Kawasaki GPz900R Promo Film

[@gr8guitarplayer]

I set my personal land speed record on an 86 900 Ninja. Speedo read 155! And if you closed the throttle slightly, the bike actually sped up just a bit. The reason: Kawasaki actually de-tuned the engine slightly for the US market by putting in a main jet that was one size larger than ideal, thus making the engine run slightly rich @ WOT, and making about 5 less HP. So when you rolled off the throttle just a bit, it leaned out the fuel mixture to what it should've been, and the bike ran a bit faster/better. Switch out that main jet for the smaller one, and you had the cheapest extra 5 HP you'll ever get!

[@flybobbie1449]

Only took mine to 145, then chickened out. Felt like riding a missile sled.

[@colinjrob]

I actually think you could have a point there regarding the main Jet. Though I still believe it’s one of the nicest looking bikes ever made. My 1985 black and red model still turns heads and it nearly 40 years old!!!

[@gr8guitarplayer]

@@colinjrob Back in those days, I stayed up on all the sport bike tech at the time, and that main jet thing is very true. You can even see the different main jet sizes for the 900 Ninja in the factory service manual, depending on what country the bikes were being shipped to, and what their max HP laws were at the time. I think I was first made aware of that detail in a Motorcyclist magazine article, probably by Joe Minton. It was probably titled, "Simply and easy way to get 5 more HP from your Ninja." LOL Congrats on still having that bike!! I wish I still had mine, but I moved on to a Concours in 97. (Which I still have.)

[@aciles7]

I owned a blue-grey GPZ 900r back in 85, had it for two seasons , what a bike it was back in the days, enjoyed every ride so much))))

[@VelkePivo]

Still a beautiful, contemporary looking bike almost 40 years later. And man, seeing the tach and speedo gauges brought back fond memories.

[@Land-Shark]

Back in 1985 I was radar'd by an Alaska State Trooper on my (bone stock) 1985 Ninja 600R doing 153mph, and I had 1,000rpm left before redine. (it was in Alaska, on a deserted highway, and the trooper and I were the only two people on that stretch of highway for 100-miles in either direction. He told me I was the first one he'd seen in almost two hours) The Ninja 900R was my dream bike in '85, but I couldn't afford it, so I hunted down a Kawasaki dealership to see if I could get my hands on a Ninja 600R. There was only about 3,500 Ninja 600R bikes delivered to USA in '85, so the smaller dealerships didn't even get one, larger dealerships got one if they were lucky and, if the dealership sponsored a Kawasaki racer, they might get two 600R bikes. They were rare, and all had been claimed. The dealership salesman said he'd call around to other dealerships to see if any were available and would call me back. A few hours later he calls back and says he found one in Federal Way, Washington, and that a dealership had backed out on sponsoring a racer for that year, so there was now one 600R left that was unclaimed, so I immediately wired them a deposit and snagged it, and they drop-shipped it in it's crate to my driveway a few weeks later where I finished it's assembly. I loved my Ninja 600R, but still lust after the 900R after all these years. That Ninja 600R cost me $3,350, brand new, in 1985. :)

[@carter5103]

awesome story! I really like to ride dirt bikes, so as soon as i saw the bike in top gun it sparked my interest in streetbikes. I especially love things from the 80s. This bike is so rad

[@monteiro5306]

Fantastic story. Greetings from Brazil.

[@jasperbarlow2582]

Still good looking to this day, especially early 16 inch front wheel version, i have owned 2 of these.

[@ronniewilkerson2027]

My 84 was the best bike I ever rode and owned. Ported jet's it would run 165 and would do it all day long. I'd love to have another as it was trustworthy at any speed. Best memories ever.

[@McFlyGuitarsandStuff]

Had a 83 KZ750L3 kawi.I would drift threw corners.Weaved around 110 a bit.Dragged the foot pegs.Ran 12.53 after cleaning the plugs the 3rd time! Friends said youre gonna crash! So EASY riding it at the limit.Traded it in 86 for a crashed 84 900 ninja from my buddy..He gave me all the parts it needed. I will never forget that 1st ride! I could never ride it at the limit like the old KZ, the limits were much higher.Felt SO planted, powerfull.It was a dream come true getting that bike.

