Good enough for me (Kawasaki GPZ500S)

Member Name: Raymond Gray

Product:	Kawasaki GPZ500S
Date:	14/09/08 (978 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap to run. Reliable. Can be fun

Disadvantages: Twitchy at first

Bought a 1991 A5 model a couple of years ago now, having previously owned many different bikes. My needs for a bike were pretty simple, to be able to get it into my shed, and out without getting a hernia and to be both cheap to run while not making me get old before I arrived at my destination.
The GPZ surprised me by actually being fun to ride on 'A' roads, although occasionally twitchy on motorways. This sometimes to the point of naked fear when you first buy it...You do however get used to it.
While its not as economical as I would ideally like, it's been so easy to live with that I could overlook it. I've left this bike for several weeks without starting it and though it's churned a bit its always started and run without fault.
I replaced the exhaust as surprisingly given its age it was still running on the ORIGINAL exhausts (the balance pipe under the bellypan finally gave up the ghost) with a motad. one word of warning when you replace the exhaust, expect to junk the bellypan as it is not easy to get an aftermarket exhaust to fit without burning a hole in the bellypan. I've also fitted a goodrich front hose which has improved the braking no end.
The bike is quick to rust, but is easy enough to touch up. To a reasonable degree you can ignore it and it wont pull a prima donna wobbly and refuse to start.
This bike wont do great high speeds, but on 'A' roads you can have a lot of fun, be careful of going into sharp corners too slowly though as I have noticed (once) that it tried to turn in sharper and have me off.
Used as a commuter and occasional fun you cant go wrong with this bike. Sure there's faster better handling bikes around but for the price the GPZ500 cannot be beaten.

I'm keeping mine...

Buy one.

Summary: Worth a try, you might like it.

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Driving comfort:
on skiddy terrain:
on dry terrain: