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KAWASAKI GPZ Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 17
First production year: 1981
KAWASAKI EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S) photo gallery

The Kawasaki Ninja 500R, also known as the GPZ 500S, was a sports motorcycle manufactured from 1987 until 2009 when it was replaced by the Kawasaki Ninja 650R. The bike was powered by a parallel-twin engine and was part of the Ninja series in Kawasaki's range.

The bike received a major revision in 1994 that included changes, such as larger 17-inch wheels with wider tires, a redesigned front and rear fairing, a redesigned instrument cluster and dials, a new brake disc that replaced the drum unit previously used, and a firmer suspension system.

It also gained modifications in the engine department, such as a revised alternator for better reliability. In addition, the Cam Chain Tensioner (CCT), flywheel, and transmission were easily installable with minimal modifications to fit any first-generation model made between 1987 and 1993.

In 2007, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Kawasaki EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S), a bike that packed standard features, such as a bikini fairing, an engine spoiler, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, and three-spoke aluminum wheels.

Underneath its fuel tank, the 2007 Kawasaki EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S) had installed a 498cc four-stroke parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 60 hp at 9,800 rpm and 46 Nm (34 lb-ft) torque at 8,500 rpm.

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KAWASAKI EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S) photo gallery

In 1997, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Kawasaki EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S), a sports motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki from 1987 until 2009, when it was replaced by the Ninja 650R.

Before 1997, the bike received a major revision in 1994, with changes including larger 17-inch wheels with wider tires, a redesigned front and rear fairing, a redesigned instrument cluster and dials, a new brake disc that replaced the drum unit previously used, and a firmer suspension system.

Also, the bike received several improvements to the engine, such as a revised alternator for better reliability. In addition, the Cam Chain Tensioner (CCT), flywheel, and transmission were easily installable with minimal modifications to fit any first-generation model made between 1987 and 1993.

In the aesthetic department, the bike had fitted standard features, such as a bikini fairing with a lower engine fairing, a rectangular headlight, a small windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab handle, a dual exhaust system, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

The bike was built on a double cradle steel frame with a 36 mm Kayaba telescopic fork on the front and a single Kayaba shock absorber on the rear, delivering optimum suspension performance and handling.

As for the power figures, the 1997 Kawasaki EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S) had its soul brought to life by a 498cc four-stroke parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 60 hp at 9,800 rpm and 46 Nm (34 lb-ft) torque at 8,500 rpm.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 1100 photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 1100 ABS, also known as the GPZ 1100 Horizont, was a sport-touring motorcycle that debuted in 1995 as a replacement for the GPZ 1100 manufactured between 1981 and 1985.

The bike was based on the ZZR-1100 engine without the ram air intake and was de-tuned for more mid-range performance. The sport-touring motorcycle was more oriented towards touring than sports and was available with an optional Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS).

In the visual department, the bike was equipped with standard features, such as a full fairing with parts of the engine left in plain sight, a small windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab handle, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, a center stand, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

The bike was built around a twin-spar steel frame with a 41 mm telescopic fork on the front, delivering 140 mm wheel travel and a four-way adjustable shock absorber on the rear with 115 mm wheel travel.

The braking performance was handled by two 300 mm discs tied to dual-piston calipers on the front wheel and a 250 mm disc with a single-piston caliper on the rear wheel, delivering optimum stopping power and safety enhanced by optional ABS.

In the performance department, the 1996 Kawasaki GPZ 1100 had its soul brought to life by a 1,089cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 129 hp at 9,500 rpm and 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) torque at 7,000 rpm.

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KAWASAKI EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S) photo gallery

The Kawasaki Ninja 500R was a sports motorcycle part of the Ninja series in Kawasaki's range, originally named EX500 and also known as the GPZ 500S in several markets. The bike debuted in 1987 and continued production until 2009, when it was replaced by the Ninja 650R.

In 1994, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Kawasaki EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S), a sport motorcycle that received a revision including visual, technical, and performance modifications.

Some changes included larger 17-inch wheels with wider tires, a redesigned front and rear fairing, a redesigned instrument cluster and dials, a new rear disc brake instead of a drum unit, and a firmer suspension system.

Also, in the engine department, the bike featured several changes that improved reliability, such as modifications to the alternator. In addition, the Cam Chain Tensioner (CCT), flywheel, and transmission were easily installable with minimal changes to fit any first-generation motorcycle between 1987 and 1993.

In the aesthetic department, the bike was fitted with standard features, such as a bikini fairing with a lower engine fairing, a small windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

As for the power figures, the 1994 Kawasaki EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S) had its heartbeat set by a 498cc four-stroke parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine that delivered 60 hp at 9,800 rpm and 46 Nm (34 lb-ft) torque at 8,500 rpm.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 400R photo gallery

The 1987 Kawasaki GPZ 400R had an alloy frame and remotely adjustable suspension. The 600 was less sophisticated with a steel frame and fewer adjustments on the suspension. The 400R is a scaled down version of the bike, but a lighter allow frame.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 900R Ninja photo gallery

In 1987, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Kawasaki GPZ 900R Ninja, a sports motorcycle that debuted in 1984 and continued production until 2003, when it was replaced by the Ninja ZX-9R.