[@mcozpda3392]

i love muscle bikes of 80's .... the sound is very special .. from Kawazaki and Suzuki .. great Bikes ...

[@takeonetheater]

I know I had the 900r amazing how much has changed…i had a work friend get his 600 in 85-86 he spent a small fortune to have it custom painted in green ...really cool to see them occasionally in restored condition today

[@gerhardbacher734]

Ich Liebe und bewundere das Motorrad heute noch Danke für die Geile Zeit damals 😍

[@dustinschmaus8426]

I have an 89' 600R. Kawasaki makes the most beautiful bikes. Especially then.

[@-kawasaki4798]

+Dustin Schmaus Hello, I have a Kawasaki GPX 750 R and I love him)))

[@cavemanjay]

My First Bike at 17 was a GPZ500S(EX500) 1989 model

[@GPz84]

Back in the day I was 15 years old. Had a paper route and was making my bi-weekly $$$ collections. Was January, and I knock on this guys door. He opens up, tell him it's $$$ time and he says "Come in". I look in the living room and see a brand new Ninja 900!!! He had just got it and wanted it in a safe place! He gave me a good hour description about the bike "'! will NEVER forget the day" and that was that, I was a Kawi man! Had lots over the years but now ride an '84 GPz 750 that's never let me down. Has only 50,000 Km on her and runs like new. Gets comments every time I take her out. Looking to pick up another naked , probably a Z 750 S.

[@ruikazane5123]

Great for you! I got some chances to ride an FZR1000 but sir, your bike is phenomenal

[@team-badseeds]

That's a cool story! That man inspired a fledgling biker

[@bigpapa8152]

Got rid of the GPz and picked up a mint 2006 Concours 1000 with only 19,000km on her. What a bike! I still think of that 900r in buddy's living room, all those years ago, and look at the Connie and smile knowing it's the 900r engine in there, with a wee bit more displacement. Don't miss the Gpz one bit.

[@therealslimshady4555]

I had a new gpz 750 1984 I Loved it. Then I got a new gpz 900 1985 blue and silver I still have her in 2019.20k miles on her standard as it left khi factory.

[@rmzxr4194]

Grab yourself a ZX6R mate whole new ballgame. Can still chuck it about a 55.☝☝☝

[@marcusevans4097]

I own 1 had many bikes in my time Probably 1 of the most balanced bikes of all time legend Don't hesitate to buy 1

[@Gandalf606]

Love the big red GP Zed - my favourite 1980's bike!

[@austinado16]

Enjoyed watching this a lot! Thanks for posting it. I own an '86 Ninja ZX600R in red, white, and blue, that I purchased in '90. Still love it. No one cared about them then, but now I get complements on it where ever I ride.

[@gixxerboy555]

My Kawasaki GPz900R (1985-Ninja-blue-grey) with a short open Yoshimura pipe is until now..still the best sounding motorcycle i've ever heard in my life...and I had many motorcycles..a few Suzuki GSX1100R's ,Suzuki GSX1000R K8 and the Suzuki B-King with open Bodis exhaust..

[@ernie548]

I had one 1985-91. Thing flew. I hit 155 on it and had it dragging pegs and fairing a few times. Great bike and legendary engine.

[@jeffreyenglish2413]

I had a 1986 ninja GPZ 600RR top speed 125 buddy had a 1984 GPZ 550 very fast bikes of their time they started the super sports era Kawasaki rules the streets.Let the good times. the H2 used to be 2 stroke kicking ass 40 year later the in-line 4 supercharged H2 and H2R kicking ass taking names. Kawaski is the speed king period.

[@masterofdisaster7427]

bought in 1987 a new black and gold 900, I was king of the world!! 100% TOP GUN!!

[@nathanielwaters6730]

Wow, I just bought a complete '85 GPZ Ninja 900 for $300.00, running from my next door neighbor!!! Two years ago, a good friend of mine gave me a '76 Kawasaki KZ 900 LTD, all there with a 1200cc drag motor, it's in the process of being restored back to original!!!

