Hornet 900 -> ZX-12R. Should I, shouldn't I?

[Grasshopperus]

I've recently fallen into some dosh and I was thinking about getting a new bike.

I've had a 2007 hornet 900 for about a year and put about 30,000km on it, I love it, it's a mint commuter that still gives me a funny feeling in my pants when I drive on curvy roads. BUT, there's a ZX-12R on trademe http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-416720978.htm that has got me real horny. One of my friends has a A1 model ZX-12R that I've ridden a couple of times and I really like it.

What's got me kind of spooked is the apparent rear-tyre shreddingness of the model. Google searches show horror stories of 2,000-10,000km life out of the rear tyre. Most of the riding I do is highway stuff; the PR2 on the rear of the hornet900 has 18,000km on it and still has a couple thousand more to go before I get another, that's pretty good mileage by most accounts. I'm wondering if perhaps my type of riding, mostly steady commuting, could get me around 15,000km on the ZX. I know that cheaping out on tyres isn't the idea of this model but I have a very good reason for wanting this bike....

I need to increase the size of my moto-penis. I estimate that a move from 900cc to 1200cc combined with naked-sports-tourer to badass-sports-tourer could net me an extra 50% length and girth.

What do you super-geniuses reckon? Is it possible to get good tyre life out of a big bike like this?

P.S - Friday drinks so be gentle

[nzspokes]

I think the question should be, why wouldnt you?

Do it, do it, do it......

[blue rider]

this reminds me


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-GFqhCq2HA


oh lord, wont you buy me a zx......



just get it, you know you want it, all 8 inches uncut

[mashman]

put it all on France to win and get 2

[Madness]

15,000k's out of a rear on a ZX12!!! :killingme They run pretty hot in traffic too, apparently :innocent:

[Grasshopperus]

Shazbot; the auction is only open to trademe 'authenticated users'. Will have to talk to the seller.

[Reckless]

How long have you been on the Hornet 900 after the 250 L plate stage?

ZX12R is a lot of bike :)

[Grasshopperus]

How long have you been on the Hornet 900 after the 250 L plate stage?

ZX12R is a lot of bike :)

I've had the hornet900 for 1 year and 30,000km.

I don't need it, I just want it.

If a moderator is reading this, feel free to move to pointless drivel.

[Reckless]

Just asking the question so you ask it of yourself!
Devils advocate and all that stuff!

OH I got 10K out of the last two M3's on the SV! I'd expect that's quite good!
So with sports type rubber on the ZX so you can trust it when you lay it over, expect similar at a guess!

The Hornet wont do the things to your tyre's this bike will do to them :)

I followed one once through the desert road twisties on my VTR. It seemed to handle with effortless ease we left a 996 behind :) The zx12 rode smooth as, no knee down or arse off the seat from either of us but I really liked the way the ZX12 seemed rock solid, capable and smooth!

[Grasshopperus]

Goddamn you Reckless; stop telling me like it is!! :shit:

Your response is too damn logical.

[MikeD400]

Goddamn you Reckless; stop telling me like it is!! :shit:

Your response is too damn logical.

Wouldnt you be better with like an R1 going from the Hornet? Id imagine the CB900 to be still quite a nimble bike where id imagine the ZX12R to be a lump to throw around, and we know how you like to throw you shit around! :wings:

[Reckless]

We rode together once or twice on the Wed rides young fella! When you had your 250.
I have no knowledge of your ability then or now to be honest, but I remember your keenness to complete the carpark tasks quickly.

Strikes me this bike could give any rider a fright the Hornet wont come close to giving.

Nice bike!
Good luck with the auction!
Be careful if you get the bike!
Good luck !!

[MikeD400]

Sorry just and elaboration on my last comment i mean the zx12r is goin to go for around 7k and u can get an R1 (im just using R1 as an example cos they are sex) for 7k and they weigh about 40kg less and they have more power and they dont have that expensive extra 200cc's...

