The Kawasaki GPZ 900 motorcycle is a sports touring bike

Japanese motorcyclesKawasaki motorcycles

When one thinks of rare sports motorcycles, the first one that comes to mind is the Japanese model GPZ 900 R (aka ZX 900 A), better known as the Kawasaki Ninja.

This representative had all the necessary attributes confirming its belonging to the class of sport bikes.

This motorcycle, at one time, became a legend due to its highest performance and speed. But first things first.

Appearance

Stylish and proportional, this bike does not have any flair in its design. It would even be superfluous given the fact that this is a typical representative of the class. Like other sports tourists, the model differs from a simple sportbike in its dimensions. This is a long car, which makes it a great choice for traveling as a widow.

The windshield is typical. The shape reflects the sporty character of the Kawasaki GPZ 900. This is manifested in the fact that the glass is angular and low. The rims are typical for the sports and sports-touring class - alloy. The original red and black color scheme perfectly reflects the aggressive nature of this model.

In general, there is an angularity in the lines of the frame. This is a feature of such bikes from the eighties and nineties. And this approach to design is probably correct, because it completely fits into the aesthetic concept of a sporty, modern, and at the same time practical motorcycle.

Comparison with predecessor

If we compare this model with the previous one, the designers have significantly improved the motorcycle.

The ZXR750 served as the prototype for the first versions of the Ninja.

Subsequent generations of the Nine differ significantly from its predecessor.

One of the main differences can be considered a weight reduction of up to 35 kg . However, not all bikers like this upgrade. After the relief, the motorcycle became faster, which means it lost stability and safety.

Comfort

The bike is more convenient on country roads than in urban conditions. It is not very agile, large, and unlike some cruiser it does not have such stability at low speeds. However, you can get used to it.

Otherwise the car is comfortable. It's not particularly noisy, and there's enough space for the passenger to feel comfortable. The bike feels good on the road and handles well. It accelerates quickly, which will be convenient for those who know how to handle such equipment.

As for people who have previously only ridden road motorcycles, or, moreover, have not driven a bike at all, they definitely should not start with such a model, as well as with any other sport tourer or sportbike. This option will not only be inconvenient for them, but also dangerous.

pros

So that everyone knows what kind of model this is!

The main advantage is its appearance. This motorcycle has stylish body kits that cover its entire mechanism.

Sleek headlights and a long nose give it aggressiveness and power. The rear of the Kawasaki also looks impressive. The high rear tail gives the motorcycle a muscular and graceful appearance. The advantages also include the build quality of the 2-wheeled monster.

"Back" from the chain side.

"Back" from the muffler side.

The motorcycle operates for a long time without breakdowns or wear of spare parts, but under normal use, without extreme riding.

and cons

The disadvantages include the suspension. It is not intended for Russian roads, so when driving around the city or over long distances, there will be slight discomfort.

Many bikers note its weight . Compared to the previous version, it has become significantly lighter, which results in worse control and reduced safety. But it is also not uncommon for problems with gear shifting to appear - the transmission may switch to neutral speed.

Dimensions and weight

The dimensions here are classic. The Kawasaki GPZ 900 is no different in this regard from most other sports tourers.

Dimensions and weight fully satisfy the needs:

• length – 2200 mm;
• width – 750 mm;
• height – 1215 mm;
• wheelbase – 1495 mm;
• curb weight – 255 kg.

Thanks to these parameters, the model confidently stays on the road. At the same time, the car is not so heavy that it interferes with speed or maneuverability.

Estimated cost

Despite its rather advanced age, and the GPZ 900 R was produced from 1983 to 2006, the Kawasaki Ninja is a cult superbike with a huge number of admirers and fans , which speaks volumes about its quality and unique characteristics.

Confirms the popularity of the motorcycle and its long-term mass production , as well as very stable demand.

Naturally, now this model does not “fit” into a modern sportbike, but rather belongs to the category of sport-tourist.

However, the motorcycle is still popular and is offered on the secondary market in Moscow at prices ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 US dollars.

