A brief history on the GPZ

1981

A vintage year!

Kawasaki launch their eagerly awaited GPz range in 550 (D1) and 1100 (B1) cylinder capacities. The bikes are updates on the fore-running Z series. To complete its sporty looks the 550 is fitted with a bikini/nose fairing.

Hurrah, the sports bike is born!

1982


The GPz range is enhanced with the introduction of the twin-shock 750cc (R1).

Meanwhile the 550 and 1100 both receive updates...
The 550 (H1) benefits from uni-trak rear suspension replacing the earlier twin shocks. Whilst the 1100 gets a bikini/nose fairing and DFI to replace the earlier models EFI fuel injection system.

The Japanese market gets a 400cc version, as well as a GPz750 complete with fuel injection.

The original Z1000R Eddie Lawson Replica is launched in the US and initially produced in limited numbers.

Early twin shock GPz750



GPz550 with Uni-track rear suspension

1983

The Z250 receives a new set of clothes to become the GPz250 (or the Z250T Scorpion/E2 in the UK), plus is bored out for the UK market to become the GPz305.

Whilst the 550 remains unchanged (H2), the larger models in the GPz range are given a complete update (ZX750A1 and ZX1100A1). The fairing is extended and, to cure high speed wobbles, becomes frame mounted. The handling is further improved with the introduction of uni-trak rear suspension and the engines are tuned to release extra bhp. The now classic 'swoopy' ZX styling is adopted.

All models instantly become class leaders and are now viewed as classic examples of 4 cylinder, air-cooled, 8 valve technology.

The UK gets the 400cc version, but strangely the fairing is dropped along with the GPz prefix, to become the Z400F-11 (ZX400C) - the crankcases though still bear the GPz moniker!

Following on from its success in the US market, the Green Meanie Z1000R 'Lawson Rep' is made available for other markets - including the UK.


GPz305


Late model GPz1100


Z400F-II (aka GPz400)

1984

What a year for Kawasaki!

Firstly they go down the turbo charged route with the 750 turbo (ZX750E), which is acclaimed by the biking press as the best of the bunch. Based on the GPz750, the blown motor pushes out a whopping 112bhp and is housed in a strengthened chassis.

Then they re-write the superbike rules with the GPZ900R (ZX900A). Its combination of a powerful (115bhp), but compact 4 cylinder, 16 valve, liquid cooled engine, housed in a relatively light (228kg) and fine handling chassis moved sports motorcycling on a generation.

Meanwhile a carburetted GPz1100 engine is fitted into the twin-shock Z-R frame to produce the Z1100R 'Lawson rep'.

Finally, the GPz550 (ZX550A1) receives catches up with its bigger brothers in styling.


GPz750 Turbo


Early (A1) GPZ900R

1985

The 900 is joined by the rest of the GPZ-R range – 750, 600, 500 and for the Japanese market 400 and 250cc models.

The GPZ600R kicks off the Supersports 600 class and it will take Honda a couple of years to develop and release their alternative – the CBR.

The 600R is famed for having the power of a 750 combined with the weight of a 550.

The rare GPZ250R (EX250E) uses an early version of the twin cylinder 8 valve liquid cooled engine that will go on to be used to great effect in the GPX250 (EX250F) and the ZZ-R (EX250H).

A striking black and red GPZ900R is featured in the hit movie ‘Top Gun’. ‘Let the good times roll’ indeed!


Limited edition, late model Black/Gold GPZ600R


Japanese home market GPZ250R

1986

Kawasaki launch what was at the time ‘The Worlds Fastest Production Bike’ – otherwise known as the GPZ1000RX (ZX1000A).

‘Who can catch a Kawasaki?’

The GPZ600RX (ZX600 B) model is available in the US – and comes complete with aluminium frame.

Plus, the twin cylinder GPZ400S (EX400A) and the naked/retro version of the GPZ400R – the FX400R are released in Japan.


GPZ1000RX


A new model range is launched, with the introduction of the GPX750R and the Jap market GPX400R.

When released the liquid-cooled and lightweight 750R proved to be the fastest production 750 available.

Continuing with the GPZ theme, Kawasaki unveiled their latest sporty middleweight, the liquid cooled twin cylinder GPZ500S.

Detuned GPZ mill’s are also used to power Kawasaki’s street dragster ‘Eliminator’ (ZL) range, which come in 250, 400, 600, 750, 900 and eventually 1000cc guises.


GPX750R


Early (A model) GPZ500S

1988

The GPX range is joined by the 250R, 500R and the 600R, whilst the ZX-10 is released along with the similarly styled ZX-4.

