I have the red version of this bike. I loved it back in 1986 and I love riding it now. I have a Yoshimura exhaust. It growls nicely in low gear and sounds like an airplane taking off on the highway.
In February 1986 my best friend and I went into Whittier Kawasaki in Whittier California and purchased two brand new 600 Ninjas for $3300 dollars out the door each . We were 18 years old and in our senior year of high school , I can still remember that day .
@@notetoself5474 no you didnt..they didnt exist in 1983..came out in 1985..was previewed in a 1984 edition of cycle guide magazine which i still have somewhere.
herbyverstink So are you telling me No I didn't buy one or just that maybe I got the year wrong? Since it's still in my garage I'll check the VIN number and get back to you.
Brings back some nice memories. Had one of these bikes that I bought new and then sold in 1999. Had the Vanes in Hines exhaust as well. Was growing too old for sport bikes and have switched to cruisers ever since.
I remember this bike as being new. Back then it was 'The' bike to have. It was and is still badass! Now it's a 'Vintage' bike. Yes, it makes me feel old. But, the bikes from those days are still the best around.
Probably the best 600R Ninja I have ever seen from 1986-Present. In high school, I had the Interceptor, same color. However, a buddy of mine had the "other" red-white-blue Ninja and I never won a race; he got it used. We used to race in an area of Virginia called Great Falls, the backroads. I was always envious in losing and looking at the 140's on the rear so I vowed never to be beaten again and got me an 89' Ninja 600R fully prepped for the race track. If you think they move, then they really move well when prepped by a professional track racer. He had just gotten three new CBR600s and cut me a good deal on his "old" track bike. LoL, I will leave it there. You just could not beat the Ninja in those days unless it was on the track. Even if you put expensive tires on them, they were badasses. BTW, the bike to have in 1987 was the FZR750RR and my other high school friend had just bought that one brand new for around $8,000, no comment on what it could do.
This was great seeing the bike I had back when I was 18 or 19 years old. Had the same exhaust also. I would clutch up a wheelie in first gear, revving it up to 7500 rpm’s. Ahh those were the days. Miss it.
Thats a sharp 600R albert! Love see’ing these old ninja’s still intact. I bought a 1986 ninja 1000R when i graduated highschool in 94, rode it a year and sold it to buy my dads 88 zx-10. So fast forward to 2015 and i was able to buy my 86 back from the folks to bought it from me in 1995, they had put a whole 650 miles on it, it did take extensive work to bring it back to life however.
I looked for one for nearly 30 years and a 2020 hs grad had one he was working on and was in a little more effort than he thought. Long story short, other than the grips, I got an all original 600R GPZ for $200 and only have to clean the carbs.
that is a great story.. you beat me by $300.. I knew a guy that had one in his garage since 2008 with 12k miles on it.. made a deal for a sonos sound bar... since i was a sonos dealer it worked out to $525 bucks.. rebuilt the carbs and out of my 7 street bikes this one is a joy to ride..
That’s my first street bike a 1986 GPZ 600RR , it made 70hp I remember topping out 135 mph ,it was the fastest 600 that year. Thanks buddy for the memories 😊
I still have the original brochure for the 600r. I remember seeing it at my local dealer in 1986. It was the most awesome beautiful bike I had ever seen. Me and my friends would walk by after High school everyday by the shop and stare at it through the glass. Sadly we couldn't afford it at the time.
Thank you for making this video! This was my first motorcycle (color as well). I bought this bike off a neighbor when I was 17 yrs old in 2000. My parents wouldn’t buy me a car so I bought this bike. I still regret selling it but I was leaving for the Navy and got stationed in Japan. I’ve been looking for this bike but haven’t found one in good condition or the same color. This video lets me know to not give up!
I acquired a 86 EX500 Ninja, totaled and turned into a black street fighter. Also I’ve got an 87 which has all original parts and nice plastics, black and white. Nice bikes
JJ James where did you get all the parts for it? I have an 86 600R sitting in the garage for 25 years with no plastics or tank. They were stolen a long time ago..
Thanks for doing such a nice walk around with the camera, and showing all the details. The sound with the Vans&Hines is insane! My first bike was a 1976 KZ400 twin. Had it from '84 until '89, and sold it because of the high speed frame shimmy it had. Wasn't looking to get into the sport bike/crotch rocket scene, but the GPz's were hard to find, and holding their value. Wasn't real interest in the Honda Shadow either. Then one day I saw an '86 600r like yours for sale. Beautiful lines, and I loved the color scheme. Paid $1,700 for it. Still have it. Many of them suffer from receding in intake valve seats, and regularly loose their valve adjustment, and then won't start....because the intake valves are being held open. Mine suffers from this, and the head needs to be rebuilt. I was lucky to score a factory panel in pearl white, that replaces the rear seat, and really cleans up the lines of the bike. Other than that, mine's stock.
