Kawasaki GPz900R classic review

[@1DoctorMoo]

I bought an A1 in the late 80s. Absolutely fell in love with it. Sadly I pitched it down the road writing it off. Such are the follies of being young. My love for these never died. Now I'm older and slower and have 3 A1s and an 89 A6 in the shed slowly being restored. The plan is to get at least 2 back on the road. They're a labor of love.

[@allmoto]

Lucky man. I reckon they're still a great ride.

[@1DoctorMoo]

@@allmoto I 100% agree. I also have an 86 FZ750 that's on the road. It doesn't get out that often, but when it does it attracts a group of older farts like myself that have a look and we swap stories from our misspent youth. I love riding the FZ. It's such a great bike.

[@stevehill3373]

Still the most ergonomically perfect bike I have ever owned. Gave me so much confidence.

[@brianpatrick9412]

I purchased a used 1984 Ninja 900 in 1985 and I fell in love the minute that I started riding it. Up 'till then I had a 1970 Kawasaki Mach III (rode from Ohio to Mexico with my wife on the back), a 1971 750 K1 Honda, and a 1980 Honda 750 (the worst of the lot). They were all good in their own way, but that old double shock technology prevented them from really handling well--they all had the wobbles in the fast turns. The when I got the 900, it was so different--I said, "Here is the bike that I had been looking for." I rode that bike for about 80 K wonderful miles--all over the West--never put it down. I had some soft bags, a backpack over the rear seat, and a tank bag--and I just went everywhere with my brand of "fast sport touring." I rarely traveled with anyone because I knew that they could not or would not want to ride at the speeds that were more than comfortable, but natural on that bike. What more can I say...anybody that really rode one consistently knows exactly what I'm saying. Eventually, I sold the bike (regretfully), and purchased Kawasaki ZZR 1100 and 1300, which were okay for touring and had power, but were way, way too heavy. Then I purchased a, '07 ZX14, which I still have and is the closest bike to the 900, and it is faster than stink and does handle nicely, but still.....I still would love to have that beautiful little red and grey 900 Ninja back. I guess that I've just gotten too sentimental in my old age of 77.

[@guyallen5970]

What a wonderful story, Brian. Thank you, Guy

[@vazza7504]

Not sentimental fella, spot on views, I have owned both Gpz909r and currently own a ZZR1100 C1 blue and black. I echo what you say about handling on twisty roads.

[@tanyamarco1]

Thanks for your experience.I am 68 and a few years ago bought one ,which became part of my collection.But never rode it,so your impressions means to me so much.

[@ernie548]

It's engine went on over 25 years in other kawi sport bikes. I had one in that same color year. Loved that bike.

[@Gandalf606]

I have a 1984 A1 model. Totally restored with new original or refurbished parts. Only 36k miles and what an amazing bike to ride - cannot believe it's a 38 year old bike. It rides and feels much much younger. Wonderful bike to own.

[@andreferro4618]

Lucky man!

[@grantroff4904]

A potential Castrol 6-Hour winner in '83 (against the RZ500 and the VR1000R) but required more fuel stops. Nice review of a nice bike.

[@UltimateEnd0]

So ahead of its time that it's mind blowing.

[@philhawley1219]

It was 150 miles from my brother's house to my grandparents. On my 900 I often did the trip in 90 minutes.

[@smacdiesel]

I own an a3 model that is in great shape. A very special bike for me indeed!

[@ronniewilkerson2027]

Got my 84 in 92 and it's was the best, fastest, most comfortable, easiest to ride bike I ever owned. I would put 2 front, and 4 rear tires on it every year, and rated at I think 240 mph. You could ride it year round and I did just that. It had been jetted and would hit 165 all day long. I have the most memories with it and probably scared more people than you can imagine, both riders and the people I passed. The speed limit was 55 and I'd come around you at 130 and be gone before the sound would hit your ears. And with the baffles out you could have been deaf and you'd have heard me come round. It's the reason I won't ride anymore. Thinkin back I really don't know what I was thinkin. I noticed one day while at about 140 that ever cow, horse, and anything else that had the breath of life in it was running away from the hwy. They didn't know what was coming but knew they didn't want anything to do with it. I do miss that jet with no wings and will remember it till death. Best damn bike and am so glad to have had the opportunity to own and ride. Would love to ride the H2R and I know I'd ride it like I stole it but what a last ride it would be. Thank you Kawasaki for the memories and the best experience of my life. Oh, I sure pissed off a lot of hwy with that bike and they're still mad they couldn't catch me. BDE.