[@simonodell2103]

I own a 84 a1 , still a lovely bike to ride even at 35 years old , testament to a great design .

[@smacdiesel]

I own a 86 a3 in red white and blue. Probably the best machine I have ever owned.

[@gr8guitarplayer]

That was the one I owned too, bought new, summer of 88, leftover from 86, (because everybody wanted the 1000) for $4400, $400 LESS than a new one in 84! I cut a deer in half when it was 8 days old, with 800 miles on the odometer!! Fixed it with the insurance money, and kept on riding!

[@skyworks1621]

Amazing bike for that time. Still looking good today.

[@christianszilagyi2146]

1984. What a year Miami Vice T.V mouve with Don Johnson and Michael Philip Thomas and Kawasaki GPZ 900 R. 1984. The Terminator.

[@rabbbie99]

i have owned an A2 since 1989 and I don’t think I will ever sell it. My only gripe is that the mirrors are useless, only good for inspecting your elbows.

[@patrickmichael3384]

My FAV 80s Kawasaki! All because Tom Cruise rode one in Top Gun and the beginning of Top Gun Maverick.

[@briandouglas5552]

I had the original 1984. I loved it! Yes, the US spec engine ran lean off idle and a GS750ES would beat it in the mid-range, but I've done up to 500 miles a day on mine with 2 weeks of luggage in the tank and saddle bags. Everywhere I stopped people would comment on its looks. Everywhere but Monterey! They were having the Historic Races that weak and the Marque of Honor was Ferrari that year. No one even saw me...

[@jettzbigdaddy3055]

I live in Salinas, and I worked for Keith Code's California Super Bike School during the weekends and at Salinas Kawasaki during the week back when this bike 1st got released . I will never forget the date, it was on D-Day Dec 7, 1983 at Laguna Seca. They also had the GPz750 Turbo and the GPz1100 . The track had laps happening and down the road at the Airport "Drag Racing!" Talk about having a field day. Wayne Rainey was there to help Kawasaki with it's unveiling of these bikes. In 1983 Wayne Rainey had just won the AMA Superbike Championship riding for Kawasaki's Team Muzzy. Anyway I left there so stoked on the GPz900r that I bought one and yes I still own it today! Sweetheart of a motorcycle. Not only was it love at first sight, but also love at first ride. I said all this because you mentioned Monterey and well I live close by. PS I also got to ride the Buell 1125R for it's unveiling in 2007 at Laguna Seca as well. What a torque monster!

[@nigelmitchell351]

Hell of a bike for 84!

[@loggi7605]

Love this old stuff, so interesting

[@therealslimshady4555]

I have a nice blue and silver 1985 gpz 900a2 in the garage I will get it out soon and put a video on utube when I get her polished up.she will be ready and going strong for spring 2019 😎

[@bbhbdb]

This bike was an awesome sight to behold. I remember the brochure i got from the dealer and it was "Discover the Ninja". Not sure how it really compared to the Barbaric Suzuki gsxr 750 that came before. Had to settle on a used 1981 Honda Super Sport CB 750 with the track kit. It was an ok trainer. Low miles and 550 dollars!!!

[@takeonetheater]

21 years old when I Owned one in 89…❤️

[@harryvopicka9238]

Had a 550 LTD 81 then 82 1000 LTD. Now have a 86 ELIMINATOR 900 and 2 1987 ZL1000 Eliminators. One is mint and only has 4900 miles on it. Kawasaki let’s the good times rollllllllll!

[@JohnnyGixxer]

They enjoyed a couple of years on top until Suzuki brought the GSX-R to the states in 1886 and that was the end of that. I bought the 86 GSX-R 1100 new at 18yrs old. Blew away every bike on the road.

