Author Topic: GPz900R  (Read 3588 times)

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Offline Killer Canary

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GPz900R
« on: September 28, 2012, 04:32:17 PM »
I just got my salvage Ninja painted up and prettified and put a lot of miles on it while the poor Fireblade has spent the summer in the garage. The GPz is a certified blast! So who else has experience with one of these critters?
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2012, 05:30:16 PM »
I've only ever ridden one once mate, but they were a beast when released. The ZZR1100 (one of my "bucket list" bikes) was based on the same engine I believe, and it was wicked, I rode a a Muzzy equipped ZZR1100 a few years ago and nearly wet my pants with excitement! Cheers, Terry. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Killer Canary

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2012, 06:01:05 PM »
I have to find a GS to spank ;D ;D ;D
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2012, 06:39:47 PM »
Hmmmnn, well they were quicker than my GS1000, but wouldn't get near a GSXR? It took Kawasaki a long time to get their bikes to handle as good as Suzuki's and Honda's, so if you wanna spank a GSXR, make sure you attempt it on a freeway, and not up in the mountains! ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2012, 10:52:04 PM »
Hmmmnn, well they were quicker than my GS1000, but wouldn't get near a GSXR? It took Kawasaki a long time to get their bikes to handle as good as Suzuki's and Honda's, so if you wanna spank a GSXR, make sure you attempt it on a freeway, and not up in the mountains! ;D

Terry, i had 2 mid 80's Kawasaki GPX 750's, one was raced and the other was a stocker with 4 into 1, they handled and went very well, especially the race bike....  Rob Phillis did pretty well on his TKA GPX.... ;)
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If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2012, 11:04:43 PM »
Hmmmnn, well they were quicker than my GS1000, but wouldn't get near a GSXR? It took Kawasaki a long time to get their bikes to handle as good as Suzuki's and Honda's, so if you wanna spank a GSXR, make sure you attempt it on a freeway, and not up in the mountains! ;D

Terry, i had 2 mid 80's Kawasaki GPX 750's, one was raced and the other was a stocker with 4 into 1, they handled and went very well, especially the race bike....  Rob Phillis did pretty well on his TKA GPX.... ;)

Yeah Mick, no argument, but the GSXR's were superb handlers compared to the Kawasakis, that's why they won everything. Cheers, Terry. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2012, 11:14:33 PM »
Hmmmnn, well they were quicker than my GS1000, but wouldn't get near a GSXR? It took Kawasaki a long time to get their bikes to handle as good as Suzuki's and Honda's, so if you wanna spank a GSXR, make sure you attempt it on a freeway, and not up in the mountains! ;D

Terry, i had 2 mid 80's Kawasaki GPX 750's, one was raced and the other was a stocker with 4 into 1, they handled and went very well, especially the race bike....  Rob Phillis did pretty well on his TKA GPX.... ;)

Yeah Mick, no argument, but the GSXR's were superb handlers compared to the Kawasakis, that's why they won everything. Cheers, Terry. ;D

Robbie was Aussie Champion in 1988 on his GPX750R, beat a few GSXR's in the process.... 8)  To be fair they were superbike spec, Tony Armstrong won in 1987 on a GSXR
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2012, 11:21:58 PM »
Tony Armstrong won in 1987 on a GSXR

I know Mick, I was there! ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2012, 11:23:45 PM »
Tony Armstrong won in 1987 on a GSXR

I know Mick, I was there! ;D

Cool, I went to school with Tony Armstrong and saw him and Phillis, Dowson, Scott Doohan  and the rest a lot at Lakeside, they were the days... ;D
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2012, 11:52:47 PM »
Is Lakeside still going Mick? That was a great track, I rode out there several times to watch the BEAR racing when I lived in Brisbane, great days indeed. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2012, 11:58:47 PM »
Is Lakeside still going Mick? That was a great track, I rode out there several times to watch the BEAR racing when I lived in Brisbane, great days indeed. ;D

It was closed down quite a few years ago, there was some talk of a new buyer interested in seeing it reused for racing, don't know really....  Great track for sure... ;)

After a quick google it looks like Lakeside is being used for racing again.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2012, 12:10:02 AM by Retro Rocket »
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #11 on: September 29, 2012, 12:15:21 AM »
Well I'm glad Mick, Amaroo Park is a housing estate now, such a shame..........  :(
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Killer Canary

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2012, 06:59:25 AM »
What are the differences between a gpz and a gpx?
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #13 on: September 29, 2012, 03:54:15 PM »
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Killer Canary

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #14 on: September 29, 2012, 03:58:18 PM »
The GPz900 was the first to be called a ninja, here anyway. Did you get both gpz and gpx there?
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #15 on: September 29, 2012, 04:02:15 PM »
The GPz900 was the first to be called a ninja, here anyway. Did you get both gpz and gpx there?

