marco383
Expert Class
Posts: 145
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posted February 21, 2006 10:03 AM
Buying a used 12R
Well, after putting my name on the list for a ZX14, I've decided that the new bike is just too UGLY, and I'd rather have a good, used 12R and some mods. Recalling Kawi's extended break-in period for the 12R, I'm a little worried about buying a bike that may have been thrashed from day one. Are there any specific things that I should look for, other than the obvious signs of crashes, stretched chains, etc?
Thanks!
  
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eastbaydave
Needs a job
Posts: 2245
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posted February 21, 2006 10:43 AM
http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=3&TID=20603
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Enjoy the ride!
02' ZRX1200
00' ZX12R sold
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ninja12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
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posted February 21, 2006 10:55 AM
Stock clutch basket would probably say it's not been abused to badly.
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted February 21, 2006 11:05 AM
quote:
Stock clutch basket would probably say it's not been abused to badly.
I agree with that totally...
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Megabyte
Pro
Posts: 1047
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posted February 21, 2006 12:44 PM
Buy a 12, add a stroker kit, and look back only to see had badly you're beating the competition 
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We First make our habits and then our habits make us.
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marco383
Expert Class
Posts: 145
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posted February 21, 2006 01:19 PM
About stroker kits and such: anybody know of a reliable shop in or near Atlanta for mild mod work? I've left a couple of messages at Lee's Performance (Charlotte, NC) and he's apparently too busy to call back.
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12r1
Expert Class
Posts: 390
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posted February 21, 2006 01:31 PM
Mine still has the stock basket...guess i don't run it hard enough! lol
I would'nt hesitate on buying a decently maintained 12 at all. I bought mine new in Nov '00, broke it in by the book, rode the f outta it a couple years, totalled it pretty hard/ bought back rebuilt and it still treats me very well. Even the stock battery is in it. I truely cannot say enough good things about it. I'm actually nervous that the next bike I buy new won't be as good.
jeff
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ninja12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
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posted February 21, 2006 02:52 PM
12r1,
I bet you have had a blast riding your 12.
Riding the F out of a bike means different things to different people.
If you were riding curves, you can't hurt the engine without overreving,
and if you do damage it don't take long to show. Crashing is another story
either you fix it or you patch it. If it's fixed right ride on.
Drag racing will wear lots of parts, sprockets, chains, clutch baskets, and engine
parts faster.
I buy used 90% of the time, my method is to ride/drive the bike/car
listen for noise feel for vibration. Punch it a few times make sure it pulls
as it should go thru the gears. release the bars to see how the bike tracks.
IF It has no visual damage, no noise, rides good , and handles good, buy it.
Use has little bearing on how well it will serve you.
Think about company trucks that work hard 6 days a week in bad conditions that last 200K before they sell them off. Think how few people would have wanted that work truck at
100K miles.
It's very hard to hide damage to todays bikes, if they're not right it shows.
If the trans is bad one quick run thru the gears and you know. Noisey motor is a no no.
Madmike and Karl both have raced the F out of their bikes, I would buy either if i was in the market. They both have problably done more good than bad to their bikes. Service is key.
good luck.
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Marcos Peguero
Zone Head
Posts: 568
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posted February 21, 2006 05:24 PM
The best is to buy a bike a friends that loves the bike, usualy has moods on it and nnice price, anyway the zx14r is nice bike.
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Ozzy
Needs a job
need guberment cheese
Posts: 3172
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posted February 21, 2006 06:17 PM
I suggest you see Dave at Precision Cycle Works in Atlanta. Tell him Ozzy sent ya.
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Marcos Peguero
Zone Head
Posts: 568
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posted February 22, 2006 04:04 AM
The stroker idea is 2 for fr my taste, I suggest a 1270 kit, epoxy ported head, maybe cams.
and your done.
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marco383
Expert Class
Posts: 145
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posted February 22, 2006 09:40 AM
Ozzy:
Thanks for the tip. I spoke to Dave at Precision, and he sounds like the man for the job. BTW, he does not recommend the stroker crank for a street bike, but believes that a 1270 with good heads, etc. can make 190+ RWHP. Enuf for me.
