The Kawasaki Z1 was codenamed "New York Steak" for a reason

Comments · 540

• SH

  @sharhune2735 · 3 years ago

  In February of 1974, just before graduating high school, I bought a brand new Z-1. Best motorcycle I ever owned. I was like a Timex " took a licking and kept on ticking ".  You could do a complete top end job on the engine and never drop it from the frame. In December of 77, a girl made a left hand turn in front of me and I spent the next 13 months, learning how to walk again. Sure do miss that bike.

  216

• UN

  @unclequack5445 · 3 years ago

  The Zed 1 - 900 is one of the best bikes ever made.

  15

• MB

  @Mbartel500 · 3 years ago

  I had a 1975 Z1B. Easy to ride, fast as heck, 100% reliable, and a girl magnet. Best bike I ever had.

  8

• ST

  @stevenjones797 · 3 years ago

  I toured all over the western US on my ‘73 Z1. I still have it, it’s sitting in my garage 30 feet from where I’m sitting now. <br>My Z1 was relieved of duty by a 1984 750 Turbo (the most beautiful motorcycle ever made) and now my street duties are performed by a strong and lovely GPZ1100. 😊

  20

• JE

  @jeffrykopis5468 · 3 years ago

  My friend and neighbor Kent graduated high school in 1974. In 75, he bought a brand new Z1. He kept it immaculate, and still has it. His daily driver became a 76 Datsun pickup, that he drove till it rusted to the ground, around 2010. His high school car was a 68 GTO, which he still has. Kent doesn&apos;t sell ANYTHING.

  80

• SO

  @soulman1419 · 3 years ago

  Nicest looking bike ever made in my opinion 👌👌

  12

• ST

  @stevebrzosko9793 · 2 years ago

  The scene from &quot;Mad Max&quot;, where the guy is doing &quot;doughnuts&quot;, then pulls into a screaming wheelie; THAT was a Z-1. Badass.

  5

• MI

  @michaelhawkins4005 · 3 years ago

  Still got a z1a, bought it mid 90&apos;s as I always promised myself one when I could afford one! Never regretted a moment, wonderful machine!

  22

• BE

  @bernardscott3650 · 1 month ago

  I remember it well. &nbsp;In 74 I was 15 years old, a freshman in high school, couldn&apos;t drive yet, enrolled in drivers ed. &nbsp;Everyone in the neighborhood rode dirt bikes. &nbsp;Enduros and motocross dominated our riding. &nbsp;Owning a hot 125cc dirt bike was a badge of respect. One of the older kids, a senior, lusted after a Z1. &nbsp;So all we piled into his car and drove to the Kawasaki dealer a few towns away to see one in the flesh. &nbsp;Even though everyone was already used to the fantastic Honda CB750 by then, the Z1 was still impressive. &nbsp;It was absolutely gorgeous, a truly intimidating beast. &nbsp; To a kid who road a 125cc dirt bike and thought that a 250cc or 500cc motocross race bike &nbsp;was the epitome of cool and speed (Roger De Coster was God!), a DOHC 900cc 4 cylinder bike was insane. &nbsp;I remember thinking who would be crazy enough to ride this thing and live. &nbsp;The Kawasaki H2 Mark IV &nbsp;2 stroke had already built a fearsome reputation and this Z1 was apparently faster. &nbsp;I had zero interest in owning or riding a street bike, let alone a rocket like the Z1. &nbsp;Like a 10 year old who says he hates girls, little did I know that 10 years later I would be riding liter bikes on the street and a Ninja would seem a normal bike to me. &nbsp;I&apos;m sure that all those years of dirt riding gave me the balance and skills that kept me alive on the street. &nbsp;The 70&apos;s were an amazing time to be a rider.

  1

• SN

  @snork6664 · 3 years ago

  Actually the most beautiful bike ever built

  22

• WS

  @wsbill14224 · 3 years ago

  The CB750 didn&apos;t become &quot;defunct&quot;, as you put it, until Honda went to liquid cooling. &nbsp;The CB750 had a long career as a Universal Japanese Motorcycle into the 1980&apos;s. &nbsp;The GS750 was a similarly great bike. &nbsp;They work well they are smooth and very reliable. &nbsp;Two of the best ever.

  15

• BI

  @Bilsurf · 3 years ago

  Own an Oct/72 build, bought the bike from my dad when I was 18. I&apos;m now 58 and being from Canada don&apos;t get to ride much. The bike is just an incredible piece..<br>Love the video. Well done.

  7