KAWASAKI ZEPHYR 550 (1991 - 1998) Review

Version: Emerald green

Year: 1993

I bought this bike 4 years ago... I rode it for a few months when i noticed a small leak from carburetor so i changed the four kits ultrasound and a resynchro. The bike has been going strong siince. I ride it twice a week for work. I have put up about 15000kms and have to say i like it very much. I also have another bike 1300cc and love both of these roadstser naked bike styles. The reliability of the zephyr 550 is priceless. It starts effortlessly every morning and just stays going...

Version: B2

Year: 1991

Annual servicing cost: £50

I've owned this bike for 30 of its 32 year life. It has been used as a backup for the whole of that time so it's only clocked up 24k. It has mostly been ridden in winter or in wet weather. I use it instead of my other bikes to save them from the salt. I've always serviced it myself and kept it in good fettle. Apart from a set of fork seals, a new chain and sprockets and replacing the clutch bushings, it has not needed anything except service consumables. It is a lovely wee bike and quite lively enough to embarrass the local race rep pilots around the country lanes. Once you are out on a straight road it soon runs out of puff. I tend to just use it for short journeys on the back roads because it suits it better. The overall look of the bike is timeless, a true classic from the day they were launched. I have throw over paniers and a tail pack on mine to carry the weekly shopping in winter. This dosent seem to bother it handling wise, it's just as planted weather it's fully loaded or not. If you want something good and reliable that will make you smile even when it's parked up, this is the bike for you. If it's something modern and tricky to service you want, forget it. The alternatives such as bandits etc are probably equally good, but to my mind the Kawasaki beats them on looks.

Buying experience: I bought it privately and got it for £2000, that was £250 less than the asking price. It only had 1200 miles on it from new, so it was about the right price back then. To be fair it would still sell for that now without a doubt.

Version: B4

Year: 1995

Annual servicing cost: £80

For smiles per £, these little bikes are brilliant value. The steering is so quick on it. No need to counter steer it, it falls into bends with ease. The 4 pot motor spins up quickly & feels sounds so different to my recent run of Twins. Once polished up it is a great looking bike in Dark Metallic Green like a Mini Zed, always gets praised. Everything is so old school but charming & functional. Even the mirrors are sensible & vibe free.

Buying experience: I had thought of a quick turn around on it as it wasn't running properly. Now the carbs are sorted & it runs as it should plus alloy now gleaming. I can't imagine selling it! It's so fun to ride.

Year: 1991

I've only just bought this 91 model, it's been looked after well, it's only my second bike, the first was a Honda VFR 400, I just love the Zephyr, the power is enough for what I need, a stunning looking bike

Buying experience: Bought from Gumtree, travelled from Bristol to Southampton, bought it & rode it home, amazing after 3yrs off the road

Year: 1991

Annual servicing cost: £50

My Zephyr

Buying experience: Too many years ago to worry. About a grand from private owner.

Version: B

Year: 1991

Annual servicing cost: £100

I would recommend it if it is all original with low mileage.

Year: 1991

Annual servicing cost: £100

Good looking naked bike. Light and nimble. Happily revving engine with Kawasaki noises, 6 speed transmission is great, brakes are awesome. Exhaust tends to rust.

Year: 1991

This is a great bike. In stock form, it's comfy and fun and plenty powerful enough for highway use. With a few mods though, it has the potential to be a dream bike. I upgraded the front shocks with progressive springs and adjustable preloaders and the rear shocks with Nitrons. The stock engine put out 46 hp at the rear wheel (according to period reviews). With stage 1 jetting, a performance exhaust and a K&N filter that number went to 52. Swapping in ZX550 cams (from a GPZ550) and an SPII ignition bumped output to 58hp. It's gone from a sweet little ride to a snarling beast. Dogs bark at me as I pass by because they think my exhaust is growling at them (not kidding). All of my ratings for this review are post mods. Even before I would have put all 4 or 5 stars. Webike has thousands of custom parts still available - just about anything for the zephyr 400 will fit the 550. I can't tell you how much I love this bike.

Buying experience: I paid $1K. The bike was in rough shape.

Year: 1996

Annual servicing cost: £150

A great small/mid sized bike with great classic looks, reliability and a fun ride.

Buying experience: I got a decent second hander for 1500 - with 18000 miles. Rides like new.

Year: 1991

Soft suspension. WP progressive fork springs makes a huge improvement. Great '70 looks.

