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Is it just my imagination or are Kawasaki 454 LTDs rare? I just bought mine in June ( an 85 ) and I have only seen one other on the road. I have yet to meet another rider at a bike meet. Even Vulcan 500's seem scarce. I live outside Toronto and would like to hear from anyone with experience with these bikes.

I don't know that they are rare, at the time that I owned mine a span of about 3 to 4 months I saw one for sale one on the road and I still see some from time to time. They are great bikes, I really liked the 6 speed selection. I ride 50 miles a day for work and I wanted a bigger bike I moved to a 750 vulcan also a great bike lower rpm's at higher speeds. I sure miss the 6 speed selection.

I just bought (late October) an '86 454 Ltd. They must be a bit rare, as a lot of guys I talk to have never seen one before.

Here is a rather cheesey old article, but a cool picture near the bottom. They raced the 454 Ltd against the 454ci Corvette (a '73, IIRC).

http://flmltuweb1.business.latrobe.edu. ... rvette.htm

--Dave

That's a neat article. I have seen almost nothing in the press about 454s
Thanks for posting.
Paul .

I love the pic at the bottom. Evel Keneval gear on. Head between the handlebars. Front wheel up about four inches.

On my way to work some guy in a Maxima (a MAXIMA) was trying to race me. I heard him winding it out off the light while I putted along normally. Next light, I laid into it. Was in 4th gear before his back wheel crossed the line!

Not that I advocate racing at lights...

--Dave

I bought one brand new in early 80's for 2300 and still have it in the shop some where, probably under 15 years worth of junk. lol was a great little bike.

Don

Sounds like that 454 was a fast lil bike. Its definately a small bike (ive seen em up close and have thrown a leg over one), definately has family resemblence to the vulcan 500.

Makes me wonder how well my CX500 will do. iirc the CX was packing a little more power than the kawi 454.

Probably does - 50cc can mean a lot - that could be two mopeds!

The 454 is pretty heavy for the engine. My wife's LS650 (Suz Blvd 650) is a feather in comparison. I am finding that the 454 loves to lock wheels in a quick stop... Last night a dear middle-aged woman felt compelled to come to a grinding halt at a green light. Almost slid into her, and wasn't going that fast - it was about 30'F out, so my reflexes might have been off.

I love the look of both bikes, and if I were not so lazy I might try to fix mine up, but for now it's cage-free transportation

--Dave

This bikes are still in production. I went to San Antonio Tx checked out some bikes and saw some new 454 ltd at the dealership. And you are right, it is a heavy bike for the small displacement. However, after riding my 750 for a while the 454 felt light in comparisson.

The 454 has not been made since 1989. It became the Vulcan 500 with a few improvements in 1990, but the 500 is still in production and not much different as far as I can tell.
PK