With the significance of the 250cc class diminished by the change in the learner class to 125cc. Kawasaki hedged their bets in 1983 and launched the GPz305 to sit alongside its smaller sister the Z250T.

Kawasaki made a bid to take the bike out of the lightweight class and identify it with the GPz sports range without any significant insurance premium penalty.

At £1249 the 305 was £150 more expensive than its 250T sibling but boasted 9HP more than the twin shock A3 model (which was still listed in 1983) gained by boring out the engine to its larger capacity. Although the figures quote only 3BHP more than the 250T model, torque was the main improvement. Tests show the GPz305 as the first of the family to top 100MPH (prone). Twin discs up front added little to the overall weight at 324lb ( 8lb up on the Z250T )

To download the full road test and specification for the Z250T from Mechanics Magazine June 1983 visit our desktop site www.Z250.co.uk

GPz305 specs. As they appeared in the 1988 Range brochure

Z305GP or EX305-A1 sales brochure confusing model designations!