Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Am going to test ride a 2000 model ZX12 tomorrow morning.
Have already test ridden a couple of 2002 ZX12's.
The 2000 models do not seem to be much cheaper than the 2002's.
Maybe because they have no speed limiter?
Which one is your favorite and why?
Cheers......

There are some differences between 1999 - 2001, 2002 - 2003, then 2004 onwards are all the same.

All upgrades were complete in 2004, including suspension, swingarm pivot location, radial calipers, sub throttles, 32 bit ecu compared to 16 bit ecu..the 2002+ & 2004+ are less peaky in power delivery than the 2000, with more bottom end and midrange apparently, the screen is also higher on 2002+ 2004+ to go with the redesigned front fairing.

Speed limiting is only important if you plan on doing 300+, it should also be noted it is only the Tacho that is limited, from all accounts the bike keeps going 300+

I would try and get a 2002+, then you are getting the modern bike, except for the radial calipers and latest suspenders, in which case you'll have to look for the 2004+

Model History2000: Kawasaki ZX-12R launched.
2002: Kawasaki ZX-12R updated with new bodywork, ram air intakes, gearbox tweaks, engine retuned for snappier acceleration, crankshaft strengthened. Bike NOT available in typically Kawasaki green paint.
2003: Black and gold and green paint schemes introduced for Kawasaki ZX-12R.
2004: Radial brake callipers fitted to Kawasaki ZX-12R, more fuel injection tweaks to boost throttle response.
2005: No major changes to Kawasaki ZX-12R, all black paint option.
2006: No major changes. Kawasaki ZX-12R discontinued.



Here is a review on the 2002, which highlights the differences made over the first model run.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadt ... ki_zx_12r/

Also 2001 review..first model A

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/22march0 ... eview.html

Also 2002 review..Model B

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/05march0 ... x12r2.html

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/biker ... --current/

Thanks hoffy.
Yes I have already read these reviews.
Am curious to see how different they are in the saddle.

I like the 04-06, because I have an 06, no bias involved

The 2000 for me coz I own one. I knew the differences between the year models before I bought mine but went for the 2000 for a couple of reasons. Its the colour I like - green, it has the performance and handling that suits my riding ability - (the latest and greatest bikes are wasted on me) & its big, bulky and barge looking which goes well with my own fast-food eating, JD & coke drinking bulky build

James wrote: goes well with my own fast-food eating, JD & coke drinking bulky build

You just need cigarettes, hash and party drugs and you have the A.Gobert diet !

James wrote:The 2000 for me coz I own one. I knew the differences between the year models before I bought mine but went for the 2000 for a couple of reasons. Its the colour I like - green, it has the performance and handling that suits my riding ability - (the latest and greatest bikes are wasted on me) & its big, bulky and barge looking which goes well with my own fast-food eating, JD & coke drinking bulky build

Yeah James, I agree with you after a good test ride on a 2000 model this morning. Yes it is green which I love and the first thing I noticed was the throttle was much less 'snappy' than the 2002+. I could not tell the difference between performance of the engines as the 2000 is supposed to be peakier, I tottered round in third thru the 'burbs and found it brilliant.
And for $9200 ride-away (from a dealer) I think its a good buy.
So I guess my money goes on the counter Monday morning.

Also I meant to ask, what are the service intervals? This one has done just over 19,000km....

Christo wrote:

James wrote:The 2000 for me coz I own one. I knew the differences between the year models before I bought mine but went for the 2000 for a couple of reasons. Its the colour I like - green, it has the performance and handling that suits my riding ability - (the latest and greatest bikes are wasted on me) & its big, bulky and barge looking which goes well with my own fast-food eating, JD & coke drinking bulky build

Yeah James, I agree with you after a good test ride on a 2000 model this morning. Yes it is green which I love and the first thing I noticed was the throttle was much less 'snappy' than the 2002+. I could not tell the difference between performance of the engines as the 2000 is supposed to be peakier, I tottered round in third thru the 'burbs and found it brilliant.
And for $9200 ride-away (from a dealer) I think its a good buy.
So I guess my money goes on the counter Monday morning.

Also I meant to ask, what are the service intervals? This one has done just over 19,000km....

