Kawasaki GPZ750

Type of motorcycle
12 tank)[1] (wet)Fuel capacity22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal)RelatedGPz750 Turbo, GPz 750R, Z 750

The Kawasaki GPz750 was a sport bike introduced by Kawasaki in 1982. In comparison with the KZ750, it had many updates focusing on high performance [needs context]. Changes started at the front, with tapered bearings in the steering head instead of the KZ750's ball bearings, and the upper triple clamp was changed also, giving the GPz solid aluminum clip-on handle grips instead of the traditional handlebar. A bikini fairing almost identical to the one on the GPz550 was added too. The GPz750 had increased power, with slightly higher compression, and camshafts designed to get the valves to full lift quicker, and fitting Mikuni 34mm carburetors for smoother airflow. The cylinder heads were also given a new combustion chamber, and porting and polishing from the factory. An oil-cooler was also added. The GPz750 was the quickest factory 750, as Cycle World recorded a time of 11.93 seconds at 109.62 mph (176.42 km/h) in the 1/4 mile.[1] The GPz750 underwent some significant changes in 1983. The original was based on the 1981 KZ750-E.[2] Kawasaki retired the KZ750 after 1983. The 1983 KZ750L3 was nearly identical to the '82 GPz750, but for different colors, no bikini fairing, and without the porting & polishing in the cylinder head.[3]

In 1983, the engine was modified further, mostly in the combustion chamber, and an all-new frame was used with Uni-Trak suspension. There were also modifications to the suspension, brakes and wheels, as well as the bodywork. The bike became more sport-oriented, but lost some of the versatility of the '82. [needs context]

Basic Shapes (1982-1985)

GPz750 without lower fairings
  • 1982 - First Year of Manufacture. Bikini Style Headlight Only
  • 1983 and 1984 - Second and third years of manufacture. Full sized upper fairing (half-faired version).
  • 1983 model had clip ons and no cover for the fairing internals.
  • 1984 model had taller handlebar mounts for a more upright seating position. Also had a plastic cover inside the fairing to block headlight scatter and to conceal wiring.
  • 1985 - US model was sold in black only, had seating position identical to 1984 model, and included fairing lowers with a E-model style front fender.

MSRP/List prices

The 1983 MSRP was $5,599 (US).[4]

GPz 750 R

In 1986, Kawasaki issued the new GPz 750 R (ZX750R), which in many parts was an identical twin of the GPz 900 R "Ninja" (presented 1983), just with smaller bore in the same motor.

See also

  • Kawasaki GPZ series

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Cycle World Test: Kawasaki GPz750", Cycle World, Newport Beach, California: Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., pp. 34–41, March 1982, ISSN 0011-4286
  2. ^ Salvadori, Clement (July 6, 2012), "Retrospective: Kawasaki KZ750-E: 1980 – 1982", Rider, archived from the original on February 2, 2014
  3. ^ Richard Backus (April–May 2009). "Kawasaki KZ750". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
  4. ^ "TMIOA - 1984-85 Kawasaki ZX750E1/2 Turbos".
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Kawasaki motorcycle timeline, 1980s - next »
Year
Type
1980s
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Standard (since 1976) Z650/KZ650
(since 1976) KZ750/LTD
(since 1976) KZ1000/LTD1000
Z 1000 Z1-R
Z 1000 (A3/A4/MKII/FI/H/J/R)
Z 1100 R/R1
Sport GPZ1100 ('81–'82: B1/B2)
GPz900R
GPz1000RX
Kawasaki Tomcat ZX-10
GPz750 Ninja ZX750F (thru to 1990)
GPz750 Turbo
Ninja 600R (thru to 1997)
Touring (since 1979) KZ1300/Voyager
GTR1000 Concours (thru to 2007)
Cruiser 454 LTD
EL250
ZL900/ZL1000 Eliminator