I dunno this just my 2cc's worth :)

[BigAl]

Sorry just and elaboration on my last comment i mean the zx12r is goin to go for around 7k and u can get an R1 (im just using R1 as an example cos they are sex) for 7k and they weigh about 40kg less and they have more power and they dont have that expensive extra 200cc's...)

what Dave said, you should grab a ride on an R1 if you are considering a sports/touring bike.
They are easily tourable and light which makes them good fun in the twistys.
Early models are good value for money, cbrs are also pretty cheap and fairly reliable as well.

Expect around 10k rear tyre life if treated well.

[Madness]

Sorry just and elaboration on my last comment i mean the zx12r is goin to go for around 7k and u can get an R1 (im just using R1 as an example cos they are sex) for 7k and they weigh about 40kg less and they have more power and they dont have that expensive extra 200cc's...

I dunno this just my 2cc's worth :)

On what planet does an R1 have more power than a ZX12-R?

[BigAl]

Uranus......

[Drew]

I'm sure the ZX12 is a great bike, but if you're coming into money and in a position to do so, look around. Ride a bunch of bikes.

If you're sold on the 12 already, expect less than 10,000ks from a rear tyre. Even commuting it's a heavy bike with loads of poke. Even in a straight line the middle of the tyre is wearing pretty heavy on those types of bike.

[Madness]

It certainly wouldn't be my first choice for a commuter bike. FWIW, I'm getting around 5,000k's on a rear during winter and less in summer months, Metzeler M5. I'm thinking of putting a Z8 on the rear to get a bit more mileage, similar to what I used to run on my old ZZR1100 - Diablo front with Strada rear, it worked well for me.

[AllanB]

I got 12,000 out of my PR2's on my Hornet ...... I was happy with that. Running Pilot Powers now - nice and sticky :woohoo:


IMO you'll love the power of the 12 but find it a bit of a hulk after the 900. For a modest outlay you can contact RT and Ohlins the rear shock and fork springs and it transforms the Hornet 900. Then spend the weekend hunting down Kawasakis in the twisties putting the shits up them and have money to burn on drink and loose women.

[DEATH_INC.]

The most I got outta a rear on my 12 was 3300...and that was the original, so it included the 3000 odd k's of running in those original 12's needed. 2000k was the average.

The 12's are a real cool bike, but are no sprotbike if that's what ya want. Stable as a battleship at speeds all the way past 300kph, and I can vouch for the stability doing a 250kph wheelie. Farkin nearly kill ya if you land one crooked at almost any speed tho.
They need a heck of a lot of lean angle to get around corners (and I'd lifted the rear on mine) fast.
I don't believe that these things are for the inexperienced tho, you arrive at corners at some stoopid speeds without really thinking about it, they hide their speed very well, then......see above. I had many 'oh shit' moments on mine, some at very stupid speeds.
If you do buy it tho, just take your time and learn it's ways, they are an awesome bike.

[DEATH_INC.]

On what planet does an R1 have more power than a ZX12-R?
Prolly the same one where hayabuglies are faster....

[MikeD400]

On what planet does an R1 have more power than a ZX12-R?

On planet earth smarty pants. Go do a google on the specs the two sites i found said 150 for zx12r and 153 for R1. :)

[Usarka]

On planet earth smarty pants. Go do a google on the specs the two sites i found said 150 for zx12r and 153 for R1. :)

Trusty site was it? And is that supposed to be BHP or KW? HP for one of these is shurely closer to 180.....?

[Madness]

My bad. It's says so on teh internet so we all know it must be true :facepalm:

[MikeD400]

My bad. It's says so on teh internet so we all know it must be true :facepalm:

Just trying to help a mate make a decision man im not here to be made fun of thanks.... If youve got some solid info on the bikes then speak up otherwise go troll somewhere else...

Btw that was Bhp and i think it was Bikez.com where i quickly acquired that info, feel free to correct me it was a quick check. And from memory i checked the 2005 zx12r and a 2001 R1...

