Vehicle Description
Originally produced from 1977 to 1980 for civilian use, the Kawasaki KZ1000 enjoyed a long production run as a purpose-built police motorcycle, with the KZ1000C introduced in 1978 and succeeded by the KZ1000P in 1982 and produced until 2005. Powered by a 998cc 4-stroke dual overhead cam 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with a four up and one down configuration, the KZ1000P’s produced 88 horsepower and had a top speed of around 115 miles an hour. This 1989 Kawasaki KZ1000P is a retired police bike and shows just over 78k miles on the odometer. Standard equipment for the police models included a windshield, saddleboxes, pursuit lights, and folding floorboards rather than footpegs, all of which are still present except for the pursuit lights, which have been changed to clear lights. Although the bike has been decommissioned and the lights and radios have been removed, the KZ1000 still has a working siren that is powered by a Unitrol 80K amplifier and a SHO-ME power supply, while all the wiring and indicator lights are still present for the police equipment. As one of the most well known police motorcycles ever built thanks to the television show CHiPs, the KZ1000P’s have enjoyed long lasting popularity thanks to their durability and ruggedness and this KZ1000 is no exception.
