Boosted Kawasaki without the H2 price

GPz750 Turbo heads auction of modern Japanese classics

IF Kawasaki’s new H2 has whetted your appetite for a bit of force-induction action but you can’t either wait for next year or afford one, Bonhams might have the answer at its November 12 auction.

A collection of modern Japanese classics is heading the bill of the Harrogate sale, including a Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo at an estimated £5,000-£6,000. With around 100bhp, it’s only got half the H2’s power – or a third of the H2R’s – but it’s only a fraction of the predicted price, too. Cheaper still, but also boosted, is a Suzuki XN85 Turbo that’s expected to go for £3,500-£4,500. Both are 1984 machines and they line up at the sale alongside 15 other bikes from the same owner’s hoard.

“Stripped and rebuilt to factory standard, with original parts carefully sourced from all over the world, the collection is a great example of an enthusiast’s passion for collecting and restoration,” said James Stensel, Head of Bonhams Motorcycle Department, “The Harrogate sale is a personal favourite on the calendar and we’re delighted to be offering such an exciting collection, sharing the owner’s passion for engineering excellence, retro styling and supreme performance.

“With over fifty motorcycles (including the seventeen Japanese sports bikes) offered at the upcoming Harrogate Sale, there has never been a better time to enter the world of motorcycle collecting and restoration. Whether a 1962 BSA 172cc D7 Bantam Super (£600-1,000), a 1956 Matchless 593cc Model G11 Project (£700-900) for the back shed restorer, c.1969 Sprite 405 Trials (£1,800-2,800) for the brave or the 1936 Excelsior 350cc Manxman Racing Motorcycle (£9,500-10,500) for the connoisseur, we have something on offer for almost every enthusiast, rider and budget.”

The 17 bikes from the Japanese collection are:

Lot 31: 1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo                   £5,000-6,000

Lot 32: 1986 Kawasaki GPz750R                          £4,500-5,500

Lot 33: 1986 Kawasaki 997cc GPz1000RX           £3,500-4,500

Lot 34: 1985 Kawasaki GPZ600R                          £4,000-5,000

Lot 35: 1989 Kawasaki GPX600R                          £3,000-4,000

Lot 36: 1988 Kawasaki 997cc ZX10                       £3,000-4,000

Lot 37: 1991 Kawasaki GPz900R Ninja                 £3,200-4,000

Lot 38: 1991 Kawasaki ZR750 Zephyr                   £2,500-3,500

Lot 39: 1993 Kawasaki ZZ-R600                            £2,500-3,500

Lot 40: 1990 Suzuki GSX-R750L 'Slingshot'          £3,500-4,500

Lot 41: 1982 Suzuki GS650 Katana                       £2,500-3,500

Lot 42: 1984 Suzuki 673cc XN85 Turbo                 £3,500-4,500

Lot 43: 1979 Suzuki GS550                                    £2,500-3,500

Lot 44: 1980 Honda CB650Z                                  £2,000-3,000

Lot 45: 1981 Honda CB750K-Z                              £2,800-3,800

Lot 46: 1986 Honda VF1000F-II Bol D-Or              £4,000-5,000

Lot 47: 1989 Yamaha FZX750 Fazer                     £4,000-5,000

See the full auction catalogue and all the details.