Kawasaki GPZ900R Owner Review
Introducing a passionate story of "ninnin" who rides GPZ900R, from Webike Community's "My Beloved Moto" campaign.
He shared his review of the GPZ900R including the advantage and the disadvantage, which he understands well because he is the owner.
Brief self-introduction
Motorcycle history
I got my license in my first year of college and have been an alumnus for about 30 years.
How I enjoy my motorcycle?
I mainly use it for touring and camping touring. I enjoy driving down the mountain passes and bathing in hot springs. (I want to go to Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku again!)
Annual mileage: about 2,000-3,000km and I'm still raising my child, so I don't have a lot of mileage.
My motorcycle: KAWASAKI GPZ900R A12 (1999 Japanese specification)
How long I've been riding?
Purchased used in 2009, so 11 years old in 2020.
Motive for purchase
I used to ride the same GPZ in the past, and wanted to ride it again. I decided to buy a new motorcycle because I thought there would be fewer good-quality machines available after the catalog dropped. I bought it for about 550,000 yen with about 12,000km on the odometer.
Satisfaction
- Of course, it's the coolest thing in the world! (lol)
The trapezoidal shape from the airplane-inspired rear lights to the blinkers, not to mention the upper cowl shape, which is one of its biggest features, is another cool thing! It also appears to be glimpsed in the sequel to the movie "Top Gun". - Good load capacity (it is equipped with a pillion seat and cargo hooks that are not found in recent motorcycles, making it easy to load, and it can also handle camping touring.
- (This motorcycle also has two helmet holders on both sides, which is useful for pillion riding.
- It has good foot grounding and reliable. It has a slim body.
- It is an all-rounder that can handle everything from highways and mountain passes to city driving.
- The 22L tank capacity allows you to travel about 300km in touring.
Dissatisfaction
- The drying weight is 228kg, and the weight of the equipment is over 250kg, so it is heavy to handle. (It would be great if the drying weight was less than 200kg with this style.
- The Clutch is so heavy that it hurts the left hand in the latter half of touring. The first thing to be changed is not the exhaust system or Ohlins suspension, but the clutch master!
- I heard that the catalog dropped out after 2003 and the stock of OEM parts is gradually disappearing.
- Troubles: Oil leaking from the water pump (there are some Ninja series engines)
Summary
- The coolest motorcycle in the world, lol. If you like its unique style, buy it.
- There are plenty of newer motorcycles out there for performance alone, but if you don't want to go on the track or anything else, this motorcycle has what you need. But if you don't want to ride on a circuit, this motorcycle has enough performance to meet your needs.
- If you are going to buy one, it should be a newer model. (I recommend the late model A12 or later, or at least the A10 or later, which has a one-way clutch solution.
- If you are discerning when buying, maintenance is only simple, but there is no such thing as constant trouble and difficulty in ownership.
- Recently, they have become old motorcycle and their prices have been rising. I've seen the final A16 sold for much more than the price of a new motorcycle, but is it worth it
- Everyone writes, but there are too many custom parts to go on without the money to look good! (lol)
Thank you, ninnin, for a narrative that shows so much love for the GPZ900R!
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