Posts by tag: Ninja

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Kawasaki September 28, 2022 posted by Mike

20,000 Reasons – 1990 Kawasaki ZX-R250

Today’s find is an absolute gem that is overlooked and likely relatively unknown in the United States. American riders tend to dismiss smaller capacity motorcycles as starter bikes or scooters. But in many markets the quarter liter sport bike was the real competitive ground zero, and the machinery on offer was as technologically advanced as any other capacity, and in some cases even more so. As proof, I offer you this beautiful 1990 Kawasaki ZX-R250.

1990 Kawasaki ZX-R250 for sale on eBay

Unlike the more recent crop of twin cylinder 250 Ninjas (or even the more recent Yamaha YZF-R3), and far removed from the Honda 300cc thumper fighting for the same class of rider, the ZX-R250R looks like a hypersport 600 that has been shrunk in the laundry. Let’s look at some of the specs that set it apart. For starters, we are talking about a full four cylinders in this bad boy, complete with four valves per cylinder. Redline starts at 19,000 (!) but the party doesn’t stop until well over that. Liquid cooling is an obvious performance boost, and the wrappings are straight up Ninja; fully enclosed plastics with dual headlamps. So, too is the frame – a double beam affair in aluminum, just like it’s racier siblings. Upside down front forks, an adjustable Uni-Trak rear suspension arrangement and triple disk brakes complete the impressive package. Estimate 45 HP pushing 311 pounds (dry), and you get the idea.

From the seller:
1990 Kawasaki ZXR250 R Old School ZX-25R…
Originally from Japan (grey market import) with Japanese VIN. ZX250A001421

Clear title CALIFORNIA Registered Current tags.
(“Miles” Are KM on the ODO)
YES, BIKE HAS A FRONT FENDER.

Judging by the Black and Gold and De-Restricted Motor it’s the R, BUT SHOCK DOES NOT HAVE EXTERNAL RESERVOIR.
Rides Well with adult-sized pilots.

Some Scratches/Cracks in OEM bodywork. Ding in front of fuel tank But no interior rust.

Factory Original. Exceptions:
Purple (painted) Tail Light (Paint Removable)
Polished the sides of the wheels and re-painted head pipes.
Carbon Exhaust. Excellent Condition. Sounds absurdly happy anywhere above 5 K (It’s always above 5k)

The seller has included two different videos for this bike, both showing the idling and quick revving nature of the tiny motor:

These little ZX-R250 models are quite rare in the United States – as they were only ever a gray market import here. To find one alive and well and living in sunny California is pretty incredible. The bike looks to be in pretty serviceable condition, although scouring through the included photos is encouraged as I would not put this one into the “mint” category due to some bodywork blemishes that are pointed out by the seller. But this is a bike that would be worth the effort to put some time into. This could be an awesome track day bike, or interesting weekend canyon screamer just for fun – and you’d be unlikely to ever see another like it on the road. The only real reasons to not look at this magnificent little screamer are those of larger build and stature, or those living in an emissions choked state such as California. BUT WAIT! This rare little overachiever is actually titled in the great State of CA – meaning there are even fewer excuses! The Buy It Now price for this rare little morsel of forbidden fruit is $6,758 USD. That is not as much cash as a 20,000 RPM foreign exotic might suggest. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Kawasaki November 8, 2021 posted by Doug

1986 Kawasaki GPz 1000R NINJA For Sale!

Scrounging around on the auction site this evening I located this pretty good looking 86′ Kawasaki GPz1000R Ninja.

1986 Kawasaki Ninja 1000R For Sale on eBay!

Not too shabby eh?

These were only brought stateside for 3 years and competed for the same floor space as the earth shattering GPz900 (Think Kelly McGillis). While you have Kelly floating around in your grey matter, I’d like you to multitask and ask yourself “Would I rather have a GPz900 or a GPz1000R?”. Well, funny you should ask yourself that because the GPz900 out sold and out lasted the GPz1000R by a few years. Spec wise, they were both a little pudgy and both made decent horsepower, but only one of them was the first production motorcycle to touch 150mph and only one of them was in a pretty famous fighter pilot movie. Answer- it wasn’t the bike in this post.

I’m guessing we have a few viewers (cough, cough) around my age that have fond memories of mid-eighties, full fairing’d (That’s Indiana slang) sport bikes? Should you fall into my group you will definitely remember the BIG NINJA as a head turner. Looking at it now one of my favorite things is how the Kawasaki engineers eliminated our ability to stick on those ugly ass LP truck cab lights! Thank you 8# Baby Jesus!

If you’re not familiar with how this seller works their auctions you owe it to yourself to do a deep dive because you might land yourself a deal and a nice winter project.

Check out the big NINJA here-

Cheers!

