Kawasaki KZ440-A2 reviews

I've owned two 454 LTD's and I think they're generally great bikes. They don't cost much to purchase and are just the right size for around town riding. They also get great mileage, although this is something most motorcyclists don't care much about. The engine is impressively smooth and has surprisingly ample torque, a surprise for a midsize motorcycle. Aside from Honda's Magna series there's never been a better looking small cruiser bike. My only complaint is that the frame geometry and long front fork that make this such a great looking bike make the handling a little sloppier than I'd like. My old '74 KZ 400 and my '85 GPz 750 can smartly outcorner and outmaneuver the 454 any day of the week. I made a big mistake when I sold my first 454, but I'll be riding my second one until the wheels fall off. Show less

This is my first bike and it came to me with 20,ooo miles on it. This parallel twin engine is still be used by Kawasaki in the Vulcan 500 and the Ninja 500. Several motorcycle mechanics rave about the reliability and longevity of this particular engine. Speaking first hand, I can only say that it has always started and run well for me, though there is a lot of mechanical noise. It has some nice features for being an entry level machine: auto off blinkers, a temp gauge, belt drive, "sissy bar" (of sorts ), handlebar choke, and a decent tool kit. If you care about performance you will appreciate its low 13's @ 94mph times (which is nearing its top speed). You can ride 2-up in the town but it shows its lack of displacement trying to maintain freeway speeds with a passenger on. One complaint is that I have found the seat to be uncomfortable for medium to long distances and I am of average height. Show less

The KZ440 offers a ride with great handling. I bought a 1983 KZ440 LTD belt drive. The bike will do what you want it to and get you there in style. The seat offers a comfortable upright riding position, but is cramped with an extra passenger. I am 6'4 and still road the bike for hours at a time with few problems (and sore kidneys). I found on the highway it was difficult to pass people as acceleration was really slow beyond 100 km/h, but I did manage to get it up to 150 on occasion. Unfortunately, due to low oil I seized a bearing and riding season is over for me. I hate it when people describe motorcycles as good "beginner bikes" or great "commuters". If you wanted to do a road trip on this bike you could, 440 is enough engine to beat most cars in traffic. Also, lighter bikes are easier to handle at low speeds, U-turns, etc. I really like the style of the bike too, and the seat is very comfortable. The belt drive makes accelerating smooth and seamless. Still, I felt want for power, even if I could always pull ahead of traffic. The acceleration often left me wanting more. The choke is inconveniently located on the carbs on the left side of the bike. For the 4 months I drove it, I never came close to dropping it. I attribute this to the bike's design, it is very stable. All in all, a good bike. Show less

I'm in my mid 30's and started riding bikes as a teenager long before I could drive a car. Never had much money to spend and always ended up with an older model that was strictly utilitarian. I got this EN450/454 LTD a couple of years ago and am very happy with it. Reliable and handles well. Nothing fancy or pretentious it's just a good mid-frame bike. I'm over 6 feet tall and it is somewhat cramped but for short trips around town or commutes to work it's fine. This model was started in the 80's when the Japanese were trying to break into the cruiser market - this model is actually the forerunner to the very popular Vulcan series. A big plus to this bike is you can pick them up fairly cheaply and usually with low miles nowadays. Be warned however - this is by no means a status bike. The Harley people will still ignore you and the crotch rockets will still rocket by you at ungodly speeds. But for a good little bike either for a beginner or experienced rider I would recommend it. Show less

I have owned this motorcycle for two years now and find it a rather fun bike. Sits low and great profile looks. Very little maintenence or problems. Just sit and git! The six-speed comes in handy and the stock seat is all-day comfort. Brakes could be stiffer but has decent stopping power. Great for beginners or smaller riders with having low seat height. Show less

This is my first bike and I've been riding since March 2001. This is a good beginner bike, good power down low and likes to throw you around, but throttle is twitchy. I've been having starter problems, but whadda expect from a bike older than me :) Anyhow, really bad on gas mileage. I can only get 110km on a full tank these days, though the dirty air filter could contribute to that. You are in sixth gear by around 60kph, and the bike has no pickup power after 80kph. Anyhow, if you are looking for a bike for a first time rider (like myself), can't go wrong with one of these. Show less

Having owned well over 3 dozen street bikes in my riding life, I can honestly say that this is the BEST street machine I've ever owned. Smooooooth, fast and nimble, you can gobble up freeway or back-road miles and still feel refreshed after 8 hours. Wish there weren't so many electronics on it, but I guess that this was the wave of the future back in 1984. I installed a lower fairing on it and it changed the whole complexion of the bike and streamlined the looks. If you can find a clean used one, I recommend it over any of the newer "sport tourers." Show less