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   34 Reviews found for Kawasaki Kawasaki 500cc

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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc 90/91 (H)
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My GPZ was bought as a project to tidy up as I prepared for my test. It is very easy to work on if you use a Haynes Manual ! With 50000 miles I was not expecting a great bike especially as it was not MOT'd when I got it. New spark plugs, filters, oil and a Motad Nexxus later it was ready for paint. I am not a fan of the original colour shemes (especially with pink side stripes ). I completely covered mine in black, repaired the slight fairing damage and replaced the std indicators with some arrows ( much better ). Pukka, so an MOT later I was ready to hit the streets.
With the lower fairing removed it looks much more modern. At fifteen years old the frame and swinging arm look tired and without major stripping are difficult to tidy up. Now it is on the road I find it to be light, comfortable and responsive. There are plenty of engine vibes especially in the midrange. The brakes although old are reasonable, hard braking can bottom out the front end. Cornering is good but I tend not to get to low or fast in the bends as the current tyres are old budget ones ( Bridgestone BT 45's still to come ). You never seem to be quite sure how much grip you have as there is very little feeling in the steering.
To be honest this is not a sports machine anyway. As a semi faired street or commuter machine I think for the money little can beat it in its own class. 60bhp on a 500 is respectable and keeping up with similar 600's is not difficult.
I think I would have prefered a post 94 model as they have 17" front wheels and disc brakes front and back. However this bike is very cheap to run, easy to work on, has poke and now looks good. If your on a budget there's not much cheaper then this with the same level of performance, reliability and style. Some improvements that are still required before I am 100% happy will be braided line, new disc and sintered pads, BT45's, new alloy pegs and black screen. I am not sure how long I have before the engine will need stripping, maybe adjusting the valve clearances will make it a little smoother !
All in all well worth a punt but don't pay too much.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 29/09/2005
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc Sept '01 (51)
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I got my GPZ about 1 and a half months ago. Fitted with a 33bhp kit as just passed my test. Used every day since I got it. Done 2000 miles on it already (in 1 and a half months) Starts easy every time, 0-60 of about 6 seconds, tops out at about 105. Great bike. Pegs down on corners. The Bridgestone's I have it on though are not the best of tyres. Great with luggage. I have had two soft panniers full, tank bag full, and pillion on back with rucksack and did a 250 mile round trip no probs. Brakes lack a bit but once you know the braking distances its fine. Overall great bike, even restricted.
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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 06/08/2005
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc 85/86 (C)
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Just a very brief correction to an earlier review - the GPZ500R "Ninja" is not the same bike as the GPZ500S. Difference being that the 500R has a four cylinder engine with a little more power, and also a little more fairing. Otherwise, the two are very much alike.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 05/08/2005
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc Sept '99 (V)
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I have owned many bikes over the past 15 years including RG500, TZR250, RD350, GPZ600, TRX850 etc. and I have to admit the GPZ500 handles better than all of them. You have to get it past 7000rpm to make it fly but below that, the engine is very flexible and extremely economical. If you like 2 strokes with the powerband but you want reliability and economy, get a GPZ500. I paid
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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 20/07/2005
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc 97/98 (R)
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NICE BIKE! EASY TO RIDE! SUPRISINGLY QUICK FOR A 500.... GOES WELL COMPARED WITH THE CRAPPY GS500 YOU DO TEST ON. STILL KEEPING MINE WHILE RIDING A HONDA VTR1000 FIRESTORM!! BIT OF AN UPGRADE!! TAKE CARE, SAFE RIDING.
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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 18/07/2005
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc Sept '01 (51)
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Been riding since 1978 (!) and last bike was a 1999 Yamaha FZR400 (fast) but have recently bought a Kwaka GPZ500 2001 model and what a surprise! 60bhp gives it respectable accelleration and staying power on long distance runs. Handling is great and although some say a dated design now, I love it to bits. My 4 year old GPZ500 has only done 4000 miles so we will be together for a long time. Is it possible to get married to a bike?
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 29/06/2005
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc 97/98 (R)
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I've had mine for several months now and I can't say I could have wished for any thing more from my first big bike. I get a lot of stick from a mate of mine about parallel twins but all I can say is don't knock it till you've tried it. The motor is silk smooth above 3K and the bike is stable at anything from walking pace to full speed. Mines fitted with a 33bhp kit at the mo cos I'm 17 so it sometimes feels a little top heavy for the power it delivers and is reluctant to glide through corners but I reckon once I get the full power it'll be fine. You can't really halve a bikes output and expect it to behave 100% !
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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 28/06/2004
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc 98 (S)
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I have been commuting on the GPZ almost every day since I bought it in February. It's been a pleasure to ride it on a daily basis - twice a day. The bike has turned out to be immensely reliable and quite responsive enough for my needs - like a greased snake on the B roads to Plymouth, nippy and easy to handle in the city centre, and an absolute blast on the nearly empty A30 from back from Exeter to Cornwall, climbing over the back of Dartmoor as the sun is going down after a day's work. It is light, has a low seat and a low centre of gravity. I am 5 ft 4 inches so these things matter immensely! Easy to move about on the drive and in traffic, and quick to overtake the commuter lines. And then the burst of real speed when needed. Lovely!

Brakes have been upgraded, thankfully from what you all say, and work very well indeed wet or dry. Fairing should be full to fend off the winter spray, but it seems the middle piece is available from Kawasaki, so I will be down there before September. The screen needs replacing for a double bubble as it is a bit windy above 95 mph, but having trouble finding a good one.

It is no superbike, but for that I am grateful. I would be likely to kill myself with 175 miles an hour at my disposal every day in all weathers, I fear! And it would only get nicked. Great to have found this speedy little lightweight. We will be together for some time I suspect.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 25/06/2004
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc 98 (S)
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A magical middle weight machine. 0-60 in less than 4s and 120+. Corners (had my knee 2in from the ground), is comftable, economical if not thrashed (less than 90) and carries a pillion well (I carry a pillion with a combined weight of about 28st). It is a great bike to learn on and doesn't punish mistakes. Newer ones have twin disks, mine has one with a braided hose which does the job (braided hose is a must). Could have a higher seat height for me (I'm 6"2 and the seat suits 5"8), but as most bikes are designed for 6ft+ is fits in nicely. If you never do 100+ or do serious touring you don't need anything bigger. Only gets 4.5 due to single front disk (however new ones don't have this problem) and finish not as good as a few other bikes (like the CBR600F)
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 17/07/2003
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Kawasaki GPZ 500cc 98 (S)
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First bike after a long lay-off, (wife, kids etc). What is there to say - bought mine 2nd hand off a mate. Only major prob's I've had was the battery died last winter. Runs on Bridstones front and rear (8k plus miles). Highly dodgeable(?) in town. Just Handles a dream, (London - with all it's blind car and taxi drivers) 45mpg plus the way I ride it. Found it a bit notchy on the gearbox, prone for false neutrals, but that could be my riding style. one. Brakes could be better, but this is not a full on race bike, so if they are looked after, they are more than adequate. Ignores abuse - within reason. Just give it a bath every so often and remember to oil/adjust the chain and you shouldnt have any problems, (mines used 7days a week in all weathers and is kept out side under a canvas cover!) Any regrets? Didn't get a topbox and rack fitted. So why am I p/xing it? Want a bigger bike and the wife has finally agreed, and she wouldn't let me keep both!
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 22/05/2003
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