[Madness]

The R1 is a fantastic bike and would probably be better suited to the op's needs from what he's written here. Be wary of buying based on information from the internet, including KB. If we all bought based on specs alone more of us would be riding B-Kings.

There are several internet sites that claim the B3/4 (the model the op is looking at) ZX12-R came with a rated 178bhp (131kw) and with ram-air 190bhp (140kw). Yamaha themselves claim the 07/08 model R1 as producing 186.4bhp (139kw) with ram-air, hardly more than the ZX12. I can't be arsed trying to prove anything by providing links to bullshit websites (my cock is big enough, thanks). The day I get my arse handed to me on the road by an R1 I'll be sure to let you know :yes:

Smarty pants! :bleh:

[Teflon]

Just trying to help a mate make a decision man im not here to be made fun of thanks.... If youve got some solid info on the bikes then speak up otherwise go troll somewhere else...

Btw that was Bhp and i think it was Bikez.com where i quickly acquired that info, feel free to correct me it was a quick check. And from memory i checked the 2005 zx12r and a 2001 R1...

Sir, have you ridden a 12? ride the R1 (01) and 12r back to back..


Also have a look at the B-King and busa.., more low down grunt.. something the 12 lacks

The 12 is an fucking animal to ride... love the rawness of the early 12's.. has much more character and road presence than the rest..

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lpWHlr3ZTYA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Muzzy :yes:

[MikeD400]

Sir, have you ridden a 12? ride the R1 (01) and 12r back to back..


Also have a look at the B-King and busa.., more low down grunt.. something the 12 lacks

The 12 is an fucking animal to ride... love the rawness of the early 12's.. has much more character and road presence than the rest..


Muzzy :yes:

Cheers but im not in the market for an upgrade yet im sure something will strike me after alot of test riding when the time for an upgrade comes thanks :)

[MikeD400]

The R1 is a fantastic bike and would probably be better suited to the op's needs from what he's written here. Be wary of buying based on information from the internet, including KB. If we all bought based on specs alone more of us would be riding B-Kings.

There are several internet sites that claim the B3/4 (the model the op is looking at) ZX12-R came with a rated 178bhp (131kw) and with ram-air 190bhp (140kw). Yamaha themselves claim the 07/08 model R1 as producing 186.4bhp (139kw) with ram-air, hardly more than the ZX12. I can't be arsed trying to prove anything by providing links to bullshit websites (my cock is big enough, thanks). The day I get my arse handed to me on the road by an R1 I'll be sure to let you know :yes:

Smarty pants! :bleh:

There ya go now thats contributing to a thread my friend nice work good for you. :clap:

[AllanB]

Since I ride a hornet 900 should I be worried about my penis size?


New R1's are ugly pieces of plastic - get a stylish earlier one if you are looking.

Bussa - more fugglyness.

[Gremlin]

Death has said what was needed re zx12... it's a hell of a bike, and don't let it's age fool you into thinking it doesn't have much poke. Torque enough to have the rear sliding as you turn through an intersection, should you have a careless right hand...

If you're using it for commuting, you'll never match the CB900, or get close, they're incredibly reliable and cheap to run (servicing is easy and cheap too). Got 24,500 from the PR2 front, rear has 13,000 and plenty of life yet. They are also still really good fun to ride.

[Drew]

Since I ride a hornet 900 should I be worried about my penis size?


Nope, the 900 Hornet is one of the better bikes around for nearly anything you might want to do on it.
They're isn't much they can't do with the right rider on board, but there is also not much they do spectacularly well either. Unless you're good at wheelies, they're fuckin mint for tom foolery!

[Reckless]

Nope, the 900 Hornet is one of the better bikes around for nearly anything you might want to do on it.
They're isn't much they can't do with the right rider on board, but there is also not much they do spectacularly well either. Unless you're good at wheelies, they're fuckin mint for tom foolery!


