H2 to ZX12
Needs a job
two stroke power
Posts: 3674
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posted June 17, 2007 06:54 AM
Ping Vincent Hill (or anyone with a ZRX1200)
Well since I saw the pics of Vince at MIR with his ZRX12 I've been wanting one, albeit a blue one (sorry Eddie L)
The only thing that concerns me is the lack of 6th gear. The last bike I had with a 5 speed was a Suzuki 1100 Katana and I was always looking for 6th gear and the ZX11 that follow filled that void nicely. So I ask, how do you like yours and is the 5 speed a problem? what about handling in the turns?
   
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chuck762
Novice Class
Posts: 47
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posted June 17, 2007 10:38 AM
The 5 gear on the ZRX 1200 is the same ratio as 6th gear on the 6 spped trannys.
You can install a ZX11D tranny but you end up only affecting the first 5 gears. While I sometimes catch myself looking for a 6th gear it really isn't needed. At 80 I am turning about 4500 rpms with stock gearing. I am runing a +2 in the rear right now so it is almost at 5000.
I really like my ZRX1200. It works really well in lower speed stuff and reminds me of riding a big dirt bike due to the seating position and bars. My ZX12 feels better in the higher speed stuff. Stock suspension on the ZRX is lacking a little but can be helped by tossing money at it like anything else The ZX does feel like it absorbs the bumps better with it upsetting the chassis less but it should since it had a rigid frame and better suspensiongoodies on it. Brakes are the same between the 2 right down to the master cylinder. It weights about the same as the ZX12 depending on whos scales you belive. A pipe andjet kit really wake it up in the middle and top end but it does loose a bit of low end but you won't miss it. One thing I really like on the ZX12 vs the ZRX is the fuel injection. So much easier to just push a button on the unit or downloading a map compared to throwing jets at it. They vibrate some in the 4 to 5500 range but so does the 12.
Wind potection on the ZRX is non existant so it can get tiring on long rides at highway speeds. One last ting is the trany shifts like a rock crusher but it is strong and holds up well. Good synthetic oil helps some as does the factory shift detent kit. It iwll never bee as smooth as the 12 but it can be improved.
Lots of ZZR122 and some ZX11 stuff fits the motor.
I won't be getting rid of my ZRX anytime soon.
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 17, 2007 04:09 PM
 Edited By: VincentHill on 17 Jun 2007 17:15
Good Questions! When I first got it Of course I was looking for 6th but after a while the sounds became "Normal" and No more problem. The Extra Torque of the 1100 vs the ZX12R make it very easy to deal with even using an 18 Tooth Front (They come with a 17) So put on an 18 and between the sounds and the 43 MPG you will not be complaining!
I would suggest the ZZX1200 cams and either the Big K&N Filter Mod or Pods and still use the side covers, because then with the new Step Hindle Pipe you will have over 160 Rear WHeel HP
Riding and Handling? I enjoy riding this bike like when I was 18 years Old! I will ride it when I would have never considered using the 12. I put on a larger Zero Gravity shield and gave it a road race cut and it feels "GOOD" on the Highway like a Naked Bike but with Wind Control. Between the Shield and the Handle Bars it is neat up to 140 or so. Now to Blow you away, I have the Rear SHocks set on position #1 on compression and rebound for the Best Bike Riding I have had in years!!!!!
I even like this for serious riding becasue it feels like the Old days of the Z-1 and KZ1000 wollowing in the turns if you were not smooth and over cooked the corner. Riding like this has made me very smooth again and for the first time today I "Considered" going to the #2 position on Rebound. The shocks are not like the Fish Oil Filled shocks we had back in the day and for stockers do a LOT Better job than you would imagine. Actually mine is an 1100, I did not want the 1200 because of the swingarm not looking like the S-1 Kawasaki Super Bike. Later I learned that the Rear wheel is off set to clear the larger rear tire and make the steering a little uneven for left and right turn on the 1200 vs the 1100
If I wanted a Blue ZRX, I would either get an all Black 1100 and be happy with that color or Swap the pieces with someone with a Blue 1200. I really think the 1100 is the better morotcycle. Also do not buy anyone newer than 03 because to keep the price down, Kawasaki put on a cheaper front fork that is not any where as good as the older ones (Read lacking in adjustments)!
