Alright folks, buckle up. Wanted to settle this debate for myself and anyone else curious about the Kawasaki GPZ500’s real top speed. Heard numbers all over the place online, figured it was time to just get out there and actually pin the throttle myself. Simple goal: see how fast mine would really go.
The Gear & The Spot
First things first, prepped the bike. Checked tire pressure – gotta be safe. Oil level was good. Not gonna lie, it’s an older bike, but she runs smooth. Needed a decent stretch of road. Found a long, newly paved, dead-straight highway section nearby. Went early Sunday morning – seriously quiet, maybe saw one car. Safety first, people.
Riding gear on: full face helmet, jacket, gloves, proper boots. Mounted my phone securely for the GPS speedo app (don’t trust just the bike’s gauge, it lies for sure). My bike’s bone stock, no fancy exhaust or tuning here – just pure GPZ.
Rolling Out & Building Speed
Started the run nice and easy, cruising at about 60 mph. Waited until the road was totally clear as far as I could see. Okay, here we go.
- Rolled the throttle down – the 500 twin doesn’t launch like a rocket, but it pulls strong.
- Picked up speed surprisingly quick through the gears – 70, 80, 90 mph came up faster than I expected for a 500.
- By 100 mph, you really start feeling the wind pushin’ you around. Hunched down tight over the tank.
- Getting close to 110 mph, the engine feels like it’s working hard, buzzin’ away. Still pulling though!
- It took a good long while, but it gradually crept up. Saw 115 mph on the GPS.
- Gave it everything she had, and that needle… stopped climbing. Felt like it was stuck for ages. Just buzzing away at max effort.
The Moment of Truth & Reality Check
And there it was, the confirmed max – right around 118 mph on the GPS (about 190 km/h). Bike’s own speedo? Hah, it was wobbling around near 125 mph! Proof you need GPS for the real number.
The ride quality? Honestly, stable enough for a bike its age, but the wind was fierce at that speed. You wouldn’t want to hold it there for miles. Engine noise was loud but sounded healthy, screaming its little heart out. Felt planted, but any gust or bump got your attention real quick. Braking back down gently was a relief!
The Verdict
So yeah, truth laid bare. On a totally stock Kawasaki GPZ500 in decent condition, on a flat road with ideal conditions? You can hit 115 to 118 mph (GPS confirmed). Is it comfortable there? Nah. Is it smart? Probably not. Does it do it? Yes. Fair play to the little ninja! Took its time, but got there. My butt was clenched, but left us grinning stupidly.
Remember: this was my bike on my road on that day. Factors like wind, rider weight, bike condition, altitude – they all play a part. Be careful if you try this yourself. Ride safe, people. Hope this settles the pub talk!
