jimzx9r
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posted September 18, 2005 05:49 PM
ZX12R FAQs
Does anybody have a good link that will show me the history of the zx12r, pictures of the model years, model year differences, general info, and problems to look for with each model year? If not, no big deal...I'll just keep going through this forum.
I had planned to wait until the ZX14 came out, but I've decided that I will never get over how ugly it is, no matter how fast it goes.
I may do something extremely financially irresponsible in the next few days.
  
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trenace
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posted September 18, 2005 05:58 PM
Dunno about what links to recommend... fastest summary is, the 2004 and 2005 models fixed the stator wiring problem which is really the only design defect of the bike.
The 2004 and 2005 do have better throttle response than the 2002 and 2003 (personal experience) which in turn are a little better than 2000 and 2001 (it has been reported.)
However, you will be hard-pressed to find owners of 2000 or 2001 bikes that actually consider theirs to be lacking or inferior.
Other than this, there's a style difference between the Ram Air inlets of the 2000 and 2001 vs all later bikes. Kawasaki claims a technical improvement; I doubt it is a large improvement. The later type seems a more integrated assembly and perhaps is lighter, as weight savings claimed for switching to CF for the 2000/2001 bikes is greater weight than the total of what's involved for the later bikes, which are integrated into the fairing. No big deal, just a question of what one likes.
There are also technical differences of lighter crankshaft in the 2000/2001 which has had some experienced riders finding it easier to stall than they'd expect (nonetheless, I personally chose to get a 2000 crank for my 2005 bike, not that the 2005 crank is really a heavy one at all) and different steering geometry, with the 2002+ bikes generally considered improved, at least generally by the press -- again, you'd find it hard to find 2000/2001 owners that feel there's a real need to change for a later year on that or any other account except perhaps the stator. (Which results in oil leakage through those wires and sometimes burning up the connectors, or dripping oil onto the ground in front of the rear tire.)
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fish_antlers
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posted September 18, 2005 07:46 PM
not really jim.. the only other site is .org , and all he did is copy/paste from here and lazx12r... yer here then yer at grond zero....
whaddya wanna know, other then the bike is done like dinner 
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jimzx9r
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posted September 18, 2005 09:11 PM
I've looked at the pics, I'm not worried about the different air intake on the bike, either one is fine by me. I'm mainly just worried about problems with the bikes, like weak parts that I'll constantly need to replace.
This will mainly be ridden on a daily basis, but I'm big on dragracing. I'd like to keep it as a stock motor, with a full pipe, powercommander, sprockets, filter, 4-6" over arm, and I'd also lower it a bit. I'd probably hit the track a couple times a month.
I'm assuming it comes with a 530 chain? Are there any nightmares with it like the busas have? How about the clutch? Transmission? Older Kawis love popping out of 2nd gear at full throttle, but I haven't heard of this problem with 12Rs before. Is the stator wiring issue easy and relatively cheap to fix? If so, that doesn't bother me at all.
Thanks for helping me out so far...I always wanted a 12R, but I'm just finishing up college and never had the cash until now.
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jeroen
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posted September 18, 2005 11:25 PM
As a start you could try this:
http://www.zx11.info/
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fish_antlers
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posted September 19, 2005 09:17 AM
dont buy an A1
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lietoome
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posted September 19, 2005 10:38 AM
I'd get a zero mileage 2004/5. Or a Green 2003. Mines not for sale. LOL
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gunner
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posted September 19, 2005 12:50 PM
quote:
dont buy an A1
Why is that Fish Stix? I have both an A1 & A2 and both are perfect. Some people really shouldn't breed either but they do. And some people shouldn't own any motorcycle but they do. And some people could FUCK UP an anvil with a rubber hammer without trying. "A "models are the original and the best 12R to own. If they weren't I would own "B" model 12s. It's not a matter of only "A" models being avalible to me. I searched them out 
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TurboBlew
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posted September 19, 2005 01:37 PM
B models are best... As are a close second.
Doesnt matter now... the values of the 12s will go up due to no more production....lol
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trenace
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posted September 19, 2005 02:11 PM
It's obvious one can make either work for them or may be totally happy with what either model is stock or with trivial mods like exhaust... the only issue that's substantive is the stator and while some have been frustrated with repeated attempted fixes that didn't work for them, apparently one or more certain fixed have been found (don't ask me) as well as the fix of simply replacing with 2004/2005 parts.
If anything, if saying one might get just one of the A model years (2000 or 2001, A1 or A2) I don't understand why not to prefer the A1 over the A2... very little changes between them other than the A2 being speed-restricted while still having the same stator and wiring. While personally I've never cared about collectable value, for those that do, the A1 could well have an edge there.
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gunner
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posted September 19, 2005 02:13 PM
Well something new is coming home with me soon and it's either going to be a new 10R or an 05 12R. I can't decide just yet.
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scooter trash
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posted September 19, 2005 02:45 PM
You better put a few miles on that 10R Gunner first. ;-)
The way I remember you are also a big boy and as much as I liked the miles I put on Berts 10 I felt like a gorilla fucking a football.
Nice bike but waaaaaaayyyyyy too small for my tastes. Maybe its the fact that I've been riding open class bikes for 10 years, but I just can't see myself doing 500 mile days on that bike.
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fish_antlers
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posted September 19, 2005 04:39 PM
a1= crap... mine had everything and the kitchen sink go wrong on it... get a b model that has stuff fixed..
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CrotchRocket
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posted September 19, 2005 04:52 PM
Sorry guys, the 2002,03,04,05 are finished products of the 2000,01 ZX12s!!!
