The GPz was an
imposing motorcycle. Its angular styling made
no attempt to hide the fact that this bike was
not built to be messed with. Its seat was high,
its wheelbase was a long, and it weighed a substantial
5621b (255kg) with fuel. The engine's capacity
of 1089cc was slightly smaller than that of
Yamaha's rival XS1100. let alone Kawasaki's
own Z1300 six. But with a peak output of I08bhp
at 8500rpm. the GPz was the world's most powerful
four in 1981.
Kawasaki needed that credibility boost, because
the Big K's reputation for all-conquering performance
had slipped since the mid-1970s heyday of the
Z1 and Z900. Unlike its rival the 16-valve Suzuki
GSX1100. the GPz relied on Kawasaki's age-old
format of two valves per cylinder.
Bike
Image
Description
1981 Kawasaki GPz 1100
Air cooled, four stroke, transverse
four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valve per cylinder.
