1987 Kawasaki reviews

The Kawasaki ZL1000 was produced for only one year, 1987. There seems to be no definitive information from Kawasaki as to the total number produced, however, it appears as though they produced approximately 2,500 world wide. This makes the ZL1000 a fairly rare piece of machinery. This bike has aggressive cruiser styling with an in line four ninja motor. It was designed to be fast...very fast. Its 0 to 60 mph time is 2.88 seconds...stock and it handles nicely in the 90+ mph range. If you like to push your pony's, this may be a great bike for you if you can find one. Overall, the styling of the bike is excellent in the curb appeal department with the exception of the saddle, which will be greatly benefited by a professional reshaping and recovering. My seat was reworked and it was a major improvement in appearance and rider comfort. The seat was scooped for rider and passenger and the result was a drastic improvement in the secure butt position factor. I have completely reworked and upgraded mine and I love this bike. It definitely attracts the right kind of attention. Show less

The 85 ZL900 is the original eliminator. The ZL900 looks more like a chopper, and is quicker in stoplight to stopight burst. Tbe ZL1000 is quicker over longer distances, and in roll on power at freeway speeds. The two bikes are real close in 1/4 mile times. In short, the zl900 is a city environment, stop light to stop light, first rate naked bouliviard hooligan. Show less

...after all these years. I've had my '87 for about 2 years, and I still get chills when I launch the bike. It's hard to believe that it's 16 years old. Like the other reviews here say, this bike begs to be ridden hard. Hope to keep it for the next 16 years of its life... Show less

I recently sold my low mileage '87 Elminator due to my self preservation instincts. There's just something about the ZL1000 experience. When you nail it, it doesn't immediately accelerate hard, but rather seems to gather itself up and THEN launch into warp drive (you know, when objects on the side of the road and everything else but the road in front of you turns into a blur). I found a road test from '87 where Motorcyclist turned 2.88 seconds for the 0-60mph time. They're so easy to launch off the line that Dale Walker's drag racing school used these bikes exclusively for some time. My problem is this: the bike begs to be driven hard. When you go slow, it feels like you've got 10 pit bulls that are just waiting for the opportunity to pounce. Well mannered, but just itching to go faster. And I can't seem to say "no". By the way, I give it a 4 because of the buzziness of the engine at highway speed. That ninja mill feels like a vibrating barcalounger at 65mph. Show less

I gave a brief review of the ZL 1000 back in August '00. Since then I have ridden an additional 15k miles. The bike is outstanding. It goes faster than anything I've ever ridden and gets plenty of stares. It seems that those who really know bikes are attracted to it and ask a lot of questions. I have had no unusual problems, other than overheating occasionally. I think I found the cause, the connector for the oil temp sensor was disconnected. After riding the bike now for about 18 months, I would give it a ten star rating if possible. Show less

Just got myself a ZL 1000 from 87. This bike has been in the states until 94 and was then shipped to the Netherlands. I must say that I really love this bike. LK has the looks of a big chopper, but the engine looks a bit big for a regular chopper. A lot of people miscalculate/ underestimate the acceleration potential of this bike.... Everybody knows the V-max, but not a lot of people know that this bike accelerates faster. Must say that I get a BIG smile of it every time I get on it. By the way, it looks very good too.. Show less

It's looker and a mover. Add on a D&D 4-into-1 header, K&N filters, jet kit and timing advance from Dale Walker Holeshot Performance and you've got one helluva sleeper. Looks great, lots of low-end torque and mid-range roar... bellows like a big bore Kawi with an "open ?" header should! Show less