Buy This 1986 Kawasaki GPZ900R and Live Your Tom Cruise 'Top Gun' Dreams

If this isn't the bike that inspired your first motorcycling dreams, what was?

Photo by: Iconic Motorbike Auctions

By: Robbie Bacon

Feb 12, 2025 at 8:23am ET

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I reckon Tom Cruise riding Kawasaki's GPZ900R in Top Gun influenced a ridiculous number of people to get on two wheels. Whether you know it or not, if you're between a certain age, there's a good chance it pushed you toward motorcycles.

I had the Top Gun Special Collectors Edition DVD as a kid and watched it until it was seared into my retinas, and, of course, I wanted a modern-day Ninja at the time. RideApart's Executive Editor, Jonathon Klein, was so influenced by the Ninja that he bought a regular '86 Ninja 600 as his first motorcycle, and he still wants a GPZ900R to this day. Well, luckily for him, he can make that a possibility as Iconic Motorbikes Auctions has a mint 1986 model up for auction.

This model only shows 31,330 miles on the odometer, which is insane for a bike that's nearly 40 years old. And what's even more insane to think about is what it would mean to own a GPZ900R. You can trace the origins of the superbike all the way back to Honda's CB750, but most will agree that the first Ninja was the predecessor of what we consider to be modern-day superbikes.

Its 115 horsepower output propelled it to a top speed of 151 mph, making it the first production road bike ever to top 150 mph. That's still a relatively quick number today, but imagine pulling those figures out in a game of top trumps at your local boozer.

What do you think?

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I think this motorcycle will instinctively turn more heads than almost any other and ignite feelings of nostalgia for onlookers who try to understand why they're feeling so happy. If you're ready to spread feelings of happiness, head over to Iconic Motorbikes Auctions and place a bid.

The current bid sits at $1,101. The auction ends on February 14, 2025, 2:00 pm PST. Let us know how much you'd be willing to part with to get your hands on a piece of history like the GPZ900R.