Is a GPZ a sportsbike?

RooRoo · Anal Intruder Joined: 04 May 2004 Karma :

I've been swayed to get a gpz instead of a gs500 when i pass my bike test on finance, as the insurance is the same, the bikes a bit cheaper, and in my opinion is nicer to sit on (having sat on them both, the GPZ feels more sporty)

I was just curious, is the GPZ actually a sportsbike, or a commuter?

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

Commuter

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Both I think.

In america, its a 500 ninja, and only sports bikes are allowed to wear the ninja name Wink

Still though, I'd call it a sports commuter Very Happy

I hear the powerband is far too much fun to be labelled a commuter

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

AcIdBuRnZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

I'd say commuter that'll still be fun at the weekends.

It's got more power and a noticable powerband compared to the other bikes on offer.

Cheap to buy and run - good choice Thumbs Up

(just wish I'd got one)

Plus the fairing will make a big difference, especially through the winter.

Mark
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RooRoo · Anal Intruder Joined: 04 May 2004 Karma :

would be nice to buy the bike outright but finance will have to do :/ well, I guess the GPZ it is, although the new GS500 looks nice ive heard its boring..

Ian (GPX) · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Karma :

GPZ/X400R = Sports
GPZ500S = Sports tourer
GPZ550 = Tourer (dispatch riders use these)
GPZ/X600R = Sports
GPZ/X750R = Sports
GPZ900R = Sports
GPZ/X1000RX = Sports
GPZ1100RX = Sports

Hope this helps you out.

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Karma :

Since I own one and it was originally percieved in the 80's as a Budget Sports bike and In my opinion still is, but its more of a sporting commuter these days. As its more than just a commuter, a CB250 is a commuter and so it the GS, but the GPZ has an edge to it.

To give it a name what I really think it should be is a "Budget Sports Touring Commuter". Razz

RooRoo · Anal Intruder Joined: 04 May 2004 Karma :

thanks

would a gpz500 be an alright bike to tour europe on with a pillion? Its something I'd enjoy doing and would be nice (If I could persuade her to get on a bike..) to take my girlfriend along.

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Commuter, it doesn't look or ride much like a sports bike, yes it might have been 10 years ago but not anymore.

RooRoo · Anal Intruder Joined: 04 May 2004 Karma :

it says on the 500cc FAQ they arent made anymore in the UK, but ive found a 2003 one for sale?

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Karma :

conpants · Spanner Monkey Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

Full Bananas · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Karma :

The GPZ500 is an awesome bike! (Obviously I'm completely unbiased on this matter... Wink

) As others have said, it's not really a sportsbike and I can't keep up with my mate's R1 when he's going for it, but if I keep the revs above 7k then I won't be too far behind. It's also got the advantage of being really comfortable for long journeys.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

This whole thread's really about Shaun's 'issues' with Craig and vice versa you know...

Anyway, I think one should categorise an individual's bike not by what it was built to do, or sold as being, but by what the individual *does* with it.

Thus one man's commuter may be another man's stunt bike. One man's supersports is another man's winter hack. And so on.

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

Milo · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Karma :

I hada GPz550 and wouldn't class it as a tourer.
It was a fun bike to ride and not too heavy to throw around.
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mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

20 years ago mine was a sports tourer... Razz

https://home.planet.nl/~motors-20th-century/small/TN_Honda-CX500-1981.JPG

I think the gpz is allot of things to different people, some might find a 10 year old bike tame, i scared the hell out of myself on my mates zzr400, but it too is a sports touring bike...

I think you will behappy with any 400cc+ bike (at least for a year Very Happy

)
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RooRoo · Anal Intruder Joined: 04 May 2004 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Personally I would say the GPZ500 is a sports bike, bike sports does not mean race replica.

The GPZ550 that Dean mentions may not be viewed that well these days, but when launched about 20 years ago it was a quick middle weight. Its modern equivalent would be something like a ZX6R, being pretty much the top of the range sports middle weight.

All the best

Keith
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RooRoo · Anal Intruder Joined: 04 May 2004 Karma :

so was the GPZ line the 80s equivelent of the ZXR line?

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

They don't equate too well. You have to remember that there was no real "sports" or "performance" line then, the GPz900R was the first of what came to be known as "hypersports" which the 6R and suchlike belong to now.
All in all the GPz line is a venerable one, that usually supplies a decent grin factor.
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zx636 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'm with Bendy on this one. I have a commuter, ZX636 its what iI use it for. Well apart from scaring my bank manager with the £450+ service bill i just got.