Kawasaki ZX-12R test

Menus

• First approach
• In the saddle
• Contact
• In the city
• Departmental and National.
• Highway.
• Braking.
• Comfort.
• Convenient
• Consumption.
• Conclusion

The cruise missile – A test carried out by Jean-Marie Blanc.

Released in 2000 as a replica to the Suzuki Hayabusa, the ZX-12R
is the ultimate evolution of the sports car: 180 horsepower in version
free, a torque of 11.3 mkg at 5,000 rpm to exceed
300 km / h… Since its release, the model has been
widely modified, subject to many changes,
both in terms of the cycle part and the engine as well as the general aspect
: injection, forced air intake, front axle, swingarm, optics…
She is still the most powerful sportswoman to date in the
Kawasaki range. She is a big sportswoman who can also
out of the game in the GT category. Test on
the roads of the Gers and the Landes.

First approach

Its imposing fairing and the prominent mouth of the system
Ram Air intake manifold in the center position confirms that it
this is an extraordinary machine. With his profile
tapered, the eye rests on the two side fins
– fixed in such a way as to ensure a distribution
high speed airflow – and on its enormous
200 rear tire … Here we are in another dimension…

In the saddle

The
first impression is not reassuring as the bike is
imposing. Sitting, a 1.75m template has just his feet on the ground. Saddle
is wide enough but the general position both arms
placed on the half-handlebars is comfortable and not restrictive
for the wrists with always this feeling of being "
on board ”of the machine. The dashboard falls well under
the look and nothing is missing: gauge, trip, clock …, the absence
warning is the only big "oversight". The counter and tachometer
are needle which gives a slightly retro look
but very readable. The carbon-style trim is from
more beautiful effect.

Contact

As soon as it starts up, the big four-cylinder reminds you
immediately its displacement by a hoarse and dull noise;
this feeling of overkill is omnipresent. The first one
passes easily and it is with a trickle of gas that we
lets go for the first turns of the wheel. There: 210 kg
of the machine (dry) move without the slightest effort for the
pilot. It’s a big surprise for this 2002 model
as the previous model was more clumsy. The position
while driving is reassuring. The flexible box, and the handle
of gas barely touched make you want to see "
a bit more ".

In the city

The motorcycle is imposing and its size is not reassuring to
slip into traffic. Despite this, the handling is
acceptable for this exercise. The position, high enough, allows a
good vision of the environment. At low speed between two and
three thousand revolutions the engine is not very flexible and a few
accoups are felt. So you have to get up to speed in order to be
fluid and be able to fully enjoy a motorcycle that visibly
is still not there in his element
favorite. Some acceleration to double, the power
is there and begs to be exploited,
therefore direction the departmental Gers.

Departmental and National.

Beautiful secondary roads allow you to let go a little more
the power of the machine: but we are constantly illegal
as soon as we pass five thousand turns. Changes
angles are quite difficult to master. Indeed the motorcycle
seems very high and you really have to throw yourself in to find the
sensations of a sportswoman. Exploiting its liveliness requires
regular use of the motorcycle and is not done from the first
exit. Despite everything, attacking on these winding roads is done
without particular difficulty, while being constantly
frustrated, as the dose of untapped power is still
present, so head for the highway.

Highway.

Big gas from the access ramp, and the front
of the machine pulls the arms impressively. Layer
in the bubble that provides sufficient protection, reports
follow one another and the speed increases rapidly. The motorcycle appears to be
in a rail, it does not move an inch when overtaking,
and large curves at high speed are no problem,
in fact the ZX12R is “on its ground”. A quick glance
on the odometer, the x50km / h bar has passed with an impression
amazing security.

Braking.

One
high speed braking, the rear allows to sit
the bike without really slowing it down, but on the other hand the two calipers
6 pistons and two 320mm floating discs at the front
ensure perfect braking with an impressive feeling without any
special effort on the lever.

Comfort.

The fairly wide and well-designed saddle is comfortable for the
pilot, the forward position on the tank allows
stable seat. The suspensions are firm without being hard; a
just compromise.

The passenger sits high enough in the saddle, a somewhat difficult position
at high speed (placed higher than the pilot) the rests
feet are relatively well placed and the legs are not
too folded.

Convenient

Four tie-down hooks allow baggage to be attached.
The rear seat opens onto a trunk with a volume allowing
nevertheless to carry some accessories. A tank bag
is available and does not interfere with the handling of the
motorbike.

Consumption.

Despite
its large displacement, the ZX12R is not a pit of fuel,
with its 19-liter tank, it is limited to a consumption
approx. 5l / 100 for a quiet motorway journey, approx.
6L / 100 on the road in normal use and arrives at 8L / 100 with a driving
more sporty, in fact the electronic injection allows a
sending as accurately as possible the quantity of fuel required in
engine. The average consumption in normal use is approximately
6.5L / 100.

Conclusion

The ZX12R is not a motorcycle to put in all hands.
It is full of power and its full exploitation is not to
within everyone’s reach. It is a good compromise for GT / Sport use
but with a fairly substantial maintenance budget. To prune
the safe road it is certainly part of this
who is the best.

Strong points	Weak points
Engine, rework Stability Comfort	Maneuverability Low speed strokes Maintenance cost

Opinion
owner’s owner: Enrico 41 years old – daily use.

“Despite the size of the bike, the handling is evident
easy both in urban and GT use. Comfortable
even in sporty driving, it requires regular maintenance
and follow-up: it’s a man’s motorcycle! "

An essay by Jean-Marie Blanc.

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