Service intervals are every 6K and major every 12K, so next is at 24K and is a major.

Sounds like you have fallin in lerve with the big 12 ! There is nothing like it, they are brilliant !!

+ 1 on that.

I have an '05 ZX12R, the MFP12 - and its a fuckin' ball-tearer of a bike. Has a couple of performance mods , and I am so glad I bought it.

Soon, sometime this year..........it will be getting another *performance* accessory, which should see it hose just about everything out there......stay tuned.......

Gosling1 wrote:....Soon, sometime this year..........it will be getting another *performance* accessory, which should see it hose just about everything out there......stay tuned.......

I'm sure we'll all be laughing eh Gos?

well Smitty is gunna throw a curve ball in here.........

coz based on the 3 different Zx12 models I have ridden (mine, an 04 and an 06)
I think the original A model has the more responsive engine with sharper suspension

I found the 04 model (a used bike test ridden while looking at buying a 12) and a new06
( I was considering buy a newie) just did not have that raw raspy grunt and pickup the
original has..the A model response to the throttle was more aggressive than the later models
and these were softer in the suspension as well (probably nothing a little fettling would not fix)
All of ém were fine around town but in a spot where speed limits were higher, I felt the A model
would outgrunt the later models..but thats not to say they are slow
NO Zx12R is slow

and I know most rave about the later radial brake setup...but I don't like them
the ones on the 04 and the 06 had little progessive feel...they were on or off

The B model is the better looking of the Zx12r range (with some awesome paint schemes)
but (as you all know) I bought the A model coz I thought it the better bike and it came in
GREEN


cheers

Well I rang the dealer this morning and said I would buy the bike, subject to a satisfactory mechanical inspection by a Kawasaki mechanic.
Everything going well I may have it this weekend. Will post some piccies for sure.

Christo wrote:Well I rang the dealer this morning and said I would buy the bike, subject to a satisfactory mechanical inspection by a Kawasaki mechanic.
Everything going well I may have it this weekend. Will post some piccies for sure.

good for you

...gotta luv the 12


cheers

Smitty wrote:well Smitty is gunna throw a curve ball in here.........

coz based on the 3 different Zx12 models I have ridden (mine, an 04 and an 06)
I think the original A model has the more responsive engine with sharper suspension

I found the 04 model (a used bike test ridden while looking at buying a 12) and a new06
( I was considering buy a newie) just did not have that raw raspy grunt and pickup the
original has..the A model response to the throttle was more aggressive than the later models
and these were softer in the suspension as well (probably nothing a little fettling would not fix)
All of ém were fine around town but in a spot where speed limits were higher, I felt the A model
would outgrunt the later models..but thats not to say they are slow
NO Zx12R is slow

and I know most rave about the later radial brake setup...but I don't like them
the ones on the 04 and the 06 had little progessive feel...they were on or off

The B model is the better looking of the Zx12r range (with some awesome paint schemes)
but (as you all know) I bought the A model coz I thought it the better bike and it came in
GREEN


cheers

HTF would you know??? You don't ride your own, when the hell would you ride other ones!!!

Strika wrote:

Smitty wrote:well Smitty is gunna throw a curve ball in here.........

coz based on the 3 different Zx12 models I have ridden (mine, an 04 and an 06)
I think the original A model has the more responsive engine with sharper suspension

I found the 04 model (a used bike test ridden while looking at buying a 12) and a new06
( I was considering buy a newie) just did not have that raw raspy grunt and pickup the
original has..the A model response to the throttle was more aggressive than the later models
and these were softer in the suspension as well (probably nothing a little fettling would not fix)
All of ém were fine around town but in a spot where speed limits were higher, I felt the A model
would outgrunt the later models..but thats not to say they are slow
NO Zx12R is slow

and I know most rave about the later radial brake setup...but I don't like them
the ones on the 04 and the 06 had little progessive feel...they were on or off

The B model is the better looking of the Zx12r range (with some awesome paint schemes)
but (as you all know) I bought the A model coz I thought it the better bike and it came in
GREEN


cheers

HTF would you know??? You don't ride your own, when the hell would you ride other ones!!!

too true !