Sure did, actually i think generally we get a better selection of sport bikes here, we got a lot of models that you guys didn't get in the states, still do... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Killer Canary

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #16 on: September 29, 2012, 05:40:28 PM »
Tell me about it. Hush knocked me out when he posted pics of his 250. Nobody would buy that here. Except me! The mindset here is that a small engine capacity = girlie bike even though they're capable of higher performance than a big twin. Older 600s here are advertised as beginner's bikes even though they can crack 150 mph and make toothpaste out of you. I hope you're free of that idiocy there!
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #17 on: September 29, 2012, 05:49:24 PM »
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline Killer Canary

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #18 on: September 29, 2012, 05:53:26 PM »
I wouldn't even know such things exist if I didn't see them here!
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #19 on: September 29, 2012, 06:08:09 PM »
Yep, we've got CBR250RR's, ZXR250's, GSXR250's and 400's, FZR250's etc. Over here we had a 250cc max "learner rider" law, (now repealed) so the Japs stepped up and built high performance 250's. The Suzuki Across (250cc, 4 cylinders and 16 valves) that I rode once frightened the crap outta me, 5000 RPM idle and 18000 RPM redline, but good fun.

Most of them were abused by 18 year olds with no mechanical ability and while beautifully engineered, they're fragile, and parts aren't cheap, so by the time the engine needs a rebuild, they end up at the wrecking yards. Cheers, Terry. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #20 on: September 29, 2012, 06:11:51 PM »
Over here we had a 250cc max "learner rider" law, (now repealed)

Over here we had a 250cc max "learner rider" law, (now repealed) for a 125cc/11kw limit in the UK. Sometimes it's good to be old.
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #21 on: September 29, 2012, 06:17:50 PM »
What's the law now Les? We've got "LAMS" laws here, bikes up to 600cc are OK depending on the HP output. When I got my learner's permit back in the 1970's, my "learner bike" (prior to the 250cc law) was a shiny new CB750. In hindsight, it probably wasn't the most suitable bike to learn to ride on. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Killer Canary

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #22 on: September 29, 2012, 06:23:34 PM »
In the last few years I've restored and sold 4 older crotch rockets; 3 of them have been crashed. That's what happens when you approach them as beginner's bikes. With all the carnage here there's still no talk of capacity limits for beginners.
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #23 on: September 29, 2012, 06:25:50 PM »
What's the law now Les?

Excuse my cut and paste, it's a friggin minefield.


Category A1 (small motorcycles up to 11kW - 125 cc)

Category A1 covers small bikes with:

    a cylinder capacity not more than 125 cc
    power output not more than 11 kW and a power to weight ratio not more than 0.1 kW per kg
    motor tricycles with a power output not more than 15 kW

The minimum age limit for category A1 will still be 17 years.

You'll have to pass theory and practical driving tests to get this entitlement.
Category A2 (medium motorcycles up to 35 kW)

Category A2 covers medium sized bikes, with or without a sidecar, which have:

    an engine power output not more than 35 kW
    a power to weight ratio not more than 0.2 kW per kg -  the bike must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power

The minimum age for category A2 is 19 years.

There are two ways to get this entitlement.
Direct access

If you you're aged 19 or over, you can take a theory and a practical test.
Staged access

If you're aged 19 or over and you have two years' experience on an A1 motorcycle, you only need to take a further practical test.
Category A

Category A covers machines unlimited in size and power, with or without a sidecar, and motor tricycles with a power output of more than 15 kW. There are two ways to get this entitlement.
Direct access

If you don't have two years' experience, you'll have to be aged 24 years or over. You'll also need to pass the theory and practical tests.
Staged access

You can get this category from age 21 if you have two years' experience on an A2 motorcycle and you take a further practical test.


Add to that  CBT, compulsory basic training which is done off-road before you are allowed on-road.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2012, 06:28:20 PM by LesterPiglet »
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline Killer Canary

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Re: GPz900R
« Reply #24 on: September 29, 2012, 06:34:38 PM »
Rules like that would destroy big bike sales here.
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1