5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Top Gun Motorcycle - Kawasaki GPZ900R

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2020
  • With Top Gun 2 around the corner, it’s time we do a throwback to the original speed king - the Kawasaki GPZ900R. It was good ‘nuff for Tom Cruise so it will be good ‘nuff for us.
    The fastest motorcycle of the day also pioneered a lot of interesting stuff, and it laid down the foundation for the modern superbike that’s still in use today.
    -----
    All footage used belongs to respective copyright holders and is used for education documentary purposes under fair use guidelines. A big thanks to all the uploaders for putting the files online.
  • ยานยนต์และพาหนะ

ความคิดเห็น • 365

  • @GarethLewisjones
    @GarethLewisjones 2 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    Mines still in the garage, almost 40 years old and can still hit 150 a truly epic bike.

    • @billyzee261
      @billyzee261 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      One of my old high school friend's dad bought him the '84 Ninja 900 and that was a true beast of a bike that just totally destroyed my old Yamaha twin. I was going crazy trying to figure out how to kick his ass, thinking of the Yamaha FJ1100, the Suzuki GS1150, but finally ended up getting the '86 FZ 750 five valve per cylinder Genisis, that put me up and above him, especially on the turns. In my humble opinion, in '84 there was nothing to match the ninja. In 85/86, the bike at that time to match was the FZ750. Boy, those were the days of having serious fun...

    • @billyzee261
      @billyzee261 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Did I forget to mention Frank? Frank Joe Biden.

    • @stevena1887
      @stevena1887 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@billyzee261 That's right, the dumb puppet really is ruining our country.

    • @gearhead682010
      @gearhead682010 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@billyzee261 who gives a flying fuck about that pile of UnAmerican pile of shit? Oh my bad your clearly dumb ass! Keep his shitty name in your mouth and don’t ever utter it to a true American which clearly you’re NOT🖕🖕 sincerely FUCK YOU🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕

    • @marcwagner9369
      @marcwagner9369 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      mine too . build 1989 black/ gold 78000km no problems

  • @austinado16
    @austinado16 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Nicely put together! I still enjoy riding my '86 Ninja ZX600R. Found it locally back in early '91, when no one cared about them anymore. People still enjoy seeing it.

    • @colinjrob
      @colinjrob 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Strange that up until the 10 years ago you could pick up all those great 80s bikes for next to nothing but now they cost so much. I got me a Ninja 750R (smaller version of the 900R) for less than £450 (british). It was fully working and and ready to go 7 years later and I still have it and though it's not perfect it still turns heads and on so many occasions older people say "Hey, TopGun!" It has a GPZ1000Rx engine in it now though I kept all the 750 stickers on it just to surprise/scare people. lol

    • @austinado16
      @austinado16 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@colinjrob Sounds like a great bike! Nice find, and I'm glad you've hung on to it.

    • @finelymachined5281
      @finelymachined5281  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Right on!

  • @ampassionstruck9138
    @ampassionstruck9138 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    ..the most beautiful bike ever to come from the ninja series !!😍😍, adore that 80s styling, the machine was the most high tech of her time !!!.

    • @rabanto86
      @rabanto86 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Naw the most beautiful one is the zx10rr

    • @razor1uk610
      @razor1uk610 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@rabanto86 True, although the early to mid life (90s era) Zed Ex 750s/900s have a certain look to them, plus also highly tunable and reliable, if a little weighty - good for moderate to fast road riding.
      Although I each era of styling of the Zed Exes & Zed Ex Arrs, have they're styling plus points for me, inc' the original Gee Pee Zed Nine & the Japanese only 400 version of it look better than the 600 wrap around frame Gee Pee Zed...

    • @peaceprayer595
      @peaceprayer595 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Beleive me when I tell you I love the Ninjas too. BUT the 600 Hurricane was one of the first motorcycles to be wind tunnel tested with the lowest drag coefficient ever. The Motor was cast and the bike was blistering fast for the time including front and rear matching diameter 17" wheels. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that you could put 20k (back then) in a ninja or an FZ600 and you would get lapped at Daytona. All 26 or 27 nearly bone stock Hurricanes came in first place ahead of everything else.

    • @razor1uk610
      @razor1uk610 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@peaceprayer595 Hurricane? ..must be a US market name for... am guessing a Honda or Suzuki...