With that kind of money, you can transform into the hero of the movie “Top Gun”, who “cut” on the GPZ 900 bike, in the person of the famous Tom Cruise.

On the Kawasaki Ninja 600 motorcycle, the pilot can easily climb a couple of steps to the podium.

The maximum speed of this bike is recorded at 170.6 km/h, and acceleration to “hundreds” is achieved in 5.6-6.4 seconds.

Specifications

The filling will pleasantly please those who have long wanted to buy retro equipment, but were afraid of weak technical characteristics.

Nothing needs to be improved. The car looks good anyway. However, it is worth noting that this applies to newer versions of the model, while the older ones are more modest. These parameters are quite enough to use the bike on a flat track. It is not suitable for off-roading in any way, because it is not a motocross motorcycle.

It is known that Russia is the birthplace of elephants. Do not agree? Then go to any of the many motorcycle dealerships that sell used motorcycles and take a look at the selection. A couple of Enduras huddled forlornly in the corners, several “fresh” four-hundreds, and the main and main force in the struggle for the consumer’s wallet are various nine-hundreds and liters...

Bigger and more powerful Indeed, what kind of motorcycle is the speedometer of which does not show the remarkable numbers of 300 or, at worst, 280 km/h? Often, even “six hundred” cars are disgustedly rejected by a potential buyer whose entire motorcycle experience is equivalent to several trips on a “Java” a good ten years ago. Like, how am I going to drive this? I would like something more and more powerful...

It's not a question. Today we are testing three titans, and two of them, Kawasaki and Yamaha, were the most powerful models of the same manufacturers at the time of their debut. Moreover, companies positioned them on the market precisely as sportbikes. Standing somewhat apart in this series is the Suzuki RF900R, which even in the year of its debut (1994) did not lay claim to the laurels of an athlete, making up for its practicality and low price - the frame is made of steel. On the other hand, in terms of its technical characteristics and concept, it is very close to its opponents.

And therefore, fellow motorcycle riders, I’ll ask you to go to the gas station. This is where the first differences appeared. If Kawasaki and Suzuki indulge in full-fledged fuel level indicators, then Yamaha only winks with a reserve lamp.

Nine-year-old Japanese girl We are all biased, for example, I always liked the design of the RF900. Moreover, in relation to this model, many times I heard completely polar opinions about the external perception of the motorcycle. Either I really like it, or “what a freak!” There are no intermediate options. As for the seating position, be it the RF400 or the RF600, both models are absolutely no different from their 900cc flagship - I find them uncomfortable to sit on.

It seems that the handlebars are located quite high (unlike the Thunder Ace), and the tank does not suffer from excessively swollen sides, like the Kawasaki, and it is uncomfortable to sit on. But what lines, what a brake light, clearly ahead of its time by about twenty years, and yet the model, let me remind you, is almost ten years old. Don’t judge me harshly, but I was seduced, seduced by this nine-year-old Japanese girl... Perhaps we’ll start with her. A quick inspection of the chassis did not bring any surprises. Everything is ordinary, a classic front fork that does not indulge in any adjustments, four-piston brake calipers, a rear swingarm that also does not stand out with amplifiers and innovations. A typical Japanese motorcycle of the early 90s...

The very first hundred meters made me doubt the declared power. Hey, where are you, 135 horsepower? Is there some kind of fault holding my Japanese bays back? No, everything is in perfect order, no ambushes. The mechanics checked everything before the test. But how sluggish the acceleration is! I switch to the second, third... Along the way, I note that the box works very, very well... uh, no, it seems, I got carried away! The sixth one does not turn on.

I try again, same story! “What an insolent bastard who has become greedy with modern devices, a sixth to him. Maybe you could also use radial-mount brake calipers, my friend?” — the expert who had been sitting in me for the time being spoke up. - “Five-speed gearbox” - that’s a bore... I remembered, I remembered, just at that moment a Yamaha rustled past, followed closely by a green Ninja, oh, old lady, don’t let us down! Well, what else is this?! "Suza" began to thrash in an asthmatic attack, the speed limiter, however. The speedometer only shows 180, and damn, that’s where the speedometer actually ends.