Kawasaki October 25, 2021 posted by Doug

1996 Kawasaki ZX-11 Ninja For Sale on eBay!

1996 Kawasaki ZX-11 For Sale on eBay!

I know Kawasaki made too many of these to be considered “Rare” and I also know it doesn’t have a fancy smancy “1 of 250” number plate affixed to the triple clamp. But, but, but . . . this one only has a scant 3,475 miles on the clock, is ~~an antique~~ 25 years old and is extremely clean so, in my view, this one sort of kinda fits the bill.

From the seller

Very nice ZX11, unrestored, original paint in near perfect condition with low miles and everything works as it should. A couple small blemishes, one chip on the fender from a strap that rubbed on it and a light scratch on tank

The ZX-11 was the King of Speed for several years with a top speed of 176 mph. It would also turn the 1/4 mile in just under 10.5 seconds, making it the drag bike of choice long before The Busa was around. Actually, the Honda Black Bird eclipsed the Big Ninja in the late 90’s, but that was short lived. #Busa

More from the seller
This bike has been stored its whole life in a climate controlled building. Paint shines like new, no dents, no cracks in plastic. Its ready to ride.

If I were to pick this one up, I’d pass on the top end capabilities and focus on some all day country road sport touring with the misses. The large, comfy seat and upright riding position would lend itself perfectly to my old man arthritic shoulders and rickety ass back.

But, first things first- if you’re interested in this Big Beautiful Ninja you’ll need to place an order for some new shoes because these might be a lil’ slippery.

Can I get a clean up in isle #11 please?

Check out this Big Ninja here!

Cheers!

Damn, you know you’re old when the once mighty ZX-11 is 25 years old! 🙁

Kawasaki September 25, 2021 posted by Doug

Featured Listing: 1987 Kawasaki 750R Ninja

Update 10.20.2021: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Location: Whitman, Massachusetts
Price: ~~$5,500~~ $4,700 or best offer
Mileage: 19,100

Up for your consideration is a very well preserved 1987 Kawasaki 750R Ninja in a rarely seen Red and White color scheme.

In 1987, the 750R was crowned “The Best 750 of the Year!” That’s a pretty strong statement when you consider the other models it was up against. The middleweight Ninja offered a very nice balance between sport and sport-touring with it’s lower foot rests, plush seat and it’s comfier than most clip-on location on top of the triple clamp.

The 750R power plant was all new for 1987 and put out 106 horsepower at the crank and 85 at the rear wheel. I owned this exact model in 1989 and I can attest that it is a very capable machine for spirited sprints or all day two-up riding.

From the Seller:
1987 Kawasaki Ninja 750R rare Red and White color. The carburetors were gone through less than 100 miles ago. It sports a set of new Bridgestones with less than 100 miles on them, new spark plugs, air filter, fresh oil change less than 100 miles ago and brand new Zero Gravity windscreen. The original windscreen is included in the sale. I have some parts to go with the bike plus a factory owners and service manual. Also included is a period correct Vance and Hines 4-1 exhaust

As you know, most 34 year old motorcycles have been chopped up and sport truck cab lights for turn signals, but not this one. This one managed to escape the hacksaw and to maintain it’s rear fender and original directional blinkers.

If you’re into collecting 80’s sport bikes or need to add the first 750 Ninja to your H, J, K, L, M, N and P collection, you might want to give this one a look. This one averaged only 560 miles a year! I’d say the owners of this low mileage machine left a lot of fun on the table and a lot of life in this one.

See if you can park this one in your collection.

Cheers!

Kawasaki February 23, 2021 posted by Tad Diemer

Express Ticket: 1993 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11D for Sale

I’m sure you all must be exhausted by the never ending stream of exotic Italian confections that have assaulted your senses this week. Rich, high-calorie recipes that include a bit too much of all the things that make motorcycles great. As a palate cleanser, I’d like to offer this very clean, very handsome, very appropriately painted, and very fast Kawasaki ZX-11.

Kawasaki’s entry into the 1990’s Horsepower Wars was introduced in 1990 and produced until 2001, when it was superseded by the reskinned and stroked ZZ-R1200. Power naturally came from a big inline four that displaced 1052cc and was connected to a six-speed gearbox. Aided by one of the very first functional production ram-air systems, the big four produced 150 crankshaft horses, enough to push the bike to a top speed of over 175mph.

Handling was neutral and very stable, exactly what you’d want from a bike this powerful. But although it was fast, the ZX-11 was no track bike: it was designed as a roadbike, with very reasonable ergonomics that made it far more of a gran tourismo, as the sleek, mature looks and lack of the period’s famously garish graphics suggest. The near 600lb wet weight helped provide stability at speed and pummeled road imperfections into submission.

