Waltz Across Texas – 1986 Kawasaki Ninja 1000R

Might be time to turn that fly-in / ride home daydream into a reality – today’s 1986 Ninja 1000R looks up to the task.  99 percent original, it looks excellent with just 10K original miles !

1986 Kawasaki Ninja 1000R for sale on eBay

Design to succeed the 900 “Top Gun” Ninja, the 1000R was a comprehensive update, with larger 36mm carbs, lightened valve train, more modern piston rings and fresh air ducts.  Top speed was a focus item with taller final gearing, and fairing updates even included the turn signals, which are applied to the aerodynamic strakes.  Variable damping forks and period solutions like 16-inch wheels attempted to help the 550-odd pounder turn in.  Styling updates were light and didn’t mess with success.

Hidden away in south Texas, this Ninja looks super clean and surprisingly original, with a new dark windscreen.  One minor dent and an over-stressed fairing fastener look eminently fixable.  Finishes on the tank and the wide seat fairing are amazing for their age, and though the dash photo is blurry, the owner states just 10K miles in the eBay auction –

True time capsule here!

All original Ninja 1000, only 10,000 miles, runs and rides like a new one. I have documentation to show these are original miles. The only non-original item is the Zero Gravity windscreen. I have the original owners manual and tool kit. Everything on this bike works perfectly. There are two small defects that I have shown in the pics. Let me know if you need additional info.

Check out eBay’s GPZ1000R offerings here !

This owner is almost right about his Ninja being a ZX-10, it’s more often called a GPZ1000RX, which was left to battle the 900 it succeeded in the showrooms until the ZX-10 arrived in 1988.  The liter segment was borderline GT those years, and the 1000R more than held its own against its rivals.  This one would likely be a hit at a bike night, after a comfortable and speedy ride part way across Texas.

-donn