[@gr8guitarplayer]

A buddy of mine bought that same bike brand new, while I still had my 86 Ninja, and I rode it once. In 1st gear, at 3000 rpm (which you may recall is where the tach actually started), I grabbed a handful of throttle, and it leaped up into a wheelie so fast I had to instantly let go of the throttle!! And yes, in the sportbike shootout of 6 bikes in 85 or 86, it was crowned king by Motorcyclist magazine, but the 900 ninja still held its own at #2, because of its handling! Suzuki GSXR1100 & either the GS-1150 ES, or maybe the Kawasaki GPZ1100, the 900 and 1000 Ninjas, the FJ1200, and the 1000 Interceptor I believe were the 6 bikes compared. And if the road had some curves, I could beat my buddy. I cornered that Ninja so hard I dragged the pegs & pipes!! It felt like it was on freaking RAILS!! Literally.

[@bc9477]

9:48 damn he swings this heavy beast like it's a joke!

[@aciles7]

VHS KZbin When this babe moved it was light and easy to throw in curves, sweetheart to ride )

[@ipohboy]

it was an awesome bike. way ahead of its time. PBM35

[@1100HondaCB]

I have just bought two of these for little money. They need to be restored but I fell lucky to have an A1 and an A4 model.

[@petetedham8507]

Was any of those a 1000? I think l might have gotton some wrong info b/c mine did say 998 on motor but cant find any, thanks... ☺

[@1100HondaCB]

Unless it's a ZX10.

[@paulqui3702]

+Pete Tedham My 1989 Zx10 was 998cc..........??

[@mjames2117]

First time I saw one was guy pulling a huge wheelie in 1st through to 4th gears with girlfriend pillion. It was at night and all you could see was tops of trees from headlight and bike just disappear down the road.. Brilliant machines

[@mm0gpz]

Looks incredibly old. It was amazing when it came out first.

[@dirkvandermerwe6027]

Guess what... It was produced up to 2003... And here's another surprise ... Kawasaki brought it back again due to popular demand! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYSmqIOmmZKCq9E

[@DavidMartinez-vf1sn]

Damn is that the Yatabe Test Circuit? I remember a few Mid Night Club cars doing top speed runs there!

[@markkus1134]

I liked them but wanted the RZ350 there was a yellow and black one at the Kawasaki Yamaha dealer years later I owned one!I had the GPZ 550 silver to.

[@monteiro5306]

Amazing job. Great video.

[@ellwoodblooz]

Great Kawasaki promo. I’m sure I saw it with subtitles in Japanese a few ago perhaps? Or Dutch? Whatever, great film and great bike. They’re still making ‘em just like this pretty well thirty eight years on. No massive strides since the 9R. F.I.? My 1000H had it in ‘80. 17”? Upside downies? Just decoration and detail. The 9R was a red revolution. 😎

[@Tg-bl1lz]

i am 16 years old now and i am the lucky owner of a gpz900 r 😍 i am soo stoked to finally ride it legally 😏🤭 when im 23

[@toposalou]

Has heredado esa moto ?? que suerte!

[@petetedham8507]

I had an 85, supposedly the last yr they were made. Mine said 998 instead of 908. I was told when l got it, it was a tribute to the two when gpz went on to be a sports touring bike an ninja went on to be kawasaki bad boy. Everytime l try to look one up its either a 900 or 1100. I know they made one for the 1100 called the " eddie lawson edition " but hope to find out if they did. The gpz 750 turbo was also an excellent edition to the gpz to, imo... But are very hard to come by now a days.

[@gr8guitarplayer]

They introduced the 1000 Ninja in 1986, which was 998cc, and they still made the 900 also that year. But they didn't sell, because everyone wanted the new bike. But even though it was a bit faster, it didn't handle as well. So when I bought my 86 900 Ninja, the dealership had 6 brand new ones, still in the crates in the back, and they sold for $4400, which was $400 less than the 84 model when it came out. It was the best buy out there at the time! The ELR wasn't a Ninja. It was based on the older, air-cooled technology. First, a 1000, then an 1100.

[@petetedham8507]

+gr8guitarplayer yes, mine was 11/85 of actual production. lt didnt take much to hop it up a little but still have a hard time finding one. my friend has an 85 gpz ninja 750 turbo but won't let it go for nothing. Before that l had a Suzuki gs 1100e and would love to send the 2 up against each other in a drag race. This was a while back but miss those days. Got into 4x4 right now but am debating on building drag car or get back on a bike.