    • @peaceprayer595
      @peaceprayer595 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@razor1uk610 th-cam.com/video/I4DEtHt3Sdw/w-d-xo.html

  • @DaytonCarCare
    @DaytonCarCare 2 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    I remember when Honda came out with the Hurricane that was an interesting bike too. Back in those days I had a couple old 550GPz bikes, 600 Ninja, 900 Ninja, and finally a 1000 Ninja. But I always missed my old 78 KZ1000 with 4 into 1 Kerker with the baffle removed. What an awesome sound. I've had many bikes over the years and recently picked up an 01 Triumph Speed Triple 955i. My first 3 cylinder bike. I'm 58 years old and still ride.

    • @ramargate
      @ramargate 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Riders never get old.... We're always just teen boys regardless of age. 🤘

    • @peterkoning21
      @peterkoning21 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I also had a Z1000 with a competition Kerker(after all Eddie Lawson raced them)without a baffle, glorious ! Then I rode a GPz900 ....had to have one and bought one in '86.....loved it !! Rode it forever. Noe ride Triumph triples....gorgeous souding motors ! I'm 66 and still riding...fast when I can !

    • @MrNufzed
      @MrNufzed 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Brother ,same age same journey/same bikes, similar memories.

    • @peaceprayer595
      @peaceprayer595 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@MrNufzed Me too. Amazing times.

    • @Crashed131963
      @Crashed131963 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      There was a 1985 Ninja 750 Turbo version as well.

  • @andreferro4618
    @andreferro4618 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sixty two year old man.
    First mtorcycle I was eleven years old.
    I always dreamed of one, since 1984.
    I found mine back in october 2003.
    Still my motorcycle, today...
    Before her, H1 500 and H2 750.
    I had all the other Japanese brands but, nothing compares to KAWASAKI.
    Nice tribute to a wonderful machine!
    Let the good times roll forever!
    Greetings from Brazil.

  • @RenKnight347
    @RenKnight347 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I had a college roommate that bought the 1985 900 Ninja.
    I had bought the 1985 Honda VF700F Interceptor as my first bike ever. The banks, at the time, weren't willing to work with me, towards anything more expensive, since I was just establishing my creditworthiness. And even my dad had to co-sign for the loan.
    Yes, in case anyone was wondering, I took the state road test on that brand new Honda and passed it on the first go of it!
    Anyways, I remember when my roommate and I used to do "fire drills" at traffic lights where we would switch riding bikes. The thing that I remember the most about the experience was how much annoying the vibrations were felt through the footpegs on the Honda. Something that could take its toll after a considerable amount of ride time.
    The Ninja never had such an impacting issue. I also can recall the handling of the Ninja. Nimble and far better overall characteristics than the Honda. It seems to always come down to getting what you've paid for at the end of the day!
    Always wanted a Ninja but took on other responsibilities and never seem to get around to it.
    If I could do it all over again, I'd find a way to scrap more coin together for a larger down-payment and go for the Kawi.

  • @ashleylee5445
    @ashleylee5445 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I was 20 years old when I got my hands on a 1988 A5, at that time for me it was the best. Hit 150 going to work one morning and nobody believed me. They were great days.

  • @imaniodufuye7536
    @imaniodufuye7536 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I loved absolutely every minute of this video, I would actually buy it or at least give a donation. I own five bikes, the mighty 07 Hayabusa, 2014 Honda Valkyrie, Moto Guzzi MGX-21, 2022 Triumph Speed Twin... blah blah ANYWAY! Great video love the history, and the Dark Vaderish voice LOL! fam (family). You gotta another subscriber.

  • @jasoncook6177
    @jasoncook6177 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm a busa boy now ,I had the gpz750 turbo in the early 90s, and I loved it. What a machine for its day😄

  • @j.santiago7022
    @j.santiago7022 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for a masterful love letter to this iconic machine.

  • @shawnmungur4875
    @shawnmungur4875 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I brought my GPZ900R to Kawasaki once and met an employee that was around when those came out. Part of the promo was "if you can't reach 150mph, you get your money back!"

    • @Crashed131963
      @Crashed131963 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      My shaft drive 1980 Yamaha XS 11,000 special did 130 mph I hope the Ninja did 20 mph faster.

