1988 Kawasaki GPX 500R / ZX 500B

Make Model	Kawasaki GPX 500R / ZX 500B
Year	1988 - 90
Engine	Four stroke Transverse four cylinder. DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	497 cc / 30.3 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	55 x 52.4 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	11.0:1
Induction	4 x CVK30 Keihin carburetors
Ignition	Digital
Starting	Electric
Max Power	76 hp / 55.9 kW @ 11000 rpm
Max Torque	48.1 Nm / 35.4 lb-ft @ 10500 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, cable operated
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Double steel double cradle
Front Suspension	38mm air assisted telescopic forks, ESCS adjustable anti-dive
Front Wheel Travel	140 mm / 5.5 in
Rear Suspension	Swingarm Uni-Trak with mono-shock, adjustment: spring pre-load, rebound damping
Rear Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Front Brakes	2 x 270mm discs, 2-piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 250mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front Tyre	110/80-16 55H TL
Rear Tyre	130/90-16 67H TL
Dimensions	Length 2095 mm / 82.4 in Width 690 mm / 27.1 in Height 1170 mm / 46.0 in
Wheelbase	1425 mm / 56.1 in
Trail	91 mm / 3.58 in
Seat Height	755 mm / 29.7 in
Dry Weight	180 kg / 394.6 lbs
Wet Weight	205 kg / 452 lbs
Fuel Capacity	18 Litres / 4.76 US gal

The Kawasaki GPX500R, also known as the ZX500B, is a rare European sports bike produced from 1988 to 1990. It was a short-lived successor to the GPZ500R and was replaced by the ZZR500.

Powering it is a 497cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine with DOHC, 16 valves, and four Keihin CVK30 carburettors. It produces around 75 to 76 horsepower at 11,500 rpm and 48 Nm of torque at 10,500 rpm, giving it a top speed of roughly 205 km/h or 127 mph.

It rides on a tubular steel double-cradle frame, with 38mm air-assisted front forks featuring adjustable anti-dive and a Uni-Trak rear monoshock. Braking comes from dual 270mm front discs and a 250mm rear disc, wrapped in 110/80-16 front and 130/90-16 rear tyres.

Dry weight sits at 180kg with an 18-litre fuel tank. The GPX500R stood out for its high-revving character and advanced tech for a 500cc bike at the time, though it’s quite scarce today.