My mates got a Anniversary edition VFR800 I have similar thoughts on that!!
You can tour all day on the bloody thing and it certainly never gets left behind in the twisties! Very capable bike!
I keep saying it's the bike we should own! There's just something about thats not ...........?????

[NinjaNanna]

Test rode the ZX12 when looking to upgrade from the ZX9, I'm man enough to admit it was too much bike for me. Was a shame really, I liked everything about it, just too much power.

Read into it what you will but I then settled on an 04 R1.

[DEATH_INC.]

Death has said what was needed re zx12... it's a hell of a bike, and don't let it's age fool you into thinking it doesn't have much poke. Torque enough to have the rear sliding as you turn through an intersection, should you have a careless right hand...


By the time I'd had mine a few months, I could slide it out of corners moto gp style, 2nd or 3rd gear often at 160 + clicks. It would pull up into a wheelie at 180k in second if ya wanted. It would also do rolling burnouts in second at any speed up to 200 odd k, just by pulling on the front brake and screwing on the throttle.
Mine (stock barely run in) had 2 less hp than My current ZX10 on the dyno, but I can tell you in the real world the difference is simple, the 10 would prolly pull it anywhere to approx 200k (must line madness up one day...) but at anything over that the 12 would murder it. At 250 k the 12 will still try to pull your arms from their sockets.....

[Grasshopperus]

Hi guys, thanks for all your advice. There's more good stuff here than I can quote with responses to; from Death Inc's chilling tales of how it is, to Gremlin's recommendation for commuting and everything in between (and also MikeD400's uncertainty provoking call about an R1).

So anyway, I've dithered and withered and gone and done what I should've done as soon as I got the money... put it all on paying back the mortgage. Boring, old-person-esque, smart-move, lifesaving etc etc.

I still love the look and drive of the ZX-12R but it's probably just going to cause tears (more $$ on consumables, and, let's face it, tickets). The hornet900 is still real fun and has more potential than I'm using anyway. I hope none of you think I was wasting your time with this thread, the responses you've given me have had me thinking hardout and I've come full circle to realise that I'm actually real happy with what I've got. Goddamn money, it tempted me. Also, the wife said I'd have to buy her a new diamond ring if I got a new bike (as I'm not allowed to enjoy my hard-gotten gains exclusively).

So thanks all.

[MikeD400]

So anyway, I've dithered and withered and gone and done what I should've done as soon as I got the money... put it all on paying back the mortgage. Boring, old-person-esque, smart-move, lifesaving etc etc.

Good call dude! Your a good man I like the way you think its easy to blow money on these two wheeled money pits Ive got a mate that burns all his money on needless bike stuff, I just use his example as a guide to where my priorities should lie, and your right the hornets great and u love it really! :)

[gijoe1313]

And that's the way it is, the Hornet always manages to have a fond owner keeping it for a bit longer! :yes: Always good to consider other options though!

[Gremlin]

And that's the way it is, the Hornet always manages to have a fond owner keeping it for a bit longer! :yes:
And when an owner is stupid enough to let it go, it's the first bike to their rescue when the new one packs up

:killingme

[Grasshopperus]

And when an owner is stupid enough to let it go, it's the first bike to their rescue when the new one packs up



Oh that's right, had forgotten about that. Karma being what it is, would've got me almost immediately with that trick. How to (eventually) dispose of a hornet900 then? Sell it overseas? Ride it into the ground? Keep it (pull a gijoe)?

[Gremlin]

Actually, that's a good point... it was THAT hornet. Doesn't like being traded for prettier models :lol:

Good luck running it into the ground. GiJoe has 85,000km ish, I have 97,000km (and it has a hard life of commuting, gearbox takes quite the hit, never getting into the country really), and Toto has 125,000km. Courier I heard of did over 200,000km (but included open country runs to Whangarei etc.

[Madness]

Must line madness up one day...

Keen as bud, Miranda - Kaiaua maybe? You can then give me the learn on doing wheelies, just in case I happen to pass a mufti-car one day.