Kawasaki GPZ 500 S 1989

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

Sold the goose need something that will last. Looking at this bike over the weekend, sadly no pictures I'm told it's black with red decals. It has done 27,000 miles 12 months MOT not the best for its age but mechanicly sound (mechanic selling it). It's an S model don't know what the difference is!

What dya think? worth the money? and a good bike?

Cheers, James

LOL £500
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[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

I haven't a clue if its worth the money because you don't mention a price! Laughing

The GPZ500 only really comes in an S model too.

The GPz500S is a nice all rounder type machine with a slight sporty slant. It has a steel frame and is fairly heavy. It is a parallel twin and has a fair amount of grunt for a bike its size. It is capable of carrying a pillion with ease and handling is ok if a little soggy.

It should be good for about 120mph and they are very reliable along with reasonable parts prices and reasonably cheap servicing.

A nice bike, especially if looked after and a good price.

There are two shapes available, I think it changed sometime in the early 90's. The newer ones are definitely prettier IMO, but I wouldn't let this put you off cos they are a solid bike. If its a reasonable price and not too old then it would be a good buy.

What year is it and whats the asking price?
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

I changed it and then posted it so you'd know Rolling Eyes

£500!
____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

Boo · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Karma :

the main difference in the change was it went to 17" wheels, I had one with 16" wheels and it did everything asked of it O.K not the fastest bike on the road but as Marjay has said it a cracking bike if looked after, I used to do oil changes every 2,000 miles just to keep the engine in as good a nick as possible and at £500 sounds a bargain if mechanicaly sound.

Susi · Whitton Girl Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Karma :

Banner! lol

Boo, just telling you now that it will get removed before it actually happens.
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Sometimes, I like to think I'm 'spe-cial'.

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

I think this is the one:

https://www.bikepics.com/pictures/038295/

Please ste don't flame me for posting 3 times in one day Razz

James

____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hmm, 1989. 27,000 milkes but owned by a mechanic. 12 Months MOT.

£500?!?!?!?

Bargain! snap it up I would! (as long as its not grotty and make sure the brakes work cos theyre only small single disc sliding caliper type brakes)

To be honest the least a roadworthy bike with 12 months MOT is worth is probably about £300. Considering that the mileage is OK for the age and the bike appears to be looked after, I would say make him an offer. Offer £450 and then haggle.

Then chuckle as you ride your nice new old bike home Smile

____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Stew · Posted: 19:21 - 20 Jan 2004 Post subject: Go for it!

The older GPZ has a single disc front brake and a drum rear and had 16inch wheels, whereas the newer ones got 17inch wheels a single front and single rear disc.
I think my Mams GPZ is great fun and is a 'do it all' kinda bike.
Performance probably won't be much of a step up from your goose but it should be overall more ridable with a bit more grunt lower down, also the fairing will provide you with more comfort at speed.

500 quid and 12 months MOT you say? I say go for it. Thumbs Up

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"Unlike public school you don't need to have your arse up and your head down to go a long way...."

Kickstart@Work · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hi

We have a GPZ500S which has 32000 miles on the clocks. It is the second one we had.

They are all the S model.

The engine is a 500cc 8V parallel twin. Top speed was meant to be 127mph. Claimed power was 60hp, actual on Charlottes on a dyno was 45hp at the rear wheel.

Fuel consumption is great at around 60~65mpg, and remains good when cruising at up to anything around 85mph (at which point they come into the power and the fuel consumption noticeably increases). Added to which it has a decent size tank so will do over 200 miles on a tank full.

Brakes are just about OK, depending on the pads used.

Seat is a bit narrow. Not uncomfortable, but not that nice. Handlebars are quite high. Seat is quite low. Make a good bike for those who are vertically challanged.

Finish is not great, but could be a lot worse. The original exhausts rot away, but a Motad Datum should do quite well on it.

At 1989 it will have the 16" wheels and the rear drum brake.

