Buying a GPZ900R

OK, I've dithered for a few years over buying a Kawasaki GPZ900R, and
frankly, I'm convinced prices are now as low as they'll ever be and now
is the time to buy.

I was watching this one

Ebay item 120293016369

And set up a snipe bid, and then withdrew it, because (frankly) Newquay
is an arse-ache of a place to get to from SW London. But you get my
drift? Just over a grand for something with that sort of classic status
and pedigree. And it's still a hugely practical fast bike (in the sense
that nothing that does 150mph can be considered 'slow').

And while the A8 has the better tyre sizes, I have decided that I really
want an earlier one, as good as I can get, simply from the POV that it's
like buying an original Z1 instead of the later Z900, even though the
Z900 is actually the better bike to ride.

And I think I've located one definite candidate. It's not exactly close
to home either, but it's easier and quicker to get to.

Anybody have any thoughts on this course of action? Lunacy or smart?

Because of my shortage of garage space, I'll probably have to sell
something, and the XT600E is the likeliest candidate. If anyone is after
a really nice condition 600E, let me know.

16k miles from new, perfect mechanics, all original, excellent cosmetics
(some frame paint missing in the usual places, of course), brand new
Avon Gripsters plus a good pair of off-road knobblies, new head races,
T&T, owner's handbook, some history. 1991 model on a J plate. A really
good thumper dirt bike. £1100 sounds reasonable. SW London.

 

Christ, that's a lot of bike for the money.

Probably a good thing I didn't seen it until the aution had ended.

YKIMS.

 

I never "got" the GPZ900, I know the press raved about them but I just never
felt "right" on them.

The GPZ1000RX was much more my cup of tea, and of course I seem to recall
the press didn't take to them



--
Steve Parry
BMW R80RS, BMW R45, 01 Kawasaki ZX12-R, 07 K1200GT SE
95 BMW F650, 87 Yamaha FS1, Sukida SK90PY, 91 Kawasaki AR50,
07 VW Passat SE Estate for comfort
www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

I've never ridden the 1000RX, oddly enough. It just looks ungainly. Now
the original ZX10, I really liked.

 

I loved my 750R. I know it's only the 750, but it's identical except
for capacity.

Anti-dive gives up the ghost early doors, and mine got through a
camchain tensioner every 10k miles. Easy to replace [1] though, and
quite cheap.

Mine survived 7 years and 55,000 miles of neglect and abuse, by which
time the cams had bought the farm. Mined ewe, as that was the first
time the rocker box cover had been removed since I'd bought it, and
oil changes were on an "if I can be arsed" schedule, it wasn't
unexpected.

Braking takes some getting used to, as they stand up a straight as a
guardsman if you as much as look at the brakes in a bend.

Took mine on six trips to the continent, two-up, and it never missed a
beat. Even when a Frog peasant reversed over it in a Relais Routiers
car park.



[1] Like, 10 minutes, tops.

 

There's probably only two versions to consider - a 1984 A1 in as
original condition as you can find, or and A8 with less years, miles,
and, as you say, modern tyre sizes. Personally, I'd go for the A1,
but good ones of these are probably already being considered
collectible, with prices to match.

There's so much info out there about running them, and as far as I'm
aware they've got no weak points, so it's just a question of finding
the right bike at the right price.

 

That's weird, just got back from a few at the local cafe, and a bloke
pulled up on one of those, in duck green, a minter. Yes, it really does
have classic bike lines, it was love at first sight.

 

Very good, but: what colour is it?

 

Its not red... they have to be red

 

Didn't they used to puke their coolant on the race-track, or am
I misremembering something else?

--
Ivan Reid, School of Engineering & Design, _____________ CMS Collaboration,
Brunel University. Ivan.Reid@[brunel.ac.uk|cern.ch] Room 40-1-B12, CERN
GSX600F, RG250WD "You Porsche. Me pass!" DoD #484 JKLO#003, 005
WP7# 3000 LC Unit #2368 (tinlc) UKMC#00009 BOTAFOT#16 UKRMMA#7 (Hon)
KotPT -- "for stupidity above and beyond the call of duty".

 

Assuming the oil pipes have been changed, as the originals caused premature
cam & follower failure.

Oh and the carb warming system has been installed as they're buggers for
carb icing.

--
Steve Parry
BMW R80RS, BMW R45, 01 Kawasaki ZX12-R, 07 K1200GT SE
95 BMW F650, 87 Yamaha FS1, Sukida SK90PY, 91 Kawasaki AR50,
07 VW Passat SE Estate for comfort
www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

Bloo. Wiv green bits.

 

Is the correct answer!
There is only one true colour for an early GPz900.

I must admit the same thought had crossed my mind.. then this little
nagging doubt about buying and X7 with spannys.. because its anti
social and I can

Boxerboy

 

*ding* but the later blue ones were very nice too.

Do it. Buy one immediately. I will _always_ regret selling mine a few years
ago. Mental tuned engine in a moped-sized package (with unfortunately
moped-sized brakes and tyres).

JB

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, JB

My A7 was black. Lovely, it was.

 

Some savage round here has painted his early (Dreg) 900R in some 'orrible
orange/yellow shade. Some car colour I think.
<retch>

JB

 

But they were absolute shit compared to the RD250.

 

Sounds right up my street.

 

The one I'm watching is red. It might mean bumming a night at your gaff,
if that's OK?

 

They do tend to sit up and beg if you brake in corners.

Hm, yes, but brakes are fairly easily uprated.