Yet another bike opinion sought: zephyr 1100

DaveH · February 18, 2014, 07:22:41 PM

While I had resigned myself to not owning a Kwak, and lack of local TDMs, I've got the chance of a deal with a zephyr 1100.

Other than a lack of gears and an excess of spark plugs, what are they like to ride; fun or a lard bucket, anyone know?

Jarse · February 18, 2014, 07:27:46 PM

Loved the styling but I suspect heavy, underpowered, under braked and very soft.

DaveH · February 18, 2014, 07:42:02 PM

Yeah, was thinking that, such a handsome bike though

Alzo · February 18, 2014, 08:06:51 PM

As Hugh says and more...stay clear imo.

David W · February 18, 2014, 08:10:52 PM

Japanese tuning shops can do cool things with them.

DaveH · February 18, 2014, 08:23:27 PM

Staying clear, thanks again guys

Quote from: David W on February 18, 2014, 08:10:52 PM
Japanese tuning shops can do cool things with them.

there are some tasty looking ones on line, was hoping they may be a surprise package in fairly standard trim as am lack talent, time, money to turn it into one :-(

Alzo · February 18, 2014, 08:32:48 PM

My fear is you would over ride it...it runs out of ability real quickly...thinks 80's...bendy...sluggish...poor stopping...

rhino · February 18, 2014, 08:33:04 PM

I like them Dave and imo the big one is the one to have, great fun but you might get bored on it, I'd like one as a 2nd bike in my garage.

DaveH · February 18, 2014, 09:02:16 PM

Was thinking along the same lines, is a big heavy machine to huckle round twisties at a reasonable rate. Should probably go for opposite light/nimble and that won't get tied in knots.

Shame, but one in question wasn't taxed or insured so no test ride option

Alzo · February 18, 2014, 09:11:04 PM

A CB1300 looks old school...it's big...heavy...but it can hussle on a bit when ridden accordingly....a modern engine and decent brakes...the Zephyr is a looker...but not modern in anyway.

MOzZereLLa · February 18, 2014, 09:33:41 PM

Quote from: Alzo on February 18, 2014, 09:11:04 PM
A CB1300 looks old school...it's big...heavy...but it can hussle on a bit when ridden accordingly....a modern engine and decent brakes...the Zephyr is a looker...but not modern in anyway.

Exactly the bike I was going to suggest

7550 · February 18, 2014, 10:54:40 PM

Go for it. Good looking bike. It will not keep up with more modern bikes in the majority of times or break track records. A bike does not have to be modern to have fun on though. Depends what you are wanting the Zephyr to do. We (me, Rhino,Alzo,Coop) came up the A7 one time and there was a bloke on an older Kwak who was not hanging around. How hard he was having to ride the bike probably added to his enjoyment. The Zephyr would also have great potential to be upgraded in the brakes and suspension departments. How much enjoyment would you get keeping up on the twisties with a bloke on the latest super dooper all singing gizmo loaded superbike ? How fast was Rhino on that old Blandit 600 round the Scotsburgring ?

DaveH · February 18, 2014, 11:38:36 PM

A test ride would have been ideal to see if the handling was something that appealed, but reckon the Zephyr would need to tippy-toe through the corners and wound on down the straights, was hoping to find out it would be otherwise, but bike in question also had higher miles than the 7 as well as having a non standard square headlight.

Would definitely consider a Bandit, got offered an sv650, but it's down on power and torque compared to the er6 and it was lacking at times, but could hang in there on the corners.