At its release in 1984, the bike was the earliest member of the Ninja family of sports machines. It featured a revolutionary design immediately, making it the predecessor of modern-day sports motorcycles.

Despite its performance, the Kawasaki GPZ 900R was smooth and reliable in urban traffic due to its new suspension system and crankshaft counter-balancer that reduced almost entirely secondary vibrations.

The 1987 motorcycle was fitted with standard features, such as a half-fairing with a rectangular headlight, a medium-sized windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a pillion grab handle, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, and lightweight aluminum wheels.

The bike was built around a diamond steel frame with a 39 mm telehydraulic telescopic adjustable fork on the front with 140 mm wheel travel and an adjustable shock absorber on the rear with 115 mm wheel travel.

As for the power figures, the 1987 Kawasaki GPZ 900R Ninja had installed underneath its fuel tank a 908cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine managed by four Keihin carburetors, delivering 108 hp at 9,500 rpm and 85 Nm (63 lb-ft) torque at 8,500 rpm.

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KAWASAKI EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S) photo gallery

The Kawasaki Ninja 500R, originally named EX500 and also known as the GPZ 500S, was a sports machine part of the Ninja series in Kawasaki's range. The bike debuted in 1987 and was manufactured until 2009 when it was replaced by the Ninja 650R.

Although the bike delivered a sporty appearance, it provided a more standard, upright riding experience with great comfort and versatility. Also, the bike offered performance with low operating costs, making it a perfect first motorcycle for new riders and more experienced ones who rode on a budget.

In the aesthetic department, the bike was fitted with standard features, such as a half fairing, a rectangular headlight, a small windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, a side stand, and lightweight aluminum wheels.

Underneath its fuel tank, the 1987 Kawasaki EX 500R Ninja (GPZ 500S) had installed a 498cc four-stroke parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine fed by two Keihin carburetors, boasting 60 hp at 9,800 rpm and 46 Nm (34 lb-ft) torque at 8,500 rpm.

The engine power was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission linked to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to a top speed of 198 kph (123 mph).

The bike's suspension system comprised a 38 mm telescopic fork on the front with 130 mm wheel travel and an adjustable shock absorber on the rear with 100 mm wheel travel, delivering optimum suspension performance and handling.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 1000 RX photo gallery

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.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 400S photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 400S model is a Sport touring bike manufactured by Kawasaki. This version sold from year 1985 until 1988 and it is equipped with a In-line four, four-stroke motor. The engine produces a maximum peak output power of 27.00 hp (19.7 kW) at 10000 rpm.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 400R photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 400R was a 400 cc, four stroke, street motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki in 1985. The GPZ 400R, its a Super sport motorcycle, was dressed with a fairing, upswept exhaust, and racing seat.

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KAWASAKI Ninja (GPZ) 250R photo gallery

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R was a sports bike manufactured by Kawasaki in 1986 and was part of the Ninja family. As an entry-level sports machine, the bike underwent several changes over its production period, receiving only three significant modifications.

The bike was manufactured between 1986 and 1987 and was sold as the Ninja 250R in Canada and US markets, while in other markets, it was known as the GPZ 250 R. When introduced, the bike was more expensive than the Honda Rebel, and people complained that the 14,000 red line was nice, but the engine was slow-revving.

In the visual department, the bike was fitted with standard features, such as a half fairing, a rectangular headlight, a small windscreen, a two-piece dual seat, a single exhaust system, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

In the suspension department, the bike packed a tubular diamond frame design with a telescopic fork on the front, offering 140 mm wheel travel, and a Uni-Trak shock absorber on the rear, offering 130 mm wheel travel.

The braking performance was handled by a single 260 mm disc with a dual-piston caliper on the rear wheel and a 230 mm disc with a single-piston caliper on the rear wheel, offering optimum stopping power.

As for the power figures, the 1986 Kawasaki Ninja (GPZ) 250R had its soul brought to life by a 248cc four-stroke V-twin liquid-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 36 hp at 11,000 rpm and 24 Nm (18 lb-ft) torque at 10,000 rpm.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 900R Ninja photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 900R, also known as the ZX900A or Ninja 900, was a sports motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki from 1984 until 2003 when it was replaced by the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R.

The bike was the earliest member of the Ninja sports bike family and featured a revolutionary design that soon became the predecessor of modern-day sports motorcycles. It was developed secretly for over six years and was Kawasaki's first 16-valve inline four-cylinder liquid-cooled motorcycle engine.

The bike was fitted with standard features such as a full fairing with parts of the engine left in plain sight, a rectangular headlight, a medium-sized windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab handle, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, and three double-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

The bike was built around a double cradle steel frame with a 39 mm telehydraulic air-assisted fork on the front with 140 mm wheel travel and an adjustable shock absorber on the rear with 115 mm wheel travel on the rear.

The braking performance was handled by two 280 mm discs with a single-piston caliper on the front wheel and a 270 mm disc with a single-piston caliper on the rear wheel, offering optimum stopping power.

