GPZ 500 S

1999 Kawasaki GPZ 500 S Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Kawasaki's sport touring motorcycle lineup, the 1999 Kawasaki GPZ 500 S features a 499 cc (30.5 cu in) liquid-cooled twin, four-stroke configuration. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 60 HP (43.8 kW) at 9,800 rpm while maximum torque reaches 46 Nm (33.9 lb-ft) at 8,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 120.2 HP per liter and a 1,300 rpm working window between peak torque (8,500 rpm) and peak power (9,800 rpm), the engine character is reflecting a performance-oriented street tune that balances strong mid-range pull with an energetic top-end rush.

On the scales, the GPZ 500 S measures 200 kg (441 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.3 HP/kg (3.33 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 800 mm (31.5 in) seat height — offering a neutral standover height that accommodates most average-inseam riders without sacrificing cornering clearance, combined with a 1,435 mm (56.5 in) wheelbase engineered for balanced agility and highway composure. The 18-liter (4.8 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 5.1 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 353 km (219 miles) between fill-ups, while factory top speed is listed at 185 km/h (115 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Kawasaki archive, this model family spans 17 indexed model years from 1987 to 2004, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.