Year: 1995

Version: B2

Year: 1991

I bought this bike to do up and sell as it had been stood in a garage for a few years and the ignition and yoke was damaged from toe-rags trying to nick it! Couldn't sell it as every time I ride it, it makes me smile! :-) It's a different animal to my GSX-R1000 so no point comparing. It does mean I can ride when I want not just the 'hot' months and it reminds me of a number of 70's bike I've had (CB500, Z650). Oh and you won't find better for navigating rush hour traffic - low, maneouverable, light and good turning circle!

I changed my KLR 650 to Zephyr 550 this summer. I bought it with faulties (among other things idle speed temperature sensitive and ugly looking led blinkers, bad carb synchronisation) and have not regretted. It is fast turning light and bloody good looking bike. During winter it will get new paint job carb synchronisation, free flowing air filter, brake hoses... Handlebar is already changed to LSL. Ok, it has a little bit cramped riding position, but it still makes me feel 10 years younger. Sound is nice (silencer is slightly modified) and it sips fuel only 4,5 l/100km. I like it much more than my previous 750 Zephyr, even if engine produces more noise than power. It has 660000 km on the clock and maybe after next summer it will get 615 cc Wiseco pistons.

This MCN review is a joke. The zr550 is not a "detuned" gpz550. All engines are "tuned"; they're just optimized for different conditions. The zr550 just happens to be tuned for maximum low-midrange performance versus the high rpm/high speed performance of the gpz. Fundamentally, both engines put out the same power, the Zephyr is just maximized for low-midrange performance. It can't compare to modern sportsbike, but it's a peppy little ride in its own right. Overall, the Zephyr 550 represent a refined take on the KZ550, with the addition of an oil cooler, rear disc brake. and other minor modifications. It's a beautiful bike with a nice, linear powerband. It also happens to be my favorite ride of all the bikes I've owned. It's not the fastest or best handling, but it's gorgeous, well-balanced and buttery smooth.

Bought my Zephyr 550 for $1000 bucks and I still can't get over how much joy it's brought to my life for so little money. It's a fun, comfortable sexy little thing. Great first bike.

Aaah what a review?Someone must had a bad day?LOL. .:)It's a lovely pretty old school bike and you get attention from chicks!:)ridding my froggy everyday and it's noisy, revvy bullet proof thing.Comfy,softer suspension,good breaks,and if you have racy mood it can do it as a Z550 as well.Have a another 3 big bikes but this one is fun!

After 8 years without a bike, I bought my 550 Zephyr off a mate at work for £300.00. The bike had been stood in his garage for 5 years, so needed the clutch freeing off, a battery and the left front caliper cleaning up. Up to now, it's been a cracking bike to ride, and it looks great too, though it still needs more polishing and some of the frame paint touching up. We all love a bit of power, but realistically, it's got plenty for what I use it for. Maybe a long motorway journey would make me rethink. But, my riding is done on A and B roads and a bit of duel-carriageway. It has a great riding position, is very agile and comfortable. Yes, if I was to go on a trackday, a GSXR might be a better fit, bit I ride on normal roads and want to keep my license.

Who are these non-owning noobs who write this shite for MCN? If I don’t want to ride at 200mph, have the latest environment-robbing alloy frame and hit 62mph in less than 2 seconds, whilst still pulling a wheelie for the front cover for those so-called bikers, where should I turn. I’ll tell you where, the owners opinions. These are the guys who parted with their hard-earned and who use it like you bought it. Check Warren Pole doing his best as a TV presenter on some obscure TV channel to see how they view motorcycle journalism. We’re just a step up for the ambitious. Be who you are, and ignore the power rangers. They’re part-timers, at the best.

It was the look of the bike that grabed me, I still look at it now when it is parked up and just love the look of the bike. I can't say that I have a problem with the power provided by the engine, as everyone says, it is a little disconcerting when you listen to the engine on tickover but I was advised by a dealer mechanic to lift the revs slightly as this eliminates some of the labouring, it does. With regard the handling, I have not found it to be poor, yes not a sports bike but I have done a couple of track days at Cadwell and have enjoyed the experience very much and the riding position is very comfortable. I would recommend this bike to anyone, female riders may like this bike, as previously mentioned the seat hight is that little bit lower so may help with ride comfort and confidence. Whatever you ride, remember enjoy and stay safe.

Bought this for when i passed my test so i know no different in terms of bike handling, has taken a week to get used to the limits of the bike i.e speed etc. Engine does sound rough when cold but once warm runs very well(no superbike)...

Purchased as commuter as does this job fantastic, mines done 76000 miles now and only with oil and filter changes it has never missed a beat, no its not a sports bike but it is easy and comfortable ride and live with not once in 5 years as it ever given me grief and has paid for itself many times over. A real little sweetie.