"I want to ride a motorcycle, but I don't know which one to choose. What kind of bikes are there?"
For those who have such concerns, we have selected the top five motorcycles from the satisfaction rankings of the past year, based on the evaluations and comments of the owners registered on Webike!
In this issue, we will introduce the discontinued masterpieces (751-1000cc) from the 1980s onward. Some of them are very cool models!
What is the overall popularity ranking?
The ranking is based on the number of times each model was viewed on Webic Motorcycle Select in the past month. This time, "Discontinued Masterpieces (1980-)" and "Large Motorcycles (~1000㏄)" were added to the narrowing criteria to extract the results.
Rankings are updated every Friday.
Click here for the "Popularity Overall Ranking" page for the discontinued masterpieces and 751-1000㏄ motorcycles.
This ranking article was produced on December 4.
KAWASAKI GPZ900R
The first Ninja, or GPZ900R, is rumored to be the most popular discontinued motorcycle, replacing the Z, whose used price is now out of reach.
It debuted in 1984 as Kawasaki's first liquid-cooled straight-4 in its quest to become the world's fastest. It also featured prominently in the 1986 movie Top Gun. However, in the 1980s, the maximum displacement limit in Japan was still 750 cc, so the 900 was an export-only model. A 750cc version with a lower displacement was sold in Japan.
The 900 in Japan was ignited in the 90s, and with the boom in reimports and the removal of restrictions on exhaust volume in Japan, the Japan-spec 900 was officially added to the lineup in 1991. The 900 also produced a large number of Ninja owners when the large motorcycle license was first issued. For those who want to recapture the memories of those days, it is understandable that it has become popular and discontinued because it has a uniquely hard form that has no similarity nowadays.
Most of the used cars in circulation today have been replaced with up handles and assembly pipes, which were the standard customization at the time, and there are only a few that are fully standard.
In particular, many of them have had the under cowl removed because it was not compatible with the assembly pipe.
Used cars listed on Webike Bike Selection range from (approx.) 7265 to 18200 USD.
The market is largely divided between the A6 models with 16-inch fronts and the A7 and later models with 17-inch fronts, with the A12 and later models, which are the final models with 6-pot calipers and radial tires, being the most popular. The total number of listed cars is 90, which is by far the most abundant. As one would expect from a model that has sold well.
YAMAHA FZR1000
In second place is the FZR1000, which Yamaha produced from 1987 to 1995. It was made only as an export model, so all the models in Japan are re-imported.
Despite the FZR name and racer-replica style, 1000 is more of a sports tourer than the 750 or 400. Rather than being driven hard and aggressively, 1000 was a machine that could be enjoyed for its ample riding performance, taking advantage of its displacement and big power of 135ps (at the time of the first generation).
In the 1990s, however, the Kawasaki ZZR1100 dominated this class with its concept of being the fastest tourer. The FZR was further matured with inverted forks and other sporting features that differentiated it from its predecessors, but in 1996, it finally became the YZF1000R Thunder Ace, with a cowl that was completely reminiscent of a flagship tourer. The first-generation 87-88 and second-generation 89-90 FZRs were round-eyed, two-eyed replicas of the original style, while the third-generation 91-93 FZRs were round-eyed, two-eyed replicas of the original style. On the other hand, the third generation (91-93) had a single projector-type lens, and the fourth generation (94-95) had two cat eyes, giving it a more tourer-like appearance.
There are only two used cars listed on Webike Bike Select: a third-generation model and a fourth-generation model that has been customized to be an up-hunter. Since there are only a few of these models, to begin with, it seems difficult to find first- and second-generation models that are discontinued and have a fun atmosphere. Ranked in second place is the one that core enthusiasts looking for such a rare one is searching for.
BMW K100RS
Along with the horizontally opposed two-cylinder R series, BMW's K series models have adopted a unique longitudinally mounted inline four-cylinder layout. The first of these models was the K100RS, which appeared in 1983.
The longitudinally mounted engine was used in combination with a shaft drive, and the cylinder was laid down at 90 degrees to lower the center of gravity. In addition, the cylinders were laid down at 90 degrees to lower the center of gravity. In the 1980s, BMW was the envied brand of foreign cars, even for four-wheelers. BMW owners of two-wheeled vehicles were a far cry from the boys who rode motorcycles.
I think it is not a stereotype to remember the image of BMW owners of that time as dandy old men who seemed to be socially successful and in good shape. The reason why they ranked third may be because the boys who admired such BMW owners in those days are now of a similar age and are looking for them.
The design of the car has a distinctly German appearance that sets it apart from other Japanese-made cars, and it is perfect for those who want to experience a different style from other discontinued motorcycles.
However, unfortunately, there are zero used listings currently listed on Webike Bike Selection!
Maybe we just have to be patient and look for it, as it was a rare model for those who were chosen at a high peak back then.
KAWASAKI GPZ1000RX
In fourth place was the GPZ1000RX, which debuted in 1986, just two years after the GPZ900R.
The 900R has evolved into a fully covered form with aerodynamic performance in mind, and the indicator lights are built-in. The frame surface also adopted a square twin-spar design. The 1000RX, however, was still made of steel and was formally in the double cradle category. Tires were also biased, 16-inch front, and rear. Two years later, the ZX-10R evolved to an aluminum twin-spar frame and 17-inch front/18-inch rear radials.
At the time, the 900R was more popular than the 1000RX, and sales of the 1000RX were not as good as they could have been, but today it has historical value as one of the fastest Kawasaki machines of the 80s and 90s. The form similar to the GPZ400R, which was a hit in Japan at the time, also adds to the nostalgia.
A used motorcycle priced at (approx.) 14675 USD is currently listed on Webike Bike Selection. However, they are still generally priced at around 3670 USD. The number of used motorcycles is not large and many of them have been customized, so fully stock cars are scarce.
Its successor, the ZX-10, was ranked 6th.
KAWASAKI Z1000J
The Z1000J, whose 1981 model was the first generation, represents the later stage of Kawasaki's air-cooled Z models.
It was also used as the base of the Lawson Replica Z1000R. During the Z boom of the 90s, many fake low-reps appeared, repainting the J lime green and installing a bikini cowl and a KERKER exhaust system. However, even such a Ro-Rep style J is now a real treasure.
After this, the air-cooled Z evolved into the Z1100GP and then the GPz1100, but they were overshadowed by their water-cooled rivals, and it could be said that this J was the last time the air-cooled Z shone as the strongest.
The tank shape differed between the North American and European markets until the second generation of the J, with the North American market using a round tank and the European market a square tank, and from the third generation in 1983, the North American market also used a square tank. Among these, the square tank is the most popular. The square tank is the most popular among them, probably because of the image of the low-repeat tanks.
Used motorcycles currently listed on Webike Bike Selection range from (approx.) 13600 to 25730 USD. Although they are easier to seek than Z1, Z2, Z1000mk2, etc., they are still highly popular as discontinued vehicles, and the market price is expected to continue to rise.