I just bought one of this a week ago is my second bike so far and let me tell you guys this bike is a fun one besides is funny to have it because I'm riding a bike older than me lol
That was my first bike new back then, and i loved it. Never had any problems with it. Of corse i bought it against my mom's and girlfriends wishes, but we all do that.
I owned 1985 red white one, put over 65,000 miles with not one problem. Paid 3200 new sold it 5 yrs later 2000, kicking myself in butt to this day. Would kill to have a clean one like my original, still the sharpest looking 600 made to me. Slim fast and reliable. Not up to todays 600 but this bike taught me so much about riding fast. I doubt most could ever expose this bikes limits and it is a 85 model. I would love to get another 85 red and white one like I had.
I had the 1985 600r. I had the original dual exhaust, which I like the look of better. Just a more balanced look. I used to get so many compliments on that thing, back in the day!
I had that exact same bike, vance and hines exhaust and all. I changed the sprocket on mine, do it would only go 125mph, but it got there in a hurry! For a little port bike they are very comfy to ride. I miss the heck out of it.
Awesome find. While I was a young airman statioed in UK in the mid 1980s my first crotch rocket was the 1984 GPz550A1. The 600 was just coming out and my 550 was a bit cheaper and older tech (air-cooled vs liquid cool) I should have bought the 600r. Thanks for sharing.
1985 I was 21. i see this byke in a canadian magazin in winter. I bought it in february. i pick it up in april and never regret it....now i have ZX-14.
Maybe you can do an all Ninja model segment. Just some of the used and new ones 250R, 300R, 400, 600R, 500R, 650, 750, 1000R, ZX-6, ZX-10, etc... Just the differences and progress of Kawasaki.
This bike could have changed the outcome of my entire life, had the guy who took it out on a test ride 30mins before it was my turn, wrapped it around a tree writing it off. In my impatience for a new bike I bought a Yamaha RD350F, a totally different animal - crazy, insanely fast and about half the weight of the GPZ600R. Mix that with a slightly damp road and my lack of experience on a bike like this and you are an accident waiting to happen. And so it was on that foggy morning of 27 May 1985. Nobody elses fault, I just locked the back wheel and hit the chevron signs head on. 33 years, 10 months as a Quadriplegic - sat on my arse with 4 wheels strapped to it. Mind you, given half the chance I'd get back on a bike tomorrow, just maybe not a 2 Stroke...
I leave in Quebec. In 1984 in February I go to Monette sport and I both one. I was 20. The winter is not easy in Quebec. I wait to April to get the bike on the road.
I had one from 91 to 94 then some ass hole stole it ,, Nottingham to London in 43mins ,2am sunday morning , beast of a bike ,turned in to a new toy over 130mph , id love another one lol
I've got two 1985's. I bought them both for $300.00 ($150 each) in very very poor condition. Engines crank on both and appear to have compression and there is one whole bike. The bikes were not taken care of and at one point a previous owner decided to rattle can on of them. I'll hope one day to have ONE of them running. I'm always looking for parts!
The last bike I ever owned all my friends wanted the bigger bikes . But this thing ran on rails. Unfortunately I had one of them left hand turn in front of me at 70mph. Just never got back on another bike. rode since I was a little kid my first car was a Kawaski
Does anyone know where I can find a replacement fairing kit for a 91 600? I'm losing my mind trying to find a set and is the 250 the same body panel size?
Very nice looking bike. I've been looking for one just like this, but have not been successful in finding one. They out there, but a lot of junk for that era.
My brother had a Z1R it looked almost just like that bike it was smoke gray and very fast it didn’t say ninja on the bike but I was told it was the first ninja.
hello, maybe as a kawasaki dealer you could hep me with my investigation on my bike, it seems to be a zx500a (gpz500r) 1986 , can't find any info anywhere, please if it is possible pm me.
I have the red version of this bike. I loved it back in 1986 and I love riding it now. I have a Yoshimura exhaust. It growls nicely in low gear and sounds like an airplane taking off on the highway.
This was my first street bike. Had 48k miles on it when I sold it to buy a 96 rf900r. It served me well for many years
In February 1986 my best friend and I went into Whittier Kawasaki in Whittier California and purchased two brand new 600 Ninjas for $3300 dollars out the door each . We were 18 years old and in our senior year of high school , I can still remember that day .
