Kawasaki GPZ750 Turbo. any thoughts insights.

[Jedz123]

Hey Guys
So I came across an 87 Kawi GPZ750 Turbo. I don't know much about these bikes other then it's one of those old school super bikes I've always wanted to get on the saddle of. I offered my Miata for even trade. Bike has brand new tires, battery, fluids. Turbo spools well has a post factory exhaust manifold, boost gauge. Boost has be turned up owner says it's very fast which would make sense for it was one of the few bikes in the 80's that ran a 10.7 1/4 mile.. Stock! Bike has 13k on the clock.
So is it worth the trade? What should I look out for. Also is this guy Fuel injected? I know the Honda and Suzuki counter parts were FI.
I'd love a turbo bike... it might be faster then my FZ1... cool piece of history.
Thanks.

[Nessism]

Very cool bikes. Hard to judge value without knowing more info including photos.

[Jedz123]

Good shape. Minor blemishes but everything is all there.
The guy is the second owner and brought it out of storage from the Original Owner and brought it back up to running condition. Bike is booked for $3500. Pretty hard find. Runs good and the guy is willing to ride it from Maine to VT to trade so He's definitely confident in its ability to ride long distances.

[blowerbike]

it is a 750 that was derived from the KZ650 with a small turbo so it runs like a 1000/1100.
it is not faster than you FZ1 IMO.
cool bikes but over rated as far as being "fast".

[harley10]

They go pretty good I have owned a few of them , as well as all the other turbos , if boost has been turned up it will be fast!!

[Guest]

Well, it's not an 87, only made in 84 and 85, $3500 is a good estimate of value depending on overall condition, like said previously, very hard to tell without pictures. If it's in cosmetically good shape, I think that's a very fair trade for you! If it needs paint, has cracked body plastics, etc......maybe a little less, but they are getting hard to find in ANY condition, so I would go for it, especially with that low of mileage!!!

[Guest]

I have owned 2 of them , 1 bone stock and 1 modified with a Hp unlimited oversized turbo and adjustable waste gate, and injectors. Loved both bikes but niether one handled very well more for straight line running

[Jedz123]

Thanks for the input guys. I mean for an 80's bike I'm not expecting anything compared to the handling or power delivery like my R1 powered Fizzy 1000,. I've also seen how wheelie happy turbo bikes can be so I'm guessing half the battle with a modified GPZ turbo is keeping the front wheel on the ground and not in the air. I'll keep in touch with the seller and hoping the deal works out for there is nothing with more character then an old UJM from the 80's... Especially one that runs with forced induction... Are these bikes pretty reliable for I'd take it for some long spins for sure.
Thanks guys!
-J

[GS1150Pilot]

I owned one that had a Horsepower Unlimited motor and turbo in it. Ended up with ZX-10 front and rear suspension for traction. The stocker-even one with a boosted turbo, is not a wheelie monster. It'll spin the tire all you want, though. I owned an '03 FZ1 also. It would eat the stock Turbo from 0-150. The built GPz would do 9 second quarters at close in the 140s. The stock bike did 10.9 real world quarters, but as several have said above, the chassis is the weak point. It does not handle particularly well, and on boost, let's just say you don't want to be leaned over. Interesting time capsule bike for sure. I loved mine, but it was prone to tankslappers at high speeds.

[Jedz123]

I had death wobble on my 750 once after the 1100 swap. Scary stuff. I honestly wouldn't push it past 150 mph or even 130mph for that matter, the FZ1 has seen north of the numbers once with this new engine but I'll never go there again, nor do I have interest to ever venture north of 140...
The fact the GPZ let's the tire out before it pops up in a wheelie some how makes the bike seem that much cooler.
I wouldn't be commuting on the machine just taking it out in fair weather on the weekends to enjoy slightly spirited ridding on the back mountain roads of VT. Maybe go for a GSR run or two with it.
Thanks for the input guys!
-Jedz

[Jedz123]

It's an 85. Minor blemishes but all the bits are there with minor post factory add ons. Very excited by this. Only pic I could get uploaded. I plan on scooting out with the Fazer this weekend to look at it before I commit 100%.

[GS1150Pilot]

Doesn't look like stock paint. I thought the red/black with silver accent on mine was damned sharp.

[Guest]

If he starts it, rides it as a demo and just shuts it off when he's done, look out for the condition of the turbo charger. Or, you could just ask him his routine when he's done riding it, if he just shuts it off, especially after a good run, again, the turbo might not be in the best shape. It's pretty important to let the turbo unit cool down a bit before you shut the engine off, very hard on the impeller seals otherwise. Best to gently rev the engine when done thrashing it, before it gets shut off.

[Jedz123]

I'll ask him his start up and cool down procedures. I remember having to do that with my turbocharged cars. Miles are low. I'll look in the intake plumbing see if the seals are leaking. That was the sure sign when my Mitsubishi turbo went in my 89 Dodge Daytona... Lol I was overly happy to "replace with the Shelby Garrett unit. My car also had 130k on the original Mitsu... 115k more then this guy.

[GS1150Pilot]

If Horsepower Unlimited is still around, they can rebuild those turbos, better, faster, stronger than before ...