Another internal Japanese modification. Okay, okay, stop twitching and being indignant. I already understood perfectly well that in terms of acceleration you have nothing to do next to either Kawasaki or Yamaha. But the wind protection is excellent, there’s even a glove compartment, but it’s not locked, but this isn’t Japan! So its practical value is not great. However, you can put a photo of your mother-in-law there, you will do a good deed - the thief will never climb into other people’s glove compartments again...

Meanwhile, the “barge” ahead with the proud name “Volga” on board, which someone, due to a major misunderstanding, called a car, missed a rather large hole between the wheels, which I didn’t even think about going around, it was a test after all. And here the Suza was rehabilitated, gently and imperceptibly, first the front fork and then the rear shock absorber processed what road builders coquettishly call small irregularities. Liked.

I had to find a bad road on purpose, and my initial impressions were only confirmed. The RF travels very comfortably over uneven surfaces, reliably isolating its pilot from various cracks and holes in the asphalt. A look in the rearview mirror, and - lo and behold! — instead of my own shoulders, I see in them the road behind me. A rare model can boast of this, another cent for Suzuki's piggy bank. There’s no one behind, it’s time to have some fun and at the same time test the motorcycle’s maximum braking capabilities. The deceleration is quite good, and, due to the peculiarities of the weight distribution, the rear brake is very effective, but we are unlikely to be able to stand on the front wheel, due to the same weight distribution.

Then let's try it differently, second gear, 8000 rpm on the tachometer, sharp release of the clutch, revs at the moment of squeezing up to 9000... but no, no “candles” for you! Extremely lazily, as if asking: “Why are you torturing the cattle?”, Suza unloaded the front fork. But you can't get rid of me that easily. Let's go, beautiful, to grind your steps in deep turns. Literally in the very first of them, the Suza happily broke down, immediately forcing us to straighten its trajectory and slow down. It feels like the wheels and frame have a life of their own, and are in no way connected to each other; it’s scary, though! And what was it that was grinding so hard from below? Bah, center stand? It’s a very convenient thing, so let Suzuki stand on it.

Mutant Ninja And for now I’ll saddle the most ambitious of our three. Judge for yourself: six gears, an inverted fork, a speedometer with the last mark of 300 km/h, the hard look of a bull terrier that has not been fed for a week... And what a name you got from the creators - “Ninja”; It really gives me goosebumps. Just why are you so green? No less than a mutant, because ninjas are supposed to be black... Oh yes, of course, branded Kawasaki Green. Literally from the very first minutes of meeting “Kava” is trying to completely dissociate itself from Suzuki.

The seating position is completely different; the tank, swollen on the sides, clearly fixes the legs, as you can no longer fidget on the RF. There is a pronounced forward lean, although, of course, this is still far from the inconvenience of modern sportbikes. Not otherwise, a dozen or two bears died in the nearby forest! For the second time today I watch the road in the rearview mirrors, miracles! But how little it sometimes takes to destroy the idyll. In this case, just click on the “start” button. Everything immediately began to tremble and vibrate, the engine began to make unimaginable sounds - a malfunction? No, everything is okay. Absolutely normal situation for Kawasaki. I had four of them before, and all of them, one way or another, worked in a similar way. This is already heredity.

In appearance, he is 100% an athlete, only slightly overweight. Well, whatever you want, the years take their toll. However, there will be no discounts for age. Still, 143 horsepower, even by modern standards, is quite a decent value. Therefore, dynamics first. Very decent acceleration and, unlike the RF900, which has very smooth thrust from low revs right up to the limiter, there is a pronounced pick-up after 8000 rpm. Without any measurements, it is obvious that the Ninja will leave the RF easily and naturally.

