The iconic Top Gun franchise made a comeback this year and, as expected, shattered the box office records. While it was the action that mesmerized most people, Tom Cruise belting the Kawasaki Ninja H2 R was the highlight for motorcycle enthusiasts like you, me, and also Milan’s FTG Moto bike shop.

Taking inspiration from the scene, the bike shop celebrated the Maverick’s comeback in its own special way, preparing a custom bike that blends the iconic GPZ 900 R from the 1986 Top Gun and the Ninja H2 R from the new movie.

Kawasaki GPZ 900 R X Ninja H2 R “Project Z” By FTG Moto

With the idea of blending the two bikes clear, there were two possible approaches for FTG. First, start with a Ninja H2 R and fuse in the GPZ 900 R somehow, or go the opposite way and use the GPZ as a starting point. The team picked the latter and it was quite self-explanatory as using GPZ’s old parts on a 300HP H2 R would be….well, call for disaster.

So the project started as a red-black GPZ 900 R, same as the one Cruise rode in 1986. The fascia remains mostly unchanged to keep things in line with the Top Gun franchise and only has subtle elements like the aerodynamics wings, a tinted windscreen, and USD forks for sprucing things.

Behind it, FTG Moto has up-specced the cockpit with analog dials from MotoGadget topped by a custom triple-T and clip-ons. You also get red-black handlebar grips and red clutch-brake levers to match the bike’s livery. This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg and things only get spicier from here.

Starting off with the engine, the GPZ 900 R’s stock 108HP, inline-four mill is in no way mighty enough by modern-SBK standards, and amping it up was a given. But instead of throwing in an exhaust and custom internals, the team decided to go the H2 R way by coupling the engine with a…you guessed it, supercharger. FTG also reworked the hoses, oil tank, and threw in a free-flow exhaust, rounding off the performance upgrades.

Like the engine, the rear end also takes heavy inspiration from the Ninja H2 R. The team replaced the OEM tail section by fabricating a custom sub-frame and grafting the H2 R’s carbon fiber tail end on it. Next, the stock dual-sided swingarm made way for a special single-sided unit accompanied by the H2 R’s rear wheel and custom Bitubo monoshock.

Finaly, bar-end LED indicators, sponsor stickers all around the bodywork, and Brembo calipers up top clamped onto the GPZ’s stock 16-inch wheel round off the Project Z.

Can You Buy It?

Without any doubt, this custom Kawasaki GPZ 900 R is one of the best tributes to the Top Gun franchise and we’re pretty sure Tom Cruise would go gaga over it in a jiffy. Drooling over it yourself? Lucky for you, this is up for grabs and FGT Moto is willing to let it go, provided they get a good offer.