purpose of GPX250 vs ZZR250

Ive searched back through the older google groups posts where people
have asked the difference between these bikes, seems to mainly be in:

Alloy frame for ZZR (even though ZZR weighs more...)
larger wheels on ZZR
slightly bigger brakes on ZZR
additional rear suspension gas strut on ZZR.

What I'm wondering is why does kwaka sell 2 very similar bikes? Is the
purpose of one more of a tourer and the other an all out sports? They
look very similar in stance/seat and handlebar height?

 

I used to own a GPX many years ago.. the GPX was classified as a
sports/tourer, where the ZZR was a sports bike. Believe it or not
though, the GPX was faster because it weighed less. Not much faster,
only really in statistics, but the ZZR does look sportier.

Good luck with your choice.

Greg

 

The GPX has 16" wheels, larger rear sprocket, and a steeper fork angle, from
memory. It was a city bike, where as the ZZR was the open road version, with
a lazier geometry to higher speed stability
Similar to the 600 & 1100 in concept, but of course less H.P from a 250 twin
motor.
It's hard now to think of the ZZR600 as the must have sportsbike, compared
to the current ZX6R.
My ZZR250 peaked at 140 down a long flat road.
Rob.

 

(Dave_H) wrote in @posting.google.com:

Kawasaki put the ZZR in the "sports tourer" category and
the GPX in the "sports" category. The points that Greg made
agree with my perception of the two. There's also a standing
rumour that the GPX is a much easier bike to do the NSW RTA
'MOST' (pre provisional) test on because "the ZZR has a longer
wheelbase" (the geometry justifications sound stronger than
the wheelbase ones IMHO, but same net result).

Maybe it's just me being a complete n00b, but I find the
ZZR very difficult to do the u-turn on. (NSW RTA test requires
a left turn into a 6.1m wide 'box' painted on the ground
then a u-turn back out of the box). I can do it *sometimes*
but not reliably.


My ZZR250 (new, just run in, 2800-ish Km on the clock)
will easily go to 140Km/h and maintain it. Haven't tried
any further yet.


Having looked at styling and performance and stuff, I'm quite
convinced that the ZZR250/600/1100 range are for the cardigan
wearing set amongst 'sportsbike' owners. They're boring, but
yeah, I like 'em.


Now, where did I leave my slippers and my pipe?....

G

 

(Dave_H) wrote in @posting.google.com:

Actually, I noticed that they don't always offer the two
bikes in the same market. For eg, last time I checked, there
wasn't a GPX250 on offer here in Oz, and there wasn't a
ZZR250 on offer in the US (2003?)

G

 

My local Kawa dealer had both the ZZR & the GPX on the floor today. Both
have been available in Oz for some time.

 

And the GPX looks identical to when it came out in 88 except it now comes in
colours other than black.

 

GPX250 has been on offer here in oz consistantly from the late 80's onwards.
Your local dealer may not have it in stock though.

 

What do you mean by "additional rear suspension gas strut on ZZR"?

The shocks are different, but each of them only has one shock, they are both
gas-charged, etc, ZZR is preload adjustable, whereas GPX is not, but other
than that, they are fairly similar. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I
usually am. (Still can't get over the fact that a postie is a 4-stroke.))

 

I was referring to other markets. At first I thought I
meant the Australian market too, but then I checked my
facts (never do that until after you've gone to print!).

Specific case in point: a while ago someone posted a
URL to the current model GPX250 on a USA Kwaka web site,
and I couldn't find a ZZR there.

G

 

In the US it may not be called a ZZR. ZZR600 and ZZR1100 were called ZX6 and
ZX11 respectively in the US. Not sure about the 250 or the 1200, but they
may be the ZX2 and ZX12. (Not the lack of Rs)

 

Yeah i think they have the ZX2 Ninja.

Steve

 

The bike we know as a zzr600 was called a zx6e over there - they got the
zx6r too...

They get the "ninja" stickers on the gpx250, which seems to be referred
to as just the "ninja 250" over there. I don't think they get the zzr or
the zx2r.

big

 

GPX250 is the EX250 over in the US. As noted, they commonly refer to it as
the Ninja 250.

They don't get the ZZR250. The Canadians get the ZZR but not the GPX.

And the ZZR nomenclature is now universal.

 

US is a bad example to use re 250s - they are fairly limited model ranges of
road 250s available as they simply don't sell well - Americans are allowed to
jump straight on an R1 the day they get their licence (and in some states that
as simple as passing a written test if you already have a car licence), no
capacity restrictions means nobody much buys 250s

JL

 

Bugger! Why didn't someone tell me this earlier?!


BTH the naive, deluded open-road GPX250 rider.

 

You didn't need to add "open-road GPX250 rider"....


Postman Pat
Open-road CB250 rider

 

I am so TOTALLY sick of this thread,

Facts are:
both bikes a useless Kawasukki pieces of !@#$
they have been making the GPX for a bizillion+1 years and still have a
HUGE stockpile of the stinking things!
they have been making the ZZR for a bizillion-1 years and still have an
equally HUGE stockpile of the stinking things!
So, they are still selling both the things to the undiscerning aussie
learner marker cause they have to get rid of them and as much as they suck as
real bikes they both make good "sensible" learner bikes for those who don't
mind getting caught on a kawasukki.

K

 

The flu sure makes her grumpy, dunnit!

G

 

I am so TOTALLY sick of this thread,

I wouldnt mind owning either one of them.

Steve