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
