Topic: HELP ME DECIDE!

[KowalskiCraig]

Alright I am going to buy a new bike. Im torn between a 1981 Honda CB750C or a 1980 Kawasaki KZ650E1 Can anyone give me more insight into which would be a better buy assuming they both run great and everything works on them. I am going to buy one at the end of my work day! They are both $700 honda has 11k and kawi has 14k
Thanks!

[kirkn]

Mechanically, it's a wash.  Neither is a clear winner from the "design" perspective.  Some will swear by the DOHC Honda, others by the Kawasaki.  No clear winner, IMO.

Esthetically, that's up to you.  The Honda C is a 'Custom' with stepped seat, shorty mufflers and pull-back bar.  Maybe you like that, maybe you don't.  I don't know what the KZ-E style is - cruiser?  standard?

The overwhelming decision-maker will be the condition of the specific bikes you're looking at rather than any model-inherent strengths or weaknesses.  Which one looks nicest?  Which one seems to have been maintained better?  Which one runs, goes, stops best?  Any 'extras' with one of 'em?  Standard used-bike questions....

Good luck, and post back which one you end up with.

Kirk

[Uncle Ernie]

AS I recall, the Honda leans in the direction of being a little cruiserish- but not really, while the Kawasaki is pretty much a standard.  Both are comfortable, actually.

The only thing I think is- back then Honda seemed to have a little better "build quality".  I seem to recall surfaces and finishes didn't crack, peel, and fade as much as Kawasaki.

[KowalskiCraig]

http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/1904345852.html
thats the Kawi...lots of extras. I havent gotten a chance to go see it yet..hopefully today. He said it has 14k on it.
http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/1903964646.html
thats the Honda poor pic. It has a few issues, no working blinkers tires are a bit worn out but it fired right up cold and ran awesome with a 4into1 Kerker he also has the stock 4into4 exhaust in PERFECT condition he was gonna throw in with it. Everything else was in working order.
Im thinking I like the Kawi's look better but some people are telling me the electrical system has less chance of failure on the Kawi. I had a 82 Cb750 Nighthawk for my first bike and after a month the #3 cylinder seized from clogged jets I think. But it was a fun bike.

[kirkn]

Yeah, I'd go with the Kawasaki.  Lotta new parts.  Mileage is not a factor - 9k vs 14k on 30-yr-old bikes is negligible.  Each has a minor electrical gremlin (blinkers, hi/low switch).  Honda needs tires right off the bat, so add $100 ~ $200.  Plus, I'm more partial to the 'standard' styling of the 650 vs the cruiser styling of the 750.

Still, niether had any glaring, inherent weaknesses, so any problems will likely be specific to that one bike...

Kirk

[rchrdms]

So, which was it?

[YogiBear]

So, which was it?

Im curious as well

[Grnrngr]

Well, the Honda ad has been deleted...

[Stev-o]

Keep looking, I think you can do better!