Kawasaki GPz 750 (ZX750-E1) Turbo

This title covers several different models, and (having spent years in a Kwak dealer) I know them all and will cover them here.

The first GPz 750 was basically a standard Z750L with red and black paint and a bikini fairing, plus hotter pistons and cams and an oil cooler- that's it. A typical child of the early 80s, good all round fun and (as you would expect from the air-cooled 750 engine) bullet-proof. Finish suffered a bit from corrosion.

The second model (ZX750 A1)was very different frame-and-chassis wise: sports fairing, lower bars (in the UK, anyway), Uni-Trak rear shock, anti-dive front forks, totally different style. Even more fun than the first model, much more comfortable at speed and better in the swervery. Same great engine, and fewer corrosion problems.

The third model (ZX750 A2) was just a revision of the second model- a couple of minor changes, and the fairing got an inner lining to cover up the wiring and bracketry. Also available as a Turbo (see separate review).

And lastly came the GPz750 "Ninja", which was the GPz900 with a smaller engine. It used a 16-valve water-cooled engine and had virtually nothing in common with it's predecessors. The problem was that it was the same size and weight as the 900, and cost almost the same, but didn't deliver the same power. As a result, sales were low. This is a shame, because taken on it's merits it was a very good bike. It was also more forgiving than the 900- an error of judgement on the 750 would simply mean a change of underwear, whereas on the 900 it would (mainly due to the higher speed and greater power)be more serious.

All of the above were great middleweights, great fun (within the limits of the technology available at the time) and totally reliable.

just bot one in bad condition but spending lots off money on it and hopefully she be a animal. it was my dream bike and it still is but it tuck me many years to find one but i have one and cant be happier very nice bike thanks

Best bike ive ever owned,bar none .fastest thing on the block when i had mine - did the turbo mod inside the tail and used to go right off the clock !

when that boost guage cuts across,passengers feet used to be around my head ! i seem to remember the standing quater in the promo vid with peewee gleason doing 10.7 seconds - mine was absolutely rapid.remember replacing the turbo at some point.

id give anything to get my hands on another one !!!

1985 Kawasaki Turbo ZX750E2 w/extra turbo unit.

All original in excellent condition, 23K miles. Bike had a bottom up mechanical service at 20k. Have all receipts. Also new tires, chain, master brake cylinders, blinkers, mirrors, plastics, mechanics service manual (too much to list). A lot of extra plastics and parts will go with the bike. Bike is fast, runs great, and is a real head turner.

Take a standard GPZ750, (Uni-Trak version), give it fuel injection, bolt on a turbo, light the blue touch-paper..........

Unlike the opposition's turbo bikes the Kwak suffered very little turbo-lag; assuming you had around 5,000 on the tacho, a twist of the wrist would see the digital boost-gauge indicator whizz across the dial, followed by the world going bonkers as the front end went light and the speedo needle swept round as quickly as the tacho. Swervery at speed produced typical big Kwak syndrome, i.e. engine outperforming everything else (except the brakes, they were o.k.) When the turbo wasn't blowing the bike remained suprisingly tractable, retaining decent low-to-mid range pull.

When arriving at your destination, it's essential to let the bike tick over for a minute or so before switching off. Otherwise, the engine (and therefore the oil pump) will stop when you turn the key, and the turbine (which is lubed by the engine oil) will continue to spin for a while at some 20,000 r.p.m. without lubrication....The only other downer is the platinum-tipped spark plugs, which require replacing suprisingly frequently and cost an absolute fortune. But hey, the wife doesn't need BOTH kidneys.

If you can get a clean one and it runs o.k., buy it.

I have owned one for nearly ten years and apart from the bodged apperance, it has been poorly made into a streetfighter, I think it is a fantastic machine, the power delivery is awsome, I still cant belive how fast it is. Not for the faint hearted.

The greatest vintage jap bike ever. Good handling for a 1984 bike, super power, and the engine handles 2 times the 100 Hp it came with. Great lines and a totally great bike all over.

I bought my '84 Turbo new from Hollywood Kawasaki back in the day. It was a choice between it and a Yamaha turbo (made the right choice!) The bike now has an 810 kit and I am getting it ready to put it back on the road after five years of sitting in my garage. This bike gave me my rep (Turbo Tony) and I still compare every bike that I've owned to it.

Watch out for my tailights! Really scary, like a rocket (stock)! However big bore, and a few chioce modifications makes REAL power!

I bought my first turbo in '85 after much delliberation between it and a Gpz 900R. I made the right choice. What a great bike with two characters. Unfortunately I threw that bike down the road after 6 months but I went and bought another turbo the next week. A great bike, comfortable for touring with a decent saddle for two with great performance available. It will be forever a classic and of all the bikes i've had one that i'll always have fond memories of.