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Marcos Peguero
Zone Head
Posts: 568
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posted February 22, 2006 09:52 AM
I have several pics. of a 1270cc with smaller intake ports, that look nice.
I have a stock bore, smaller ports head that makes nice power.
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Megabyte
Pro
Posts: 1047
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posted February 22, 2006 02:37 PM
IMHO, If you're running reasonable compression, the stroker is great on the street and on the track. I have been very happy with mine I did install a manual fan switch to over come the hard starting when hot issue. That's the only problem I've seen or am aware of....
quote:
Ozzy:
Thanks for the tip. I spoke to Dave at Precision, and he sounds like the man for the job. BTW, he does not recommend the stroker crank for a street bike, but believes that a 1270 with good heads, etc. can make 190+ RWHP. Enuf for me.
____________
We First make our habits and then our habits make us.
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Ozzy
Needs a job
need guberment cheese
Posts: 3172
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posted February 23, 2006 06:34 PM
quote:
Ozzy:
Thanks for the tip. I spoke to Dave at Precision, and he sounds like the man for the job. BTW, he does not recommend the stroker crank for a street bike, but believes that a 1270 with good heads, etc. can make 190+ RWHP. Enuf for me.
Drop by his shop and check it out. Dave keeps it clean, no REAL clean!
He is a fanatic about doing it right or not doing it at all.
I know he has3 ZX12R turbo projects scheduled for this spring, so If your serious, get on the list now .
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted February 24, 2006 03:57 AM
You can get over 180 HP From the stock Engine and most 1270's get about 180 SAE HP Try to find a clean 2000 or 2002 After that, they are all about the same until you get to 2005 with the USD Forks and 2 butterflys in the the Throttle Bodies (Maybe the 2004 is when this started but 2003 was not much of a change over 2002 and the 2001 has too many that year only parts and restricted
____________
Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted February 24, 2006 05:18 PM
If you can't get at least 190 hp from a 1270, there's something wrong.
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12r1
Expert Class
Posts: 390
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posted February 25, 2006 08:04 AM
 Edited By: 12r1 on 25 Feb 2006 08:08
quote:
12r1,
I bet you have had a blast riding your 12.
Riding the F out of a bike means different things to different people.
If you were riding curves, you can't hurt the engine without overreving,
and if you do damage it don't take long to show. Crashing is another story
either you fix it or you patch it. If it's fixed right ride on.
Drag racing will wear lots of parts, sprockets, chains, clutch baskets, and engine
parts faster.
I buy used 90% of the time, my method is to ride/drive the bike/car
listen for noise feel for vibration. Punch it a few times make sure it pulls
as it should go thru the gears. release the bars to see how the bike tracks.
IF It has no visual damage, no noise, rides good , and handles good, buy it.
Use has little bearing on how well it will serve you.
Think about company trucks that work hard 6 days a week in bad conditions that last 200K before they sell them off. Think how few people would have wanted that work truck at
100K miles.
It's very hard to hide damage to todays bikes, if they're not right it shows.
If the trans is bad one quick run thru the gears and you know. Noisey motor is a no no.
Madmike and Karl both have raced the F out of their bikes, I would buy either if i was in the market. They both have problably done more good than bad to their bikes. Service is key.
good luck.
Most bikes that are bought are never used how they were meant to be used. Most see 20k on a bike, and they think it's high mileage.
I ride lots of fast mountainous twisty stuff, many, many WFO up through the gears. Consistant draggin' will pound the crap out of a bike for sure. I've never been to the strip, only playin' with friends. By "ride the f out of it" I did'nt mean misuse or abuse, stunnin', etc. Don't have to break stuff to ride hard.
I've gone through countless tires in only 30k, no big burnouts or anything. Quite a contrast to those who say they get 2-3k from a tire. When I ride "easy", I may get 1500.
<<------------------------------That's me, last year at Pocono, blasting out of a turn.
jeff
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12r1
Expert Class
Posts: 390
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posted February 25, 2006 08:13 AM
Ninja12, a person like yourself would get a screaming deal on a bike like mine. Very realistic view on the subject. Mine is just as you describe. Smooth and strong. That's why I don't care if it ever sells. I have such a history with it, like an old friend.
jeff
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