From the original eBay listing: 1993 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11D for Sale

100% OEM Condition… 1993 Kawasaki Ninja ZX11 D-1 in a very desirable Candleberry Wine Red with only 27,800 miles that comes out to 989 miles a year. This bike could easily qualify as a survivor (Pride in Ownership shows). Overall paint is in great condition. Exhaust and ECU are stock. Exhaust cans are very clean. Starts and runs good! Everything works as it should. No leaks, no smoke, no overheating. Plenty of tread on the tires. Decals and emblems are all original. Adult owned and cared for its entire life.

Original tool kit is under the seat. This is a very clean example and as the time progresses these are harder to come by in such great shape. As a matter of fact I’ve only ever come across a couple that were even close to this condition in years past.

You will be very hard pressed to find one let alone in this condition. Free and clear title in hand. Bike has never been laid down or crashed. I purchased the bike from the original owner who was well into his late 70s. Hate to see it go. Price is firm. No rust whatsoever and garage kept.

I’ll include bar risers and a flat bar should the new owner decide to take touring comfort to another level. I will also include JTR488-45 rear sprocket. Zero Gravity tinted screen mounted, stock clear screen and a black out screens will be included.

Condition of this Candleberry Wine Red example appears excellent, although miles aren’t especially low. But it’s not surprising that the previous two owners racked up some miles, considering the ZX-11’sraison d’etre: ballistic mile-munching performance. I genuinely think these are very cool and, when prices were at their nadir, entertained fantasies of finding a clean example and fitting a set of soft luggage so I could blast up and down the West Coast. I’ve seen lower-mileage examples for less than this one’s $4,200 asking price in years past, but I have a feeling this will look like a very good deal in just a couple years’ time… Snap bargains up while you can still find them.

-tad

Express Ticket: 1993 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11D for Sale

Kawasaki August 24, 2020 posted by Tad Diemer

The Danger Zone: 1985 Kawasaki GPz900R for Sale

Today’s Kawasaki GPz900R “Ninja” is one of the most iconic Japanese sport bikes of all time: the image of Tom Cruise racing a Tomcat along a runway, with just a pair of sunglasses, a bomber jacket, and his million-dollar smile to protect him from bugs traveling at 221 feet per second was burned into the minds of fans, cementing the Ninja’s place in motorcycling history as one of the coolest bikes ever. Unlike the film version, this example is slathered in classic Kawasaki green-and-white paint, making it just that extra bit 80s.

Elsewhere, the bike was known as the GPz900R, a clear evolution of the earlier GPz models. But here in the USA, it got a much more evocative name: “Ninja.” It’s clearly a bit silly now, naming your motorcycle after an ancient and heavily mythologized group of secretive assassins. But in the 1980s, ninjas were the height of cool, and the edgy styling of the bike certainly fit the name.

But the bike was sophisticated under that angular skin as well: the Ninja used one of the first liquid-cooled engines fitted to a motorcycle, and it eschewed the usual center-mounted cam-chain for one mounted on the end of the 16-valve engine to make it more compact. Today the numbers look decidedly sport-touring: 546lbs wet, with 115hp and a 151mph top speed. But at the time, the bike was pure sex and finding one this clean is pretty difficult today.

From the original eBay listing: 1985 Kawasaki GPz900R for Sale

Up for auction is a rare opportunity to purchase a fully sorted and functional ninja 900R in the KAWASAKI trademark A2 export lime green. Thousands of dollars and thousands of hours went into the restoration/sorting of this motorcycle by a factory trained Kawasaki technician as a means of therapy. Believe it or not, it has $500.00 worth of OE o-rings in the cooling system and carburetors alone. Has had the mechanical work necessary for it to be right, whatever was needed was done or replaced (carburetor kits/cooling system complete overhaul etc.

This was the series of NINJA that started it all as the first water-cooled road-superbikes by Kawasaki. Restored by veteran motorcycle restorer that has been doing this since the 1980s. Valves adjusted to specifications, good cylinder pressures, pulls hard! Valves lapped for optimum pressure. Good compression as would be expected with the low miles! New tires, chain, clutches pulled checked, counter-balance shaft chain adjusted. Replaced front wheel bearings because he did not like the way they felt in his hands. All new fluids in every system. This bike has standard drive sprocket ratios.

This 617 LIME GREEN (this is not a lime green of a 1970 barracuda) it is a proprietary mixture color that can only be bought through authorized KAWASAKI dealers at $200.00 a quart retail. PPG DC-3000 premium clear.

