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

**Grasshopperus** · 21st October 2011, 20:56

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/moto...-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** · 21st October 2011, 21:00

I think the question should be, why wouldnt you?

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

**blue rider** · 21st October 2011, 21:05

this reminds me

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

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

**mashman** · 21st October 2011, 21:29

put it all on France to win and get 2

**Madness** · 21st October 2011, 21:37

15,000k's out of a rear on a ZX12!!!

They run pretty hot in traffic too, apparently

**Grasshopperus** · 21st October 2011, 21:38

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

**Reckless** · 21st October 2011, 21:51

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

ZX12R is a lot of bike

**Grasshopperus** · 21st October 2011, 21:53

Originally Posted by Reckless

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** · 21st October 2011, 22:12

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** · 21st October 2011, 22:30

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

Your response is too damn logical.

**MikeD400** · 21st October 2011, 22:39

Originally Posted by Grasshopperus

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

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!

**Reckless** · 21st October 2011, 22:44

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** · 21st October 2011, 22:49

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** · 22nd October 2011, 10:14

Originally Posted by 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...)

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** · 22nd October 2011, 10:18

Originally Posted by 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

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