No ninjas in the uk?
 

Hi, I'm very new to biking, wanted a kawasaki ninja since the first time i set eyes on one, but they seem quite scarce in the uk - autotrader returns no results when searching for 'ninja' and even the uk kawasaki website only includes the 250r model. Personally I would like to find a second hand 500r, since it offers a bit more scope than the 250r in terms of power, but i really can't find it anywhere- am i making some big mistake? Does the ninja 500r go by another model name/number in the uk?

maybe they are in the shadows..

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I'm fairly sure the Ninja 500r was a US model and was sold as the GPZ500 here in the UK. Good first bike but knocking on a bit now.

Autotrader - KAWASAKI GPZ 500cc

Just to update my last post...

It would appear that the bike you're looking for is definitely the GPZ500-S.

You could also try looking at the ER6-F if you want something a little newer. I believe Kawasaki dealers have got them on 0% finance at the minute.

Try searching for ZXR as that's how they'll be listed. You can get a 400 (not officially imported to the UK but plenty about)

As has been said the GPZ is a great first bike still a couple of gems out there.

:)

The ZXR is a completely different kettle of fish to the Ninja 500r. There's plenty of official imports too. Just need to make sure you don't buy someone's retired race or track day bike.

The GPZ or Ninja 500r (both pictured below for comparison) is a tarted-up commuter bike which uses the same parallel twin engine as the ER5, which is really a training school's bike.
http://www.bikez.com/pictures/kawasa...ermission..jpg

http://www.bikez.com/pictures/kawasa...20Kawasaki.jpg


The ZXR400 (below) on the other hand could be compared to a scaled down ZX7R and if you buy a late model one, you get everything it's bigger brother has, including USD forks, but in a smaller and lighter package. An absolute screamer of an engine (4 cylinder) and a well ridden one will hang with modern 600 supersport bikes on twisty roads, never mind the 500.

http://www.motorbike-search-engine.c...kes/ZXR400.jpg

Thank you for the replies, you've really been helpful. I'm a student so it's definitely got to be something second hand. Think I'll bide my time and save up a bit longer before I buy anything but since I now know what I'm looking for, should be a simple matter. Thanks again!

I too wanted a ninja when they came out, but now I am 'into' bikes I think the model I wanted was the ZXR, either 7 or 10

If you are after a classic late 80's early 90s sports bike then you may be interested in what is in my shed (am about to go and run the brake lines, do the electrics, top-end gets put back on on monday). It should be the best Yamaha FZR600 ('89) in the country, and has been fully stealthed by Mad Dog Motorcycles - black frame, swingarm, engine sidecases, wheels, plastics (new) and stainless exhaust and bolt heads for contrast. It comes with track approved brake line setup (all stainless), new bearings all round and the original fairings. It had 20,000 on the clock and has had a full top-end rebuild, new brake pistons, master cylinders reconditioned etc etc etc...

Your FZR sounds like a cracking bike. I turned down a one owner, minter for £550 earlier this year as I didn't have the storage space.

I nearly bought a late ZXR400 myself a couple of years ago but I've wanted one of the first generation ZXR750's in white/blue/green, ever since I saw a new one when I was a kid. Should be a bit of a collectors item in a few years and they're a bargain considering they were Kawasaki's alternative to the Honda RC30.

I'm selling my ZX6R, probably later next month so I might make good that dream while there's still a few nice ones left. Mine's a J-series on a Y-plate with 17k miles on it and it's green (and black), like all Kawasaki sports bikes should be. Nothing wrong with it, just fancy something different. Make me a sensible offer if you're interested.

there are plenty of ZXR750's in france, for some reason. and you always see quite a few ZXR750's at motogp's, mostly with french plates. but then, they are big into endurance racing in france (using kwaks). at the point you look for one, have a look in france.

Why not try the KLE 500, it uses the engone from the GPZ or Ninja 500 r but in an adventure bike frame. There is lots of info on here and I believe there are still some available new for around £3000.

I think all the French market ones were restricted to 100bhp. Still, that would be all the justification I'd need to put a ZX9R engine in it :biggrin: