KAWASAKI Zephyr 550 (1991-1998) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Kawasaki Zephyr was a series of naked superbikes with a retro style manufactured by Kawasaki in the 1990s. The Zephyr was available with four engine capacities, such as 400, 550, 750, and 1,100cc displacements, all with an air-cooled system.

The Kawasaki Zephyr 550 packed the air-cooled engine from the GPZ550 but de-tuned for mid-range power and, with several minor cosmetic modifications, installed in good-looking rolling chassis.

In the visual department, the Zephyr 550 was similar to its siblings, packing standard features, such as a round headlight, a one-piece dual seat, a four-into-one exhaust system with the silencer mounted on the right side, and five-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

The bike's suspension system comprised a 39 mm telescopic fork on the front and dual Kayaba preload and rebound-adjustable shock absorbers on the rear, delivering optimum suspension performance and handling.

In the braking department, the bike's wheels were fitted with two 300 mm discs coupled to dual-piston calipers on the front and a 245 mm disc tied to a single-piston caliper on the rear, offering optimum stopping power.

In the performance department, the 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 had installed underneath its fuel tank a 553cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine fed by four Keihin carburetors, delivering 50 hp at 10,000 rpm and 41 Nm (30 lb-ft) torque at 6000 rpm.