The early (81-82) GPZ1100 was probably the most comfortable road bike ever. At least I just loved my 82 I bought new. Silk smooth at most any speed except for a few certain RPMs which of course was always RIGHT where the dang engine was thanks to Sunday drivers. Also the original 900 Ninja was a darn nice bike. Thanks to knowing everyone around here in the business I could ride any bike I pleased and I rode the 900 Ninja in 1984 and it was fantastic, although of course only for the miles I was able to ride which was few. About the last of decent bikes because after that all of them have sloped seat slamming you into the tank or into that great v slot position ala' Yamaha FJ1200, the most useless piece of dang sheet ever. (Yes I DID buy one!!! Words just can't explain the agony, years won't erase the pain or anger).
wiredgeorge wrote:
I dunno... I regularly ride 750s, 903s, 1015s and J motor models... I ride the 903s (KZ900) most and when I ride my standard 903, the one that is lower with bigger tires and lower bars seems sporty. Then I ride a 750 and really like the lighter weight and nimbleness. The fact that the engine has less torque takes me a bit of mental adjustment... you need to row the shifter a bit to get the bike rolling at the same pace as a 903. Then the 1015cc (77/80) KZs... heavier with no more power than a 903 I think... hard to say but I prefer the 900 models over the 1015s. The J bikes don't do much for me one way or the other and feel about like the early 1000s. I really enjoyed riding a customers 83 ZX750A EXCEPT the seat would slide you forward onto the tank and that was painful. The 750 engine is about the same as the 750 KZ engines... there is sufficient power except you have to work harder and keep the rpms up than on the larger bikes but the GPz handles better and has more cornering clearance although it does feel higher than my 903 carb test bikes... all in all, I like all of them and wish I had at least one of every model! I REALLY want a GPz1100 carb version (I like the looks). Maybe someone will want to go retro and work a trade down the road? Also, I would like to ride one of the ZX900 mid-80s 900 GPz models... never have.
