The Kawasaki GPZ900R accompanied Cruise in a Top Gun scene that has garnered iconic status in Hollywood history.

1970s 2-stroke Kawasaki 500s (KH500) were called widowmakers. Some people applied that moniker to a couple of other bikes, later. Many bikes up until the early 80s had spongey frames, poor brakes and suspension, particularly (although not only) the KH500. People died riding those.