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Kawasaki GPZ1100 motorcycle review - Riding

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Kawasaki GPZ1100 (1995-1998)

Detail	Value
Used price range	View Kawasaki GPZ1100 bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size	1052cc
Power	123bhp
Top speed	155mph
Insurance group	14

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

The Kawasaki GPZ1100 is more sporty tourer than sports tourer. Launched with zero cutting edge technology but a honking great engine with a hearty midrange that makes rapid riding easy. On the spec sheet the Kawasaki GPZ1100 is an overweight dinosaur but on the road it’s actually a great machine. Just don’t go chasing the latest GSX-Rs on a twisty road.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Straight from the Kawasaki old-school GPZ900/1000/ZX10/ZZR1100 family – and none the worse for it. The Kawasaki GPZ1100 is gentle at low revs but comes out swinging like a healthy prize fighter by 4000rpm with more to come the higher up the tacho you go. The top end of the Kawasaki GPZ1100 can’t match the latest tackle but who cares? Carbs means smooth delivery, good economy and occasional icing.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Kawasaki GPZ1100 is heavy plus that weight’s carried quite high. The GPZ1100 can feel a bit of a handful at walking pace but get moving and it carries itself with amazing poise. Great all day the only problem comes if you try and chase sports bikes on the Kawasaki GPZ1100 – the suspension and extra bulk means its hard work.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Kawasaki GPZ1100 screen, riding position and seat work well. That means long days in the saddle can be achieved without aches or a numb-bum on the GPZ1100. Pillions are pretty well catered for too. An ABS equipped version of the Kawasaki GPZ1100 was available but at just over a grand more than the standard bike few were sold and the plug was quickly pulled.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Reliability-wise it’s good news. The Kawasaki GPZ1100s engine’s strong and easily capable of six figure mileages. There’s no major mechanical problems with the Kawasaki GPZ1100 but build quality was poor. Brake callipers, wheels and the exhaust all corrode easily on the Kawasaki GPZ1100 and the motorcycle can look tatty fast.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Never flavour of the month and quite rare on the used market – but Kawasaki GPZ1100s are often at bargain prices. Owners are more likely to be older gents and unlikely to thrash or neglect their GPZ1100s. Watch out for high-mile commuters – the suspension and chassis bears will be tired. Yamaha’s XJ900S Diversion is cheaper to buy and run but slower. Find a Kawasaki GPZ1100 for sale.

Insurance group: 14

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1995: Original Kawasaki GPZ1100 model launched.
1998: Kawasaki GPZ1100 siscontinued.

GPZ1100ABS: Offered during 1996 and 1997 but at £8995 few were sold.

Specifications

Top speed	155mph
1/4-mile acceleration	11.1 secs
Power	123bhp
Torque	74ftlb
Weight	242kg
Seat height	795mm
Fuel capacity	22 litres
Average fuel consumption	38mpg
Tank range	38 miles
Insurance group	14

Engine size	1052cc
Engine specification	16v in-line four, 6 gears
Frame	Steel cradle
Front suspension adjustment	None
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload, rebound
Front brakes	Twin 300mm discs
Rear brake	250mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	170/60 x 17

See all Kawasaki GPZ1100 motorcycles for sale

Kawasaki
GPZ1100

35066 miles

£1,995

Owners' Overall Rating (4 reviews)

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nickodemon

Average rating

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Good bike. Does what is required of it. Plenty bottom end and midrange. Comfy, good for touring. A bit heavy.

17 January 2009
Good value

GaryLondon

Average rating

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I've had the GPZ/ZX1100E for 3 years and have had heaps of fun on it. It is heavy but when you get rolling the power is quite effortless. It is reliable but the exhaust fell apart, corroding at the welds. A new Remus 4-1 sounds better and looks the biz. Apart from that I've only replaced anything that perishes apart from an oil seal on the gear selector. You can't twist through canyons like an R1 but open it up on a motorway and 'it'll go stink'... The Goodridge metal hoses have given me fabulous breaking, a must if you want to avoid break fade.

13 June 2007
Good value

GaryLondon

Average rating

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Overall
Ride and Handling
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I've had the GPZ/ZX1100E for 3 years and have had heaps of fun on it. It is heavy but when you get rolling the power is quite effortless. It is reliable but the exhaust fell apart, corroding at the welds. A new Remus 4-1 sounds better and looks the biz. Apart from that I've only replaced anything that perishes apart from an oil seal on the gear selector. You can't twist through canyons like an R1 but open it up on a motorway and 'it'll go stink'... The Goodridge metal hoses have given me fabulous breaking, a must if you want to avoid break fade.

13 June 2007
Simple but effective

Wozza1973

Burnaby , CA

Average rating

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Overall
Ride and Handling
Equipment
Quality and Reliabilty
Value
Engine

The GPz1100 is a bit of a simple bike by today's standards, no real frills here. It is very comfortable for long rides and the engine is a real gem with lots of torque. It's very hard to find parts as not many of them were sold, so nobody really carries them. The engine is very similar to the ZRX1100 though, so that does help. The bike can be a bit ponderous at low speeds and it also prone to head bearing wear, which makes matters worse.

17 March 2007