[@-kawasaki4798]

I love Kawasaki !!!

[@paulscountry456]

Handle like a train, but what a motor and look.

[@manart3954]

Unforgetable the Fly on two Wheels on Top Gun...

[@spaceflight1019]

After Honda's Interceptors raised the sportbike bar, the other Japanese manufacturers went back to the drawing board. The efforts resulted in legendary machines: FJ1200, GSX1100, and GPZ900R.

[@waluwa3929]

I swear to God I need to get one Gpz900r in my life, I will come back when my dream is complete. I should be getting my motorcycle license next year, the rest is money saving now.

[@philhawley1219]

Only problem I had with my Ninja was boiling the engine in hot weather in grid locked traffic in London. The head had to be skimmed to the max putting the compression up to about 12:1. God, that bike was fast!

[@blackhat400]

First 150mph production bike,,

[@ursiny33]

Suzuki 750Rwas

[@bademoxy]

@@ursiny33 owned an 84 NINJA 900 and then an 86 GSXR 750. THE suzuki handled faster at lower speeds, but was a shitty bike in every other regard compared to the 900. I just bought an old 900 last year and love it.

[@johnlocke4695]

@@bademoxy what's the price you paid for 900

[@bademoxy]

@@johnlocke4695 i actually bought TWO 84 A1s ,both repainted , one with 12,000 KM but rotted exhaust and leaky forks for $1500 and the second one a well maintained but high mileage 40,000 km for $750 but had a custom low seat and 4 into 1 Yoshimura pipe . I combined the best parts of the two and am driving it now to work.

[@maxbartholic8090]

Idc I love the looks of these bikes. Hope Kawasaki brings it back like they did the 900rs. Make a efi 500 you got a great beginner bike will it happen prob not :( those inline fours were bullet proof

[@Mercury4666]

Love that Bike. I have it and never sell it.

[@alesjindra7928]

My words!!!

[@MC-Racing]

Stille looks good. i own a GPZ1000RX with a ZX10 engine fitted.. 137 HP :-D

[@Dg-zj6jo]

amazing

[@petraheby2738]

Ich hatte sie 6 Jahre geiles Bike

[@robh1908]

The cam chain tensioner eater. I've lost track how many I've replaced.

[@ampassionstruck9138]

...no matter what!! This was the sexiest bike than!! ...I would even say that gpz900 was,is and will always be the the most beautiful bike from the ninja series!!😍😍😘😘😘...thanks Tom cruise for promoting this beauty!!.

[@eliterry3785]

You’re spot on. Fragile, fatal flaw. That and the starter chain tensioner. Sheesh!

[@envlog0110]

nice

[@DirtyMerkin]

Haven’t tyres come a long way

[@flybobbie1449]

Dealer friend/customer said the engine was designed before they worked out a suitable frame.

[@bigbadboz1]

My first bike 😉

[@wightwalker2453]

bigbadboz1 me too, 1987 A4. Wish I still had it.

[@poohov3ak-829]

Прям как у булкина)))

[@ockeghem35]

Zee-1, sounds so odd to British ears, we always say Zed-1. Same with Gee-Pee-Zee. Weird!

[@hendo337]

Given the choice I think I'd rather have the 750 Turbo, these 900 Rs are sweet though.

[@beecoo66]

I have a 86 Eliminator for sale if anyone is interested

[@MOTO_EQUIP_BIG_n_BURLY]

3 thumb down. this is a honda, yamaha & suzuki, obviously.

[@johnbiggins4864]

Owned one ...heavy sluggish at low revs...no torque down low ...cramped riding position....poorly designed fairing.....my previous bike the gpz750 turbo..was SO much better..

[@robh1908]

LMAO, I had the turbo and the GPz1100R. The 900 was the only one that you had to only think where you wanted to go.

[@kawboy14]

Great bike. Lame video.. 👎

[@67miche]

amazing