As for the power figures, the 1984 Kawasaki GPZ 900R Ninja had its soul brought to life by a 908cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine fed by four carburetors, boasting 108 hp at 9,500 rpm and 85 Nm (63 lb-ft) torque at 8,500 rpm.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 550 photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 550 was a sports motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki from 1981, when it replaced the KZ 500, until 1985, when it was replaced by the Kawasaki ZX 600 Ninja. The GPZ 550 was a higher-performance version of the KZ 550.

The Kawasaki GPZ 550 packed the same engine as the KZ 550 but with higher compression and camshafts with higher lift and more duration. In addition, the bike was dressed in a bikini fairing.

In 1983, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Kawasaki GPZ 550, a sports machine that featured the same package as the previous model without any modifications, except for a mono-shock rear swingarm added in 1982.

In the aesthetic department, the bike packed standard features, such as a front cowl with a rectangular headlight, a windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

Underneath its fuel tank, the 1983 Kawasaki GPZ 550 had installed a 553cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 58 hp at 9,000 rpm and 48 Nm (36 lb-ft) torque at 8,000 rpm.

The bike's power was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission linked to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to a top speed of 192 kph (119 mph).

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KAWASAKI GPZ 750 photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 750 was a sports motorcycle that debuted in 1982, replacing the KZ750, and manufactured until 1985, when it was replaced by the GPZ 750 R, a liquid-cooled version.

Compared to its predecessor, the GPZ 750 featured several updates that focused on performance. Some changes included tapered bearings in the steering head, a different upper triple clamp with an aluminum clip-on handlebar, and a bikini fairing similar to the one of the GPZ 550.

The bike also got more power with higher compression, valves developed to lift quicker, 34 mm Mikuni carburetors, a new combustion chamber for the cylinder heads with porting and polishing from the factory, and an additional oil cooler.

In 1983, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Kawasaki GPZ 750, a sports bike further modified in the combustion chamber. It also received a new frame, Uni-Trak suspensions, and revised brakes, wheels, and bodywork.

In the performance department, the 1983 Kawasaki GPZ 750 had installed underneath its fuel tank a 738cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine fed by four Mikuni carbs, delivering 78 hp at 9,500 rpm and 58 Nm (43 lb-ft) torque at 7,000 rpm.

The bike's power was handled by a five-speed manual transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch linked to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to a top speed of 2017 kph (135 mph).

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KAWASAKI GPZ 400 photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 400 is long, narrow and relatively lightweight, making for quick, responsive handling. The Kawasaki GPZ 400's suspension’s a bit budget and nearly always needs replacing on older models but does the job. Brakes likewise. The front end’s a bit frisky on bumpy roads but, overall, it’s incredibly easy to ride and very forgiving.

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KAWASAKI GPZ 550 photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 550 was a naked motorcycle manufactured by the Japanese maker from 1981, when it replaced the Kawasaki KZ500, until 1985 when it was replaced by the Kawasaki ZX600 Ninja.

The GPZ 550 model was a higher specification version of the KZ550 and used the same engine but with higher compression, camshafts with higher lift and more duration, and a bikini fairing.

In the aesthetic department, the bike was fitted with standard features, such as a rectangular headlight, a medium-sized windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab handle, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

The bike was built around a double down tube full cradle frame with a telescopic fork on the front that delivered 165 mm wheel travel and dual shock absorbers on the rear with a box-section aluminum swingarm and 100 mm wheel travel.

Underneath its fuel tank, the 1981 Kawasaki GPZ 550 had installed a 553cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine fed by four Teikei carburetors, delivering an output power of 58 hp at 9,000 rpm and 48 Nm (36 lb-ft) torque at 8,000 rpm.

The bike's power was handled by a six-speed manual transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch linked to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to 192 kph (119 mph).

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KAWASAKI GPZ 1100 photo gallery

The Kawasaki GPZ 1100 was a naked motorcycle with a large front cowl manufactured by Kawasaki from 1981 to 1985. The range comprised four models and were all short-lived in an attempt to fill a rapidly changing market segment.

The Kawasaki GPZ 1100 was the first motorcycle released by the Japanese manufacturer with a 1,100cc engine and was officially marketed as the GPZ1100 B1. Instead of carburetors, the bike was fitted with a fuel injection system as on the earlier 1980s Z1000G/H models.

In the Visual department, the bike was fitted with standard features, such as a rectangular headlight in a front cowl with a small windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, a dual exhaust system with a muffler on each side, and eight-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

In the braking department, the bike's wheels were fitted with two 270 mm brake discs and a single-piston caliper on the front and a 270 mm brake disc with a single-piston caliper on the rear, offering optimum braking performance.

As for the power figures, the 1981 Kawasaki GPZ 1100 had its heartbeat set by a 1,089cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine with a fuel injection system in charge, delivering 100 hp at 8,000 rpm and 96 Nm (71 lb-ft) torque at 7,000 rpm.

The power was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission and then sent to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to 220 kph (137 mph).

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