1985 Kawasaki GPZ600R from New Zealand - Comments

Comments: 1-15, 16-20

12th Dec 2004, 21:35

"Lots of fun, but lethally quick"

What things have gone wrong with the motorcycle?

Hard starting when I bought it, replaced plugs and battery with no effect, turned out to be the tappets set too tight.

General comments?

Awesome takeoff, excellent handling and braking.

Really uncomfortable for anyone over 180 cm tall.

Sounds great.

Not much good in town traffic except for overtaking. Fine on winding hill roads and motorways.


7th Jan 2005, 06:32

Not only uncomfortable for tall riders, VERY uncomfortable for old riders! I used mine to commute to work for several years (only about twenty minutes) and would inevitably get cramp due to the riding position. I'd also get sore wrists because the anti dive system lets every bump go straight through as you brake for junctions, not very nice in potholed Liverpool. But then there's the weekends, Wahaay!

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30th Aug 2006, 06:54

Simply brilliant!

I've had my 600r for 16 years and it's still going strong. The modern sports bikes can do everything better, of course, but the old 600r holds its own in the real world.

Mechanically it's strong. It's had minor problems such as a cracked head (didn't have enough antifreeze in the coolant during the winter and the frozen coolant caused the head to split), coils failed once and the speedometer cable (s) keep shearing (one after only 30 miles) so now I run it without one (a few marks on the rev dial does the trick).

I would buy one, but I've got one and it's not for sale.

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15th Sep 2006, 09:33

I passed my test early this year. A 600R is my first bike. The 600R is only 5 years younger than me.

I love it - I have said to the wife it's not going anywhere. I do want new bike one day, but the 600R will always be there. I think the 600R is a good first bike.

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18th Sep 2006, 15:19

Passed my test 3 weeks ago, and saw a GPZ600R for sale privately, and I had to have it. It was a 1985 C plate model with only 12000 miles on the clock.

I’ve done over 400 miles on it, and I think it’s a fantastic bike for the year. It handles well and has great speed (more than enough for a first bike). I think I pushed it too hard though, considering the age of it and the miles it's done, because whilst riding it the other day, it started making a loud knocking noise when accelerating, and I lost top end power! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

ga.home@fsmail.net

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27th Nov 2006, 14:56

I hear ya, ga.home.

Mine did exactly the same, and about 20 miles later a piston decided to re-distribute itself all over the A1 near Newcastle. I'd get it checked out sharpish. I needed a new engine (not actually that expensive, but a pain in the rear end to fit).

Hope all is well.

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27th May 2007, 05:28

Hi all, I just passed my test 3 weeks ago and I bought a 600r. My dad rode it first and could not believe how well it went for a 600 that is 20 years old. I love the thing; it's great. If I buy a newer bike some day, I will keep the 600r, as I can't fault it in any way.

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18th Jun 2007, 07:13

Just looking at the comments here has put me off buying one; let me explain before you all visit me with chains in hand. I plan to pass this summer & my friends selling his sweet looking 1987 GPZ600R to me for an absolute steal, but the thing is, I'm 6ft4' tall & plan some decent trips with friends, so it looks like it's gonna be a no-go for this deal/sale :(

Any advice: gonthegers@hotmail.com

Cheers

Gaz

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17th Jul 2007, 08:12

I am 6ft tall and have no problems with this bike. I also have a sv650k5. The GPZ 600R is a 1985 model; I've just spent the last 12 months stripping her down and giving her a makeover. It's got 75 thou k on her. Just need to get some disks/screen and exhausts.

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31st Dec 2007, 19:10

Hi, I just bought a 600r. Got it for a steal at 100 quid. Any one know where to buy a screen for it?

Brian.

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11th Feb 2008, 17:59

£100 nice!!! Come the summer you can expect to see this bike for no less than £900. I got mine for £400, off the road at the moment, had no compression in 3 cylinders, also had wet cylinders, think it the valve stem seals as they had no rubber left on them (compared to some new ones). Hoping it will be back on the road in time for the summer; having to make do with my Bandit 600, but it's just not the same on a sunny day.

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11th Jul 2008, 02:11

Talking to a guy right now about buying his 1985 600r. I'm super excited, been riding for 3 seasons, but never had my own bike. I've ridden endurals, Harley's, TL1000's, best bike I've ridden was the 08' Hayabusa (damn). But for my first bike, I've chosen the 600r. Picking it up next week!

ryan_boyden@hotmail.com

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7th Aug 2008, 08:39

Got a fantastic GPZ600R A1 1985. 54000 KM Grey import. Been riding it for 5 years + and it never lets me down. 130mph and good on fuel. A perfect quick commuter.

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11th Sep 2008, 08:16

Just bought GPZ 600R 1986. It has a knock on tickover and goes when the revs are up to 2000 or when the clutch is operated; is this common and what fix is involved to cure it?

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7th Nov 2008, 12:44

All GPZ 600Rs rattle on tick over. Balancing the carbs quietens things down for a little while.

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29th Dec 2008, 13:29

Hey all GPZ 600r lovers!!! I just bought mine.

Can any one tell me, what's the most common problem? Mine is a little grumpy to start. It's got only 44000km.

PS..plz help.

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