Kawasaki GPZ305

Hi,

Does anyone have any experiance with these bikes - I am thinking of buying
one as a step up from a 125 as I passed my test a few months ago and am
getting rather bored of the 12bhp it has to offer. Under 33bhp and low
insurance, seems good.

Any ideas of any specific problems with the bike, is the belt drive half
decent or does it have a tendancy to go snap when you least expect it (how
do you change the belts on belt drive bikes by the way?). Low maintenace I
imagine, are they up to the standards of a chain?

Also, I am 6'2" with long legs (lanky, yes) - do you think I will look a
plum on this bike and be seated in some good awful position, or is the seat
alright for tall people?

I've seen a 1996 model advertised for £699 at a dealer with 14000km on the
clock, "good condition" with a years MOT. Would I be correct in thinking
that this is a bit steep?

Thanks for any info.

Andy

 

Andy Carvell wrote

Most folks round here, who have prolly never ridden one more than 5
minutes think the top end is fragile. Mine was fine.

Bollox. In normal use they last approx 40k miles. Mine lasted 25k of
enthusiastic commuting. The moment they get a split in them you have
about 100m of riding left though. Piece of piss to change if you know
how to take the back wheel off.

No maintenance and no slack but as already discussed a very quick ending
when it happens.

Bit small for you I think. I fitted nicely and I am a short limbed 5'8"

Actually it sounds rather cheep. Be *very* suspicious of the top end.

 

Did a little bird tell you that?

 

The belts are good. Honest. And they last. The difference they make to
smoothness and gearchanging is amazing.

The rest of the bike is dodgy. Yes, it goes fast (even allowing for a
healthy dose of speedo error on the last one I rode, er, 18 years ago),
handles quite well, and is really, really economical, but the engine has
a reputation for blowing the top end, bottom end, and most points
between.

If, if, if it's been really looked after and the oil changed every 2000
miles without fail, it can last. Otherwise there are far sounder bikes
to spend your money on.

Finally, it's a bit small and dinky for someone your size. It's only an
overbored 250, remember.

 

Yes, I rode one around for half an hour once many moons ago. Horrid thing as
I recall.
[Thinks back into the mists of time... Oh eurrrrrghh, yes, I really didn't
like that thingy wot not even one little bit]

Don't.
Unless you're a munchkin or an oompah loompah you'll hate it. I did.

It's shit IMHO. Well, to be fair I'm not qualified to say that, but it felt
shit to me when I had a whizz round on the one I was thinking of buying.
FWIW in the end I bought a CB550F instead (wasn't that actually called the
CB550 F1 and the F2 version had the half fairing? summat like that). Much
more realistic machine I felt.

No idea, like I said I only rode one for half an hour tops.

You'll look and feel like a complete and utter tosser, I'm an inch shorter
than you and felt like I was sticking out all over the place.

Dunno, but it sounds like quite a few bob shillings for an 8yo 300cc bike
but what would I know.

All IMHO natch.

 

The SO had one about 10 years ago. It was OK, it didn't break down and the
belt drive was nice. The fact that I can hardly remember what it was like
probably speaks volumes about how dynamic a bike it was.

 

A what?

 

Little fat people from Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory.

 

Zobo Kolonie said...

I loved it...well, I would, wouldn't I?

 

Well, even someone as educated as the venerable TOG can get it wrong
sometimes!

I would suggest listening to people who have ACTUALLY OWNED/RIDDEN a GPZ
305, rather than all of the opinions from those who have heard 'from a
mates, brothers, uncles, sisters, dentist' about how fragile they are and
unsuitable for you.

Go and have a look, test drive one and I think you'll be pleasantly
surprised, especially after a 125.

I had one a few years back and it could do 95 two up (& even allowing for a
bit of speedo error thats not bad!). I am 6' and it fitted OK.

The belt was quiet, more efficient and cleaner than a chain.

Of course £699 might be a bit dear so shop around and I agree there might be
better bargains/more variety available.

 

Frootypops said...

Lets get this into perspective. The GPZ305 was regarded as fragile back
in 1983. It is a bored out, and therefore even more stressed, 250
Scorpion motor. If not treated to regular 2000 mile oil changes they
*will* destroy the top ends, and the 305 was also known for wrecking the
bottom end too.

TOG is totally correct, there are better bikes out there for the same
money, and I speak as one who rode alot of GPZ305s, mostly after they
had their top ends rebuilt at the Kawasaki dealership I used to work at.
I saw a few there that had destroyed the cylinder head/cam within 10,000
miles.

I'd say that the 18 years since you last rode one may have clouded your
view somewhat. They are generally regarded as one of the bikes you
*should* avoid, and that comes from alot of ex-owners.

I'd rather run my 170,000 mile CB250RS than a 10,000 mile GPZ305 or
Z250.

 

Lozzo says...

I had the chain-driven model, and never had any problems with it. Apart
from the fact that for some reason I found myself clenching my teeth in
order to get it to go any faster.

Hmm, would I have another? No. But I would have (as an SOB) a CBX550,
GPz550, GPZ6/GPX6. And, surprisingly, an XL125.

Good choice.

There's a KH250 triple on ebay atm..

--
Lesley
ZXR400SP
"Not bad for a Scouser"
SBS#11[with oak-leaf cluster]
BOTAFOT#101A UKRMHRC#12
BONY#54P BOB#18

Un-cork me to reply

 

Dunno... which are you

 

I rode one for 2500 miles. Long enough to gain a decent opinion.

And he's taller than you.

Did I say otherwise?

They *are* grenade engines. And if you read my posting again, you'll see
I pointed out they can last if cared for.

Now what was your point again?

 

The Older Gentleman was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Getting his bait nibbled?