ZX12 Low RPM problems.
- JetPilot
- KSRC Contributor
- Posts: 2455
- Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:15 pm
- Bike: Z1000
- State: New South Wales
- Location: The Shire
ZX12 Low RPM problems.
Hey guys and gals.
I'm posting on behalf of a mate Scott ( ShortCakes) he is having trouble with his 12. He is a slack ass member.
He didn't ride it for about 5 months, finds the battery dead so clutch starts it ( no problems going again ).
Battery charges on his ride, but noticed at low rpm (3000 and below)the bike would stutter and stall.
Battery is fine but problem still there. Bike runs fine above 3000rpm.
We checked fuel lines, plugs, air filter... etc. I'm thinking it might be a sticky injector. He has put injector cleaner through it
but not clearing up.
Has anybody got any ideas on this...
Thanks Rod and Scotty
I'm posting on behalf of a mate Scott ( ShortCakes) he is having trouble with his 12. He is a slack ass member.
He didn't ride it for about 5 months, finds the battery dead so clutch starts it ( no problems going again ).
Battery charges on his ride, but noticed at low rpm (3000 and below)the bike would stutter and stall.
Battery is fine but problem still there. Bike runs fine above 3000rpm.
We checked fuel lines, plugs, air filter... etc. I'm thinking it might be a sticky injector. He has put injector cleaner through it
but not clearing up.
Has anybody got any ideas on this...
Thanks Rod and Scotty
Kawasaki Z1000r 2012
- Smitty
- VIP MEMBER
- Posts: 10912
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:59 pm
- Bike: ZX12R
- State: Victoria
- Location: 3rd rock from the Sun
- Contact:
Re: ZX12 Low RPM problems.
5 months no ride an FI bike...???
just asking for trouble coz
as you found out, battery dies
and then when you get it going...it runs like a slug
and unfortunately...
a bit of fuel system cleaner ain't gunnna fix this
Gum and varnish and other fuel deposits would have built up
in the fuel while sitting there..PLUS the fuel has gone stale
(ULP and especiually PULP does that)
so it needs a full clean out of the fuel system and that includes
getting rid of all the old fuel (tank out and a clean out)
tell him to ride it in future
its cheaper
cheers
Smitty
just asking for trouble coz
as you found out, battery dies

and then when you get it going...it runs like a slug
and unfortunately...
a bit of fuel system cleaner ain't gunnna fix this
Gum and varnish and other fuel deposits would have built up
in the fuel while sitting there..PLUS the fuel has gone stale
(ULP and especiually PULP does that)
so it needs a full clean out of the fuel system and that includes
getting rid of all the old fuel (tank out and a clean out)
tell him to ride it in future
its cheaper

cheers
Smitty
GOTTA LUV the 12R!!
- JetPilot
- KSRC Contributor
- Posts: 2455
- Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:15 pm
- Bike: Z1000
- State: New South Wales
- Location: The Shire
Re: ZX12 Low RPM problems.
Thanks Smitty, i was thinking this aswell, but you know who is gonna do it dont you...Smitty wrote:5 months no ride an FI bike...???
just asking for trouble coz
as you found out, battery dies![]()
and then when you get it going...it runs like a slug
and unfortunately...
a bit of fuel system cleaner ain't gunnna fix this
Gum and varnish and other fuel deposits would have built up
in the fuel while sitting there..PLUS the fuel has gone stale
(ULP and especiually PULP does that)
so it needs a full clean out of the fuel system and that includes
getting rid of all the old fuel (tank out and a clean out)
tell him to ride it in future
its cheaper
cheers
Smitty

Will do this and keep you posted.
Kawasaki Z1000r 2012
- Smitty
- VIP MEMBER
- Posts: 10912
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:59 pm
- Bike: ZX12R
- State: Victoria
- Location: 3rd rock from the Sun
- Contact:
Re: ZX12 Low RPM problems.
JetPilot wrote: Thanks Smitty, i was thinking this aswell, but you know who is gonna do it dont you...me.
Will do this and keep you posted.
...what are mates for?

GOTTA LUV the 12R!!
- JetPilot
- KSRC Contributor
- Posts: 2455
- Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:15 pm
- Bike: Z1000
- State: New South Wales
- Location: The Shire
Re: ZX12 Low RPM problems.
Yep as long as the beer is flowing...Smitty wrote:JetPilot wrote: Thanks Smitty, i was thinking this aswell, but you know who is gonna do it dont you...me.
Will do this and keep you posted.
...what are mates for?

Kawasaki Z1000r 2012
Re: ZX12 Low RPM problems.
I don't see how a dirty injector would be fine over 3,000rpm
Given how it can be a bit tricky pulling the battery out on a 12, have you checked that it is in fact charged fully or are you just assuming the ride did the job?

Given how it can be a bit tricky pulling the battery out on a 12, have you checked that it is in fact charged fully or are you just assuming the ride did the job?
'13 Z1000, '76 Z650+,'91 KLR250, '95 ZX6R Racebike
- JetPilot
- KSRC Contributor
- Posts: 2455
- Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:15 pm
- Bike: Z1000
- State: New South Wales
- Location: The Shire
Re: ZX12 Low RPM problems.
Never pulled it out cause its a bitch. Starts first kick everytime Mick.Mick C wrote:I don't see how a dirty injector would be fine over 3,000rpm![]()
Given how it can be a bit tricky pulling the battery out on a 12, have you checked that it is in fact charged fully or are you just assuming the ride did the job?
If it was low would it still start and run? Starts straight away with no problems.
Batteries is 12 months old. No I never checked it for full charge.
Kawasaki Z1000r 2012
Re: ZX12 Low RPM problems.
Dunno for sure, but I've had batteries do weird stuff when they've been on their way out and it wouldn't be charging well at low rpm. 5 months is long enough to stuff it I reckon. It's worth checking anyway.
Definitely need a fresh tank of fuel too though just to be sure.
Definitely need a fresh tank of fuel too though just to be sure.
'13 Z1000, '76 Z650+,'91 KLR250, '95 ZX6R Racebike
- JetPilot
- KSRC Contributor
- Posts: 2455
- Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:15 pm
- Bike: Z1000
- State: New South Wales
- Location: The Shire
Re: ZX12 Low RPM problems.
Ok thanks mick. Looks like the batts comin out to.
Bikes had 4 full tanks threw it so far.
Bikes had 4 full tanks threw it so far.
Kawasaki Z1000r 2012