  • @TyfoiD75
    @TyfoiD75 2 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Fun fact, Kawasaki Gpz500 was elected at least 2 times as the "best beginner motorcycle" when either moving up from 125cc or just starting, here in Finland back in 90´s.. And yep, it was a really good motorcycle. Was my first "big boy" bike^^

    • @jacobfranklin820
      @jacobfranklin820 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I have an 07’ and an 01’ 500r same bike

    • @Deadpool-ODST
      @Deadpool-ODST 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Oh yes. They are great little biikes. I have both, the 900R and the 500S.

    • @JanBinnendijk
      @JanBinnendijk 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I Rode the GPZ500s when visiting the Isle of Man TT in 1995.. Man.. i had FUN with that bike.. a bit akward in the beginning with the 16"wheels, but once you get used to that.. it was a joy.. it cost me a set of Knee sliders though.. never burnt through a pair that fast.. :)

    • @gearhead682010
      @gearhead682010 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      GPz 550 is the correct displacement as I have a 1984 Kawasaki GPz 550, get your story straight

    • @Deadpool-ODST
      @Deadpool-ODST 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@gearhead682010 Not sure where that came from but ok. Yeah there was a GPZ550 and a GPZ500. The 550 is a 4 cylinder and the 500 is a 2 cylinder. They also had a GPX500 which was a 4 cylinder.

  • @blitzbane4135
    @blitzbane4135 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have my GPZ from 1985 and it is still the best ride!!

  • @0Zolrender0
    @0Zolrender0 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    When Topgun 2 trailer came out I was silently happy that they H2 was the bike of choice. It was so fitting after the GPZ900R.

  • @randyfender6122
    @randyfender6122 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I bought my new Ninja 900 in late summer of 1984. I was 19. It replaced my first street bike, a 1970 Kawasaki H1 500. I loved that 900, and finally sold it in 1989 to get a new ZX-7, which I raced through the first half of the 90's. I am a Kawasaki fan, and still think they've made the best motors in motorcycling. Nice piece.

  • @brutter602
    @brutter602 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I had two of them from new back in the eighties. An A2 then an A3.
    The GPz900r was a fast but sure footed quality bike, that was a pleasure to ride and more than enough for everyday riding. It never failed to please.

  • @kmfiz
    @kmfiz 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    What a cool video. Great production, fun and informative. How do you only have 400 subs? You got one more.

  • @mrmatt7210
    @mrmatt7210 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I remember well the first time I saw a GPZ900R or as we called it a "Ninja900" on the showroom floor. This bike looked fast even sitting still. The first year the Ninja was in production, the competition sold bikes based on name recognition rather than being performance equals. Soon enough the rest of the Japanese motorcycle companies released their own bikes in which compete with the Ninja 900 and in so far as top speeds and 1/4 mile performance the Kawasaki was dethroned. However, in regards to being a sporty bike which was a thrill to ride there probably was not better choice than the Kawasaki. In time the big bore bike wars calmed a bit and the hot 750's took the spotlight. Kawasaki released an excellent offering, but it never gained the fond affection of the original Ninja 900. To this day, if you lived through the late 80's, a Ninja 900 will bring back fond memories regardless if you were a fan of Kawasaki or the other three Japanese manufacturers.

  • @mikedroze3799
    @mikedroze3799 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Bought mine with cash, in 84, off the dealers floor in South Florida. Drove it to Cincinnati, then to Denver (in January) Slept on a park bench with my arm through the fork tubes in St Louis. Rode from Denver to Sacramento. No issues. It ate chains and back tires but that was to be expected. Finally snapped a rod just below the small end at 90 mph on a first date. The 3/4's of the rod still attached to the crank was God's own weed eater string, and carved up the cases Enter the junkyard motor and a ton of goodies. Took three quarter mile passes, with a best of 10.03. It was a high 9 second bike and I will miss it forever. Lost it in a storage unit. Sad story. I'm looking for another one. I love this bike. Oh, got my motorcycle license on a '70 H1 with Denco Killers and a Barnett clutch. Kawi's rule!

  • @hotchihuahua1546
    @hotchihuahua1546 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I owned one and out of the many (39) I have owned this one does stand out not only as a sport bike but good enough to have been dubbed today a sport touring bike . Others that come to mind are the Yamaha FJ1100 and the Suzuki 1200 S .

