Kawasaki GPZ900R
Encyclopedia
The Kawasaki GPZ900R (ZX900A) was a sport bike
manufactured from 1984 to 2003. The 1984 GPZ900R (or ZX900A-1) was a revolutionary design that became the immediate predecessor of the modern-day sport bike. Developed in secret over six years, it was the world's first 16-valve liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder motorcycle engine, years ahead of rival manufacturers' efforts. The 908 cc four-cylinder engine delivered 115 bhp, allowing the bike to reach speeds of 151 mph (243 km/h), making it the first stock road bike to exceed 150 mph (241.4 km/h).
Prior to its design, Kawasaki envisioned producing a sub-liter engine that would be the successor to the Z1
. Although its steel frame, 16-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, air suspension
, and anti-dive forks were fairly standard at that time, the narrow, compact engine was mounted lower in the frame, allowing it to take Japanese superbike performance to a new level. Only three months after being unveiled to the press in December 1983, dealers entered three works GPZ900R bikes in the Isle of Man Production TT
finishing in first and second place.
Technical advances included water cooling and 16 valves, allowing additional power, and a frame that used the engine as a stressed member for improved handling and reduced weight, as a result of testing that showed that the standard downtubes
carried virtually no weight and could be eliminated. Its top speed gave it the title of the fastest production bike at the time, and standing quarter mile
times of 10.976 seconds, or 10.55 seconds recorded by specialist rider Jay "Pee Wee" Gleason. The 1984 GPZ900R was the first Kawasaki bike to be officially marketed (in North America) under the Ninja
brand name.
In spite of its performance, the GPZ900R was smooth and ridable in urban traffic, owing to the new suspension and a crankshaft counter-balancer to nearly eliminated secondary vibration. The fairing's aerodynamics combined with good overall ergonomics to make comfortable long-distance riding possible.
The GPZ1000RX was to be the replacement for the GPZ900R in 1986, but the Ninja 900 continued alongside the GPZ 1000RX. In 1988 the GPZ 10000RX was replaced by the ZX-10, yet still the GPZ900R remained. With the release of the ZZ-R1100 in 1990, the GPZ900R lost its status as Kawasaki's flagship model, but continued, with some revisions of the fork, wheels, brakes and airbox, until 1996.
The GPZ900R was featured in the movie Top Gun
, becoming a cultural icon.
Sport bike
A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles...
manufactured from 1984 to 2003. The 1984 GPZ900R (or ZX900A-1) was a revolutionary design that became the immediate predecessor of the modern-day sport bike. Developed in secret over six years, it was the world's first 16-valve liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder motorcycle engine, years ahead of rival manufacturers' efforts. The 908 cc four-cylinder engine delivered 115 bhp, allowing the bike to reach speeds of 151 mph (243 km/h), making it the first stock road bike to exceed 150 mph (241.4 km/h).
Prior to its design, Kawasaki envisioned producing a sub-liter engine that would be the successor to the Z1
Kawasaki Z1
The Z1 Kawasaki was a motorcycle introduced in 1972 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It has sometimes been described as the world's first superbike. The Z1, along with Honda's CB750 from 1969, introduced the four-cylinder, across the frame, disc-braked layout to a wider public...
. Although its steel frame, 16-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, air suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
, and anti-dive forks were fairly standard at that time, the narrow, compact engine was mounted lower in the frame, allowing it to take Japanese superbike performance to a new level. Only three months after being unveiled to the press in December 1983, dealers entered three works GPZ900R bikes in the Isle of Man Production TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
finishing in first and second place.
Description
Motorcycle frame
A motorcycle frame includes the head tube that holds the front fork and allows it to pivot. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load-bearing, stressed member. The rear suspension is an integral component in the design. Traditionally frames have been steel, but titanium, aluminium, magnesium,...
carried virtually no weight and could be eliminated. Its top speed gave it the title of the fastest production bike at the time, and standing quarter mile
Dragstrip
A dragstrip is a facility for conducting automobile and motorcycle acceleration events such as drag racing. Although a quarter mile is the best known measure for a drag track, many tracks are eighth mile tracks...
times of 10.976 seconds, or 10.55 seconds recorded by specialist rider Jay "Pee Wee" Gleason. The 1984 GPZ900R was the first Kawasaki bike to be officially marketed (in North America) under the Ninja
Kawasaki Ninja
Ninja is the trademarked name of a series of Kawasaki sport bikes, that started with the 1984 GPZ900R.-Standard series:* Kawasaki Ninja ZX-150RR* The Japan-only Kawasaki ZXR250 was sometimes rebranded as a Ninja ZX-2R by importers* Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R...
brand name.
The GPZ1000RX was to be the replacement for the GPZ900R in 1986, but the Ninja 900 continued alongside the GPZ 1000RX. In 1988 the GPZ 10000RX was replaced by the ZX-10, yet still the GPZ900R remained. With the release of the ZZ-R1100 in 1990, the GPZ900R lost its status as Kawasaki's flagship model, but continued, with some revisions of the fork, wheels, brakes and airbox, until 1996.
The GPZ900R was featured in the movie Top Gun
Top Gun
Top Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
, becoming a cultural icon.