ZL 600

1988 Kawasaki ZL 600 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1988 Kawasaki ZL 600 custom - cruiser motorcycle, Kawasaki relies on a 592 cc (36.1 cu in) liquid-cooled in-line four, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 74 HP (54 kW) at 10,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 125 HP per liter, the engine character is reflecting a performance-oriented street tune that balances strong mid-range pull with an energetic top-end rush.

On the scales, the ZL 600 measures 209 kg (461 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.35 HP/kg (2.82 kg per horsepower). The 12-liter (3.2 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 192 km/h (119 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Kawasaki archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1986 to 1989, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.