Written by Hiroaki Numao, Photographs by KAWASAKI, Cooperation by Webike
*This article was originally published in Best Car Web on May 27, 2022.
The 1986 film "Top Gun" made Tom Cruise a star. The sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick," was finally released in theaters today, 36 years after the original film was released.
Many people were probably impressed by the coolness of the GPZ900R on the ground, as well as the F-14 fighter plane in the old movie. We took the opportunity of the new film's release to investigate whether this motorcycle can be purchased now. We also look back at the details of the "Maverick version" ridden by the main character!
With the atmospheric guitar sound of "Danger Zone - TOP GUN THEME," the sky action of the F-14 Tomcat and the image of Tom Cruise riding on the Kawasaki GPZ900R come vividly to life.
Many of you may still vividly remember "Top Gun," which was released in 1986.
This film depicts the suffering and glory of ace pilot candidates at an elite training school for U.S. military air warfare pilots (known as Top Gun), and was the number one box office hit in the U.S. and Japan in 1986. At the time, many readers may have copied the flight jacket and Ray-Ban sunglasses worn by Maverick, played by Tom, and purchased them. The boom in the popularity of the GPZ900R, the hero's favorite motorcycle, must surely have been influenced by Top Gun (the author, who was born in 1971, was of course one of the admirers).
The GPZ900R, Kawasaki's prestige flagship, debuted in 1984, replacing the air-cooled Z1 series, which was born in 1972 and was the world's fastest "Z" at the time. At the heart of the Z1 was a completely new design, a lightweight and compact side cam-chain 908cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-valve 4-cylinder. It was mounted on Kawasaki's first diamond frame for a production model and a modern rear monoshock chassis.
Although its maximum output was modest compared to its rivals at 115 hp, its light dry weight of 228 kg and excellent aerodynamics enabled it to reach a top speed of 250 km/h. Acceleration from 0 to 400 m in 10.976 seconds was achieved. In North America, the Ninja was given the pet name "Ninja," and it was also the memorable first generation of the Ninja, a sports bike that is still a modern-day title.
Initially, North American and European versions existed. It was re-imported into Japan, and domestic versions were also available from 1991.
In Top Gun, the F-14 flies over the sky and the Ninja rides over land, and the scene where the Ninja performs down the runway while looking up at the F-14, etc., is a scene that was made all the more beautiful because the Ninja was the fastest plane in the world. From a modern perspective, the unique, pointed form of the Ninja still looks cool today!
The first GPZ900R (A1 European spec) was born in 1984.
Until the following year's A2 model, the "Z900R" logo was small and in some cases was written as "GPz900R," but in this report it is unified as GPZ.
No genuine Maverick version exists, but similar models are available.
The black and red GPZ900R that appeared in the film is said to be the "A2" of the second year of its appearance. However, the very same livery has not been released. A similar model is the 1984 GPZ750R. This was a 748cc model with a reduced bore x stroke for the Japanese market, and the first generation black x red (G1) is the closest to the Top Gun colors.
However, while the lower side panels are red on the OEM version, the Maverick Ninja is black. Also, the front fenders are a different color, and the manufacturer's and motorcycle names have been erased. It is widely believed that the motorcycle in the film was a 900 with the 750's exterior and the original paint job. It is also said that several GPZ750Rs were exported to North America to compete in the U.S. AMA Superbike Championship, and their exteriors were used.
The motorcycle in the play displayed at the museum. Black base with red lines riding toward the tail.
The sticker on the tank has been removed in the play.
Relatively easy to buy among all the popular Kawasaki motorcycles with all the legends!
Is the GPZ900R still available for purchase? Although there are only a few in good condition, it is still possible to buy one.
Production of the domestic version of the GPZ900R ended with the A12 in 1999. After that, production of the Malaysian version continued, but the 2003 model was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The final model A16, called the Final Edition, was the last. According to Kawasaki, "a total of more than 80,000 units had been produced by 2002. Not many models have been such a hit, and while the number of used motorcycles is dwindling these days, there are plenty of them in stock.
According to the author's research, the market price at stores varies widely because of its approximately 20-year history, but the cheapest motorcycles start at 700,000 yen (approx. 5246) for a starting price. The main market price is in the 9,743 USD - 10,493 USD range, with a wide range of prices from around 2 million yen for custom motorcycles and stock motorcycles of good condition. Some hard-customized models are priced in excess of 3 million yen. The cheapest vehicles are mainly sometimes (up to the early 1990s), and the overall market price seems to have increased by about 32248 USD since before the Corona, partly due to the motorcycle boom.
Of course, private sales such as Yahoo! Auctions have cheaper market prices, with some balls under 3,747 USD.
The Final Edition was priced at 6,670 USD new at the time, so it is still at a premium. However, compared to the Z1 and many other super-expensive old Kawasaki models, this is by far the easiest to buy.
The GPZ900R is characterized by its customization, and in the 1980s and '90s, custom Ninjas were considered the "must-have" items, with stock machines being rare and expensive to acquire.
There are almost no 750s available, and if there are, the market price is significantly lower than that of the 900. There are no Top Gun colors, such as the black and red of the 1984 750 and 1985 900, and only a few custom-painted replicas exist.
The near-normal 1999 A12 Malaysian version has a starting price of 1,920,000 yen. Mileage: 21,080klm.
From "Selecting a Webike Motorcycle"
After 36 years, the sequel also features the world's fastest old and new Ninjas together!
After repeated delays since its scheduled 2019 release, "Ninja" is finally making an appearance in the new "Top Gun Maverick," which was unveiled on May 27.
Although unseen at the time of writing, the trailer features a scene in which a GPZ900R appears from a covered seat. There is also a scene in which the Ninja H2 CARBON, a modern Ninja, performs on a runway.
The Ninja H2 is the first production motorcycle with a supercharger, producing 231 hp, the most powerful ever from the 2019 model year. The vehicle photographed has different color details and is equipped with the H2R exhaust system, which is for close-course use. Note that the H2 was still in service at the time of filming, but unfortunately, it was discontinued with the 2021 model year. Incidentally, used motorcycles are rarely seen.
In the new film, Maverick returns as Top Gun's leader and instructor. Among the young pilots he teaches is the son of Goose, his former partner who lost his life in flight. The co-starring of the old and new Ninja, the world's fastest, seems to symbolize various dramas, including generational changes.
I can't help but wonder what tale "Top Gun," which so excited my heart 36 years ago, will weave in the modern age!
The Ninja H2 also appears on the official website (https://topgunmovie.jp/).
Don't miss the powerful video footage of six IMAX cameras mounted on a real F/A-18.
Original Source [ Best Car Web ]
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