    • @standhd
      @standhd 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I wanted an FJ1100 back in the day SOOO BAD! My brother ended up getting an original Ninja, and I got an FZ750. He sold his Ninja, and got a Suzuki GSXR750, and I sold my 750, and got an FZR 1000 which I still have to this day.

    • @calvincooley1074
      @calvincooley1074 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Concourse was the sport touring version.

  • @christopherhughes8402
    @christopherhughes8402 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This was a really amazing piece you put out. Seriously this was awesome. You've got a new subscriber and I'm really interested to see where you go. Great stuff!

  • @johnkelly5621
    @johnkelly5621 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You're simply amazing. This was unforgettable!

    • @tesmith47
      @tesmith47 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Gpz500

    • @finelymachined5281
      @finelymachined5281  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you. If you like this, you're in for a treat as this channel grows

  • @thumperjdm
    @thumperjdm 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I owned a 1984 air-cooled GPz750. I always lusted over the Ninja 900. Why, all these years later, I never acquired one, I'll never know.

  • @markw6586
    @markw6586 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was a 2nd year Apprentice in the 80's and i was working on a Saturday, i was offered a ride to work from a soon to be tradesman on a GPZ900R. He picked me up and i told him straight up take it easy please, he said no problem and off we went. He just went through the gears normal as anything, then we got to a straight stretch of road about 5 k's from work and he dropped 2 gears and absolutely caned it. Never been so scared so alive and so enthralled in my entire life. Thought to myself, that is a fair bit quicker than my KZ80 F1 lol

  • @Z06C5
    @Z06C5 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Bought my 1st one in 1984. Great bike. Fast as hell. My favorite is the Ducati 916. Sexy bike Good times!

  • @izzojoseph2
    @izzojoseph2 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Dude!
    Great video!
    Subbed on the strength of this video

  • @frios011
    @frios011 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That was a badass video!

  • @kenlane6655
    @kenlane6655 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Loved mine. took it from Melbourne to Adelaide, doing over a ton old (160 kph) a lot of the way. Faster you went, the more solid it got. It was like riding a wing on its side, hehe.

    • @ampassionstruck9138
      @ampassionstruck9138 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ...Dohc, 16 valves, inline 4 cylinder compact and light weight high performance engine combined with top quality components and above all a super sexy design which still steals our hearts !!! What a feat attained by kawasaki , all thanks to the super smart japanese brain !!😍😍.....

    • @Jupiture00
      @Jupiture00 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Got mine to 220 on a couple of occasions during my ride from Sydney to Adelaide. It was very stable. Different story on twisties though especially when pushing it, the tyres I felt struggled with the bikes pace and wobbled on occasions especially in the low down sweeping bends, but such good fun! I had nothing to compare it to as it was my first and only bike. I loved it! Test rode a Gsxr1100 but stuck with the 900r it did everything so well back then. I think I would most likely have another one now, even though the modern day bikes are better in every way, but doesn't have the magic this one has. My sentiments.

  • @basiljun808
    @basiljun808 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Amazingly awesome!

  • @clifblake
    @clifblake 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video, thank you !

  • @almarnordby2034
    @almarnordby2034 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I just saw THE bike Tom Cruise used on the Stuttgart Museum in Germany. Very cool

  • @woooster71
    @woooster71 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Still a great bike.. I have 2 Kawasaki's in my garage.. a 1990 ZXR750 H2 & the 9Rs grandkid, a ZX12R. Legendary bike

  • @kirkwilson5117
    @kirkwilson5117 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    GPZ900R...... I Have had 4 of them..... Very cool, and I have had a lot of bikes, but these were great. Super smooth engine, power was very linear.. = good down low, in the mid, and a good top end hit. I think i hit around 150 MPH right in there. Oddly enough my bike with the most miles 69K was the best runner, and it sounded like it could blow up any second and had been thrown in a ditch at least twice... Once right before I bought it.... I pulled clumps of grass and dirt out rom under the carbs and in the rims... Yeah.. these were bad ass bikes.

  • @uhtred7860
    @uhtred7860 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Here in NZ and Australia, production racing was real big in the 70s and 80s, especially long distance endurance production racing, I remember seeing GPz900R's out pace Honda VF1000s with ease, they had at least 10-15 Kph on them down the back straights, they had a problem with overheating in the long races i remember that.