That's an awesome story
Bought the same bike in 1986. 3300 out the door also..Covina Kawasaki.Still have it!
@@notetoself5474 no you didnt..they didnt exist in 1983..came out in 1985..was previewed in a 1984 edition of cycle guide magazine which i still have somewhere.
herbyverstink So are you telling me No I didn't buy one or just that maybe I got the year wrong? Since it's still in my garage I'll check the VIN number and get back to you.
@@herbyverstink not true, as much as im puzzled as to why the websites i look at say they started in 85', i have a 83' and i know its an 83'
Brings back some nice memories. Had one of these bikes that I bought new and then sold in 1999. Had the Vanes in Hines exhaust as well. Was growing too old for sport bikes and have switched to cruisers ever since.
めっちゃ綺麗。新品同様ですね。また乗りたいなぁ、、、
I remember this bike as being new. Back then it was 'The' bike to have. It was and is still badass! Now it's a 'Vintage' bike. Yes, it makes me feel old. But, the bikes from those days are still the best around.
I had one just like that. Bought it brand new in 86. What a beautiful bike!!
When this bike came out in 1986 it was a game changer!
it was 85 actually
Probably the best 600R Ninja I have ever seen from 1986-Present. In high school, I had the Interceptor, same color. However, a buddy of mine had the "other" red-white-blue Ninja and I never won a race; he got it used. We used to race in an area of Virginia called Great Falls, the backroads. I was always envious in losing and looking at the 140's on the rear so I vowed never to be beaten again and got me an 89' Ninja 600R fully prepped for the race track. If you think they move, then they really move well when prepped by a professional track racer. He had just gotten three new CBR600s and cut me a good deal on his "old" track bike. LoL, I will leave it there. You just could not beat the Ninja in those days unless it was on the track. Even if you put expensive tires on them, they were badasses. BTW, the bike to have in 1987 was the FZR750RR and my other high school friend had just bought that one brand new for around $8,000, no comment on what it could do.
85 was first yr of this model 85 to 87 first model run of ninja 600 had 85.myself
This was great seeing the bike I had back when I was 18 or 19 years old. Had the same exhaust also. I would clutch up a wheelie in first gear, revving it up to 7500 rpm’s. Ahh those were the days. Miss it.
I wanted one of those when they were new, I was 16 then so I ended up getting a 1989 model. But that year was my favorite! Brings back memories.
That exhaust sounds really good.
Thats a sharp 600R albert! Love see’ing these old ninja’s still intact. I bought a 1986 ninja 1000R when i graduated highschool in 94, rode it a year and sold it to buy my dads 88 zx-10. So fast forward to 2015 and i was able to buy my 86 back from the folks to bought it from me in 1995, they had put a whole 650 miles on it, it did take extensive work to bring it back to life however.
What a great story..thanks for sharing
I looked for one for nearly 30 years and a 2020 hs grad had one he was working on and was in a little more effort than he thought. Long story short, other than the grips, I got an all original 600R GPZ for $200 and only have to clean the carbs.
that is a great story.. you beat me by $300.. I knew a guy that had one in his garage since 2008 with 12k miles on it.. made a deal for a sonos sound bar... since i was a sonos dealer it worked out to $525 bucks.. rebuilt the carbs and out of my 7 street bikes this one is a joy to ride..
i had the same one in 1997. beautiful machine! Thanks for share.
That’s my first street bike a 1986 GPZ 600RR , it made 70hp I remember topping out 135 mph ,it was the fastest 600 that year. Thanks buddy for the memories 😊
I absolutely love this ninja. They are really great.
I still have the original brochure for the 600r. I remember seeing it at my local dealer in 1986. It was the most awesome beautiful bike I had ever seen. Me and my friends would walk by after High school everyday by the shop and stare at it through the glass. Sadly we couldn't afford it at the time.
Thank you for making this video! This was my first motorcycle (color as well). I bought this bike off a neighbor when I was 17 yrs old in 2000. My parents wouldn’t buy me a car so I bought this bike. I still regret selling it but I was leaving for the Navy and got stationed in Japan. I’ve been looking for this bike but haven’t found one in good condition or the same color. This video lets me know to not give up!
My first sport bike was a 1986 Kawasaki 600R Ninja same color, bought it in 1988 from a dealer.
I acquired a 86 EX500 Ninja, totaled and turned into a black street fighter. Also I’ve got an 87 which has all original parts and nice plastics, black and white. Nice bikes
JJ James where did you get all the parts for it? I have an 86 600R sitting in the garage for 25 years with no plastics or tank. They were stolen a long time ago..
