Anyone who considers themselves a lover of everything that “smells” of Old school will be with me that there are few eighties motorcycles more iconic than the GPZ900R Ninja from Top Gun. With good thought, I would dare to say that it is the most, although you already know that opinions are like asses: each of us has our own. Personal criteria aside, what cannot be discussed is the historical success that, at the time, the film directed in 1986 by Tony Scott had in which the Japanese mount is part of the stellar lead cast.
Most likely the result of Tom Cruise’s stellar performance in the role of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. No one who is a fan of the film can forget the multiple sequences where the latter tests his nerves of steel piloting a US Navy plane. Even less the one where he accelerates full throttle at the controls of the legendary GPZ900R Ninja, parallel to an F-14, at the “Top Gun” facilities in Miramar, California.
GPZ900R Ninja by DC Custom Motorbikes in detail
With this historical context in mind, Marko Emer and the Croatian team at DC Custom Motorbikes initially thought of creating a tribute to the GPZ900R Ninja using a 1984 example as a base for the project. However, they soon realized that they could (and should) take the concept one step further by creating a very special restomod. Emer comments on this:
“We decided to push the platform to the limit and create our own vision of what the bike could be like today… The concept was simple: what would the GPZ900R Ninja look like if it were built today, without compromise?”. Based on the work philosophy of eminent figures in the sector, such as AC Sanctuarythe people at DC Custom Motorbikes completely disassembled the bike, and later rebuilt it from scratch.
Among the main improvements it has, as detailed to the Bike Bound colleagues in an extensive interview, we can highlight:
- Öhlins FGRT 201 Fork
- Machined K-Factory Clamps
- 320mm discs
- Brembo GP4RX Calipers
- Titax forged wheels, etc.
For the mechanical part of this GPZ900R Ninja they applied the same work technique as on the rest of the bike. That is, complete disassembly and total reconstruction adding a good arsenal of “black leg” components with which to improve its operation and performance. In this list we can include everything from a Wössner forged piston kit, through a competition crankshaft and finished with Yoshimura ST1-M camshafts. But there is still more.
For example, in the power section they included a battery of Mikuni TMR carburetors, while the exhaust system, made entirely of titanium, is signed by the specialist Nitro Racing. Regarding what the experience of being at its command is like, its creators explain:
“It feels surprisingly modern. The combination of the balance of the chassis, suspension and brakes provides a confidence that you wouldn’t expect from a bike of this era”.
They conclude: “At the same time, it retains the pure character of the original GPZ900R, only much more controlled and precise. It’s the kind of bike that constantly reminds you that it’s something special.” And, to tell the truth, we couldn’t agree more with the DC Custom Motorbikes team, because if the GPZ900R Ninja is one thing, it is precisely: A truly special motorcycle.
