Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Well so the Thruxton is going and I am left with a dilemma ..... I am out to get 1 of 3 bikes and because your all green blooded maybe one is not worth mentioning but I will anyway.
I am trying to decide between a 2006 Busa , 2006 ZX14 0r a 2000 - 2005 ZX12r so what to do.
I read the reviews but now I leave you guys to help me out here . which out of the three is ( and be honest ) the most versitile ?????
Average $$$$ for a busa or 14 are around the 12 k which I am comfortable with but the 12r's seem real affordable hovering around the 9 k.
So which one then ????

At the risk of being loudly boo'd ..... I'd go the 'busa!

Having said that I do very much like the 12 and the 14 but would probably pick the 14 over the 12.

Not being bias at all go for the 12R
Does everything well, dont get me started on eye-a-busers, but I would seriously consider the 14 because it is more modern. So really between 12 and 14 imo, and the prettiest is the 12 by far

I tour on mine quite alot, run it through the twisties chasing peskie litre bikes, and commute to work and it does all this very well considering its size, all the bikes you mentioned will do all of this well too, for me the 12R just has that extra appeal, not to mention walking a busa of the same era

I currently own 2 x 12R's and had 3 in total so I am either a nut or that says something.

ok ima nut

You'll get more than Boo'd Wayne!! Shame Shame Shame..

Horses for courses.. which one is the most comfortable for you?

Possum wrote:You'll get more than Boo'd Wayne!! Shame Shame Shame..

Horses for courses.. which one is the most comfortable for you?

Do I sense a spanking in my future?

waynemorgan wrote: Do I sense a spanking in my future?

Bring it on cowboy !

Get a room

Green Room? ..

Seriously Jonno, have you test ridden any of them?

Poss - Jonno rides a 12, second one he's had I think I agree that the 12 is better looking - it's the more modern factor that tips the 14 for my taste

Now.....where's this green room

Ok.. i have questions.. what are the kms? bike just for touring? pillion? how long you keeping it Jono? will you trade it up? and most of all which one is comfortable?

I dont have a green room, i have a green house.. nothing like having options

Bussa They just look wrong and I wouldn't consider them on appearance alone..............
That leaves the 12 and 14. I looked at both before settling on the 14, for me it was better rider and pillion comfort. You need to look at what you will use the bike for to help you decide, or you might just get onto a bargain somewhere, that will make the decision for you. You won't be disapointed with either I reckon, but after owning my 14 for 8 months and 11,000 klms I know I made the right choice, I absolutly love it

12, definitely the best looking out of the three and that is important

Possum wrote:Green Room? ..

Seriously Jonno, have you test ridden any of them?

Cant you read

Seriously I have only test riden the 14 and zzr12 in this bike catorgory Poss!


I never test rode my brand new 2004 12R when I bought it, but test ride around the block counts for nothing compared to a few hours many times out in the real world, and have riden all of the Hypertourers on ride days many times.i.e Blackbirds, ZZR11 and 12, ZX12, Busa, 14's, FJR and an old GTR, but I havnt riden the exotics or eurotourers.

I was going to give you the long version but ...nah.


Since you have asked me to qualify, I might ask have you test riden, owned or riden any of these "sports Barges" more than once?

devo wrote:I am trying to decide between a 2006 Busa , 2006 ZX14 0r a 2000 - 2005 ZX12r so what to do.

Only way to find out which one suits YOU is to ride each of them. Different bikes fit different riders so the opinions of others will not necessarily help you. That being said, I would be picking between the 12 and the 14 as the Busa is way overpriced since the fully sick boys love them.

I bought my 14 with almost zero research, I don't think I'd ever seen one in the flesh, and I paid for it before I'd ridden it!
And I couldn't be happened with her.
She's as smooth as silk with power to burn. She'll potter around town at 50klms/h in sixth if asked too, and top the imperial ton in first as well (I think).
She's nimble and small enough for my 5'6" frame and the minister for finance and war is comfortable on the back.
The Givi panniers look ok when they're on and don't seem to effect the aerodynamics (up to 200klms/h anyway).
She's easy to ride fast (which may be a negative point (but hey, you are in the market for a hyper tourer after all)) because it almost doesn't matter what gear you're in.
Only small problem is there is a little too much weight on my wrists at legal hwy speeds. Of course, a set of risers would probably fix that.
All in all, I made an impulse decision on Graysonline one night, and I haven't regretted it for one moment.
I'm sure that you would be more than happy to be carving up the twisties on any of those bikes, but the 14 is definitely a special bike that you'd be proud to own.
Good luck.