Kawasaki Zephyr: the retro bike that started a boom

The Kawasaki Zephyr is a range of retro-styled standard motorcycles made in the 1990s and derived from Kawasaki’s Z series. All models have transverse air-cooled dual overhead camshaft inline-four engines, in capacities of 400, 550, 750 and 1,100 cc.

Kawasaki Zephyr at a glance

The English article is the base; the German and Italian ones add the European market details.

History of the Kawasaki Zephyr

The Zephyr was Kawasaki’s return to the look of the 1970s Z models, with styling roughly based on the old Z1, twin-shock rear suspension, a relatively upright riding position and air-cooled engines. The 400, 550 and 750 engines were developed from the old Z400/500/550/650/750/900 series, while the 1,100 engine was based on the air-cooled DOHC eight-valve inline four that traced its roots through the GPz1100 to the Z1000; it was the only Zephyr with two spark plugs per cylinder. The range pioneered the retro bike boom in Britain and Europe in the early 1990s and for a while made Kawasaki the second best-selling motorcycle manufacturer in the British market.

Markets and models

The Zephyr 400 was built for the Japanese market from 1989. The 550 was sold briefly in the United States from 1990 to 1991, the 750 from 1991 to 1992 and the 1100 in 1993 only. In Germany the range was offered from 1991 to 2000 in 550, 750 and 1,100 cc forms, all air-cooled four-cylinder four-strokes; the internal model code was ZR. In Japan a Zephyr X 400 is still offered, wearing the tank decoration of the first Z1 and a four-into-one exhaust. Because of the usually Germanised pronunciation of the name, the range was nicknamed “C4” by enthusiasts.

The end of the line

The Zephyr 1100 had a Z1 restyle in its last year of sale, including a return to wire wheels, which also appeared on the 750. It was replaced in Kawasaki’s British range by the Z1100R-styled ZRX1100 of 1997 to 2005. The Zephyr 750 engine reappeared in the late 1990s in the short-lived ZR-7. The performance-focused ZR-7 and ZRX series later succeeded the Zephyr line, the ZRX being modelled after the KZ1000R-S1 with which Eddie Lawson won Superbike races in the early 1980s. The Italian Wikipedia notes that despite easy handling, low weight, a comfortable riding position, attractive vintage design and low running costs, the Zephyr did not please the public and left the price lists before the middle of the 1990s in Italy without a direct successor.

Design and features

• Z1-inspired styling: the look of the 1970s Z models in a 1990s package.
• Air-cooled inline fours: engines developed from Kawasaki’s older Z series.
• Twin-shock rear suspension: a deliberate retro touch at a time of monoshocks.
• Zephyr 1100: the only model with two spark plugs per cylinder, based on the GPz1100.
• Market impact: it started the retro boom and briefly made Kawasaki Britain’s second best-selling brand.

Kawasaki Zephyr versions

• Zephyr 400 (Japan, from 1989): the smallest model, still offered in Japan as the Zephyr X 400.
• Zephyr 550 (1990–1991 in the USA): middleweight retro.
• Zephyr 750 (1991–1992 in the USA): its engine later returned in the ZR-7.
• Zephyr 1100 (1993 in the USA): the flagship, with a Z1 restyle and wire wheels at the end.

The Zephyr revived the style of the Z1 and was succeeded by the ZR-7. More models are in the Kawasaki collection.

Video: Restauration einer Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 extrem Aufbereitung in Zeitraffer

Video by HANG-OFF-BIKES by Sven on YouTube.

Sources

• Kawasaki Zephyr, English Wikipedia: range, engines, markets, successors
• Kawasaki Zephyr, German Wikipedia: German market years, name, model code
• Kawasaki Zephyr, Italian Wikipedia: Italian market, equipment, commercial fate