[@paulh7798]

I owned an ‘84. It’s probably the most enjoyable bike I ever owned. The only other bike that I can think off hand that I enjoyed owning as much was the RD 350 YPVS I owned prior to my 900R.

[@dananderson1188]

I currently own 1984 A1, it is in mint condition and original. I will be selling it in the next month. It has been professionally maintained and has accessories. I am currently in Ontario Canada

[@photographerjonathan]

I bought the first 1984 Ninja when it first came out. every where I went on that bike I would get attention. I would come out of a 7/11 and there would be five people around the bike staring at it. it was the coolest best looking bike out at the time. I really loved that bike and wish I still owned it. my memory of the bike is how rock hard stable it was. it was the most stable bike I have ever ridden even to this day. and I currently own a 2017 Ducati 939 Suporsport. I used to go to work on a midnight shift. and it was around a 20 mile ride and it was a new highway that was totally smooth and there were barely any cars on it at that time. so I would literally leave work around twelve minutes to midnight and I would get there on time. and the last three minutes were on these big sweeping turns through a mountain road. I can remember cruising at 120mph like it was nothing. the bike gave you the allusion like you weren't going nearly as fast as your were really going. even my modern 939 does not have that quality. when I'm doing 120mph on the 939 I feel like I'm doing 120mph. even though it's stable. just not quite the same planted feel. I think it was partially because of the Dunlop tires it came with. when I later on tried Metzler tires. the bike was more flippable and probably handled better on turns, but it lost just a tiny bit of the stability. Personally I think the original 1984 paint was the nicest of all of the years. and in the US it said Ninja on the bike. not GPZ.

[@freeasihavebeendeceivedtob7361]

Used to have one of these when I was in my 20s . Also owned a turbo gpz 750.

[@cslan4]

I had the 1985 GPz900R it was the first brand new vehicle I ever bought (and still the only one). I loved that bike it was so reliable as long as changed the oil and kept up on everything (witch was easy) ,the one thing I put an after market pipe on it what a pain in ass but when done it was awesome ,and the only riding issues was it would get kind of hot in traffic but it was a bike I cued ride all day hell one weekend I rode from Cleveland Heights Ohio to Boston Mas and a couple of weeks later I went to Toronto and all kinds of long bike trips ,I miss that bike!!!!

[@AndynatorHD]

Why did you sell it? I would love to have one but not up-to-date technology for nowadays. The bike just looks soo cool

[@aaarcs8895]

I have an original 84' A1. I love the thing. An original 53k on the clock and everything else stock. Compared to my other bikes, vintage pommy ones, this is the bike I go to if I want a dose of adrenaline. Great review 👏

[@1DoctorMoo]

Nice mate. Does yours have the original 4 into 2 exhaust system? They're so hard to find these days.

[@aaarcs8895]

@@1DoctorMoo G'day mate, yes it came with the original 4 into 2 but was completely rusted out. I sourced a Marving exhaust which is as close to original as I could find. Its 4 into 2 and black chrome and sounds stock. Even the little original heat shields fit on. I still have the originals in the shed

[@1DoctorMoo]

@@aaarcs8895 thanks for this info mate. I didn't know Marving made a replica system. I've just looked em up. Expensive, but what isn't when restoring an almost 40 year old bike! 've got 2 sets of original headers, but as usual the cans are done. You've really helped me out 👍🇦🇺

[@ix-Xafra]

I bought one of the first ones in Oz. Great ride Had all the early issues: Timing chain tensioner Front fork bushes needed replacing at 12k Diaphrams would twist in the carb bodies Instrument cluster snapped its welds and flopped into the fairing But it would smoke the back tyre in three gears with the front in air shaking wildly...