Now for the big down side. The cam chains do wear on them, as does the primary drive chain. If they sounds sort of rattly / slappy then one or the other is probably gone. Cam chain is not too bad, but the primary drive chain realistically means splitting the engine cases. To take the rocker cover off to do the valves means draining the cooling system at least partially as 2 water pipes bolt to the rocker cover. The alternators on the early ones have a habit of loosing all their magnets, which also often takes out the stator. Those 2 bits combined new are around £500, and are VERY difficult to find 2nd hand. The later 17" wheeled bikes had this problem fixed but also used a different ignition system so not sure how much your would need to change (probably the cdi unit and some wiring) to use the later parts.

At £500 it is probably not bad. We paid £800 for Charlottes one with 25000 on the clocks.

All the best

Keith
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Atheism is a not for prophet organisation

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

I'll have to go and look at it, you've put me in two minds now. Is there no way it could be the newer one? if so what year does it change?
____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

Kickstart@Work · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Karma :

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

Here are the two different bikes
https://www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=12249
https://www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=4066

What are the differences? just the engine cocking up and the fairing?
____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

Kickstart@Work · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hi

Styling, clocks, wheels, tyres (later ones have radials I think), rear brake, ignition system.

Also note that the earlier bike you posted a picture of is not a UK model. UK bikes had a single twin piston sliding caliper front brake. Some other markets (like that bike) had twin disks at the front with single piston sliding calipers.

All the best

Keith
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Atheism is a not for prophet organisation

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

I think I'll hold out for a later model then. Thanks very much Kieth, Stew and Marjay for your help!

Tar very much!

James
____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

Kickstart@Work · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hi

Hope I did not put you off too much. They are not bad really (as I say, we are on our second). The alternator is the only real problem that you cannot really check for.

At £500 it may well be worth it.

All the best

Keith
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Atheism is a not for prophet organisation

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

Kickstart@Work · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Karma :

Yes, we have had 2 early ones. The first was bright green, and attracted the flies when parked. That was sold about 10 years ago. We now have another which Charlotte bought to get used to riding a bike again after 7 years on crutches.

Both of these are early ones, and both have suffered from the alternator problem. Managed to find 2nd hand bits this time for around £125 (had to take my own Kawasaki alternator puller to the breakers yard to get it off though).

All the best

Keith
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Atheism is a not for prophet organisation

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

Kickstart@Work · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hi

Go and look, and check it over. Check the rear suspension linkages for play, and check the steering head bearings. Listen for rattles. Check the overall condition. Check the front brake pads (our first one ate pads).

At £500 it probably is not mint, but well worth a look.

Performance is pretty much the same as the GPZ550.

All the best

Keith
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Atheism is a not for prophet organisation

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Personally, I'd say if it runs OK and has 12 months MOT then its probably a bargain. I expect that my Triumph will cost me more than £500 over the course of a year, just in depreciation.

Personally if it runs OK and looks like its been looked after, then I'd bite the guy's hand off. They are nice bikes. It will have a bit more poke than the goose. If I remember correctly then the goose makes less than 33bhp. the GPz will be a step up from that. Smile

____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

Well I'll go and have a look tomorrow. I hope it is good! The guy said that it needs tarting up a bit so it could be a shed.

It's just had a full service by the mechanic (who's a family friend) so I don't think he'd sell me something crap!

James
____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Jimbo,
The worst comes to the worst, and you pay the asking price for a shed. You buy for £500 and you don't like it.

Just list it on Ebay with a reserve of £700 Smile

____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

Yeah i suppose
cheers all, I'll go and look at it!
____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

Right things have changed! Mike found https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2453781614&category=9808&rd=1 (thanks Mike) What dya think? I'm only concerned as it doesn't run and may never again. Anyone know if this bike is prone to anything like this?

Cheers for any help!

James
____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

Kickstart@Work · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hi

Price is cheap, but not sure about buying a non running bike like that. £600 (at the moment) may rapidly go up if the reason it is not running it (for example) the cdi unit, especially on a not particularly popular import.

Think the £500 GPZ500S would be a safer buy (and if it did go bang you could probably break that at a profit).

All the best

Keith
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Atheism is a not for prophet organisation