Kawasaki GPX600R Reviews

On the whole it has been a good bike after I repaired all the problems it had from when I purchased it from the shop... I love riding it...

Nothing significant has gone wrong with this bike really. I have had the bike for 20 years and have only had to change the igniter box, brake lever sender unit and the rear brake torsion arm. Aside from the usual things such as tyres, chain, sprockets, oils and filters and the odd battery nothing has broken! It has been bullet-proof and ultra-reliable - it starts every time without a worry.

If I can pick one fault, it's that the front tyre does seem to wear a bit quicker than the rear and develops a scalloped pattern along the outer edge of the tyre. If let go for an extended period it can get to the point whereby it creates front end shudder, particularly under deceleration. Aside from that, it's been outstanding!

It is a very moderate bike, particularly when compared to today's wizardry.

Acceleration is not mind blowing, but more than enough for me to get my thrills.

Cornering is good, but a bit heavy on the arms at times.

Rear brake is OK, but the front brake is outstanding (got me outta trouble a couple of times).

The seat height is good for a shorter person like me (168cm), and the sitting position is comfortable for both rider and pillion.

Gauges are easy to read and well set out.

I still love the look of the bike (all black with silver trim), but it does look dated against newer bikes (obviously).

Many times I have considered trading the GPX in on a new faster machine, but I just can't part with it. It cost me $6200 in '89, is worth about $1500 now, and would cost me about $15000 to upgrade. 70,000km and the engine still sounds like new. Why would I?

Right hand fork seal blew after about 500 miles.

Nice looking bike (in my opinion).

Ultra reliable. I bought it as a commuting hack for around 24,000 miles per annum. It's not garaged & is parked outside (under a cover). I can guarantee that I get on it, press the button & she bursts into life.

Handling is good, not up to a 21st century loony rocket, but enough for me.

Despite what the book says, it returns over 60 mpg (I know this as I check it - sad I know).

Handles the South Wales equivalent of Mad Max 2 (M4 outside Cardiff) with no worries & is as good at weaving in & out of the stationary cages as it is of sticking to 70mph going into work - honestly officer!

Only downside? Hands get frigging freezing - true it is Feb & there is snow on the ground, so what do I expect?

Rolls on from the throttle in top gear at 70 plenty quick enough to keep out of the way of the psychopaths in their BMW's.

Easy to work on, & chain the does seem to stretch. Time will tell how long the tyres last.

Nothing really, it's just gutless (nothing wrong with the bike at all, just needs more power) & doesn't handle well enough.

Fine as a rainy day commuter, but distinctly lacking any sort of presence or character.

Rear suspension is far too hard even on the softest setting, front end is OK, but anti-dive wouldn't work.

Fitted braided hoses all round & got all the air out, but the brakes were still not that good (calipers were all stripped cleaned & freed off properly.)

Frontal area looks like a 250.

Tappets are a pig to adjust without a special tool.

Would I have another one?

No.

The handling (stiff rear shok aside) was OK, but it had a propensity to throw itself down a bit too quickly in a bend, which could be compared to a hot labrador flopping itself on the floor.

Even with good tyres, it runs out of tread on the rear if you try to corner faster than it wants to go.

A yawn factor of 7 if you want to try & keep up with the bigger boys.