But, truly, the Achilles heel of many Kawasaki models, undisguised for decades, is the gearbox. The huge shift lever travels are simply indecent for a Japanese motorcycle. If I had not had other “green” ones before, I would have decided that there was a malfunction here. Although, bad luck has begun, the ZZR1100 family, for example, almost always gives its owners a headache with the second gear falling out. Yes, and “Ninja” also suffers from such a sin, but in our conditions this is practically a lost season - while you wait for spare parts. Not to mention the cost of repairs...

The brakes were frankly disappointing. It is not possible to achieve any significant deceleration even by applying very serious pressure on the front brake lever. But why not ABS? Moreover, this option is included in the “base” completely free of charge. There is a direct discrepancy between the dynamic and braking capabilities of the motorcycle. But in the same turn, in which RF openly gave up already at 80 km/h, “Kava” passed very confidently at a good 100 km/h. There is no trace of Suzuki’s “rubberiness” here. Very smooth and neutral behavior in corners. However, do not confuse the motorcycle with some GSX-R or R1.

Compared to them, the old Ninja is a complete behemoth. The vicissitudes of the road surface are conveyed to the pilot honestly and directly. Like, I’m not a refined RF tourist, but an athlete, albeit a little older, and therefore, the rider, get another portion of bumps and holes, otherwise, he’s relaxed, he doesn’t like the brakes, you see. But, thanks to the same bull terrier, and therefore wide, face, the Kawasaki fights off air flows very well. At one time, when the model was just born, meticulous German motorcycle journalists measured Kawasaki’s maximum speed at 283 km/h. Not bad even by modern standards.

Although I couldn’t get more than 260 km/h on the speedometer. It’s logical, because the gasoline and tea won’t be German. As for one of my favorite pastimes - riding in a "candle" - here the Kawasaki is clearly preferable to the Suzuki. With certain skills, the motorcycle allows you to climb into the “candle” even from second gear. And, despite the disgusting brake, it’s quite possible to put a motorcycle on the front wheel, unlike the same RF. All in all, a fun little green car. A kind of tangle of contradictions, like an all-season tire for cars - mediocre in the summer, and even more so in winter, an outsider compared to its studded counterparts...

Thunder Ace The Yamaha designers named their model modestly and not at all ambitiously. Indeed, “Ace”, and even “Thunder”: Ninja standing next to him turned even greener with anger. There's nothing to be done: as the Americans say, the only thing better than volume is even more volume. And in this sense, Yamaha is doing well - 100 points of superiority over its competitors. The highest power of the trio (145 hp) is a serious bid for victory.

As for the design, the conclusion is obvious - the motorcycle does not look outdated at all, even though the model is in its sixth year! Here competitors are at least two steps behind. The riding position is overtly sporty, with a significant portion of the weight resting on the hands, while the hydraulic clutch and five-speed gearbox come into clear conflict with the decidedly sporty riding position. However, as soon as you drive onto a free section of the road, all these nuances instantly fade into the background.

Acceleration dynamics are equivalent to modern liter sportbikes, no difference. Still, 100 cm3 of advantages is a serious argument; it is felt instantly on the road. And don't forget about the 20-valve cylinder head. A quick glance in the rearview mirrors and I breathe a sigh of relief. Still, there are lasting values ​​in this world, except for the shoulders, nothing is visible there... And they are not particularly needed, with such and such a motor! Powerful traction from the very bottom, a clearly noticeable “shelf” of pickup after 6000 rpm (the EXUP valve in the exhaust system is working hard), and so on right up to the limiter. Not bad, though.

The speedometer shows a good 280 km/h, and the Kawasaki is already lost somewhere. It's time to settle down! Who would have thought: the same four-piston brake calipers as the previous motorcycles, but what a huge difference. And if the Suzuki looks much worse compared to the Yamaha brakes, then the Kava seems simply faulty. Although, for the sake of objectivity, it should be noted that in its historical homeland Yamaha acquired reinforced brake hoses.

