Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127737
'RIDING·IMPRESSION 1995 Kawasaki GPz1100 produce, more traditional one-piece, double-cradle, high-tensile steel frame, equipped with less sophisticated suspension components, and came up with the GPzll00 and a price tag $2000 less than that of the ZX-l1. It's still by no means a cheap motorcycle at $7999, but four digits are much easier to swallow than five. Fifteen years ago, the GPzII00's styling would be considered full-race and would turn heads wherever it went. Today, you probably wouldn't notice it even if it clipped your nose at 50 mph.lt just doesn't have that eye-catching, sexy look of the sporty ZX-11, but it does have a nice, clean and simple appearance all its own. It's simply a good-looking motorcycle. Rather than have another open-class sport bike on its hands, Kawasaki set out to make the GPzll00 the ideal sporttouring motorcycle, a motorcycle capable of handling the long hauls, In other words, it was designed to go in a straight line, comfortably and effortlessly, things the GPz1100, in fact, does quite well. And there are many reasons for this. For one, the GPz has a long wheelbase, 59.6 inches to be exact, which is a full inch longer than the ZXl1's stance but still 1.6 inches shorter than the Kawasaki Concours' wheelbase. The bike is also extremely heavy.lt takes a healthy heave-ho just to get the bike upright hom the sidestand and once you do get the bike rolling it maintains a straight track. The bike's claimed 533.6 (dry) weight, combined with the stretched-out wheelbase, help make it super-stable as you watch the white lines flicker by. Plus, the fairing/windscreen slices through the air with ease By Kit Palmer Photos by Joe Bonnello dmittedly, we weren't overly excited at the prospect of testing the Kawasaki GPz1100. Heck, I barely even noticed the all-new machine when Kawasaki released photographs and specification of its complete line of 1995 motorcycles late last year. I basically skipped right over it. The machine just isn't an eye-catching motorcycle with its retro styling and conservative lines. At least they painted it bright red; unfortunately, the photos came in black and white. And the name - GPz. Makes you think of the "old" days. Whenever I hear those three letters I can't help but think way back when every other bike on the road was a GPzSSO and Cheap Trick ruled the air waves. Good times, bad times. But once you start taking a closer look at the new GPzll00, you start realizing that this motorcycle has a lot to offer, such as the same powerplant that made the mighty Kawasaki ZX-ll famous, Actually, if it weren't for this motor, the GPz1100 probably wouldn't exist at all. You see, Kawasaki wanted to make this engine more obtainable to the riding public, because up until now, if you wanted to experience the awesome pull and power of this truly incredible motor, then you had to put up at least 10 grand for a shiny new ZX-l1. So, what Kawasaki did was take the ZX-11 motor, drop it into a less-expensive-to- (Above) Although It's powered by . virtually the _motoras the zx-n, the MWGPz1100 offers more In the way of comfort and cI8y-to-d8y livability than Its more sportorIenl8d broIher. It's also $2000 chNper. (RIght) 1lle GPz1100 ...... little Mavy and sluggish through the switchbacks, but the rider woo't feel heavy .nd .Iugglsh sft8r • long cI8y on the open highway•. StrBl9ht-llne .tabliity 8Ild comfort are some of the GPz'. strong points.