As the rest of the Big Four tried to grab turbo sportbike market share in the early to mid-80s by strapping fuel injection systems and snails to run-of-the-mill UJMs, Kawasaki took the game a little more seriously, and the results made the rest of the crowd look silly. The 1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo was lighter, sharper, handled better and went faster than the others, an actual sportbike among a crowd of boosted pigs.
1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo for sale on eBay
Building on the legend of the insane, and truly rare 1,000cc turbo 1978 Kawasaki Z1R/TC, and its AMA-conquering GPz line, Kawi tweaked an already solid formula into a complete street menace. The engines got new pistons, oil scavenge pumps, and a beefier gearbox to handle the boost.
The magazines went nuts, with at least one hailing the ’84 GPz750 Turbo as the fastest streetbike they had ever tested. Capable of 148 mph on the big end and quarter-mile potential in the high 10-second range, the Turbo’s numbers stood up to naturally-aspirated 1,000cc bikes for the next decade or so.
This particular GPz Turbo appears to be in fantastic shape, though the pictures are a little low-res. With the bike showing just 5,400 miles, the seller claims it looks more like it is three than 33. It carries new Bridgestone Battlax tires and braided steel Galfer brake lines in black to keep a stock appearance. On a bike this old, anything to keep it sticking and stopping is a welcome improvement. But just in case you do feel the need to take it back to 100 percent original and park it, the 1984 tires and brake lines are included.
From the eBay listing:
Up for sale is my Mint condition. One previous Original owner bike. This is the Cleanest, unmolested GPZ TURBO Ive seen in years. It looks like it is three years old. It looks almost new.
Pipes are immaculate, Paint is immaculate and shiny. Decals are like New. Paint is like New. Seat is like new. All instruments work. Mileage is supe LOW 5,417 .
Only improvements to Stock: ive upgraded tires to Contemporary Brand New Bridgestone Battleaxes (i still have original Period correct Metzlers which will go with bike) and I have upgraded the brake lines to steel braded black Gafflers (look stock—i have originals that go with bike too)
i have original manual and service manuals too.This is a rare find ….this is a MINT GPZ TURBO…NEVER ABUSED, NO SMOKE FROM TURBO…..RUNS LIKE A NEW BIKE……ENGINE AND TURBO …..NEVER DISMANTLED…….
KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN YOU ARE BIDDING……… THIS IS NOT AN ABUSED, BEAT UP
RE-BUILT , DRAGGED, TURBO…..THIS BIKE IS LIKE NEW.IT DESERVES TO GO TO SOMEONE WHO IS A COLLECTOR OR WHO WANTS TO RIDE IT AND TAKE CARE OF IT.
SEEE VIDEO:
Good luck bidding!
Don’t ask me what the Reserve Price is…if you are bidding and meet the reserve you will know.
This is an Auction. ..Highest bidder gets the bike.thanks.
There is no reserve, but the bidding has been active, and this thing is closing on $10k with time left on the auction. The bike starts at the first touch of the button and settles into a nice idle. Not too shabby.
Not a Kawi man myself but these were probably the best of the standard turbo bikes. I remember riding one back when everyone had the new 900 Ninjas. When this spools up so doesn’t that front wheel. Good thing it’s a long bastard. ????
Wow wowo WOW!!! I just saw a unicorn. Largly condition makes it so. This is on my shortlist. Timing and poverty (and garage space) are issues. But this really is a rare find. Luck = preparation + opportunity
In my case the luck is bad. Not confident ther will be a next time.
“…an actual sportbike among a crowd of boosted pigs.”
Somewhere from the depths of my garage, an XN85 quietly weeps on its GP-inspired 16″ front wheel.
-Mike
Always loved this bike from afar. Auction is at the 10k mark. Mike! I owned an XN85 and today have a good collection of 80’s bikes. Ive always been on the lookout for a clean suzook turbo. This kawi might push me over the edge. Dave
im selling one in tx not in this great shape but runs. sadly it came without a title when i purchased but luckily the vin checks out clean. im letting her go for 2800. ive since swapped the front end from an sv650 and a katana rear wheel to match.
Mike! Ive always been on the look-out for a cleaner one. I don’t mind spending money for good hardware. This Kawi turbo was a very clean example and it fetched teens so good money for a good bike. If you ever see a comparable suzook turbo, that’s where my heart really is. Good luck! Dave