ZX-12R Models for newbies

[Supafrog]

I have to say... It is a 'learning curve'...... Learning how to stay under legal road limits!

[blackryder]

i have nothing to say...just heard ya all talkin about the mighty 12
goodnight

[Smitty]

This book was a gift of Kawasaki for the first buyers of the ZX-12R. It describes the development of the bike through quotes of the people that helped creating it.

The Ninja Spirit..............

my second hand new Zx12R A model (5yo with 4000km) was bought by me ..and the old first original owner said..ya better have this
so
free..gratis... zip is what i paid for the silver book that came with my Zx12R out of the factory

[MAXUMIS]

OK I stand corrected then in your other thread about this bike - there is basically SFA difference between the B4 and the B6F models anyway - they are basically B4 models with gold wheels not black............and thats about it.

Apparently ( according to my local dealer) - there was a bit of stock left over from the B4 model run, but the ZZR1400 was just about to be released, so it made no sense to do any serious updates at all to the existing 2005 B4 model. About the best they could do, was do a paint job on the wheels ( which went back to the 2003? model anyway I think) - with gold wheels not black.

You can be pretty safe that everything and anything which fits a B4 model, will be fine for your B6F model. A lot of aftermarket suppliers don't list anything after the B4 model anyway...... there was no B5 model ZX12R.

The major differences between the A & B models can fill a book ! there were literally hundreds of major & minor changes to heaps of things. However, lots of bits *didn't* change either.

+1 04 to the end were the same bike(other than colours)there all great bikes but the later models were internaly stronger+handling was a big factor on the changes.

[Blue14]

Great bike, only reason i got rid of it is it wouldn't stop. Worst brakes i have ever had on bike. And after it was custom mapped, with pipe and filter fitted it was putting out 180rwhp, so it needed to be able to stop. lol I would own one again no problems, but just make sure Smitty doesnt brainwash you about it having to be unrestricted.

[Gosling1]

yeh, the early model A brakes with 6-piston calipers are not the best brakes in the business........

How ya been Paul ??

[Smitty]

Great bike, only reason i got rid of it is it wouldn't stop. Worst brakes i have ever had on bike. And after it was custom mapped, with pipe and filter fitted it was putting out 180rwhp, so it needed to be able to stop. lol I would own one again no problems, but just make sure Smitty doesnt brainwash you about it having to be unrestricted.

haha
Paul ...its gotta be unrestricted so you need brakes that work



like mine do!
Seriously, mine have no problem pulling up the 12...with no issues with soft sinking levers
or other problems like fade....they just stop and thats whether you are doing 50 or $1.80
never had a problem but they do get a bleed and flush once or twice a year

[Supafrog]

Good thing brainwashing never works on me...

[phear8me]

theyre the best brakes ive had and tell ya what she pulls up quick..... still trying to work out why people complain about the brakes

only complaints i have is keeping the front wheel down in first and second
and then the bike feeling slow after that..... cant win lol im starting to get used to her finally

[Supafrog]

There's brakes?

[Smitty]

There's brakes?

yeah we know....
brakes are for wimps

[Gosling1]

.... still trying to work out why people complain about the brakes.....

for 95% of riding, the stock brakes on a B-model 12R are really good.....

But when you chase Wattie and Strika down Mt Hotham, and about 2/3 of the way down - when you get to that really good bit with all the nice rolling switchbacks - and your lever is squashing your finger against the bars............that's when you start complaining about the brakes !

In all honesty, the brakes are fine for most punters - even at track days, there is just not enough *constant* pressure at most tracks to cause overheating and fade problems. But down Mt Hotham ??? The brake fade on the MFP12 (B4) was just shocking......and was only fixed with the addition of a 19mm radial m/c. This - fixed the brakes !! Nil fade now....at all, anywhere.

Unless you really punish the brakes - and that is not a couple of stops from 200kmh - until you *really* punish them hard - then you are unlikely to ever experience bad fade on the OEM brakes for a 12R.