Kawasaki GPZ 900 R.

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kawasaki GPZ 900 R Ninja

The Kawasaki GPZ 900 R is a motorcycle from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki . The motorcycle, then classified as a superbike (today more as a sports tourer ), was sold in Germany from 1984 (model A1) to 1993 (model A10). Internationally, the GPZ 900 R was the first Kawasaki motorcycle to be sold with the nickname "Ninja" and formed the basis for a series of sporty to very sporty motorcycles from the Kawasaki brand, which still bear this name today. In Germany, a special “Limited Edition” model followed in 1989, which was first sold on the local market under this name. In Japan, the vehicle was further developed until 2003 (model A16).

The successor model from 1986 was the Kawasaki GPZ 1000 RX , which was often criticized as too heavy and unwieldy. The 1985 GPZ 900 R (Model A2) was also featured in the US action film Top Gun .

technology

Performance data

  • Engine: in -line 4-cylinder , 4-stroke
  • Valves per cylinder : 4, DOHC
  • Displacement: 908 cm 3
  • Output: 34 to 115 hp at 9500 rpm
  • Torque: 85 Nm at 8500 rpm (for 100 hp variant)
  • Top speed: 248 km / h
  • Cooling system: liquid-cooled
  • Tank volume: 22 l regular petrol
  • Gears: 6, constantly engaged
  • Empty weight (dry): 228 kg
  • Empty weight according to the vehicle registration document: 254 kg, model 1984

New developments

  • External timing chain: For the first time in a motorcycle with a four-cylinder in-line engine installed transversely to the direction of travel, an "external timing chain" was used. Kawasaki had completely redesigned the engine. Until then, it was common practice in a four-cylinder in-line engine for motorcycles to run the timing chain for the valve train between the second and third cylinders. However, this results in different lengths and shapes of the individual inlet and outlet channels. By relocating the timing chain completely to the outside, the engine of the GPZ 900 R resulted in the same inlet and outlet channels for each of the four cylinders. The synchronous inlet and outlet structure on the carburetor and manifold made it possible to increase the performance of the 908 cm³ engine considerably. There were other advantages of the new timing chain position. The engine became narrower because the timing chain takes up less space on the outside than in the middle of the cylinder block. The look of the engine was unusual. From the left side of the motorcycle one could no longer see a cylinder, only the contour of the timing chain. The timing chain position is still used today in almost all in-line cylinder engines for motorcycles.
  • Centrally mounted rear swing arm: For the first time in a motorcycle, Kawasaki has used a centrally mounted rear wheel swing arm in the GPZ 900 R. The rear swing arm is therefore mounted centrally in the frame and not, as was customary until then, on both outer sides. In addition, the rear swing arm is connected to the frame via the base plates of the footrest system in order to achieve the necessary rigidity. The advantage of this mounting of the rear swing arm was that an endless chain could be installed on the motorcycle without removing the rear swing arm. Only the left footrest system had to be dismantled.
  • The engine is also the first series-produced, liquid-cooled sixteen-valve engine in a motorcycle.
  • Eccentric on the rear swing arm: For the first time on the GPZ 900 R, the rear axle was not bolted directly to the rear swing arm, but via separate eccentrics, which in turn were mounted in the swing arm. The advantage of this eccentric was that the chain could be tensioned without loosening the rear axle. This type of rear axle screw connection was used in many Kawasaki motorcycles and also in other motorcycles such as the Bimota YB6 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ GPZ900R "Limited Edition"