At the time of its launch the GPX600R is the lightest Jap liquid-cooled 600 sportster available – and amazingly will remain so until the mid ‘90s when Suzuki launched their GSXR600.

The ZX-10 took over from the 1000RX as ‘The Worlds Fastest Production Bike’ and was also significant in being, along with the ZX-4, one of the first sporting Kawa’s to come with 17" wheels.


GPX250R


GPX600R


ZX-10

1989

Kawasaki release the racy ZXR series - in 750 (ZX750H), 400 (ZX400H/J) and once again Jap market 250cc (ZX250A/B) guises.

The ZXR's aggressive looks make it justifiably popular, whilst the 'hoover pipes' are intriguing! The 750 uses an engine based heavily on the GPX750 and the 250 and 400 come complete with USD forks.


ZXR400

1990

The ZZ-R model range is unveiled in 250, 400, 500, 600 and 1100 capacities - although only the 250, 600 and 1100 are officially imported in to the UK. The big ZZ-R1100 (ZX1100C) takes over from the ZX-10 as the 'Worlds Fastest Production Bike'.

The 600 uses a much revised version of the GPX engine, whilst the ZZ-R250 uses the GPX250 twin cylinder engine, in a revised ZZ-R styled chassis.

The GPZ900R (ZX900A7) is updated, with revised brakes, forks and a 17" front wheel.


ZZ-R250


ZZ-R1100

I can keep going if anyone is interested

Last edited by Chuck on Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

Awesome write up, very informative.

A striking black and red GPZ750R is featured in the hit movie ‘Top Gun’. ‘Let the good times roll’ indeed!

Pssst, its a GPZ900

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Last edited by Lone Wolf on Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

This is great,by all means keep going as I think that in the forseeable future we'll have the history of Kawasaki in this little sub-forum.

Awesome write up, very informative.

A striking black and red GPZ750R is featured in the hit movie ‘Top Gun’. ‘Let the good times roll’ indeed!

Pssst, its a GPZ900

whoop's

In my best ballad voice...................."Take me right in to the danger zone!" Ahhh yes, the 80's! As daggy as the 70's just less sex and drugs!

I Have owned a surprising number of those Bikes......I feel really old now....thanks

that white Jap 250 gpz/x looks awesome...race bike styling, love the ass end of it....

that look cool....

ps. i love the history lesson!!..ne chance of doing one for all brands?? just to compare how shit they are??

thats a great post Chuck, good stuff. Love the pictures.

.....ne chance of doing one for all brands?? just to compare how shit they are??....

Let me think about that for a millisecond..........ahhhh, NO ! Lets keep it to Kwakka's only if we can. If you wanna see how shitty old Honda's are, just vist http://TurdsRUs.com.

they got all the info you need

and http://www.gaylords.com will redirect you to the Yamaha equivilent

nice post Chuck

one thing to mention..the Gpz250 and 305 were belt drive

also
the GPx 750 was not released here in 1986
with the white and silver paint work
(red and black and red and white only)
that came in 1987

and
I was riding an ex-dealer demo GPz750 with Turbo in late 1983

still
I reckon we could do with a separate area on the site
for 'history' topics...they are great


cheers

just vist http://TurdsRUs.com.

they got all the info you need

i thought that is Duanes domain for his poo pics??

nice post Chuck

I reckon we could do with a separate area on the site
for 'history' topics...they are great


cheers

ummm is this a piss take smitty?? or have u not opened ur eyes since ur holiday??

nice post Chuck

I reckon we could do with a separate area on the site
for 'history' topics...they are great

cheers

ummm is this a piss take smitty?? or have u not opened ur eyes since ur holiday??

naaah Nath
just didn't put it proper.......

what I meant is that a detailed post like Chucks
should be kept available as reference
...maybe in a separate area, maybe as a sticky
maybe on the website...not allowed just to be swallowed
up and lost with lots of other posts

hth

cheers

Last edited by Smitty on Thu Feb 22, 2007 4:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

If you wanna see how shitty old Honda's are, just vist http://TurdsRUs.com.

they got all the info you need

thankyou
that was great, now i know where my little beast of a gpx250 came from.

thankyou keep the interesting stuff coming

nice post Chuck

I reckon we could do with a separate area on the site
for 'history' topics...they are great

cheers

ummm is this a piss take smitty?? or have u not opened ur eyes since ur holiday??

naaah Nath
just didn't put it proper.......

what I meant is that a detailed post like Chucks
should be kept available as reference
...maybe in a separate area, maybe as a sticky
maybe on the website...not allowed just to be swallowed
up and lost with lots of other posts

hth

cheers

ahhh i thought u must of missed the new thread abt earlier model bikes..kinda interesting..every time i see one i think "stone"