Kawasaki 454 LTD ownership

[ridgerunner]

I was looking for a used bike in my "cheaper than dirt" price range that was a cruiser type of motorcycle. I gave $650 for my 1986 model with 11K miles on the tach. I am curious as to what drew other riders to this bike.

[geezyrider]

I test drove my Kaw before laying down the bucks. And it was love at first ride. Got it for 9 "C" notes and it was a steal considering it's shape and mileage. Weight was also a consideration because I haul it on the back of my Fifth wheel travel trailer. It turned out to be the best overall bike I have ever owned, bar none!

[454rider]

I imagine I paid more than anyone here since I got it new, but at the time it was the bike I liked best after looking at several dealers.

[eaglerider]

about 6 years ago, my better half consented for me to having another bike (after about 10 years - after a bike wreck). Went looking, found the 454(which I knew nothing about), thought it too small in CCs (wanted 650 or better). Paid too much, as it was not in the best of condition, fixed stuff, rode some, did a bunch of research to find out what I had - more I rode & found out (especialy after finding the website and old forum) the better I liked the bike. Have done a lot of work and "personalization" and more learning. Well, look where I got to! ;D

[dbrotherwood]

I bought one new in 85 and sold it in 90. Bought a couple of other bikes and sold them off. Went without a bike for about 5 years and decided to buy another bike. Found an 81 440 LTD this last summer at a very good price. Rode it for a couple of months and then found my 454. Needless to say the 454 will stay and the 440 will need a new home. Just like the way the bike runs and handles.

[tripster]

found the bike on craigslist 2 miles from me loved the looks of the bike there was lots of parts off it stored in boxes offerd him 300.00 and took bike and all parts home put wire harness back in electrical fine rebuilt carbs runs great

[Moriarte]

I didn't care what brand of cruiser I got, I just knew I wanted a bike I could sit up/back on, and not have to crouch to ride. So I was searching through Craigslist and came across a deal I couldn't pass up.

I called the guy, and asked him if he would be willing to drive it the 50 miles to my house so I knew it ran well (I offered him $50 extra for the service) and he agreed. He drove it all the way to my house, and he was bigger than I am, so I knew the bike could handle me. I think I spent $900 total for the bike.

Well worth it.

-Mori

[squidly454]

I had wanted a 454 after I saw the first one in the late 80's during my navy enlistment.
In 1992 I happened to be driving by a non-Kawasaki dealer in Owosso and they had my '85 parked out front.
Went in and inquired about it and found out they were selling it on consignment. Took it for a little test drive, went home and dug up the $1200 they had to have for it and took it home a couple of days later.

Such a nice fairy tale ending........... ;D

[kathnkev]

I got rid of my bikes at my wife's request when I got married 28 years ago. She lost 3 friends on bikes the summer before we got married. I normally restore old MGs for a hobby. A co-worker approached me knowing the I like "projects" with the offer of a free bike taking up room in his back yard. His old vette move it from the garage to out behind the shed It had been sitting around for 6 years and 15K miles due to a death in the family. Since I didn't buy it I figured that I wasn't breaking a promise not to buy a bike. Since I had let my license lapse I took the safety class and am good to go. Got it running this summer and due to hard starting I promise to adjust the valves this winter. Already did carb and fork re-build, new tires and battery. My wife said that this "free" bike is starting to cost money when you add in the riding gear, etc. I actually like the size, I am not a bike guy, plan to keep it a while. My hardly buddy calls it a survivor retro bike.

[eaglerider]

And when u get it running right, freak your hardly buddy out by showing him your taillight! He won't believe your "little ole" 450 will run away from him!

[BadBoyltd]

I was looking on Craig's list for a motorcycle ,,
I had not Ride a good road bike for over 10 to 12 years so I thought it was time to get a bike ,,
I found my 454 ltd on Craig's list , The man wanted $1200 for it
I was not sure of this bike so I started looking up Information on this bike and I found this web site thanks this is a great web site and I read loads of information on here But I was not sure if i would get a bike or not.
So over 4 weeks later I went back on Craig's list to see if the bike was for sale.
well by that time you would think that it would be gone ,, but I guess no one had any money or did not want the bike as it was a 1985 ,, and maybe they think thats to old ??
To my surprise the price had dropped from $1200 to $1000 !!!!
I Told the wife and she say well you been wanting a good bike for a long time so go look at it !!!
so I called the man and went to see it !
when he pulled the bike out of the garage I was like wow look at that !! its nice but I did not say any thing.
I took it for a ride and it was very nice A few scrapes hear or there but really looks good like new !
So I did some Wheeling g dealing and offered him $700 he say $750 you got a deal
He had put all good chrome from another bike he had onto this one
yes he had two but the other was gone
and this was all original and only had 8000 miles on it from new
I was very impressed
So I paid the man cash and off I went
I love the bike
I told the man that his hard work that had gone into this bike would not go UN appreciated.
and he was happy it was going to some one who really likes the bike
If I had my way I would put it in the house as I'm sure many of the guys would or have do so in the past lol
but the wife will not let me lol.
I will give me bike a 95 out of a hundred for condition
one small leak I can fix and small cosmetic items but you don't see them really
This was a deal I just could not pass up,very happy with this bike!

UP date on the bike ,, one spedo cable and two rubber seals for that and still riding 2000 miles later no problems ,, been updating some of the lights to LED like break lights and so on , saddle bags ,, look very cool ,, sissy bar bag ,,I had on the bike 270+ lbs and went for a 140 mile ride ,, run like a dream ,, that was me the things in my bags and my son ,, was a great day out ,, starting to get cold here at night 10/3/10 ,, I keep the bike around 60 to 65mph ,,
Even if I get me a bigger bike I think I will Not sell this !
Maybe will Give to my son when hes old enough

[chopperfreak2k1]

i was about 15-16 years old and the brother of the girl i was dating had a motorcycle that was always under a tarp. every time i went to her place i wondered what was under that tarp. i knew it was a bike but it seemed more mysterious to me then that. well finally i went to see her one day and the tarp was off, and the bike just blew my mind. it looked comfortable, fast, and cool. it was love at first sight for me and that bike.

well me and that girl broke up soon after and eventually i forgot all about that bike.

fast forward about 14-15 years and i'm drivin over to a friends house and i saw a 454 sitting for sale right down the road. i pulled into my buddy's house and start tellin him about the bike and he says he knows the guy sellin it and he can get a good deal for me on it. so we drive over and he's talkin to the seller for a coupla minutes, then the seller walks over to me and says he'll take $500 for her. i offered $450 and he took it.

i took it for a test ride before the deal was finalized and i fell in love all over again.