Used Bike Guide's review archive - KAWASAKI

Used Motorcycle Guide: Issue 101: Sample Only : To read the FULL Article Order on-line

GREAT GEEPER
G Cornwell got on well with a GPZ...

There was nothing really wrong with my TZR, but the need to Loctite every nut and bolt was becoming greater every time I rode it. The exhaust started to vibrate and snap, so that was duly welded and the bike put up for sale, or swap for larger 4-stroke machine. A few phone calls and no real interest, all timewasters. Then a chap phoned up and asked if I was interested in a GPZ400R. I'd only ever seen a 600R and thought it must be similar to that. Arrangements were made to view the Geeper and for him to look at mine. I was confused as to why he wanted a 2-stroke instead of his 4-stroke and his answer was that he liked the smell of burnt 2-stroke oil. Weird, but true.

So the deal was done, a straight swap with no money whatsoever changing hands. The bike was duly loaded into the back of my minibus and taken home for a detailed inspection (something I should have done earlier), and while I'm at it, the night was dark and raining, and I looked at the bike under a security light.

Well, back home I started the bike up and ran it for about fifteen minutes and when I knocked the choke off the engine began to run badly. Very lumpy on tickover, also when the bike was warm, it would not restart.

Firstly, I carted the Kawasaki off to the local repair man for a diagnosis and for the carburetors to be cleaned and balanced. I rang them two days later to find out the worst, and the bike was running slightly better but still not right, and the hot starting problem was still there. Mr Mender Man had checked coils, ignitor box, fuse box and given the carbs the all clear. Still not running right! I fitted new plugs, still no better. New air filter, still no better. New pickups, mmmY tickover now a lot better but hot starting problem still there. After 500 battery charges later, I decided to give up. And then I thought about plug leads and caps. These were ordered from M & P and fitted, and B what a difference! The hot starting problem had been down to plug caps and leads and now the bike even ran well on tickover.

The GPZ400R is basically the same as the 600R but with a smaller engine. Although the bike was a bit of pain to begin with it's proved its worth with the enjoyment factor B and always starts hot or cold!

Overall I like it and am content with my Kawasaki. It always starts, even on Sundays, and I haven't bought Loctite for ages!

Long live Geepers!

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