Looking Back – Kawasaki GPz900R

A look back at one of the landmark Japanese motorcycles, the Kawasaki GPz900R

Kawasaki GPZ900R – 1984

After more than ten years of 2 valve 4 cylinder model evolution starting with the ZI, Kawasaki needed something radical to climb back to the top of the motorcycle heap.

In 1984 they unleashed a totally new package. A 16 valve, water-cooled, six speed 908cc rocket which used the engine as a stressed member. Anti dive forks, 16 inch front wheel, a uni-track rear suspension and cutting edge sports bike styling at the time completed the package. The side driven cams in the all new motor design, was the first “compact” type 4 cylinder engine, allowing a much narrower motorcycle profile.

Capable of 250 kmh, with a quarter mile time deep in the tens, it simply mauled the dated opposition. Acclaimed for its handling, stopping, power and style, it won numerous “Bike of the Year” awards around the world, and continued in production for many years, only giving up its flagship role yeatrs later to Kawasaki’s ZZ-R1100 in 1990.