though. I started working on it and found rust holes in the gas tank. I'm currently trying to fix it but it's very difficult. A new tank costs $715!!! it's rediculus. but if i can fix it then i may be able to get it going. You don't know of any discussion forums for zephyr's do you.

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“This is my first "big" bike having passed my test last...”

★★★★★

written by Debs. on 25/05/2003

This is my first "big" bike having passed my test last year.

I bought the bike s/h in March 2003. I love it, its so comfortable with a large double seat, well padded for long journeys. I have a restriction kit fitted and can find nothing detrimental about the pull of the engine. There is plenty of power for me. Gears can be a bit snatchy at higher end, this could be due to the kit, but not problematic.

It is a bit heavy, I'm only 9.5 stone and 5'6" and manouverability can be awkward, but I have got used to it.

Not too much rust for an old bike '94 due to careful owner, mostly on the sump.

The naked classic styling is comfortable to ride you sit straight up, no wrist aches, or back ache.

If you have long legs like me, you have to be careful what you wear as blood flow can be restricted behind the knees, so foot rests could have been situated a bit further away. Remember to pull up your trousers! Its not too much of a problem though.

I'm going to fit a windshield, due to wind vortex around the head. They are not expensive.
I'm really pleased with it.

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