Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

hey guys, im considering buying a ZX12. I dont have a massive budget, but im seeing nice examples going for $4k - $6k sometimes, and i would like a second bike that might also be fun on the track. I have read a bit about the different year models, seems they are all great, and maybe opinions differ as to which are best.
How many KM is too much? I am aiming for under 50,000.
around 30,000km would be great.
Anyone tryed those ebay fairing kits, for about $600-$800 you can choose your colour, i just wonder how well they fit and the final finish quality.
Would you go for modified or unmolestered?
And how do they handle?
Aftermarket full system, just a can, or leave exhaust stock?
Is valve clearance every 12,000km?
Its been a while since i been on the forum, i crashed the 2013 K1300R... got a K1300S now.
The numbers for the ZX12 look similar to my K1300S. I have taken about 14kg off mine with Lithium battery and Carbon titanium full akro system to bring it to about 214kg dry. Numbers on paper for output with akro about 184HP and 145Nm torque.
ZX12 seems to be about the closest on paper (bikespecs) at 210kg, 178 HP and 134Nm torque. Please add you thoughs on these figures. And, how much lighter can you make this bike.
I had the suspension on K1300S set up by shock treatment for my 105kg fat ass. Terry Hay transformed the bike, i figure it would be well worth doing again with future bikes, so ZX12 might go for shock treatment too.
Anyways, im in no rush, but im keen as, i need to be educated on this beast. Picture attached of the BMW with Lloyd, keen as!
PS... anyone in Sydney thats keen to give my BMW a testout....., bring you ZX12.... I would love to ride one.
And im out for a ride on a Thurdays night up the old Pac if anyone is keen.


cheers
KiwiMat

.. I have one

bought for long distance travel, it is superb at that
as a track bike... the label barge is appropriate

First thing i did when I got it .... (bought 2nd hand from my local Kwaka shop
who bought it back from its first owner after 3 years with only a few thou kays on it)
was work with the shop owner (mad Kwaka fan ) and get the suspension right .. for me
Took a bit of fettling but to this day, it turns and does what you want but there
are times.. on the track you have to muscle it. That is tiring on a track day

They are a missile on a long straight.... mine was showing over 280 on the speedo
as I went under the bridge on the main straight at PI AND STILL ACCELERATING!

But I tore up both front and rear tyres on the track day. It leaves big black lines
off the rear out of corners (especially if tilted over) and the front suspension has that
famous Kwaka front grip but geez.. it makes the front tyre work.

Fuel consumption is ferocious too.... 30 laps (about 130km) at PI and she was flashing empty

But as a street bike ...?? I dropped the gearing (really who wants/uses 320kmh these days)
and it is now really nice around town too.

Ridden lots of bikes.. best by far



ps.. apart from the cog change and rear tyre change to a 190, mine is stock

thanks for the feedback Smitty!
So for everyday ride its great, but track its hard work.
I want something to ride to work sometimes, and ride to the track.
Maybe a later and lighter model ZX9r would suit this, again im getting my numbers from bikespecs, later ZX9r came in at 183kg dry.
Can see a few guys have a ZX9 tracky, im happy to play with carbys.
Any thoughts?

Go the 9...

MadKaw wrote:Go the 9...

yup .. go the 9!
I agree with Dave.

to ride to the track, you cannot beat a 12R (mine goes to PI for SBk and MotoGp all the time)
but... to also ride the track, the 9 is the go!

Smitty wrote:

MadKaw wrote:Go the 9...

yup .. go the 9!
I agree with Dave.

to ride to the track, you cannot beat a 12R (mine goes to PI for SBk and MotoGp all the time)
but... to also ride the track, the 9 is the go!

MadKaw wrote:Go the 9...

far

cool, 2 votes for a 9 on the track. or a cheap 10........
thanks for farkn teasing me about how good a tourer they are..... I do a ride once a year in the high country for 5 days through NSW and Victoria, maybe i could retire the K1300S one year and make an excuse for a 12. Granya... Mitta.... Cabramurra... ETC..... Or invite Smitty and do some bike whoring.. Consentual of course.
All about the $$$, prob get set up cheap with a 9 to start with.
Better get a plan together.
Anyone game to let my wife know i want another bike........

Anyone riding a 12 in Sydney still?

Out of interest have you ridden a 1000 or 600 before? If you're looking at more track days and a road bike to compliment your BMW you might enjoy a sharp sports bike?

tim wrote:Anyone riding a 12 in Sydney still?

Out of interest have you ridden a 1000 or 600 before? If you're looking at more track days and a road bike to compliment your BMW you might enjoy a sharp sports bike?

Hey Tim, i rode a mates 06 R1 a few weeks ago through Galston Gorge, it was fun, it would take some getting use to the lack of bottom end at low revs. Rode a 06 CBR 600 on the way home from work, got it to the redline in a few gears, fckn surprised me actually how much poke it had. I always liked the look of the ZX9R, but i probably do need to ride a few more bikes , and once my ducks are in a row ( i actually have some cash) who knows what will come up. I just saw a GSXR SRAD 98 sell for $1600 on gumtree, It would have been a steal at $3,000. so bargains are out there. I could have sold the Suzy and bought a Kwaka.... Ha!

tim wrote:Anyone riding a 12 in Sydney still?

Out of interest have you ridden a 1000 or 600 before? If you're looking at more track days and a road bike to compliment your BMW you might enjoy a sharp sports bike?

and i am a fat @#nt at 105kg. 6 foot tall. im guessing some bikes suit taller or shorter riders.

I love my ZX12, but if you realy want something to do track days, I'd look at something else...

I had a 12 many years ago, great bike but the short distance between fuel stops annoyed the jeebus out of me.

My current roady is a Gen 2 10 and find it is a great all rounder, I have taken it to the track a few times but prefer to have a dedicated trackie and keep the 10 for the road.

You can pick up older 10's pretty cheap if you are looking for an all rounder.

Kwakked Up wrote:I had a 12 many years ago, great bike but the short distance between fuel stops annoyed the jeebus out of me.

My current roady is a Gen 2 10 and find it is a great all rounder, I have taken it to the track a few times but prefer to have a dedicated trackie and keep the 10 for the road.

You can pick up older 10's pretty cheap if you are looking for an all rounder.

my 12R does around 300-320 per tankful on the highway... I can easily ride from home to PI and back
without refuelling .. you young blokes must give it some throttle

Smitty wrote:

Kwakked Up wrote:I had a 12 many years ago, great bike but the short distance between fuel stops annoyed the jeebus out of me.

My current roady is a Gen 2 10 and find it is a great all rounder, I have taken it to the track a few times but prefer to have a dedicated trackie and keep the 10 for the road.

You can pick up older 10's pretty cheap if you are looking for an all rounder.

my 12R does around 300-320 per tankful on the highway... I can easily ride from home to PI and back
without refuelling .. you young blokes must give it some throttle

thanks for all the feedback guys.
It has made me wonder weather i want a trackable bike, or i just love big torque sports tourers that are on the lighter side.
I still need to ride one.
I did end up picking this up cheap to fix n sell, or give to the missus who is getting her learners permit. Cant wait to get it running.

KiwiMat wrote:... or give to the missus who is getting her learners permit ...

Isn't that like getting an Uzi as your first weapon because it is "nice and small" ?!!