The new ZZR 1400 is vastly quicker and faster, but wouldn't you still want to have a go on the GPZ 750 Turbo? Just once... :-)
Kawasaki’s most powerful motorcycle ever - the ZZR 1400 - packs 197bhp and sure, it's insane. But it still doesn't have a turbocharger, which the 1980s GPZ750 did! Oh, okay, given the added weight, cost and complexity, turbochargers on motorcycles aren’t probably worth the hassle. But then, a ‘factory turbo’ badge has to be worth a point or two down at the pub, swapping tales over a pint. Wind on the boost, and from stoplights, the mid-1980s GPZ Turbo will still leave your neighbour’s Porsche Cayenne for dead. This bike was, after all, the first production motorcycle ever to run the quarter mile (400m) in less than 11 seconds.
The bike featured digital fuel injection and was fitted with a Hitachi HT-10B turbocharger. Power output, in stock form, was 95bhp, but with a bit of fettling and tweaking, some tuners claim to be able to release more than 200bhp! Said Motorcyclist magazine, in October 1983, "The 750 Turbo is far more than the hottest. It's a milestone in motorcycling." Many will argue that the normally-aspirated GPZ 900R was the better machine, but come on, everyone should own at least one turbocharged motorcycle, at least once in their lives...
Yes, the GPZ750 Turbo was a bit special...
10 comments:
You are right buddy. The Gpz is one of my dream bikes too. Though Kawasaki was the last to realease a turbo, it packed the most punch.
Although I remember it as the power rating was a 110bhp and not 95. It weighed in close to 496lbs (that's 225KGs) and a 5 speed gearbox. Some features included, anti-dive forks, Uni-Trak rear suspension.
Although looks-wise I'd say the Yamaha xj650 had it beat, and the suzuki xn85 had the yammie beat.
But in terms of sheer outright power, it was the Kawi.
The xj and xn85's have been reduced to curios by time, but the old beastie turbo with a few tweaks is still a very viable bike to go fast on even today...
I know, im putting 200 miles a week on one of my pair...
With the right modifications this bike will outrun a ZZR1400 and go over 200mph.
Not a lot out there to beat a Turbo. I still have one sitting nicely in my garage and on the rare occassion that it rears its beastly head, there are still very few machines to match it.
hey i want the specs on this turbo gpz750 so i can build my triumph 955i daytona turbo
conrad, surf over to www.750turbo.com, its all there...
I owned one briefly in the mid 80s - still miss it
I had the choice of a GPZ 900 or one of these blighters, the lure of the turbo badge made the decision for me!
It was flamin' marvellous in a straight line but it bit wobbly round the back lanes - a friend of mine stuck one in a Harris frame and said it made the handling even worse, something to do with the rake ... As if mine didn't have a hinge in the middle!
I owned owned a turbo for 4 years,then when i sold it i bought my brothers gpz900,the turbo was a much better bike in my opinion,but i had come from an H1 500 before,so maybe i liked the 2 stroke like power hit.
I sold it to a friend who still owns it,december 07,it will still out drag a lot of newer bikes, as it has a bleed valve on the wastegate,regularly run on 14lb boost,clutch starts slipping about 22lb boost.
I'm in the process of building a radical custom turbo kawasaki. The platform is a ZN1300 voyager. It's a 1300cc, inline 6, fuel injected. It wass completely stripped down. Custom bars, frame rails, exaust, seat, lights, gauges, controls, wheels, fueltank, fenders, etc.
The I've lightened it by well over 300 lbs. With the healthy 120hp 6 cylinder motor this thing "RIPS". It's just about ready for the road.
I'm putting together the turbo set up over the next few months. A dynatech programable ECM, A garrett ballbearing turbo, forged pistons, custom camshaft, larger injectors. It should be interesting.
Back in 84 I rode my brand new 900 Ninja to Cali and wound up meeting and riding with a fellow on a GPZ750 turbo.
Ever since then I've dreamt of a a turbo bike! A few years ago I found oldskoolsuzuki.info and there I learned how to Turbo-charge a bike. I now have a blow through GSXR1100G Streetfighter making 250HP on the street.
I owe it all to the GPZ750 Turbo!!
Cheers,
Gord aka, Maggotbeath
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