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Review Kawasaki ZX-12R

Grand Tourismo

Kawasaki is setting itself up permanently in the high-horsepower class. For sports fans there is the ZX-10R, while fans of dignified powerhouse work can look forward to a modeled ZX-12R.

Actually, Kawasaki’s twelve shouldn’t be called "R" at all. Not in times like these, when that letter for the Greens again stands for uncompromising sportiness. ZX-6R, ZX-10R ?? they are thoroughbred racers, happily committed to fast lap times.
The 1200 is different. In fact, very different. Once set out to break the 300 km / h barrier, with the latest revision it has developed further in a direction that deserves only one name: "Grand Tourismo" or GT for short.
At least if one orientates oneself on the four-wheel faction. There GT still stands for not too tightly cut, lavishly motorized and well-equipped vehicles, where sport and
Coming together comfort in peaceful coexistence instead of excluding each other.
Which already describes the essence of the 2004 ZX-12R. Because the basic GT character should be promoted by the now radially screwed Tokico brake calipers as well as a revised injection system with two throttle valves each, new twelve-hole injection nozzles and a 32-bit control unit.
These subtleties are then also able to accentuate some of the traits that have only just been created. Rightly took himself Kawasaki, for example, prepared the mixture. Especially in the lower speed range, the rather hard throttle response in connection with the clear play in the drive train did not match the smoothness that you could get
expected in this class. Now two throttle valves per intake port give the command to pull through manually and computer-controlled. The result: The mighty big block no longer starts its aria of pure violence with a bang, but starts its storm through the speed range with a gentler, but still clearly noticeable jolt.
That jolt when you apply the gas
calls for a steady hand at the apex of the bend, the twelve will not take seriously anybody in view of the performance data and the forces that inevitably arise on the rear wheel. Would you like some examples? When the throttle valve is fully open, the four-in-line performs
on the MOTORRAD test bench at 3000
Tours almost 95 Newton meters and 40 PS, at 5000 rpm it is already 110 Newton meters and almost 80 PS. And the game
is far from over. Almost 3000
Tours later, the torque reaches its maximum of 126 Newton meters, while the power curve continues to rise. Almost linearly up to the climax. 170 hp at a unexcited 10300 rpm. That is Grand Tourismo in its purest form.
In terms of vibration, the 1200 is not a quiet step, and special
Between 4000 and 6000 revolutions, a clear tingling sensation is noticeable in the seat and handlebar ends, but the nonchalance with which he immediately implements any acceleration requests that arise clearly predominates. It is not even necessary to use the exact transmission, which works especially in the lower gears with a very rustic background noise. Just turn the tap in the sixth? and off you go. Regardless of whether it’s 60, 100 or 140 km / h: the Zwolfer only takes 3.5 seconds to gain 40 km / h ?? and is thus we have level that the light power-thousands can only with difficulty undercut.
Ever have this ?? although their weight of almost 200 kilograms with a full tank undercuts that of the ZX-12R by around 50 kilograms ?? on the courageous country road or vacation tour except for one plus
Not much more to offer in terms of agility in dynamic terms. The chassis reserves of the tightly designed large Kawa pay homage to the commitment to the brisk pace. This credo is also followed by the new braking system, which decelerates brutally and shines with better controllability than its predecessor. But it comes in cold condition? on the morning drive to the bakery ?? therefore somewhat dull.
But that is really not the purpose of a ZX-12R. Their prime discipline is to bring concentrated power onto the road without the driver sweating in fear. Or rather, on the autobahn, because country roads in this performance class are forbidden as a full-throttle experimental field anyway. In other words, the Autobahn: Only here can you really enjoy this light-heartedness, with which the speed can be increased and decreased at will. A moment ago we were driving behind an overtaking truck at 86 km / h, a few seconds later at 250. Without shifting, just like that. And without fundamental changes in the pilot’s state of mind. Slightly crouched behind the effectively protective cladding and full of confidence in the rigidity of the special frame construction, in which the aluminum backbone also forms the airbox. Compared to the ultra-light and hyper-nervous athletes, the ZX-12R is not only drivable but also extremely enjoyable. Touring in
GT manner, preferably for hours. Only interrupted by occasional refueling stops, because the accelerated pace takes its toll. In view of consumption values ​​around ten liters, the digital reports
Fuel gauge needs to be refilled after about 150 kilometers, while significantly longer stages are possible with the recommended recommended speed and a consumption of seven liters. On the country road, the twelve is even limited to 6.4 liters.
There you can enjoy a feature that is by no means taken for granted these days and is actually rarely used on the motorway with such a fast motorcycle. We are talking about rear-view mirrors, in which the traffic behind you can actually be observed. Not so well ordered? and that is an accusation that weighs heavily on a Grand Tourismo? it is about the space behind the driver. The footrests and the seat itself are simply too high to offer a passenger a minimum of comfort on longer journeys.
Therefore, comfort-loving high-speed drivers are likely to share the fate of the sports group, at least in this respect. You must enjoy your pleasure alone.

Review Kawasaki ZX-12R

Grand Tourismo

Technical data – Kawasaki ZX-12R

Engine: water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, Ø 46 mm, uncontrolled catalytic converter with secondary air system, 434 W alternator, 12 V / 12 Ah battery, electric starter, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, chain.
Boron x stroke 83.0 x 55.4 mm
Cubic capacity 1199 cm³
Compression ratio 12.2: 1
rated capacity
131 kW (178 hp) at 10500 rpm
Max. Torque 134 Nm at 7500 rpm
Pollutant values ​​(homologation) in g / km
CO 4.500 / HC 0.730 / NOx 0.110
Chassis: Bridge frame made of aluminum, bolted rear frame made of aluminum, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum-
minium, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, four-piston fixed calipers, disc brake at the rear, Ø 230 mm, two-piston fixed caliper.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17, 6.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 200/50 ZR 17
Dunlop D 208 J tires tested

Dimensions and weights: wheelbase 1450 mm, steering head angle 65 degrees, caster 98 mm, spring travel f / h 120/140 mm, seat height * 830 mm, weight with a full tank * 248 kg, payload * 180 kg, tank capacity / reserve 19 liters.
Two year guarantee
Colors silver, black
Price 13,595 euros
Additional costs 105 euros

MOTORCYCLE Measurements – Kawasaki ZX-12R

Top speed1 298 km / h

acceleration
0-100 km / h 3.0 sec
0-140 km / h 4.5 sec
0-200 km / h 7.5 sec

Draft
60-100 km / h 3.5 sec
100-140 km / h 3.5 sec
140-180 km / h 3.5 sec

Speedometer deviation
Effective (display 50/100) 48/96 km / h

Consumption in the test
at 100 km / h 5.8 l / 100 km
at 130 km / h 7.0 l / 100 km
Country road 6.4 l / 100 km

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