New to me in 2026

1989 Kawasaki GPx600R in pretty good condition for something getting on for 40 years old.

When these came out around 1987 I had already gone through the RG500 stage, then owned a GSXR750 and was into the 1 litre class bikes, so sort of missed what was happening in this category.

Usual story, not had one, one came up, got it!

Only covered about 200 miles at time or writing this, but have to say I'm impressed. I've had a fair few of the earlier Kawasakis and this is a major step up in just about all ways from those. Much better balance and at 86bhp must more grunt then I was expecting for a small bike.

Not had time to get to grips with all the bits as yet, like the Air forks and the like, but very impressed so far.

Kawasaki GPX600R

It's an import so clocks are in KPH and recorded 22k on the Odometer. Couldn't do that faff calculation on the fly so initially stuck a GPS speedo on as a temporary measure which worked fine. Interestingly the garage that had performed the last few MOTs hadn't spotted it was in kilometres and had recorded it as miles (great check guys!).

I've now managed to get and fit a UK speedo with virtually the same reading in true miles to match the number of the kilometre originals and this is now in situ and working well. I know I could have got one set to the exact miles equalivent of the 22k kilometres, but it such a low mileage I've not bothered.

Let's see how this one fairs.