[@jackc3205]

Nice video. I’m looking at one up here in Canada, where they currently go between $2000 to $5000. Lived in Australia for 10 years and I do miss those long tours.

[@sonicmagnus5312]

i still want this beast man !

[@turbofan67]

Good vid. The 1984 was my first big roady when I was 21 years old. It was a great all rounder, from a blast in the hills to a 600klm trip to see mates in Tamworth. The 16" front was ok until the tyre started to wear on the edges, then it would get quite unstable. A great bike for the day, but not one of my previous that I wish I still had.

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

21 ? Lucky you survived it.

[@turbofan67]

@@maximilliancunningham6091 haha yeah, I thought I was well experienced, because I'd been riding since I was 15. I think my Mother's prayers had a lot to do with it.

[@robsteele4404]

Great video. Makes me realise how much I miss mine. :(

[@andreferro4618]

Me too...

[@guyallen5970]

Thank you. Rob…glad to hear it brought back happy memories. Guy

[@rapidride2]

Buddy had one in the early to mid 90s. Definitely had some engine/head work done. Would do a solid 165mph.

[@flybobbie1449]

Great bike, had a 1984. But needed a lot of work. Looked like new but lots needed doing, shrinking valves, worn camshafts, anti dive. Previous owners used sealant which blocked the oil strainer causing crank bearing failure. Didn't like tight turns like mini island we have UK. Park bike on side stand in the rain and water pools on top of engine causing ignition plug problems.

[@flybobbie1449]

Went from A1 to A8. My local dealer asked Kawasaki to build the A8 version to sell Europe, but sales were poor.

[@Jones-xx2gc]

When these started turning up at Devils Bridge in the UK they were a revelation. Most bikes have the cam chains on the side now. Shame lock nut adjusters have gone for the valve clearances though, but I suppose things move on.

[@spaceflight1019]

These are very hard to find. A craigslist search finds none within 500 miles of Pittsburgh and only one 900 Eliminator.

[@seanys]

That is a fucken clean specimen. I wish my ‘85 looked half as good as that.

[@rrydinhigh2452]

GOOD video sir. Well done. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@justsendit3217]

Great vid mate

[@Dg-zj6jo]

brilliant sir

[@paulscountry456]

Great Mad Max bike for Autralia....

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

Preceeded by the VFR-750 interceptor. And the hansmuth katana. Eclipsed by the cbr-900, blow away by the Yamaha R1.

[@opsecalpha]

It's a major step on the highway to the danger zone.

[@realtime123]

its a perfect road bike , much better than the gsxr750 zx10 zzr11

[@richardeade3766]

My fan comes on after 5minutes is that normal it's a 1992 model

[@negator57]

Wish mine did. Since these run so hot someone may have put a lower temp sensor in. Better to keep it from getting hot sooner. Mine is an 84 A1 bought with 4600 miles and took a great deal of time and money to restore it. Doesn't overheat but gauge needle is always at upper end.

[@allmoto]

@@negator57 The first models all read high, and it had to do with how the face of the gauge was set up, rather than the temp sensors or cooling system. They actually ran at a perfectly safe temp. A Kawasaki rep later commented that if they had calibrated the gauge differently it would have saved them a lot of grief.

[@negator57]

@allmoto I found similar information while researching the issue but never found a solution I could apply.

[@martiniv8924]

I’ve had two, dumped an RX1000 for the second one, a far inferior bike to the 900r

[@Jdodon4n]

Есть Kawasaki GPZ900 R 1989 года на разбор, может кому что-то нужно

[@gunboy5664]

Good！Ａ-1？

[@JohnWilliams-j1d]

Taylor Helen Miller Scott Davis Timothy

[@BLOWBACKKID]

good starter bike ?