    • @georgemooyman7155
      @georgemooyman7155 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I still got the ZL900 and ZL1000 in Auckland.
      Would love a GPZ900r

    • @uhtred7860
      @uhtred7860 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@georgemooyman7155 The local vintage & classic bike club put on a show last summer and Graeme Crosby brought down 1 or 2 of restored Z900/1000s that his outfit had restored, they were gorgeous.
      I would love another GPz900, had one in the 90s, but have enough 80s bikes to keep me bust at the moment.

    • @georgemooyman7155
      @georgemooyman7155 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@uhtred7860 Hi I know what you mean I have a garage packed with old Hondas all pre 1985 a couple of Goldwings and CB750's a few small twins and MB100'S.
      I've been on Graeme's workshop and he is a gifted restorer.
      The ZL's I have are Eliminators, not many were made but there maybe 10-12 in NZ.

    • @uhtred7860
      @uhtred7860 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@georgemooyman7155 Wow havent seen a Eliminator in years, last one i saw was a 900cc one back in 86/87. I have a 83 CX650, 86 Suzuki GSX-R1100 which has had a refresh, and a 87 Yamaha FZR1000 which is about to get a full restore. Plus a 2001 Yamaha R1 that i have owned since new. I'm getting a bit old for the race replica riding position, so it doesn't get ridden as much as it used too :-)

  • @boejiden5933
    @boejiden5933 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Wow the energy and tone for this whole vid was fucking perfect. How are you only on 45 (now 46) subs?

    • @finelymachined5281
      @finelymachined5281  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      This is what I did in my spare time - thankfully, it's doing better now

  • @poxyzaid5282
    @poxyzaid5282 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    iam sitting on my dear z800, while listen to berlins take my breath away...sooo topgun,..make my eyes glittering and give an eye sight of my z800,..."man your ancestor is the gp Z900 , iam proud of youu Z800 baby"😘

  • @Wirefox1
    @Wirefox1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Always loved the thought of owning a GPZ900R. Then in the early 90's I rode a friends and I was quite underwhelmed by it. I still love the look of them though and they were the dogs bollox in their day.

  • @mrperecz
    @mrperecz 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Goosebumps :D Nice job! :)

  • @NP-ek7dl
    @NP-ek7dl 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    subbed !

  • @aao331
    @aao331 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a really nice video!

  • @harrothepilot
    @harrothepilot 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I owned an A1 version. Great bike, but it did have some issues. It would get hot tooling around town on a warmish day, and the 16" front wheel was a bit finicky as to what rubber you put on it. The anti dive was a bit mehhh also. I think the A7 and A8 versions were better with their bigger front wheel. Nice power and sound. My ZRX1200S engine can trace its roots back to the GPZ900R.

  • @photographerjonathan
    @photographerjonathan 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I owned the very first 900 Nina in 1984, and if they made a new one in 2022 with a similar design I would buy it again. it didn't have extreme racing ergonomics like todays sport bikes that are track oriented and brake your back and your ass after a half hour on the street. and the passenger seat wasn't a mile high and a half inch thick. the bike had a low seat hight and felt stable and planted at any speed. and I could ride it for a few hours at a time. when I first bought it. everywhere I went people couldn't take there eyes off of it. I would come out of a 7/11 and there would be five people standing next to it just drooling over it. Please Kawasaki make a new version of the original bike. that has similar but more modern looks, with the same ergonomics and seat hight. but with a modern engine and tec and cut a 100 pounds off the weight.

  • @mysaculik
    @mysaculik 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Had a few bikes as a kid but the favorites were 78 ZIR and 81 GPZ1100, both way faster than I had business going.

  • @numba1stunna4269
    @numba1stunna4269 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    SWEET RIDE!

  • @UrbanoModa
    @UrbanoModa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The new retro styled 2020 900RS did very well and is still doing extremely well, contra too your comment in your video.

    • @finelymachined5281
      @finelymachined5281  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Extremely well is relative. My point was that they're prone to churning out unimaginative motorcycles rather than paying proper homage to their legacy. I'm glad they did with the H2R

  • @geraldwright905
    @geraldwright905 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was lucky I owned both a GPZ 900 and a GPZ 750 turbo

  • @DeereX748
    @DeereX748 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I "graduated" from a 1975 S-2 to a used 1974 Z-1B to a 1985 GPZ-900R Ninja. I wish I still had all three bikes. The Ninja was incredible, made a great sport-tour bike and a fantastic track bike. For gut-busting sound, though, I'd give the medal to the Z-1, it sounded like an Indy car when you slapped a 4-into-1 header on it. And the "little" 400 triple S2 could hold its own with literbikes to about 85 mph, at least in a straight line. Not too great in the curves, though.

