ZX12R's through the years

[Smitty]

you forget..the ZX12 is the fastest production bike
Kawasaki has ever made.

quit living in the past smitty. the zzr 1400 is out now.

hey nikos
guess then we will see you on the first ride next year
...on your 2007 ZX14 then....

go for it, you know you will luv a 14

[smek]

Well first ride of the year will be up Canberra/NSW way so even if I were on one you wouldn't see it.

But nah... probably won't get a big barge like that until I'm around your age hehe

[Smitty]

Im thinking of swapping my 636 for a 12.....

Are there things to consider? Is the 06 much better than the 00?

..

Stereo

bringing a serious reply back on topic

the last (B) model is slightly different to the first (A) model
the top fairing/lights/air intake/paint schemes differ between the 2
these are obvious

the other differences are-
the throttle has been softened on the B so that you need a tad
(just a bit) more to go ...fast
and the bike is restricted to 299
why?
some of the first owners of the A series complained the
throttle was too aggressive so Kawasaki 'fixed' it
and
the later series suspension is a tad softer..as standard
(Kawasaki use a 69kg midget to set the factory settings)

I have played with mine a bit...the front went UP one click
on compression and rebound (harder)
and one click DOWN (softer if you like) on both settings on the back
and its great for this 84kg midget
static settings (sag ) was 30mm front and rear..spot on

the other difference is brakes..the 'B' got radial calipers over the 6 spotters
on the A series. Other 12r riders complain that the
(radial) brakes on the later bikes are too soft. Mine have a nice
initial grab ..No snatch or bite and then awesome controlled
braking...
test ride one and see what you reckon

one final note...Kawasaki gave the 12 a '200' series rear tyre stndard
looks shit hot..prick to ride
best thing I did with mine was throw away the (½ worn) 200
and get a 190 (same as the Zx14) and it makes a great bike
...awesome

and then we start talking sprocket changes ...



hth

cheers

[Gosling1]

Im thinking of swapping my 636 for a 12.....

Are there things to consider? Is the 06 much better than the 00?

I am not mega rich, so considering they dont appear to be much different was going to go for an 00 or 01 with low K's...

This will probably be the bike I own until it dies.....

(by the way, if you know of any dealers with a good second hand 12, that would do a good trade.... let me know)...

The early ones are a bit *harsher* in power delivery, unrestricted top end and ignition advance in lower 3 gears is not retarded like the later ones (upshot - the early models are wheelstand kings, especially with a 17-tooth front sprocket).

Later ones are a bit more *refined*, have much better brakes and suspension. Its easy enough to de-restrict the top-end, and also to change the ignition advance curve, if you really want to squeeze every HP out of them....

.....but its not absolutely necessary. Early models have a few detail changes in the fairing etc, as Yoda has pointed out. Run a 190 rear, its heaps better than a 200. Watch the oil level if you thrash it. The chain is really strong, mine has heaps of life left after almost 24k in <18 months....

Overall, you will not be dissapointed. 170-odd *stock* horsepower is just *fantastic* whenever you want to reel in that bike in front, or whatever is nipping at your heels, well just put the boot in, and your g-o-n-e......in a real leisurely *sports-tourer* kinda way !!

[hoffy]

Gos did you mention 120kmhr feels like 60kmhr, its that farkin smooth.

Good luck with the licence when you get it.

the only negative about the bike is the impression the bumstop leaves in your ars when you give it some throttle , mind you im glad its there as I'd fall off the back otherwise

[JetPilot]

Ive heard that at 25000 service, the motor has to come out to adjust the valves, as you cant get to them when in the cradle. You also have to ask yourself why did Kawasaki stop makin the 12 but kept the 10?????

[Strika]

Smitty Wrote....."emanates that aggressive hyper-sports"



I think the key word there Smitty is emanates!!!!!!!

Clearly that is another infamous Japlish word jumble! Clearly they meant to say "Emulates", As Emanates means Originate!!! And Smitty I doubt even you have a hide thick enough to claim a ZX12R as the beginning of sports bikes

Emulates I can understand as it means....."Imitate, copy, Follow or Try to be like"

[Smitty]

Smitty Wrote....."emanates that aggressive hyper-sports"

I think the key word there Smitty is emanates!!!!!!!