Thanks for doing such a nice walk around with the camera, and showing all the details. The sound with the Vans&Hines is insane!
My first bike was a 1976 KZ400 twin. Had it from '84 until '89, and sold it because of the high speed frame shimmy it had. Wasn't looking to get into the sport bike/crotch rocket scene, but the GPz's were hard to find, and holding their value. Wasn't real interest in the Honda Shadow either. Then one day I saw an '86 600r like yours for sale. Beautiful lines, and I loved the color scheme. Paid $1,700 for it. Still have it.
Many of them suffer from receding in intake valve seats, and regularly loose their valve adjustment, and then won't start....because the intake valves are being held open. Mine suffers from this, and the head needs to be rebuilt.
I was lucky to score a factory panel in pearl white, that replaces the rear seat, and really cleans up the lines of the bike. Other than that, mine's stock.
I just bought one of this a week ago is my second bike so far and let me tell you guys this bike is a fun one besides is funny to have it because I'm riding a bike older than me lol
That was my first bike new back then, and i loved it. Never had any problems with it.
Of corse i bought it against my mom's and girlfriends wishes, but we all do that.
I owned 1985 red white one, put over 65,000 miles with not one problem. Paid 3200 new sold it 5 yrs later 2000, kicking myself in butt to this day. Would kill to have a clean one like my original, still the sharpest looking 600 made to me. Slim fast and reliable. Not up to todays 600 but this bike taught me so much about riding fast. I doubt most could ever expose this bikes limits and it is a 85 model. I would love to get another 85 red and white one like I had.
I had the 1985 600r. I had the original dual exhaust, which I like the look of better. Just a more balanced look. I used to get so many compliments on that thing, back in the day!
GREATEST video on this bike I have ever seen... THANK YOU
i bought a one new in 1986 same color, totaled it .wish i still had it. hope you ride it and enjoy.
Very clean! I enjoyed your appreciation of the vintage Ninja.
Great bike, had the opportunity to ride one way back.
That is a pretty clean looking bike. Nice find
Love the way these old bikes look
I had that exact same bike, vance and hines exhaust and all. I changed the sprocket on mine, do it would only go 125mph, but it got there in a hurry! For a little port bike they are very comfy to ride. I miss the heck out of it.
1985/1986 i was 11/12 y.o. love at First sight.
2007 got One,a1985 red/White....and still have It.
Awesome find. While I was a young airman statioed in UK in the mid 1980s my first crotch rocket was the 1984 GPz550A1. The 600 was just coming out and my 550 was a bit cheaper and older tech (air-cooled vs liquid cool) I should have bought the 600r. Thanks for sharing.
Great bike! Thanks for sharing!
I love these bikes ...I have a 93 600 with 12,000 miles on it I've loved the bike since I got it .great video man
Have a 1995 zx6r 28,000 miles and its in great shape and still rips!! for $1500 Love it!
1985 I was 21. i see this byke in a canadian magazin in winter. I bought it in february. i pick it up in april and never regret it....now i have ZX-14.
I'd ride this bike right now, proudly !!!!!!!!
Wow its lovely. i used to own the GPX 600. Some of the old school bikes are the best looking imo.
Maybe you can do an all Ninja model segment. Just some of the used and new ones 250R, 300R, 400, 600R, 500R, 650, 750, 1000R, ZX-6, ZX-10, etc... Just the differences and progress of Kawasaki.
I had a Pearl Green and White one in 1986. It was my first Ninja. Wish I never sold it.
This bike could have changed the outcome of my entire life, had the guy who took it out on a test ride 30mins before it was my turn, wrapped it around a tree writing it off. In my impatience for a new bike I bought a Yamaha RD350F, a totally different animal - crazy, insanely fast and about half the weight of the GPZ600R. Mix that with a slightly damp road and my lack of experience on a bike like this and you are an accident waiting to happen. And so it was on that foggy morning of 27 May 1985. Nobody elses fault, I just locked the back wheel and hit the chevron signs head on. 33 years, 10 months as a Quadriplegic - sat on my arse with 4 wheels strapped to it. Mind you, given half the chance I'd get back on a bike tomorrow, just maybe not a 2 Stroke...
Thanks for sharing your treasure with us. It sounds great and now I want one.
Beautiful bike!!!!
I had this exact same bike and bought new in 1986. I loved it and then 6 months later my brother totaled it out.
I had the same one. Wish I never sold it. Classic
man I sold the one I use to have a 1986 Kawasaki 600r ninja I wish I never did.back in 1986
Honda scheme on paint and looks great on that great bike.
Looks perfect. It looks it was produced a week ago.