Like most Japanese sportbikes, these depreciated to a point where they became nearly disposable, and many were thrashed, heavily modified, or written off. This one has obviously had a ton of attention lavished on it, and that paint! With just 10,500 miles on the odometer this is very clean and ready for anyone looking for a quick trip down that highway to the danger zone…

-tad

The Danger Zone: 1985 Kawasaki GPz900R for Sale

Kawasaki May 29, 2020 posted by Tad Diemer

Sharp Survivor: 1994 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 for Sale

Known variously as the Kawasaki ZX-6, ZX-6E, and eventually the ZZ-R600, depending on the year and market, the 600 Ninja’s specifications were virtually indistinguishable from its competitors at the time: 599cc, four cylinders, four valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams, and liquid-cooling, with a six-speed gearbox. But unlike the CBR600 and FZR600, the Ninja brought a light and very stiff aluminum frame to the party. The resulting 430lb dry weight and 100hp or so meant best-in-class acceleration and a 153mph top speed.

When introduced in 1993, the Ninja ZX-6 was considered by many to be the best bike in the 600cc class, superior in terms of both performance and comfort. 1995 saw the introduction of the sportier ZX-6R, but the older version was simply renamed the ZZ-R600 soldiered on until 2006 alongside the more modern, focused version of Kawasaki’s 600cc sportbike.

The ZX-6 is still a highly competent sportbike and should be great fun to ride, if a bit underpowered, compared to modern machines. It’s also hugely versatile by today’s standards: Kawasaki’s later “ZZ-R” designation generally applied to less focused machines suitable for light sport-touring, in addition to back road scratching. Even when it was Kawasaki’s premiere supersport, it was considered a pretty comfortable ride by reviewers.

From the original eBay listing: 1994 Kawasaki ZX-6 for Sale

1994 Kawasaki Ninja ZX600-E, 18,357 miles. This is one of the cleanest 26 year old bikes I’ve ever seen. No issues. Marks on lower left case probably from a tipover (see photo), and windscreen plexiglass is scuffed from shipping. A couple other very small, and almost completely unnoticeable blems. Most of the visibility features of the bike are showroom condition. Starts easily, rides beautifully. Title in hand.

Cycle World magazine chose the ZX-6 as the “best 600 cc streetbike” of 1993. The fastest sportbike of the period, the ZX-6 claimed a top speed of 153 mph and could complete a quarter mile in 11.19 seconds at 123.5 mph.

Re-listed due to a non-payer. Sorry, but if your eBay account is new or you have no history, your bid will be deleted.

The odometer shows 18,000 miles, and the general cosmetic condition appears to be excellent, although that chain and sprocket are very nasty and should obviously be changed posthaste. Some people might find the lurid, Kawasaki green and white colors on this example a bit garish, but those people also probably aren’t reading this post. I hated this design when I was younger, but love it now. Go figure. So much for “mellowing with age…” In any event, this is a very clean example and should provide tons of fun and nostalgia for a minimal outlay of cash, both now and in terms of maintenance down the road.

-tad

Sharp Survivor: 1994 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 for Sale

Kawasaki May 26, 2020 posted by Donn

Too Close for Missiles – 1985 Kawasaki GPZ900R

Despite being a generation or so in the rearview mirror, the original GPZ900R Ninja had a lot of firsts for Kawasaki and big sportbikes in general. Looking complete and mostly original, this example might be a good riding restoration.

1985 Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja for sale on eBay

Beside being the first Ninja to our shores, the 908cc’s were liquid cooled, had four valves per cylinder, and a counter balance shaft in a compact architecture which kept the center of gravity low. Four 34mm Keihin carburetors and 11.0:1 compression pushed the Ninja well over the goal line with 115 hp. Super-high tech hadn’t quite made it to the steel chassis or pretty conventional suspension, but the triple drilled disk brakes were a plus, and linked to the anti-dive system. At this point the lines are beyond classic, bringing visions of a drag race with an F-14.

Homing in on 28,000 miles, this GPZ900R has been around the world, but on silent more recently. Appearing quite stock, it’s without damage unexpected for its age. The owner is upfront about the work required to bring it back in the eBay auction:

Original except exhausts. Very good condition, does have few nicks and imperfections as per photos Tank has some surface rust inside. Ran well before I mothballed it around six months ago and now sits on top of my car lift with many others due to space constraints so plan to do the basics to recommission it for daily use. It will also need a new battery and regulator/rectifier as it didn’t charge battery while riding. A very easy candidate to turn into a full replica or take to top level. Stating the obvious but this is same bike used in the Top Gun movie with Tom Cruise. Has become much more in demand since announcement of the new movie. I know because I had 5 of them and since I started selling I have one left.

The GPZ900R was popular enough to fight off in-house challenges from liter-size successors, and had almost a 20-year run worldwide. With the delayed opening of the Top Gun re-make, the new owner will have a chance to tidy this one up before donning a flight jacket and heading to a show. The ask seems a shade more than the condition demands, but the Make Offer button is available.

-donn