    • @Crashed131963
      @Crashed131963 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nobody remembers the cruiser version of the 900 called the Eliminator.

  • @smaze1782
    @smaze1782 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I lived in San Diego in 1986 and this bike showed up on CycleTrader after the movie was done filming. I knew I should’ve bought it.

  • @markblackman2542
    @markblackman2542 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    i had the smaller Gpz 600R , the best handling bike i ever owned

    • @finelymachined5281
      @finelymachined5281  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Never ridden that one - good power?

    • @ZXLNT
      @ZXLNT 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@finelymachined5281 70 horsepower or so.

  • @southboundaustral
    @southboundaustral 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Had an A1 & an A2 and in production for 12 years. Before my GPZs had a Suzi 400 and went to a Yamaha XJ900. It was a boring lump. Wobbles from 125kph-130kph. Remember thinking quite a few times jeez a 900 isn't really a step up. Then got my first GPZ. Had cleaned my seat and when I took off (without dumping the clutch) my fingernails were just sitting in the grip ribs. WTF. It was heaven from then on. The XJ if I recall correctly was also in production for 12 years. But yeah, shims.

  • @sylvainfilion3822
    @sylvainfilion3822 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    1985 zl900 Eliminator , i'm in love with it, like the first day!!

  • @stevedunn5546
    @stevedunn5546 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Rode one on the Isle of man. The eliminator was cool too same engine.

  • @MrNufzed
    @MrNufzed 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    ,rode it,tracked it,modded it,20 bikes ago and still stands out fondly in memory,20 bikes later.

  • @MrPotatochips4
    @MrPotatochips4 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    ..... as soggy as a Whole Foods hot bar" It's all relative then. Show me the way to the next hot soggy bar, oh, don't ask why. haha 2:26 blueprint looks like a '74 Norton 850 frame. Which was about 60 some HP and good lowend torque, at 420 lbs. wet. May be it was just the right size for me, just big enough to kick it over, and sometimes over and over, but that was the most fun bike I ever road. Maybe I was a fool then, and I'm still a fool, and maybe I'd get into even more trouble if I had 100 plus HP. Do like the Suzuki SV electric start.

  • @jeffhubbard5660
    @jeffhubbard5660 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a documentary that TV channels would be jealous of....

    • @finelymachined5281
      @finelymachined5281  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you. Not new to this game - this is just done quick and dirty in my free time

  • @TheJoshuaJames
    @TheJoshuaJames 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I had a 1986 zx1000R and it had a really cool system that would used brake fluid pressure to pre load the front forks to keep the front from diving under heavy sudden braking and it worked really well

    • @ZXLNT
      @ZXLNT 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The 900 Ninja/GPz900R did as well AVDS

  • @RoodeMenon
    @RoodeMenon 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great humour!

  • @shane35fowler
    @shane35fowler 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi..... 1984 Honda Here..... Reminding everyone that the VF1000 was first to 150MPH sooooo stawwwppp it

  • @Gandalf606
    @Gandalf606 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Love my red Big Zed. A fully restored 1984 A1 GPz900R, with an uprated monoshock, new improved radiator, and more. Riding it, it doesn't feel like a 38 year old bike - real testimony to the rightness of the bike from Day 1. These are amazing bikes.

    • @finelymachined5281
      @finelymachined5281  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I love how sorted the motorcycles out of Japan are

  • @maverick1685
    @maverick1685 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice.

  • @ericwilson178
    @ericwilson178 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I know I had one before they did. :)
    I started a roadracing career on mine in 1984.

  • @philhawley1219
    @philhawley1219 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Had one in 89. Fuggin mind blowing.

  • @waynemetzger6251
    @waynemetzger6251 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Best of the Best !!!!!

  • @raynic1173
    @raynic1173 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I had the Tomcat, what a great all around bike that was...I didn't know they continued the 900 series after '87.

