[pgsagar]

Here is my new Kawasaki ZX12R. Ok, it is pre-owned, alright but is in pristine condition. It is the replacement for 1989 Honda CBX750 which I sold in March. I was actually looking for a Hayabusa but couldn’t find any in good shape. Found this instead. I was skeptical at first as I did not know much about Kawas but a quick search on the net revealed that ZX12R is no less potent than ‘busa and some even call it a ‘busa-basher.

It is 1200 cc inline-4 175 bhp bike, with bhp going up to 190 or something with ram-air intake. This one is 2000 year unrestricted model with speedo calibrated up to 340 kmph. Rear tyre at 200 mm is wider than most SBKs.

Bike is fitted with Corbin seat, carbon fibre front mudguard and zero-gravity after-market wind-shield. The seller handed me the original seat, front mudguard and wind-shield, all in original condition. Then he has thrown in some spares, too, like a carbon fibre rear cowl, chain-sprocket set, one fork, K&N filters and Power Commander ( which I’m yet to fit ), lot of brake pads front and back, oil seals and gaskets, wheel dampers ( cush-drive) , levers and clutch / throttle cables. And, Owner’s Manual and Service Manual, too. BTW, It is duty paid with papers in order.

The bike has total insane acceleration. It is docile up to 3-4000 rpm just like any 100 cc bike but thereafter it is a cruise missile. Burst the throttle open and all cars ahead appear like they suddenly engaged reverse gears. Lighter bikes do wheelies at launch. This one does in all first 3 gears if throttle is burst open. Anyway, no point boring any one with superlatives.

Here are some pics. Some pics are good and some are not as different cameras were used.

[pgsagar]

And here are the spares it came with. Sorry if I posted too many pics.

[Ford5]

Yummy. You are lucky to find this in a pristine condition. Happy biking. Your new bike reinforces that fact that "old is gold".

[djay99]

Wooah. Bike looks in pristine condition in pics man. I am sure it will look super duper hot in person. You seems to have got a very good deal. Can you let us know the price?

[thumpingheart]

Congrats on your new purchase Sagar! The bike looks like a real performance machine! 175-odd BHP on a bike is maaaaad! I've never even driven a car with that much power, my brain can't begin to fathom what a devil's feeling it must be to ride this beast! I am just downright scared of such machines

I feel its good you didn't buy a 'busa. I think its become a bit hyped. ZX is understated and appears raw to my untrained eyes! Plus this looks in awesome condition, and the accessories the previous owner has given you, it shows how much care he has taken of the bike and how passionate he was about it! That the kinda bike you wanna own! Actually PRE-WORSHIPED.

Enjoy your new toy and do let us know your experiences with it. Cheers!! Ride safe

[Harbir]

awesome. I used to have a red one. If you ever decide to sell, please put me at me at the top of the list because I would love to own one again.

[Bookkeeper]

Congrats on the mean machine. Looks stunning even after all of these years and in my opinion looks better than the Busa.

Can you give an indication towards the cost if that is okay with you?

Apart from the reduced weight and the aesthetics, does the carbon fiber mudguard aid in anything else?

Do post about the performance and handling later. Wish you happy and safe ride with the Ninja.

[Harbir]

a suggestion. Get rid of the 200 section rear tire and switch to a 190. It makes the bike handle much better, with much sharper steering response. Kawasaki went with the 200 as marketing driven boast, and you will find that later bikes with even more power stayed with 190 section rear tires. the wide section of the 200 slows the bike's roll rate quite a bit without providing any meaningful improvement to the rider other than bragging rights.

Also, you should know that the 2000 ZX-12R was rated at 185hp by Kawasaki. Units fitted with akrapovic full exhaust (headers and everything) and properly tuned power commander made 160-165hp at the rear wheel. The corbin seat, which I installed on my bike, was easily the best money I've ever spent on any motorcycle accessory.

The stock seat is terrible. I still have my copy of the workshop manual and its great that you got a copy. The carbon Fibre mudguards are just a cosmetic pleasure. I replaced both the front and rear sprockets for reduced gearing, but I would advise against replacing the front sprocket since only the factory sprocket is dampened, and aftermarket sprockers create a ringing resonance due to not being dampened.

I'll be happy to share any knowledge about the bike I have that you might find useful.

There is a picture of mine in my t-bhp garage.

[black12rr]

What a classic bike ! .Congrats . Just 20K run , beautiful .The way the parts were given by the previous owner ,shows how much he cared for his bike .

Put back the old tail lamp and probably add a LED inside that to make it bright .Common ,do write more about the bike ,we don't get bored , you are in the right section of the forum .

Originally Posted by Harbir

There is a picture of mine in my t-bhp garage.

Now where is your ownership report ?

[pgsagar]

Thank you so much guys. Good to hear nice words of appreciation. Yes, it is in absolutely mint condition, as in pics. Indeed a pre-worshipped one. I was on look out for a good bike for nearly a year now. ZX12 is very tall bike, unlike 'busa which is low rider and good for average height guys. That was the reason I was on look out for a 'busa. But now no regrets because this one is more uncommon than 'busa.

Harbir, good to know you owned one in the past. I will turn to you for advice whenever situation demands. It makes 185bhp? No wonder, this accelerates like crazy. I have a new chain-sprocket set which I won't be needing anytime soon, considering my light usage and considering the one on bike is hardly worn. I may get a 190 mm after the present tyre wears out. That again is long way off. But in any case this bike is not for cornering, I feel. It is huge, heavy and high. I think R1 is the cornering king.

ZX12's sound is to die for. Not loud as in irritating but that heavy growl. Ohh... And then there is that bonus ram-air intake sound. I will post some video clips when I free up. Thanks once again guys!

[mikon]

Awesome bike! Congratulations.
Could you please PM me the price/document history?

I'm regretting of letting go off the fireblade

[Rahulkool]

Congrats man, i can't imagine how much fun 185bhp between the legs will be . It looks excellent and maintained really well. please post some videos :-)

[pgsagar]

Took the 12 for brake fluid change last sunday morning. Rear brake pads neared their life so in went the new pair. It being Sunday, the roads were deserted and trafic in by-lane was even thin. Since it was a small quick job, had it done outdoor. The mech Ramky did a good job, as always.

Seeking a suggestion from veterans here. Should I install the K&N filters only or power-commander only or both? These have been lying in the parts bin so I'm thinking of putting them to some use. The only scary thing would be to put up the craziest acceleration getting craziest-er. Would there be aby difference in exhaust-note, too? You there, Harbir?

Work keeping me occupied and I'm riding it very little these days. But everytime I take it out and twist that throttle, I feel like a fighter pilot on street with my face looking like this -- .

Anyway, here are some pics. Never mind the surroundings in by-lane. Also, thinking of painting the rims gold or silver.

[hillram]

Why are all the repairs done on roadside? A bike of this stature deserves a good garage and on top its monsoon time.Anyway the progress is good and wish you many miles ahead.Make sure you wear a good helmet when you ride.

[Sheel]

Hi!

Isn't that TVS Girling DOT 4 brake-oil container?

Please go with Motul. I believe the quality is vastly improved over the TVS ones.

And give ample time with the bike, accelerate till you reach 10,000 revs (1,500 revs in spare) in 1st 3 gears & do come back & up-date as to whether you need the add-ons

For pure aural purpose, you have to fit & see, its a lot personal thing IMHO