il cacciatore Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 I'm looking at a Kawasaki GPz 305 belt drive. The ad says that its 2003 model with only 14500 miles on the clock but I was led to believe that the GPZ305 was in a production run of 1982 - 1997 and not upto 2003. Can anyone verify this? Is it probable that this bike has a hidden history? These bikes are supposed to be decent if they have been kept well, providing economical transport and cheap to insure but are fragile if they havent been with top end problems including rocker cover wear and valve corrosion. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 Get a HPI check done , it may be an import & just registered in UK then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted June 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 I think that it might be an import because the same guy has a Yamaha SRX4 for sale which is a grey import. They were never exported out of Japan as I understand it. Isnt that HPI check expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 Why don't you just phone him and ask the question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 I think that it might be an import because the same guy has a Yamaha SRX4 for sale which is a grey import. They were never exported out of Japan as I understand it. Isnt that HPI check expensive? Better expensive than sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 Isnt that HPI check expensive? £25, so not really (if you intend to buy) or yes, if you don't and are just nosy Disclaimer, I don't condone anyone actually doing this btw :- You could try the old chestnut of walking into a large name big dealership, waffle on about wanting "one of those" and offer the rego to the salesperson as the trade in, they are all subbed to HPI/Experion all the rest of it and pay a flat fee (no skin off his nose to tap in the plate) and he will sharpish tell you if its not kosher (the checks are done online so its instant) Failing that the AA and RAC were offering discounts if you are with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 I can do a HPI for £15.00. The bike is imported and bear in mind that the drive belt is expensive LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted June 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 Why don't you just phone him and ask the question?:yp: :yp: You cant always trust the word of someone trying to get your hard earned off you, especially when it comes to second hand used bikes as I've found out. Went to look at one (another kawasaki but a GT550). The guy said it was in excellent condition, that it had only done 48000 for a 16 year old bike and the price was right so I went and seen it. The bike was full of rust (was painted with a brush), was dropped and had done at least twice what the odometer said, the thing was knackered. Obviously a clocking job. Isnt that HPI check expensive? £25, so not really (if you intend to buy) or yes, if you don't and are just nosy :( Disclaimer, I don't condone anyone actually doing this btw :- You could try the old chestnut of walking into a large name big dealership, waffle on about wanting "one of those" and offer the rego to the salesperson as the trade in, they are all subbed to HPI/Experion all the rest of it and pay a flat fee (no skin off his nose to tap in the plate) and he will sharpish tell you if its not kosher :( (the checks are done online so its instant) Failing that the AA and RAC were offering discounts if you are with them. Suppose its alright. Could save you much more money. I can do a HPI for £15.00. The bike is imported and bear in mind that the drive belt is expensive LB hmm, yeh the belt is expensive. I heard you can convert it to a chain for about the same money you can buy a belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted June 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 Turns out it was fine. It was New Old Stock, declared new at first registration in 2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppythedog Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 I'm looking at a Kawasaki GPz 305 belt drive. The ad says that its 2003 model with only 14500 miles on the clock but I was led to believe that the GPZ305 was in a production run of 1982 - 1997 and not upto 2003. Can anyone verify this? Is it probable that this bike has a hidden history? These bikes are supposed to be decent if they have been kept well, providing economical transport and cheap to insure but are fragile if they havent been with top end problems including rocker cover wear and valve corrosion. Many thanks. Mate don't buy a GPZ305 under any circumstances, they are total poo! 25 yrs in the trade and 6 of those in a Kawasaki dealership I have seen lots of 305s and they were all poo. The top end WILL fail by approx 20000 miles even if the oil is changed regularly and when it fails the camshaft eats the cylinder head and the cam followers, if you don't believe me try ringing some breakers and ask for a 2nd hand head and cam, you will get lots of comments involving rocking horse ****. If it's a cheap commuter you're looking for go and find a GS500 or preferably a CB500 which will go on for ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted June 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 You might have saved me the best part of a grand. I owe you one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 In the end I bought a Yamaha TDR250!! The hooligan 2-stroke Twin. Its mad and mental all in one. I could have been riding a **** Kawasaki GPZ305 if it wasent for the advice received here. Picked it up for a bargain as it had only done 24000 miles. Excellent. I've already slammed an R1 front brake caliper on it and I'm going to be getting a TZR 17" front wheel to match the back replacing the 19" front. It likes to show you the blue, blue sky and all the little white clowds. Cheers people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 In the end I bought a Yamaha TDR250!! The hooligan 2-stroke Twin. Its mad and mental all in one. I could have been riding a **** Kawasaki GPZ305 if it wasent for the advice received here. Picked it up for a bargain as it had only done 24000 miles. Excellent. I've already slammed an R1 front brake caliper on it and I'm going to be getting a TZR 17" front wheel to match the back replacing the 19" front. It likes to show you the blue, blue sky and all the little white clowds. Cheers people! Don't forget to carry that donor card... I am just jealous - bikes are an avenue of pleasure the wife has long since closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Aw... you need to get another bike Mungler! Just say 'I'm having one' to the missus. You need one of these in your life. This has a power valve. It encourages dangerous driving!!!! Instead of saying on the mirrors 'Warning: Objects may be closer than they appear' it should say 'Warning: Objects may disappear in a cloud of blue smoke!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Ah, twas a near head on with a Volvo on a GSXR600 that did it for me. Blistering hot sunny day, a couple of cans of Redbull to wire up and I was off towards Bicknacre for the country bends. Went round a bend, knee down but all out of shape, wrong side of the road and facing off a Volvo estate. I can still see the woman's face screaming as she thought she was going to hit me. In fairness she can probably still remember my screaming face through the visor. I got clipped but not run over. I remember the visor "completely" steamed up with my hyper ventilating even though it was the height of summer. Anyways, that was all at speed and one inch to the right I would have been a deffo gonner. I agreed with the missus that I had to pack it in as because notwithstanding regular near death experiences I was still looking at the bike mags to get something faster. All very addictive. If someone said I could pay £20,000 tomorrow and be guaranteed not to kill or hurt myself on a bike I would pay the money get a **** off Ducati tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 How safe are you in a car? Your not 100% safe. Get a bike. You know you want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 How safe are you in a car? Your not 100% safe. Get a bike. You know you want to. Can't fall off a car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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