    • @ZXLNT
      @ZXLNT 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      84-85-86 in the USA much longer in Europe

  • @Drifty40
    @Drifty40 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had the A2 in the mid 80s, for a couple of years. Very comfortable capable bike, great for mile munching, two up or touring, yet capable if you wanted to do a bit of scratching, which is surprising considering its weight. Very stable in corners and bumps, due to the long wheelbase, which made it really difficult to wheelie off the clutch, it would rather spin the rear tyre.
    The anti dive forks were soooooo thin and light for such a heavy bike.
    I ended up burying mine into the front of a Toyota Corolla, when a pensioner pulled out in front of me, I repaired it again though and moved it on for a GSXR750L..the first
    with the upside down forks.
    Still miss the GPZ though.

  • @raynic1173
    @raynic1173 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It's pretty funny that the H2R is called "track only." the only track series it would qualify for is some drag racing classes.

  • @jordizee
    @jordizee 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Loved this bike..always thought the way the fairing protrudes around the bottom of the headlight was how darth vaders mask was shaped.

  • @tunuitjapanunga3586
    @tunuitjapanunga3586 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Had one should never of sold it one of the most amazing bikes ever

  • @cpuuk
    @cpuuk 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I rode it when it first came out- a n awesome bike. FYI, in the sequel movie they start with the GPz900 then quietly change to the H2.

  • @davehoward22
    @davehoward22 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    when i was a teenager everyone had rd 350s then dreamed of one of these...(they were still pretty cheap second hand till recently)

  • @Teacher-lj6in
    @Teacher-lj6in 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This came out in '84...bought a zx1100gpz at the time of 900Ninjas...grief everyone bought one at the time...they went like hell, all my mates bought one!Even the Suzuki okes changed brands and left their Katanas...only question now is where are the Ninjas now?The old z1300s are still around but no 900Rs to be seen nowadays...now the H2 monster is the bike...

    • @ZXLNT
      @ZXLNT 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Plenty of 900's around if you look.

  • @izzojoseph2
    @izzojoseph2 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    “Fresh GUM on your converse”
    I didn’t hear gum the first time around

  • @fasthracing
    @fasthracing 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Proper thing they were. I bought a new one in 1991.

  • @flybobbie1449
    @flybobbie1449 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Customer of mine a Kawasaki dealer, asked Kawasaki to build the A8 version. I think he said 200 where made. But he couldn't shift them. People had moved on to faster bikes.

  • @kenweis7913
    @kenweis7913 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had one until a couple years ago....good bike

  • @chuckbundz6096
    @chuckbundz6096 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    proud kawasaki owner here z900

  • @FlyingFun.
    @FlyingFun. 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    My m8 had gpz900r , I rode I'd a few times, I was surprised how nice and easy it was to ride and how quickly it hit 130mph without even trying.

  • @wallyr.7854
    @wallyr.7854 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is actually a really good informative video, sadly the narrator, who is trying to sound like a tough-robot, kind of ruins it for me 🙄Having said that, the Kawasaki GPZ900R will always be one of my favorite bikes. By the way, if you haven’t watched Top Gun:Maverick, do yourself a favor and go watch it.

  • @alialigator9432
    @alialigator9432 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    super

  • @chriswinter2725
    @chriswinter2725 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    We are out of Europe, Miles, gallons pints, you can stick your litres, km, grams righ we're the sun don't shine. Good bike though.

  • @sylvestre.rawminey
    @sylvestre.rawminey 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Riding a bike so fast only with RayBan glasses and not feeling uncomfortable… 😹😹😹

  • @shonbratton1906
    @shonbratton1906 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Their was a Kawasaki recall of the A1’s to have their crankshaft replaced. On a side note a guy we used2 ride with said he rebuilt his 900 using ZX-10 crankshaft & assembly. My personal experience, in 1985 checked on buying a new 900, financing with full coverage insurance annual rate was &3600 a year quote. I was 17

  • @Glenrsi
    @Glenrsi 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Kawasaki forever. ❤❤

  • @lorangajapp8086
    @lorangajapp8086 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    A black one was my dream bike in the eighties :)

  • @brucewilson1958
    @brucewilson1958 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I own the first one 1984, Red, White, and Blue. What a Beast.

  • @vcv6560
    @vcv6560 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I never rode the Ninja, but in its 600cc form I did have an afternoon with the GPz550; it was incredible. More impressive than the Hurricane or Seca750 of which I tried both.

