Is the ZX12R underrated?
Discussion
It's a question I pose as I am a huge fan of that sort of bike. Yes, there were bloody fast bikes in that segment before the late 90's, but it seemed that group really seemed to come together in the late 90's and became a real focal point for two iconic bikes, the Super Blackbird and the Hayabusa. However, Kawasaki's answer, the ZX12R, seems to have been somewhat forgotten.
The 'Busa naturally seemed to become a celebrity under the weight of it's alien appearance and it's stratospheric performance. The Super Blackbird was gifted with the best name in the bunch and appears to be the most absolute iteration of Honda's blend of performance and usability. Both were popular and appealed to a different sort of rider who wanted the same sort of bike.
Why does the ZX12R not receive similar hero status, or at least the name dropping of the the other two? It seems to be every bit the engineering marvel of the other two. I recall reading that it was faster than the Blackbird and a match for the Suzuki. The ZZR1400 rightly gets the accolades these days, and of course a ZZR was the fastest bike until the Honda came along.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has ridden one or owned one, I think they're very cool.
The 'Busa naturally seemed to become a celebrity under the weight of it's alien appearance and it's stratospheric performance. The Super Blackbird was gifted with the best name in the bunch and appears to be the most absolute iteration of Honda's blend of performance and usability. Both were popular and appealed to a different sort of rider who wanted the same sort of bike.
Why does the ZX12R not receive similar hero status, or at least the name dropping of the the other two? It seems to be every bit the engineering marvel of the other two. I recall reading that it was faster than the Blackbird and a match for the Suzuki. The ZZR1400 rightly gets the accolades these days, and of course a ZZR was the fastest bike until the Honda came along.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has ridden one or owned one, I think they're very cool.
I think part of it will be that the other two, for a time, held the title of "fastest production bike" whereas the ZX12R didn't, at least as far as i know. The ZZR1100 before had did, and got a fair bit of press. After the 186mph/300kph gentleman's agreement came in, the fastest bike title no longer had to much meaning, and so drag times, bhp figures, lap times and several other things became the pub brag talk. Hence the immensely fast ZZR1400 was able to be a talking point.
As for riding a ZX12R, i can't comment. But an old collegue had one before his Hayabusa and rated it highly. MCN's review was pretty good too if i recall.
I'd be interested in one, if the price was right. Great looking and I'd imagine it to be bloody fast, which is befitting of my age at 26. Looks quite comfortable too, which would suit my aching bones, which in turn is not befitting of my age, but nice to have!
As for riding a ZX12R, i can't comment. But an old collegue had one before his Hayabusa and rated it highly. MCN's review was pretty good too if i recall.
I'd be interested in one, if the price was right. Great looking and I'd imagine it to be bloody fast, which is befitting of my age at 26. Looks quite comfortable too, which would suit my aching bones, which in turn is not befitting of my age, but nice to have!
Funny this should come up, I was having a look at them last night.
They were always described as s big sports bike rather than the mental fast tourer that the busa and blackbird were.
Properly fast even 16 years on, they make around 180bhp. Looking at prices they seem to be in the 2-5k, not expensive compared to the competition.
They were always described as s big sports bike rather than the mental fast tourer that the busa and blackbird were.
Properly fast even 16 years on, they make around 180bhp. Looking at prices they seem to be in the 2-5k, not expensive compared to the competition.
ZX12Rs are fine, if you want to be on the 2nd fastest bike in the race for top speed (at the time) and before the nominal 300kph (186mph) limiters came in.
From experience, it has to be a Gen 1 Busa, mine was a 2000 model, but purchased new in 2002.
In reality, any of the top 3, ZX12, Busa or Blackbird will be more than enough, mine ended up with 178bhp at the rear wheel, after a few simple modifications, with torque to match. Much more sedate now with a whopping 41rwbhp on my 40 year old 2 stroke triple, or the California if its for distance work.
From experience, it has to be a Gen 1 Busa, mine was a 2000 model, but purchased new in 2002.
In reality, any of the top 3, ZX12, Busa or Blackbird will be more than enough, mine ended up with 178bhp at the rear wheel, after a few simple modifications, with torque to match. Much more sedate now with a whopping 41rwbhp on my 40 year old 2 stroke triple, or the California if its for distance work.
12Rs were the only Kawasaki I really warmed to at the time. I've done a fair bit of fast road riding in Oz with guys who had them, obliterating my 2001 R1 at the time on the straights and laying long black lines out of really fast corners. They were a pleasure to ride alongside and I thought they looked bloody good too.
I'd love to ride one. I find Hayabusas uncomfortable and Blackbirds a bit bland.
I'd love to ride one. I find Hayabusas uncomfortable and Blackbirds a bit bland.
Gunk said:
The ZX9-R is also a massively underrated and under valued bike, the original was eclipsed by the Fireblade and the very capable updated model overshadowed by the R1.
A good 2003 bike can be bought for around £2250 absolute bargain.
I had a go on a P reg 9R about 10 Years ago and found it a complete pig, the original R1 though I think is still pretty good.A good 2003 bike can be bought for around £2250 absolute bargain.
Onto the 12R I quite like them to be honest, they have plenty of power and I'd assume quite comfortable too, I bet they're a great long distance ballistic tourer.
I test-rode a ZX12R some years ago, it was amazing and I still have a soft spot for them. I was used to big bikes but this was another level; warp speed. It's like a smaller ZX6 on steroids, everything is there but just bigger! They are quite a big bike, which suited me. On the test ride I took it along the M25, overtook something with just a twist of the wrist, and looked down at the speedo to see some scary numbers displayed, which I won't go into here.
I've aged, been test-riding BMWs today but this has reminded me of an awesome older bike
I've aged, been test-riding BMWs today but this has reminded me of an awesome older bike
CQ8 said:
Always liked the ZX12 better than the Hayabusa and the Blackbird.
I'd have one in black and gold:
I've had 2, wrote the first one off at the IOM and my second one was the same as the one in this picture. Very fast and with a 180 tyre on the back instead of the standard 200, it handled pretty well. Brakes weren't great and build quality was a bit iffy as the paint on the swing arm, frame & wheels flakes off easily. I replaced it with a ZZR which is a better bike, faster but doesn't go around corners as well as the ZX12. Time has moved on and there are better, faster bikes out there. I still think the Blackbird was superior in almost every way but it wasn't as cool. I'd have one in black and gold:
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 7th August 20:29
I have one, a 2004 model but on an 05 plate. I recall at the time I found it felt sportier than the Blackbird or 'Busa and to my mind far better looking. Possibly losing out slightly on comfort, certainly when compared to the Blackbird. Bit heavy on the wrists round town, but then I'm a bit heavy . Once out of town though it's fine. Flies through the gears and handles far better than a bike that size should, but is happy to bimble round in top when you're feeling lazy. Build quality is good too, unlike the image for Kwaks of that vintage.
Every now and then I contemplate selling it, but then wonder what I'd replace it with that gives me that much more? The ZZR1400 doesn't look as good, imho of course. Anyway a quick ride soon cancels any daft ideas about flogging it
edited cos I left out something important
Every now and then I contemplate selling it, but then wonder what I'd replace it with that gives me that much more? The ZZR1400 doesn't look as good, imho of course. Anyway a quick ride soon cancels any daft ideas about flogging it
edited cos I left out something important
Edited by LikesBikes on Sunday 7th August 20:56
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