GPz TriadGPzList is open to all riders of Kawasaki GPz1100 motorcycles.  Although primarily consisting of owners of 1995 and later models, there is a growing contingent of owners of the classic 1980's models.  GPz riders from all over the country and from several foreign nations (including France, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, and Texas) are subscribed.  The purpose of the list is to discuss modifications, travels, maintenance, and any other issues of interest to GPz owners.  For information on how to join the GPzList, simply read our FAQ.  After you join and receive your automated subscription confirmation, a brief introduction is appreciated, so the list knows who you are.

So you know who we are, the ListOwner is Dave Spaulding also known as "Dave in Des Moines".  I now maintain this website having inherited the great work of one of our list founders, Bob Sims.  Another list founder, Scott Snipas was also instrumental in the success of the GPzList having started the very first GPz1100 web page.  Welcome to the list and feel free to email me with any questions.


July 16th - We're not done with the pictures.  Art Lischer took these pictures while attending the GPz Rally in Durango.

Charles sent in this picture of all the guys in front of his friends bar/hotel in Silverton.  From left to right:

Steve Northrop, Charles Scappaticci, Dennis Peterson, George Donnley and son, Chuck Driscoll, Art Lischer, Rob Hamalainen,  Rick?? (Dale's friend), Dale Freeman, Jeff Sugg, Brad (Art's Friend), Mike Barnhill, Ken (Mike's friend) and Don French.
And finally, Brian Mitchell from Mission Canada sent us a picture of his fine 1983 GPz.

July 2nd - The shutterbugs of the list have been busy lately:

Pictures of the Durango Fandango 2005 by Dennis Peterson
Jeff (1KPerDay) rides around Maine on a rented Harley
Your ListOwner does the same around Las Vegas
More Pix of the Durango Fandango by Steve Northrop
Dale Freeman's pictures of the Fandango
...and then Dale went 4-wheeling afterward.
 

May 21th - Last weekend, under the guidance of Art Lischer, I adjusted the valves on my GPz!  If you plan to do this work yourself, here are a few resources you should take advantage of:

Nice photo-illustrated tutorial
PDF document to record and save your settings
Shim swap calculation tool

 
April 28th - Big news!  GPzList member Ralph Angelo has written a book!  It is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Or, treat yourself to an autographed copy direct from the author.  Check out that beautiful GPz on the cover!  Buy one for yourself and another as a gift!

December 28th -
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  I've decided to stop doing the monthly poll for a little while at least as it was difficult coming up with new topics.  For those thinking of installing a Vance & Hines baffle kit, Art Lischer has these pictures and this great 1MB video that compares the stock exhaust sound with his set of pipes.

Samir Powar sent me some terrific action shots of him on his GPz.  These pictures are around 400KB each.


 


GPz Modifications

Storz handlebar converion kitFirst the handlebars.  Many GPzers have changed the riding position to a more upright posture by adding bar risers or converting to standard handlebars.  Read more about their experiences here
Storz handlebar converion kitA fork brace?  That's right, Murph of  MurphsKits has joined the ranks of GPz owners and has manufactured a fork brace just for us!  Murph is famous on the Concours Owners Group for his stainless steel screw kits so order one of those too!  See all of the GPz specific items that Murph offers.
If you are looking for a bit more performance without spending much money, try this ignition advancer from Ted Dake at MotoFab.  Ted is a friend of the list and a fellow Kawasaki rider.
ThottlemeisterThe state of the art in GPz throttle locks is the machined, stainless steel Throttlemeister.  Several listers have written reviews, and one recently published an excellent photo journal installation guide.
The Corbin seat has proven itself to be a welcome addition for those looking to extend their ride more than a few hours.  More reviews are here.  Once very expensive, the Corbin seat has been discounted and is now $240.  If it were my money, I would skip the backrest and spend the money on your GiVi luggage with backrest....
Givi hard luggageLuggage  Need space for all that stuff?  Whether you are looking at tankbags, saddlebags, hard luggage, or touring racks, chances are that someone on the list has tried it before.  Read their impressions on the Gear page.  Givi installation has been simplified!  Thanks to Richard McDonald for his great step-by-step Givi installation instructions (with photos). 

Five Stars Givi luggage carrier and rack review by Bob Foglesong. Bob installed this German-made alternative to the Givi Wingracks.  His complete article also includes overseas ordering contacts. This kit is similiar to the OEM system available outside of North America.

Another luggage option is the Kawasaki factory luggage.  While not truly hard luggage, they do look better than the other alternatives and have been seriously discounted to bring them into the affordable category.  Check them out here.

Bob, GPz, and fall colorsA note from Bob Sims:  Special thanks to the individuals of the GPzList for their many contributions (much of which is not properly attributed) they have made making the list and this page a success.  Thanks also to the fine folks at Micapeak for their tireless efforts in providing the physical resources and technical expertise which help make our riders group possible.

Its all about the ride!

Locked and LoadedAre you looking forward to getting out on the open road?  Interested in some modifications to make the big Kawasaki  more roadworthy for the miles ahead?  The GPz makes a great sport touring machine, but many of our subscribers have found ways to make it even better.  Read the GPz reviews and helpful tips provided by our members.
Photo by Motorcycle Online
Samir PowarSamir Powar, captain of the SoCal chapter of the GPz Precision Passing Team, shows how it's done in the Santa Rosa Mountains.

The GPz is an awesome machine.  But what makes it a bike you will always remember are the rides you go on and the people you meet when you do.  Our GPzList members do plenty of riding, both alone and in groups.  Read about Phil Hamm's trip to Daytona, or Dave Spaulding's Ozarks tour, or any number of great reports in our rides section.


1998 Ride to the Sky

In July of 1998, several GPzers got together in the heart of the Colorado Rockies for some great times at the '98 Ride to the Sky (photos), our first annual international list rally.  A special thanks to this year's rally sponsers:  Givi USA, Factory Pro, Aerostich, Dynojet, Genmar, Dennis Kirk, Koups Cycle Shop, Headgear Specialties, Actionstations, Pirelli Tires, Delorme Maps, Vanson Leathers, Modern World Ventures, and Kawasaki.

Midwest Rally

Looking to get together with other GPzers in your area?
Check out the GPz List Roll Call, a collection of detailed entries from GPz riders around the world.  Try finding other riders in your region, and add or update your own entry so that others can find you.  It's all in the GPz List Roll Call.

MCN ThumbnailNormal riding not enough for you?  How about some  "Extreme Sport Touring on a Kawasaki GPz1100" by Joe Bloggs (warning, this link has some large pictures and will take some time to load).  Details a Utah-1088 run, as well as a factory saddlebags review. Reprinted with permission of Motorcycle Consumer News (888-333-0354)
 

1998 Ride to the Sky attendees at Independence Pass, CO
Photo by Bob and Laura Sims
'98 Ride to the Sky (Independence Pass, CO)
  Laura Sims, Scott Snipas, Rob Hamalainen, Bob Sims, Jim Fraser, Dave Spaulding, Patrick Rhodes, 
R. Rees Fullmer, Bob Ebert, Charles Scappaticci, and Mike DeHaan