    • @paulscountry456
      @paulscountry456 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hurricane would embarass that 550 in any contest of performance but they were a great mid size bike.

    • @vcv6560
      @vcv6560 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@paulscountry456 it was the GPz handling and braking, inspired confidence. The Hurricane felt like it overwhelmed both so I didn't push it.

  • @RealBobLoblaw
    @RealBobLoblaw 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I just acquired an 84 Ninja for 500$ .Im not sure if it ever been cleaned, the grime around the front sprocket was like pavement. Got it to run, it had been sitting for years

  • @JohnRichardson-dd4he
    @JohnRichardson-dd4he 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Goose was a Lieutenant (JG), pay grade O-2. He was "junior grade"! Mav was the Lieutenant. Just keepin' it finely machined!

  • @steve5825
    @steve5825 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    My mate did a 107+mph lap of the Isle of Man in the Manx on his ride to work GPZ 900 back in early ‘80s breaking the lap record at the time.

  • @dedeborya9015
    @dedeborya9015 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I had this bike, before the movie came out. I was able to sell it for nearly twice what I paid for it because of the Top Gun movie
    I went to a Yami Vmax after that .... that sumna biatch was not an opt out .

    • @finelymachined5281
      @finelymachined5281  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      A lot of people turned a good profit with the "TopGun bike"

  • @richardcasey7521
    @richardcasey7521 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I owned one for about 4 years.

  • @dado380
    @dado380 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Iconic Gepa,maybe only Busa can stand in same category as Gepa.

  • @mikerieck306
    @mikerieck306 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Some of the problems....soft valves ( I personally replaced about 10 sets), some crank oiling problems (not as bad as the ZX-11 BUT the 11 was born of the 900) and bodywork that did not fit well after removing it. The liquid cooling set the new standard but I'd take an FJ1100 over the 900.

    • @kd350
      @kd350 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      10 sets on different customer bikes I take it.

    • @mikerieck306
      @mikerieck306 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@kd350 Correct. Also problems with the ZX1000 and even the ZX10

    • @raneman6146
      @raneman6146 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Shit quality with valves, also wet sylinder tubes, dropping of them is common. Brakes are only for telling hopes to survive.

    • @rogerbarfell9075
      @rogerbarfell9075 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Never had any problems with mine

    • @mikerieck306
      @mikerieck306 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@rogerbarfell9075 Lucky fella...I've seen those margins razor sharp.

  • @bluemax1990
    @bluemax1990 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I owned a GPZ900R,A2,for two years ,it was a do it all bike,but,I'm not sure why the producer of this ,says Yamaha opted out,?,I'd hardly call the FZR1000,then the EXUP,later,the R1,?,those 3 models where as ground breaking in their time,as the GPZ900R was.TheGSXR750,1000,or,the Honda Fireblade.

    • @standhd
      @standhd 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I have a 1988 FZR1000. You are right; Yamaha was very much in the fight with the FJ1100. The FZ750; which I once also owned, was a ground breaking bike with the Genesis engine which paved the way for the FZR, and the YZF series of bikes. I just found out Yamaha has a R7 available, but it is an inline 2; 689cc. I looked the bike up on TH-cam for vids on how it sounded. Ahhhh, I’m not that impressed. It is maybe a great bike for beginners; I like inline 4’s much better.

  • @wajahatali2717
    @wajahatali2717 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    do a video on the orignal yamaha Vmax 1200

  • @izzojoseph2
    @izzojoseph2 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ya know
    I have my 650 vulcan and it’s a show stopper. It isn’t tremendously fast but every where I go, heads turn and people talk. Even dudes on their speed machines and souped up Harley’s like my green queen.
    Great ride. I sit and ride for hours at a time without having to get off because of a sore ass and it can handle the twistiest better than ANY other cruiser.

  • @tenbear5
    @tenbear5 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It was the 1100 that held the speed record for 6 years.

  • @Crashed131963
    @Crashed131963 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    They capped the speed war to 200 mph , then began the war of who can get to 200 mph the quickest.

  • @alanh5348
    @alanh5348 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The 80’s had some great bikes, V65 Magna, Ninja 1000R, GSX-R, Interceptor, Hurricane

  • @westboundbadger
    @westboundbadger 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    900R and the H2 feature in Maverick !