81 gpz 1100 questions.....more power?

Coast Steve wrote: You know boys, Funny you should say that.

A few months back I had $14,000 in the bank after selling my race car, and I soon found myself at the bike shop
(funny how that happened).

Looked at pretty much all they had, ...and they had lots. But they all seemed to look the same after a bit of time there.

So, I decided to go back to what I remember in the early 80's (and never had the money for).
A big classic AMA superbike replica.
It was this S1 Lawson Rep or the 900-1100F Spencer Rep. Always liked the big Green Kawasaki's though.
It cost me REAL money though but I still love it.
Just as much as a brand new sportbike I think.

The old bikes do have like you say "soul" whereas the new stuff all seemed like clones but in different colors and sizes.
And sure, they all had wicked wind tunnel looks and traction control stuff everywhere. But they didn't grab me.

Now the ZRX was pretty cool when it came out and at the time I did want one pretty bad.
But It didn't get me excited the way the early 80's bikes made me feel.

And I wasn't digin it's water cooled engine made to look like it was air cooled with little fins... And the oil cooler was actually a rad...

I guess I'm old school and proud of it. :dry:
Give me tube frames and dual shocks all the way!

Right Eddie?.......Freddie?..........Anyone?

I had a ZRX which I rode when I ran a weekend riders group, at one stage we had over 50 riders so it got a bit much for me. Anyway my ZRX1100 was one of those freak engines (never modified) that would out torque and outrun standard ZRX1200/1100 (and any racer types as well) and actually (in top) keep dead level with ZXR1200R to 160kph (from 80kph).
One day a few riders took the "micky" out of me for always riding at the back (my top speed was 245kph), so my brother lent me his ZXR1200, needless to say I beat the so called racers (mixture of 1000's R1, GSX and 750's) through the bends to our next destination 35kms away.
I hit speeds (by speedo) over 300kph and badly burnt his tyre by the time I got there.
When I got home I than told my wife I'll stay with my modified Z1R and sell the ZRX because I can't control my throttle hand (even modified my Z1R would complain at speeds my ZRX did), so I sold it but to say the ZRX has no sole???? I don't think so, I would still have one but................
Note: In Australia the ZXR1200 (2000 model hyperbike) is different to the ZRX1200

Kray-Z wrote:

Kapahulu wrote: The ZRX is in another league when it comes to speed.

Not ALWAYS!!!!

This was the deciding factor for me between buying a GPz1100 or a GS1100 to modify the hell out of.....

Great video, these bikes are well above my pay grade, I wouldn't last 2 minutes on one of these, even in my 60's I can't control myself when challenged. Great bikes.

Bozo wrote:

Coast Steve wrote: You know boys, Funny you should say that.

Note: In Australia the ZXR1200 (2000 model hyperbike) is different to the ZRX1200

Don't you mean the ZZR1200 ? The ZRX is still far more refined than the old superbike era bikes, thats what we refer to {well I am anyway} when we talk about soul, that feeling that your never quite in control, that rawness, no water cooling, vibration, just old school cool, I'm sure you know what I mean...

750 R1 wrote:

Bozo wrote:

Coast Steve wrote: You know boys, Funny you should say that.

Note: In Australia the ZXR1200 (2000 model hyperbike) is different to the ZRX1200

Don't you mean the ZZR1200 ? The ZRX is still far more refined than the old superbike era bikes, thats what we refer to {well I am anyway} when we talk about soul, that feeling that your never quite in control, that rawness, no water cooling, vibration, just old school cool, I'm sure you know what I mean...

No the ZZR (in Oz) was the older model (we had ZZR1100 mostly), I probably should've written ZX12R instead of ZXR1200.. I do know what you mean about the older engine Re; aircooled. I still get a grin when riding the Z1R), mind you on bends the Z1R is not embarrassed, I get beaten by some but not many (on road, not track), only on straights the newer bikes will run away. My R1 brakes do get a workout.

I don't know much about tuning or that sort of thing. Timing has not been checked.
I do get a bit of a cough sputter, if opening it up too fast.
Then it comes on at full throttle quite well to 9k ish. But I usually shift at 8500 when really going hard.


Not sure about CR carbs but maybe needs some further carb tuning and diagnostics. Getting this just right can make a huge difference. My 1100 felt arm- wrenchingly powerful, but in more of a cammy rpm rush compared to the brutal tourque of a ZRX12

Yes I think that's my first move.