The motorcycle suspensions are tuned very well. There is a happy medium here between the comfort of the Suzuki and the rugged sportiness of the Kawasaki. As for handling, I knew everything in advance. The fact is that a couple of years ago, while riding on the track where the Russian Championship in road-circuit motorcycle racing is periodically held in Dmitrov, I had a lot of fun watching a man come to training on a Thunder Ace. His motorcycle looked funny between the R1 and FireBlade. But after a few laps the fun diminished sharply; “Ace” was third!

Of course, a lot depends on the gasket between the steering wheel and the seat, but I’m sure that even an experienced pilot would not be able to pull off such a trick on a Kawasaki, and certainly not on a Suzuki. The very first turns only confirmed my assumption - the motorcycle “stands rooted to the spot”, bending “with a knee” is not at all contraindicated for it. Although not everything is rosy here: Yamaha is still distinguished by unclear operation of the gearbox. And “Yamaha” engines are “famous” for their increased appetite for oil. Again, bad heredity is evident. After all, the same can be said about R1.

Debriefing There will be no exaggerations or interjections here. With a clear and unconditional advantage, the winner can be safely called the Yamaha YZF1000R Thunder Ace. A successfully found balance of power and handling, braking properties and comfort. Of course, this is one of the best models from the company. If only the gearbox worked properly... Those who value comfort more and are also inclined to travel, I think, will opt for Suzuki. The ZX-9R remains a group of true fans of this brand who do not accept any kind of criticism towards their favorites. But I would recommend that they order the gearbox parts in advance...

Production

Production of the car began in 1984. At that time this bike was considered a breakthrough. It was produced for almost twenty years, and production ended in 2003. Moreover, this year’s bikes are distinguished by the inscription “Final Edition”. This is the earliest sports car that was released under this famous brand.

Until 1993, the GPZ 900 was sold as well as produced in Europe. Since 1998, it began to be produced only in Malaysia. It is worth noting that the production of the model lasted quite a long time, which is difficult to say about most cars of the late 20th - early 21st centuries.

Classmates

The Yamaha XJ 900 S Diverse is the main competitor for this Kawasaki motorcycle. Having begun production in 1995, it disappeared from the market in 2002. In terms of characteristics, it is somewhat inferior to the GPZ 900, but the cost is more affordable.

A used model will cost around 150 thousand Russian rubles, while for a Kawasaki you will have to pay at least 200 thousand. It is no longer possible to buy either one or the other bike new.

Unless someone once bought a car and did not use it, properly storing it in the garage. But this will, of course, affect how much such a Kawasaki costs.

History of changes

The bike has come a long way and has undergone some changes:

1. Production began in 1984.
2. In 1986 it began to be sold in European countries.
3. In 1989, heated carburetors were added.
4. In 1991, the bike began to be sold in Japan.
5. From 1994 to 1997 production was stopped.
6. In 1999, 6-piston front suspension calipers were added.
7. In 2002, a catalyst was added to help the motorcycle meet new environmental standards.
8. Production discontinued in 2003.

If you compare the photos of the new and old versions, there is not much difference. That is why it is better to buy a motorcycle from the last years of production, when it was already at the peak of its development.

What do the owners say?

As for service, the majority are satisfied. Those whose model often broke down understand that the problem is largely due to poor road surfaces. In any case, judging by the reviews, it is not difficult to get spare parts for this Kawasaki.

From the descriptions of their experiences by city residents, it follows that in an urban environment, a motorcycle sometimes gets very hot.

The problem can be solved by installing forced cooling. Then, when the bike gets stuck in a traffic jam, the rider just needs to press the appropriate button and the car will quickly cool down.

There are quite a few videos that show riding a model with a helmet view. Most of those who reviewed it noted the sharp acceleration and the fact that such a car is not suitable for a beginner. They also note the ergonomic fit, which is especially important at high speeds.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the Kawasaki GPZ 900 is suitable for those who appreciate motorcycles from the eighties and prefer a sports-touring class. A smart solution for road travel. The main thing is to remember that this option is not for off-road use.