KAWASAKI GPZ 1000 RX (1986-1988) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Kawasaki GPZ 1000 RX, also known as the Ninja 1000R, was a sports motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki from 1986 as a replacement for the GPZ 900R until 1988, when it was replaced by the Kawasaki ZX-10 Tomcat.

As it turned out, the predecessor outlived it and was manufactured alongside the GPZ1000RX. Like the GPZ 900 R, the GPZ 1000 RX was the fastest production motorcycle at the time until it was superseded by the Tomcat.

The 1986 Kawasaki GPZ 1000 RX had standard features, such as a full fairing with a rectangular headlight, a medium-sized windscreen, a two-piece dual seat without grab rails, and three double-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

In the performance department, the 1986 Kawasaki GPZ 1000 RX had installed underneath its fairing a 998cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine managed by four carburetors, delivering 125 hp at 9,500 rpm and 96 Nm (71 lb-ft) torque at 7,000 rpm.

The power produced by the engine was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch and sent to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to 256 kph (159 mph).

From top speed to a complete stop, the bike relied on two 280 mm discs with a single-piston caliper on the front wheel and a 260 mm disc with a single-piston caliper on the rear wheel, delivering optimum stopping power.