Some feedback from you all please

[Mr Merde]

People

I need some feedback from those of you who have owned or ridden a Kawasaki ZX12R.

It has been 3 1/2 years since I bought my last bike and I am seriously contemplatinf getting another.

I have been a fan of the big Kawasaki motorcycles since the mid 90's and my ZZR1100D, which gave me wonderful service and unfortunately was T-boned by a cage driver (I was actually doing the speed limit at the time- supprisingly for me).

Back to the topic.

What do\did you think of this bike?
What sort of feul consumption did you get ( average riding- not thrashing it)?
Parts and availability?

Importantly FUN FACTOR?

Chris

[Patch]

comfortable seating position

alot of power

fuel economy - you are kidding right??

Good around bike which does everything soooo much better than the ole ZZR ever could.

Go ride one.

[Hitcher]

The ZX12R is a disturbingly easy bike to ride and IMHO a better machine than the Blackbird. They deserve a full Yoshi system.

[YellowDog]

I had a brief test ride on one whilst going through the "What's the best bike for me" thing. Of the bikes I have tested this was the best in its class. IMO - The Kwaka build quality is noticeably better than most. I had no doubt of the outstanding performance abilities and wanted to see if it was nimble enough to commute to the city.

My impression was slightly slanted in that it was a much bigger bike than I had ridden in a while and I couldn't stop smiling. But is was very smooth and controllable at low speeds. Just not the right kind of bike for me.

So far as economy goes with such a refined and modern engine; the answer has to be considerably better than your 1200 Bandit, provided you don't push it.

Nice bike - good luck.

[Mr Merde]

comfortable seating position

alot of power

fuel economy - you are kidding right??

Good around bike which does everything soooo much better than the ole ZZR ever could.

Go ride one.

Fuel ecconomy is subjective. I could manage a very respectable 50mpg from the ZZR at motorway speeds which when I hammered it dropped to 25-30 mpg.

My current bike GS1200SS returns between 240-300 per tankfull of petrol depending on how I ride it.

My days of trying to go everywhere at a blistering pace have long gone but I do like to have the potential for a quick blast to dizzying velocities, every now and then. I am also a very big fan of having lots of acceleration available. This, IMHO, is one of the best features of a motorcycle. The ability to accelerate out of trouble.

I also am looking for something I can take down to Meremere for the occasional putter down the 1/4 mile. Just to keep the adrenilin pumping and let me know I am still alive and well.

I have ridden one 3 years ago and it left a lasting impression upon me. At the time finances dictated that I go for a cheaper option.


Chris

[Blackbird]

An old riding partner owned one for several years and he loved it. However, it's the old "fitness for purpose" catchphrase again. The stock suspension is a lot less compliant than the 'busa and the 'bird and with the slightly higher pegs, it's somewhat more orientated to sports riding than the other two bikes. Nothing some aftermarket goodies wouldn't fix. One of the Grand Challenge regulars used to do the 1000 miler on his but he wasn't ever in good shape at the end of it. That's pretty extreme use though.

I don't know what it would be like for parts now it's been out of production for a while but there are several forums for the bike so they'd know. A fine-looking bike who's performance is still right up there.

[Mr Merde]

What I am looking for is something I can ride from home to work maybe 3 days a week, something that will give me that real motorcycle buzzz when I open it up a little, something I can take on the SATNR occasionally. Something I can ride, with "she who must be obeyed" in reasonable comfort for 200-300 km at a stretch without feeling the pain.

To sum it up. Fast, sedate, reasonable comfortable for middle distance travelling, and "THE FUN FACTOR".

One of my pet hates is cage drivers who tailgate. I love to just suddenly open a bike up and leave them choking in the wake. I do this quite regularly on the Bombay hill, southbound. Most of the time I am a 110 - 115 kph rider but there was one time on that hill where a cage actually bumped my rear tyre. Put the fear of god into me. Ever since then I try to keep space both to and fro.

Chris

[TomJ]

Bought an 05 zzr 2 months ago and love it to bits!

use everyday for commute - mostly in the wet so far... ... and weekend blasts with mates. Wife and I also had fanstastic trip to Taupo with panniers brimming over - no problems and this was the wifes first ever trip other than around Tauranga.

Go for it!
http://zzrbikes.com/ provides useful info re spares, tyres and maintenance

[Patch]

an RS250 will do everything you've described there Chris

only real way to tell if its for you is to ride one

[Mr Merde]

an RS250 will do everything you've described there Chris

only real way to tell if its for you is to ride one

Did I ever mention that I am only 177cm tall and 100kg

Need something to lug my weight around.

RS250 would do that but I think I would strain the motor a bit.

Missus is only 50kg

I think a RS250 would struggle on a longer trip with 150kg of our weight plus all the kit my missus tends to think she will need.

[Hitcher]

Based on the picture you're painting, I'd be more inclined to go for a ZZR1200 than the ZX12. It's got a less aggressive riding position and carburettors. Kawasaki's carburettored 1200cc engines are just lovely -- no throttle snatch, and smooth roll-on to infinity and beyond!

[Mr Merde]

Based on the picture you're painting, I'd be more inclined to go for a ZZR1200 than the ZX12. It's got a less aggressive riding position and carburettors. Kawasaki's carburettored 1200cc engines are just lovely -- no throttle snatch, and smooth roll-on to infinity and beyond!

Looking on TM these are few and far bewtween

I really loved my ZZR1100D

Apart from the broken bones I think my spirit was broken a bit when the cage t-boned me and wrote it off.

[Hitcher]

Looking on TM these are few and far bewtween

There's always the ZRX1200R. I once had one. It was lovely.

There's an S model, if you want a bit more weather protection, and a very tidy one available for a reasonable price with a full Akra system right here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-216738894.htm

[Mr Merde]

There's always the ZRX1200R. I once had one. It was lovely.

I've been looking at those also.

[Hitcher]

I've been looking at those also.

The one that's on Trade Me is overpriced and misrepresented. They're five speed, not six, and anything over $10,000 is dreaming. They were run out at less than $13,000 brand new. You can get a brand new Bandit for what that twat of a dealer is asking.