Kawasaki GPZ 900 R conversion

Kawasaki GPZ 900 R test

Cult bike of the 80s with today’s technology

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Anyone who invests 23,000 euros in converting a Kawasaki GPZ must be crazy. But the cult bike of the 80s is now equipped with today’s technology.

The mission for engineer Klaus Dony and his mechanic Gabriel Winter was clear: “Convert my old Kawasaki GPZ 900 R into a really hot iron with the latest technology. Money doesn’t matter. ”The Austrian client shouldn’t recognize his bike, because the team from Bike Side pulled out all the stops and did what was possible. Engine, exhaust, chassis, wheels, instruments – hardly a screw was left untouched. Noble Ohlins components front and rear, a stainless steel exhaust system, Brembo stoppers, forged aluminum wheels: the GPZ is impressive. Enough amazed, sit up!

D.he four-cylinder comes to life and gets the neighbors out of bed on Sunday morning – the Cobra rear silencer at the end of the four-in-one system sounds forbidden loud despite the ABE. The bike cuts a full ten kilograms with the new stainless steel exhaust system alone, and another five with the forged rims from PVM. That was necessary, because with formerly 257 kilos, the GPZ is considered a heavyweight by today’s standards. Bike Side lightened the GPZ by a total of 17 kilograms, and every missing kilogram has a positive effect. Incredibly light-footed, it waves through fast alternating curves, and feels like a 600. The fact that a six-inch rim with a fat 190 mm slipper rotates at the rear is hardly noticeable; the GPZ from the 80s steers in more easily than some of the younger 1000 mm superbikes.

Kawasaki GPZ 900 R test

Cult bike of the 80s with today’s technology

jkuenstle.de

Kawasaki GPZ 900 R..

Snappy and easy to dose Brembo monoblock stoppers ensure that the youngtimer does not end up in the ditch. Both the brake and the clutch are operated by Brembo radial brake pumps. Criticisms? The clutch should be able to be dosed a bit better and if you really give the GPZ the spurs, the four-cylinder vibrates clearly, but never really annoying. The Austrian customer will have a lot of fun with his new old GPZ, that’s for sure. It should too, because what started with a purchase price of 300 euros is now worth a good 23,000 euros.

Technical specifications

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Mikuni flat slide carburetors breathe through open K&N air filters – these were a major approval hurdle.

drive 
Four-cylinder in-line engine, 4 valves / cylinder, 96 kW (130 PS) at 10,000 / min, torque: 90 Nm at 9,000 / min, 972 cm³, bore / stroke: 75.0 / 55.0 mm, Mikuni flat slide carburetor RS 36, hydraulically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, chain

landing gear 
Tubular steel backbone frame with screwed aluminum back, steering head angle: 65.0 degrees, caster: 104 millimeters, upside-down fork, Ø fork inner tube: 38 mm, central spring strut

Wheels and brakes 
PVM forged wheels, 3.50 x 17 /6.00 x 17, front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 190/55 ZR 17, Michelin Pilot Power, 320 mm double disc brake with four-piston fixed calipers at the front, single disc at the rear

Weight 
around 240 kilograms with a full tank

price 
around 23,000 euros

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