Have owned a 550zx a1 unitrak for 5 years and in that time have had no trouble. You have to watch the reserve tank as kawasakis of that era do not suck too well with low tanks. Performance is more than adequate considering it is air-cooled and only 2 valves per pot. Mine has excellent handling but i find the seat a little hard after about 2 hours. Apart from the fore-going it has been a great bike, but with 2 900rs, a600r, and a 500s, i find that it tends to be overlooked by more desirable machinery, when going for a gallop!.
The GPz 550 is the perfect bike when you don't need that extra power. It's fun, it's easy to handle and it's cheep. My GPz's done more than 35000 miles and may need a little care concerning it's looks, but the engine still purrs like a kitten.
This is a great little bike and very reliable i made mine look a bit more modern by adding a belly pan its 16 years old now but it just keeps going its in its original condition other than a motad exhaust i have owned it for three years and originally paid 750
first big bike? tight fisted? not quite ready for an r1?, all the gear and no idea? then have i unearthed the perfect piece of kit for you! kawasakis forgotten little gem the gpz550. I bought an e reg last year for £600 in fair condition and am still smiling after 9000 trouble free miles. OK so in the modern era of supersports machines these look and are a little left behind that is no reason to think that they are no fun. the kawi straight four 550 is almost indistructable and for old 8valve technology flies. 125mph and standing quarter in 12.8secs aint bad by any standards. great handling and good brakes(yes good brakes) with a comfy riding position make this an ideal first little rocket. Downsides well the carbs need a good tinkering with every so often and check rubber unions between air box and carbs need to be well sealed. check brake discs any warp ,score, gnarl, chew will vapourise your pads within weeks. otherwise sound reliable partner
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed January 2004.
Performance
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have owned 4 of them, 81 to 85 and the latest is an 85 that I'm restoring, bought it off ebay for $100.00
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
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Have an 81 GPz that I am fixing back up, after it had been garaged for close to 12 years. It's in rough shape, but the engine? The engine is bullet proof, has to be. It purrs. The cars do need to be balanced quite often, and the original 1981 suspension (an air adjustable form up front, and mine has air adjustable shocks at the rear) is soft, but can handle what the chassis can take (which, by R6 standards, ain't much, but it'll do). Best thing is, it's a head turner. People love the shotgun fairing, the overall look of the bike, and it's certainly no generic plastic cladded monstrosity. If you can get your hands on one, look for problems with the swingarm, specifically where it mounts to the frame, at the pivot point. If you have a 1981 or 1982, the pivot point needs to be greased a heck of a lot more often, and checked a heck of a lot more regularly, than any other bike I've seen. Also, the 1981's had a dual-cable throttle that is a bear to properly balance, but acts almost like cruise control if balanced properly. Kawasaki online still has parts available for a hefty price, and some great parts diagrams. The service manual is available from Kawasaki as well. Tough finding any aftermarket kit for it, but it's not necessary, really; at this age, one of these GPz's in stock form is more beautiful, and worth more, than one that has been Frankenstein'd. All in all, an excellent little cafe-standard, and the first true middleweight sportbike.
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
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Woke up one of these lil'rascals sleeping 10 years in a garage. Looks great, impressive performance for it's size, very, very fun to drive, impressive braking, and dirt cheap to buy. an awesome little machine, a true vintage sportsbike bound to become a collector's bike.
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed June 2003.
Performance
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Owned since new in 1982. 57,000+ kms, tuneups, batterys, valve adjustments, tires, new Hindle Endurance Racing 4 to 1 pipe. Engine has never been apart. Goes well with my KZ1100R
Owned for more than 5 years.
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