Clearly that is another infamous Japlish word jumble! Clearly they meant to say "Emulates", As Emanates means Originate!!! And Smitty I doubt even you have a hide thick enough to claim a ZX12R as the beginning of sports bikes

Emulates I can understand as it means....."Imitate, copy, Follow or Try to be like"

Strika
the quote is-
'everything about the ZX-12R emanates that aggressive hyper-sports attitude'
and
my Macquarie sez-
"emanate' ... to flow from, to originate, to come from the source

so I guess Kawasaki Australia cannot be criticised
for their English
or
the fact that the Zx12r is the source of Kawasakis hyper sports attitude




cheers

[Duane]

Stereo,

My limited knowledge consists of:

The earlier ones, kawasaki forgot to put in a ram air ducts (or looks like it) the snout looks like a optional add on.

Appart from that they aint much difference, however I think the 2000 model was the last "unrestricted" model.

Nice bike to look at, Greg's always loved it, back when he used to have a motorcycle...

Go test ride one, if you like it, buy it - If it's going to be the bike you keep until it' dies it's probably a good choice, big motor, lotsa torque, good to commute on, however, I think the fuel consumption is pretty much what to expect from a """"""sports"""""" bike. Around the <200 per tank? gos/greg/smitty will tell you that. I think it's got a fairly large tank as well.

I can tell you however, with accouple of blokes like greg and billy knowing that they're doing, you can change an exhaust, and dismantle the whole thing fairing and put it back together in about a hour and a half to two hours!!!

I'll refrain from emanating duane homojokes

[ZXR750]

Not a sportstourer? Maybe I should use a line out of a recent Rapid magazine and call it a Hypertourer instead.

...snip...
Doesn't give you sore wrists on long trips? Doesn't that, along with the rubbertopped footpegs, just backup that it's a sportstourer?

.

wow.....guess we should exclude the 12 from this site
thought we were Sportsbike riders..so sez the site name
next...we will have HD riders joining

so
I think I will quote the maker of this fine bike
...from http://www.kawasaki.com.au

"The ZX-12R is the ultimate expression of form following function, with every inch of its anatomy exuding total and utter purpose. From its cutting edge monocoque chassis design to its sleek, muscular bodywork, everything about the ZX-12R emanates that aggressive hyper-sports attitude that Kawasaki is famous for.

And it delivers. Enormous power, phenomenal braking and extraordinary cornering … all with the total control and composure you’d expect from an athlete at the peak of their form.

Experience it all today on a ZX-12R from Kawasaki."


hyper-sports...can't argue with that

Mate that is marketing dribble. If you read their write up on the SUPER SHERPA it talks that up as well. BTW The Super Sherpa is not a sports bike either.
I had the pleasure of riding a ZX12 to Bathurst for the day and I found it very comfortable (almost Sports tourer comfy).
The ZX12 is a great bike but it is not a sports bike.

[Smitty]

The ZX12 is a great bike but it is not a sports bike.

....oh dear

[Wadda]

Didnt the old kawasaki adds for the zx12r say somthing like "when you dont want a full on race bike but your not quite ready for a sports tourer."

My old bike was a sports tourer and I got the 12 as the riding position is a pit more agressive and it handles a bit better with a shit load more power. So you could probably call it a sports tourer with a little bit more sport than tourer.

[Smitty]

Didnt the old kawasaki adds for the zx12r say somthing like "when you dont want a full on race bike but your not quite ready for a sports tourer."

dunno know about the first series...will check tonite when I get home
but here is what they are saying now....

[Stereo]

Did the earlier models have engine immoblisers?

[MickLC]

To qualify my earlier statement about the brakes and handling being better on the later models, I have ridden both and am not trying to justify what I purchased (read unbiased)...so I reckon that the brakes and handling are much better on the later models.

To ride they feel like a ZX9R with the ZX10R engine in there, and if the local dealer had a demo 12 in when I was looking around I would've seriously considered buying one (in fact it probably would've been the exact one Gos is riding ) at least until I test rode the 10.