Kawasaki's Dinosaur (Kawasaki GT550)

Member Name: FiscusFish

Product:	Kawasaki GT550
Date:	06/10/00 (4557 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable, cheap, it's a "proper" motorcycle

Disadvantages: Not exactly exciting

The earliest GT550 first appeared some time in the Cretaceous period. Its been going strong ever since. The engine is as near to bullet-proof as its possible to get with very little going wrong with it.

I've had cause to ride dozens of these bikes over the last ten years or so and although not the most exciting ride in the world they are built to do a job. Going from point A to point B in just about any weather, carrying just about any load. You're not going to scare any sports bike riders on a GT550 but after 500 miles you'll still be able to walk, not something you can do on just any bike....

Styling is bland to the point of anonymity but looks aren't everything, or anything really as far as the GT range is concerned. Comfort on the other hand is important and on that point the Kawasaki scores big time. The seat is like an armchair, although prone to tearing. The sit up and beg riding position is comfortable at all speeds short of the "Hang 'em" type.

Things that go wrong? The discs wear and the speed the front pads disappear is criminal. The callipers were a standard one size fits all type that started on AR125's and went up the range, unfortunately the GT weighs about 3 times as much as an AR....If you don't keep an eye on their wear rate you can actually be down to the metal in 2000 miles and then to top it all the pads fall out leaving you stopping with just the calliper pistons! The carbs need balancing regularly too, although its an easy job. The clutch cable stiffens up too leaving you with forearms like a gorilla, although again its easy to sort out.

If you want a winter hack, something to get you to work or just transport the GT550's the bike for you...just forget about "Image".

Summary: