muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
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posted March 14, 2007 03:14 PM
ZX12R PURPOSE
What was the original purpose of the ZX12R, besides competing with the Busa? Was it ever used in super bike racing? If so, how well did it do?
  
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shiphteey
Needs a job
Posts: 2529
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posted March 14, 2007 04:24 PM
Its purpose was to be the baddest sportbike out.....do everything well....and one thing better than all. It succeeded.
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harryzx-12
Needs a job
Posts: 3643
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posted March 14, 2007 05:03 PM
I have had my first zx-12 since march 23 ,2000 and i still love it every time i ride it!
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H2 to ZX12
Needs a job
two stroke power
Posts: 3674
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posted March 14, 2007 05:19 PM
I waited along time to get a 12R. I bought a new zx9r in '99 and I was disappointed in the flat spot a 3100 revs. I thought the headlights on the 12 looked like alien eyes or something, but then the busa came out and the 12 looked a lot better. Now I wouldn't change a thing. I wonder if I'll ever accept the zx14's looks
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twista
Zone Head
" Get up, and Stay up ! "
Posts: 797
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posted March 14, 2007 06:23 PM
after i got rid of my GSXR 11,, and then the 99 bikes came out,, in 2000 i used to go and drool at the dealership,, up and down boulder highway sit on the busa and then the 12r,, back and forth,,ta da guess what i got!
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blitzkrieg
Needs a job
Road kill = Free lunch.
Posts: 2044
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posted March 14, 2007 06:47 PM
If you have to ask, you don't understand.
I'll quantifiy that with IF I wanted to get rid of and replace my A1 it would be a 5 minute phone call.
Ain't going to happen. 
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muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
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posted March 14, 2007 06:59 PM
If I have to ask, I don't understand. Give me a break. As an 05 ZX12 owner I would like to know what Kawasaki's intended purpose for the bike was! I know it was brought out to compete with the Busa, but was it ever used in super bike racing? If so was it competitive and how did it do?
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted March 14, 2007 07:06 PM
No way I could get rid of my bike I remember putting my name on the list #2 and I put my deposit down in June of 99... and then the day I picked her up... Wow what a day! never forget it...
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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dougmeyer
Needs a job
moderated
Posts: 2713
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posted March 14, 2007 09:13 PM
The 12 was supposed to be the motorcycle equivalent of a Supercar. The most hp, providing the highest top speed, the fastest acceleration, and a chassis and brakes that provide comfort and safety at speed. It was never intended to be a "race" bike, just a "state of the (then) art" "Sport" motorcycle. It is that.
It can obviously be a platform for drag racing or track days when properly set up. It's too heavy to be a competitive road racer.
How's that?
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muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
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posted March 14, 2007 09:17 PM
That's what I wanted to know. So the 10 is Kaw's liter race bike.
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shiphteey
Needs a job
Posts: 2529
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posted March 15, 2007 08:02 AM
Right....but as far as marketing, the Busa more closely resembles the ZZR 1200 in feel and ergos, and aim. Yes the busa is way quicker than the 130 HP zzr....but the ZZR is more inline with the GSX (Katana based) bikes including the Busa. The busa is NOT a gsxr, its a gsx-1300 r....whereas the zx12r is a true sportbike from design.
If it wanted to compete against the Busa Kaw could have made it similar to the Busa....longer than the zx12....lower.....twin spar frame. But they chose to go with a taller bike with a shorter wheelbase that could out accelerate, brake and corner the Busa.
As a platform you spend 2x as much as the Busa trying to lengthen it, lower it, get better aeros, turboing, etc but you stand out from the crowd....The busa is as common as the honda civic!
A.
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thekaz
Needs a job
spell chequer is bustimicated
Posts: 2909
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posted March 15, 2007 10:17 AM
 Edited By: thekaz on 15 Mar 2007 11:20
I liken the ZX12R to the car that mad max had in that its sole purepose was to dominate the highways without question....
It was never been based on a racing model becuase well most bike owners know that raceing has been all about the one liter since the death of the two-stroker GP bikes
OMG I miss the strokers 
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 15, 2007 08:13 PM
great thread about the history of Kawi bikes 
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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zx12mark
Pro
Posts: 1654
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posted March 17, 2007 09:10 AM
the zx12r is a hot rod motorcycle from the factory.
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted March 17, 2007 12:40 PM
...good for endurance racing?
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WARBIRD
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted March 18, 2007 09:09 AM
Great for sport touring..................... 
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WARBIRD
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted March 18, 2007 09:10 AM
I think it was designed to be WAY better looking than the Busa...................................... 
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted March 18, 2007 09:13 AM
quote:
I think it was designed to be WAY better looking than the Busa......................................
So was the Pontiac Aztec...lol
Personally, I like the looks of the Busa. It's not "pretty" per se...but form follows function, to me.
I own an '02 12R....and I love the bike....just to put things in perspective.
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shiphteey
Needs a job
Posts: 2529
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posted March 18, 2007 03:46 PM
Shane you sell out, sell your 12 and go buy a Busa then....you are a disgrace to the 12 community.....1/2 hearted runs and mediocre performance....go on.....sell the 12.....you love the Busa so damn much go buy one and come back to the strip to receive your requisite lashings by the 12....
You make me SICK!
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 18, 2007 06:24 PM
I like 'em all, ZX12 included, although these are the two ugly mo-fo's I ride:
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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WARBIRD
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted March 21, 2007 06:58 PM
quote:
quote:
I think it was designed to be WAY better looking than the Busa......................................
So was the Pontiac Aztec...lol
Personally, I like the looks of the Busa. It's not "pretty" per se...but form follows function, to me.
I own an '02 12R....and I love the bike....just to put things in perspective.
I own 2, 00 ZX12's and sold my 2000 Busa. Bought all brand new and did many comparo's...............lot's of times back to back.........
My Busa was very nice and I liked it.........but i like the 12 much better.
.
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psycho1122
Pro
Posts: 1608
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posted March 21, 2007 08:07 PM
I like my 2000 12 because it is the "Do All" bike.
Canyon Carver, Track Day (Lot's of work), Hyper Tourer, Top Speed, Drag Race, Comfortable Tourer. With my simple piston kit and Race Tech suspention, well.....It's a hard overall package to beat!!
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted March 22, 2007 08:02 AM
Steve, you sure have a good looking pipe Worm Hole siad it because there were several entered in the 24 hours of Le Manns and were untouchable on the Straights!
After my 12 and nothing to me was better, I took a step Back and got the ZRX to enjoy the Sceinery with close to 150 HP on Tap!
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Megabyte
Pro
Posts: 1047
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posted March 22, 2007 10:36 AM
+ it's good looking, which is something I can't say for the other bikes in its class
quote:
I like my 2000 12 because it is the "Do All" bike.
Canyon Carver, Track Day (Lot's of work), Hyper Tourer, Top Speed, Drag Race, Comfortable Tourer. With my simple piston kit and Race Tech suspention, well.....It's a hard overall package to beat!!
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thekaz
Needs a job
spell chequer is bustimicated
Posts: 2909
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posted March 22, 2007 10:44 AM
quote:
I like my 2000 12 because it is the "Do All" bike.
Canyon Carver, Track Day (Lot's of work), Hyper Tourer, Top Speed, Drag Race, Comfortable Tourer. With my simple piston kit and Race Tech suspention, well.....It's a hard overall package to beat!!
we forgot chic magnet :P
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