Very nice!
Sounds amazing
My dad used to have exactly the same one brand new back in the day, same color and year. How do you like it?
I had one same color ,I should not of sold it deep regrets!
I leave in Quebec. In 1984 in February I go to Monette sport and I both one. I was 20. The winter is not easy in Quebec. I wait to April to get the bike on the road.
I have one in my garage right now!
USA import Ninja. :D
I need a fuel tank, same as that.
and yes I have the original exhaust.
Sweet! Looks brand new for it's age!
I've got the rx 600 aluminum frame black and cosmic gray red strip with the poster from show room floor price was 3400 great bike to ride
Exhaust sounds wicked sick
Congrats great purchase
nice.. beauty
I've its bigger brother the gpx750 even by todays standard's they are still nice bike to ride
cool and informative / instructional vid.
cheers!
That Fu&%in CLASSIC SEXY BEAST!! ;)) All original 80ies style lovin' it The Vid is two yrs old and MCC probably sold it. but thanks for the vid!
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet i really like the style of those years
I didnt know they made a 600 that has the same body style as my 03 - 250. I figured the ugly frontend on the 500 was as good as it got lol
I had one!
still looks good with those colors..i was so in lust with these things it wasnt even funny.
I had one from 91 to 94 then some ass hole stole it ,, Nottingham to London in 43mins ,2am sunday morning , beast of a bike ,turned in to a new toy over 130mph , id love another one lol
$3299+ttl was the retail in 86!
A Beaut!
I have an '85 red, black and silver 600R not as perfect but clean for it's age.
Like the bikes from the first mad max movie
Screw the og exaust i had that same exaust on my 1994 and it sounded great
I've got two 1985's. I bought them both for $300.00 ($150 each) in very very poor condition. Engines crank on both and appear to have compression and there is one whole bike. The bikes were not taken care of and at one point a previous owner decided to rattle can on of them. I'll hope one day to have ONE of them running. I'm always looking for parts!
Where are you located? I'm restoring one right now, could maybe use a few parts. Cheers!
The last bike I ever owned all my friends wanted the bigger bikes . But this thing ran on rails. Unfortunately I had one of them left hand turn in front of me at 70mph. Just never got back on another bike. rode since I was a little kid my first car was a Kawaski
Does anyone know where I can find a replacement fairing kit for a 91 600? I'm losing my mind trying to find a set and is the 250 the same body panel size?
Veracruz had one in Belton, Texas
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
If you still need a stock exhaust, I just bought an 87 600RX with stock exhaust. Want to trade for the V&H?
Please give me a call (4099-948-4969) at the dealership on Tuesday.
Very nice looking bike. I've been looking for one just like this, but have not been successful in finding one. They out there, but a lot of junk for that era.
Try looking in the EU/UK loads of them there. I have the black and red color theme.
My brother had a Z1R it looked almost just like that bike it was smoke gray and very fast it didn’t say ninja on the bike but I was told it was the first ninja.
About to go pick up a free one
Blablabla ,Start Engine now 👻
Never seen a Kawa with Honda colors, great bike though
Nice example...
How much did you pay?
i have an 87 kawasaki ninja 600r
Does anyone know where I can get the gas tank cover for this bike?
If the round end of the pegs aren't scraped you weren't having fun
hello, maybe as a kawasaki dealer you could hep me with my investigation on my bike, it seems to be a zx500a (gpz500r) 1986 , can't find any info anywhere, please if it is possible pm me.
Im sure this was the FIRST 150mph . . 600 . ?
More like 132 mph..at least that's what I got on mine...down wind..lol.
Would anybody like to buy my almost mint 1985 kawasaki gpz ninja 600r like the one in the video? Reply to the comment
My friend got one for $150 and it needs a new fuel pump, tires, and fairings
I got one for $ 15 and it needs engine,wheels,frame,chain,exaust and blinkers.
I got one for 150$ I just needed to charge the battery 😐
this bike kawasaki is better than honda? and what si that famous kawasaki rattling noise before the engine warm up.
Cam chain noise . No problem
I have a stock exhaust for this bike if you are still in need of.
Hi, mate, I would like to buy stock exhaust if it is really in original condition. Reply to me if you are interested. Cheers!
It has a couple of scratches on it, but yes appears to be all original.
Walt Grizzly if u could take few pics and send to me, please...where are u from, which country?
US. I'll see what i can do this weekend.
Very nice. Everything is for sale....just sent you an email....
hahaha i love your style
I have a 1985 zx 600r a1
I have a engine to one of these
Same color scheme as the Honda Interceptor