Wikipedia

Kawasaki GPZ900R

TheKawasaki GPZ900R(also known as theZX900AorNinja 900) is amotorcyclethat was manufactured byKawasakifrom 1984 to 2003. It is the earliest member of theNinjafamily ofsport bikes.The 1984 GPZ900R (or ZX900A-1) was a revolutionary design[1][3]that became the immediate predecessor of the modern-day sport bike.[5]Developed in secret over six years, it was Kawasaki's and the world's first16-valveliquid-cooledinline four-cylindermotorcycle engine.[3][7][8]

Kawasaki GPZ900R
ManufacturerKawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company
Also calledKawasaki Ninja 900[1]
Parent companyKawasaki Heavy Industries
Production1984–2003[2]
SuccessorKawasaki GPZ1000RX
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R
ClassSport bike
Engine908 cc (55.4 cu in),4-stroke,transverse4-cylinder,liquid-cooled,DOHC,4-valve-per-cylinder[3][4][5]
Bore/stroke72.5 mm × 55 mm (2.85 in × 2.17 in)
Top speed151 mph (243 km/h)[3]158 mph (254 km/h)[5]
Power115 bhp (86 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (1986)[3][4]108 bhp (81 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (1990 Europe)[4]100 bhp (75 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (1990 Europe)[6]89 bhp (66 kW) @ 9,000 rpm (1986 Japan)[4]
Torque85 N⋅m (63 lb⋅ft) @ 8,500 rpm[4]
83 N⋅m (61 lb⋅ft) @ 8,500 rpm (Europe)[4]
72 N⋅m (53 lb⋅ft) @ 6,500 rpm (Japan)[4]
Transmission6-speed constant mesh, return shift. Wet multi-disc clutch. Chain drive.
SuspensionFront: telescopic fork, air
Rear:Uni-Trak,air shock
BrakesFront: dual disc
Rear: single disc
TiresTubeless
120/80-16 (front) (A1 - A6)
130/80-18 (rear) (A1 - A6)
120/70-17 (front) (A7-A8)
150/70-18 (rear) (A7 - A8)[4]
Rake,trail29°, 114 mm (4.5 in)
Wheelbase1,495 mm (58.9 in)
DimensionsL:2,200 mm (87 in)
W:750 mm (30 in)
H:1,215 mm (47.8 in)
Seat height780 mm (31 in)
Weight228 kg (503 lb)[4]
249 kg (549 lb) (Europe)[clarification needed][6]234 kg (516 lb) (Europe)[clarification needed][4](dry)
Fuel capacity22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal)
Reserve: 4 L (0.88 imp gal; 1.1 US gal)[4]
RelatedKawasaki GPZ1000RX
Kawasaki GPZ750R

The 908 cc four-cylinder engine delivered 115 bhp (86 kW), allowing the bike to reach speeds of 151 mph (243 km/h), making it the first stock road bike to exceed 150 mph (240 km/h).[3]

Prior to its design, Kawasaki envisioned producing a sub-liter engine that would be the successor to theZ1.[3]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[5]was mounted lower in the frame, allowing it to take Japanesesuperbikeperformance to a new level.[3]Six months after being unveiled to the press in December 1983, dealers entered threeworksGPZ900R bikes in theIsle of Man Production TTfinishing in first and second places.[3][5][9][10]

Description

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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,[1]as a result of testing that showed that the standarddowntubescarried virtually no weight and could be eliminated.[5]Its top speed gave it the title of the fastest production bike at the time,[1][3][11][12]andstanding quarter miletimes of 10.976 seconds,[1][11]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 theNinjabrand name.[1]

In spite of its performance, the GPZ900R was smooth and rideable in urban traffic,[3]owing to the new suspension and a crankshaft counter-balancer that nearly eliminated secondary vibration.[5]The fairing's aerodynamics combined with good overall ergonomics enabled comfortable long-distance riding.[12]

TheGPZ1000RXwas to be the replacement for the GPZ900R in 1986, but the Ninja 900 continued alongside the GPZ 1000RX. In 1988 the GPZ 1000RX was replaced by theZX-10,yet still the GPZ900R remained. With the release of theZZ-R1100in 1990, the GPZ900R lost its status as Kawasaki's flagship model,[13][14]but continued, with some revisions of the fork, wheels, brakes and airbox, until 1993 in Europe, until 1986 in the US and until 2003 in Japan.[2][15]

The GPZ900R was featured in the movieTop Gun,[16]becoming a cultural icon.[17][18][19]

GPZ900 in Montreal in 1987
2003 GPz900R Final Edition

Notes

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  1. ^abcdefKawasaki Museum GPZ900R History,Kawasaki Heavy Industries, 2008, archived fromthe originalon 2007-06-25
  2. ^abWalker, Mick(2001),Performance Motorcycles,Amber Books, Ltd. and Chartwell Books (Book Sales, Inc.), pp.152–153,ISBN0-7858-1380-2
  3. ^abcdefghijkKrens (2001) p. 356
  4. ^abcdefghijkKawasaki Museum GPZ900R Specifications,Kawasaki Heavy Industries, 2008, archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-19
  5. ^abcdefgWalker (2006) pp. 174-5
  6. ^abWorkshop Manual[clarification needed]
  7. ^Walker (2006) p. 172
  8. ^Siegal, Margie (January–February 2007)."Kawasaki KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica".Motorcycle Classics.RetrievedNovember 13,2017.
  9. ^Isle of Man TT Official Site. TT 1984 Production 751-1500cc Results,IOM Government Department of Tourism and Leisure by Duke Marketing Ltd., 2009
  10. ^Walker (2003) p. 140
  11. ^abDe Cet (2005) p. 141-2
  12. ^abBrown (2000) p. 185
  13. ^Ker, Rod (2007),Classic Japanese Motorcycle Guide,Sparkford, UK:Haynes Publishing,p. 209,ISBN978-1-84425-335-7
  14. ^Dowds, Alan (2007),Superbikes: Street Racers: Design and Technology,Thunder Bay Press,p. 246,ISBN978-1-59223-777-7
  15. ^Brown, Roland (2005),The Ultimate History of Fast Motorcycles,Bath, England:Parragon,pp.184–185,ISBN1-4054-5466-0
  16. ^Trivia for Top Gun,IMDb, 2009
  17. ^Christian Science Monitor (2005) p. 11
  18. ^Brandweek (2008) p. 18
  19. ^Gingerelli (2011) p. 93

References

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Records
Preceded by Fastest production motorcycle
1984–1988 		Succeeded by
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