As for the 2000A1-2001A2 having more value than the 2002B1-2003B2-2004B3-2005B4...I highly doubt it, unless the person buying it has no clue about ZX12s...The only selling point for the A1 is the unrestricted top speed with 200mph speedo...I gave that up for my 2002 B1 and would never buy an A1 or A2 again!!!
Now...I hope that same crap doesnt happen to the new ZX14!!!...Hopefully Kawasaki will have it's shit together before this 14 is released !!!
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*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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CrotchRocket
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posted September 19, 2005 04:55 PM
Jim...If you get the 2004 or 2005 ZX12, let us know...I will help you with the DragRacing set up...
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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gunner
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posted September 19, 2005 06:15 PM
quote:
a1= crap... mine had everything and the kitchen sink go wrong on it... get a b model that has stuff fixed..
Yea, yea, yea and Kentucky Fried Chicken made me sick one time! Now does that mean that all KFC is bad or maybe I got some bad chicken? The 12 requires constant attention to detail and maintenance issues. Yea the stator was a bad deal, but I've fixed both mine with no problems or help from mother Kawasaki. The "Bs" have a BIG heavy crank so less skilled riders can ride them much easier. The throttle response on my A models is perfect mid corner or anywhere else. Sorry but the B is the neutered 12R by a long shot. Real race cars or race bikes aren't polished and pefected by any stretch. They have a purpose in life and they serve that purpose. The A model had a purpose from the instant it was first designed. The B was designed for a whole different agenda.
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aughtsix
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posted September 19, 2005 07:04 PM
 Edited By: aughtsix on 19 Sep 2005 20:05
Where's the 'popcorn' icon...
Let's try this opcorn:
Well that sure worked out slick !
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scooter trash
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posted September 19, 2005 07:56 PM
Edited By: scooter trash on 20 Sep 2005 15:27
Edit: Didn't know if the recipient understood I was joking.
Better safe than sorry. LOL
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fish_antlers
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posted September 19, 2005 09:23 PM
gunner... you must've had a different A model than I did, cuz I can assure you my throttle response sucked ass... was the worst FI I'd ever used... only near fix was a power commander and fuel economy of a Lincoln...
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entropy
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posted September 19, 2005 11:16 PM
Edited By: entropy on 20 Sep 2005 00:18
quote:
gunner... you must've had a different A model than I did, cuz I can assure you my throttle response sucked ass... was the worst FI I'd ever used... only near fix was a power commander and fuel economy of a Lincoln...
fish, we pretty much agree on stuff, but YOU ARE WRONG!!!
AND, you are slamming my Lincoln grrrrrrrrrr...
My trusty 1994 Lincoln Mk VIII, "the Lincoln of Distinction" gets 27-29mpg highway (MM, Osti, Harry, Wideout can testify). 
My slightly modded A1 gets 20-22 mpg highway 
Trenace, just to keep the record straight, don't forget the gas tank crack recall on the A1, yep.
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trenace
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posted September 20, 2005 12:50 AM
I didn't know that one, Entropy (have never had an A model, and didn't remember anyone saying that.) Important item to be cognizant of.
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gunner
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posted September 20, 2005 05:51 AM
Fish........Maybe the reason I find the "A" so peaceful to deal with is because I've already been where most of these guys want to go, or are headed. I've built and owned 6 different Turbo Bike PAIN IN THE ASS motorcycles. They stay broken or in need of something constantly! I don't need that anymore for sure. So compared to ALL that crap and again I said CRAP the "A" model 12R is a sewing machine! It's as meek as a lamb and never fusses about anything. It's all in what you're acustomed to as they say. I laugh at the turbo bike guys when I read about all that power. I know what they have to put up with to get it, and for 95% of any days ride I'll clean them like a fish on the boat dock! For that 5% when they have a STRAIT PIECE of road big enough to open that bitch up hey they beat me! Yippeee!! But wait till the road starts to turn left and right and sooner or later they all do and I'll see them later on.
The 12R is a work of art no matter if it's an "A" or "B" model. I've never owned a "B" but I do have my eye on an 05 right now. Maybe IT will change my mind about the Bs. In my humble opinion the 10R is about 1 notch ahead of the 12R in every way! It's a little small and somewhat twitchy but Kawasaki got that one completely right! As far as the new 14 goes Kawasaki built the right motorcycle for the task at hand. The 10R has every other base covered. They really needed a bike to cover the Busa and I believe they just released it. IT WILL SELL!!!!!!!!!!
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fish_antlers
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posted September 20, 2005 07:52 AM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 20 Sep 2005 08:53
Ent.... I didnt own a MVIII... I owned a Contintental.... 74... Black on Black with Black leather, 4 door, 24' long. It got about 8 mpg. Nice car though. I still have my favourite 8 track out of the glovebox... "The Sound of Stereo" ... has a couple of good tracks including "Fly Robin Fly"... also a good Chuck Mangione cassette as well... ah.. .those were the days... memorable moments included when PK and I drove it to San Francisco and navigated it down Lombard Street. Barely fit round the corners... people were scared and got out of the way.
but I digress...
gun.... my A model sucked.
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gunner
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posted September 20, 2005 11:16 AM
Sorry for your luck!!!!!!!!
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aughtsix
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posted September 20, 2005 12:10 PM
quote:
I didn't know that one, Entropy (have never had an A model, and didn't remember anyone saying that.) Important item to be cognizant of.
IIRC some of the early A's developed cracks in the tank where the fuel line comes out.
Kawi, bless their hearts, stepped up to the plate though and took care of it. Even replaced some entire tanks as I recall...
And those that didn't have a cracking problem they put a weight on to dampen the vibrations.
Again, IIRC...
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