written by andrewnolan on 23/02/2009
The Kawasaki ZG1000 is an extremely comfortable load lugger that comfortably and reliably carried my wife and I the length of Britain, France and into Northern Spain over the course of a week, ferry back to the UK and all the way back to Yorkshire without a hiccup. Fast enough to pass cars when you want to and big enough to intimidate madcap drivers in Paris when you are negotiating L'Arc de Triumph roundabout. Old and proven technology so I don't need to be Bill Gates to service it. Just a workshop manual and the will to have a go.
Yes, it is heavy. I have never really noticed the buzzy bars other than on 200+ mile trips when it does make itself a bit more noticeable. Mine was a bit tatty when I bought it but more about that below. Mine is a bit soft in the suspension dept and, 2-up with luggage, can ground out on bumpy roads.
I have learned a lot about motorcycle maintenance since I bought this bike 5 years ago (ZG A1.) Not because it has needed much, but because I can tinker with and clean bits without worrying that I will cause irreperable harm. I have sought guidance from some websites and GTR 1000 forums and have, as a result, sorted the front forks that were leaking after our France trip, fitted an intercom, fitted a 12v accesory socket, balanced tha carbs (yes carbs!), changed the oil in the monoshock and cleaned all the linkages and bearings... and much more.
It is a joy to work on if, like me, you are a complete amateur mechanic. It has never let me down, other than when i made a mess of the battery one winter and had to buy a new one (my fault).
If you want a solid, reliable touring bike for not much money that you can fix yourself...BUY ONE OF THESE.
written by Rob Bown on 21/08/2007
I use my bike as every day transport. I have fitted it with a top box so as to be able to lock up my gear when I get were I'm going. The bike does have a buzzing through the handle bars but I get over it after a while. I bought the bike with 1400kms on the clock and now have done 18000kms. Got 15000kms out of the rear tyre. At their price I'm very happy about that. It was one of the last ones imported onto Australia before production was stopped. As one would expect the build quality was good after all the practice they had.
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