Chuck looks like he put on Ferodo Brake Tech Rotors and Ohlins. After putting an Ohlins on the ZX12R (Went through 3 stock shocks where all of the rebound dampening was GONE!!!) I KNOW they are the best ever but you may not need to go that far! Take one for a ride, you will LOVE IT!
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chuck762
Novice Class
Posts: 47
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posted June 17, 2007 05:20 PM
I did have the brake tech iron rotors on it in 320mm with radial mount calipers but I didn't like that set up. The adapter brackets added a bunch of weight plus the funky noise I got from the brake area under hard braking. I would get a popping noise that never existed with the stock set up.which I think was the adapter bracket flexing.
I ended up going back to 310mm brake tech stainless rotors (hated the irons rusting while i was at work in the damp air) and nissin calipers since I screwed up and stold the stock tokickos off. oops
Hey, I had the same no rebound problem with my factory ZX12 shock. Found out going into a bumpy turn when I hit the bump under moderate braking and suddenly I was doing a stoppie through part of the turn. Not fun!!!!. I bought a Penkse shock for it after that. WOuld have got the Ohlins but found the new triple adjust Penkse for 600 on sale.
I went with the ohlins on my ZRX after running out of rebound damping after bumping up the preload to handle my weight. After doing the ohlins I ordered a race tech kit for the forks only to find out they were not rebuildable being an 04. They do have all the adjustments as the 03 and down but the cartridge is different. arghhhhhhhh cheap bastids!!! I bought a clean set of 03 forks of ebay and made most of the money back selling off my crap stockers.
Blue only came out in 03 so that covers the fork problem. 1100 and 1200 tanks have some sort of issue when trying to interchange them so they are not a direct swap. Takes some work but is doable. If I remember the rear tankbracket on the of the frame is slightly different.
I had plans of selling my ZRX after buying my ZX12 but that will not happen. I enjoy riding the ZRX more for normal riding. The 12 is fun but sometimes not till you get to the go directly to jail do not pass go speeds. The ZRX is fun for pretty much everything.
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H2 to ZX12
Needs a job
two stroke power
Posts: 3674
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posted June 17, 2007 05:40 PM
thanks chuck and vince. I enjoy riding my zx12 but it's gets tiresome after about an hour. I injured my shoulder about 6 weeks ago and couldn't ride the 12 four about a month. during that time I've been riding my wife's honda ascot which has an upright riding position and a joy to run around town on, and like vince said, it brought back all the memories of riding those standard jap bikes in the 70's and 80's. Now that my shoulder has healed, I find myself jumping on her bike daily to run errands because it's easy especially popping up and down off curbs parking by the front door of stores (once a courier always a courier........huh vince?). So I saw the picks of vince and zrx and the light bulb came on. I've started dropping clues to my wife that in order to go riding with her (she's taking the bike safety course this week) I really should get an old school (naked) bike, but keep the ninja for serious road work. An "03 blue zrx maybe coming home soon
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 18, 2007 04:59 AM
Just from your writtings I knew what you wanted to know and Chuck is ON THE MONEY 100% in everything he said! (I knew the fronts were cheaper and were not rebuildable). I had to use the stronger pin springs on my 330 Brake tech on my ZX11 because the Disc rattle bothered me more than I knew it would! Look at the bikes for sale on ZRXOA and post an ad there. There is a bone stock zrx1100 in ALexanderia for about $2,800 Last, the weight difference is not a lot but the ZRX "IS" a little heavier!
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oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted June 18, 2007 11:58 AM
ZRX's are cool!!!!!!!
Like Vincent, I've got a 12 and a ZRX & love them both.
Dan
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 18, 2007 12:23 PM
quote:
ZRX's are cool!!!!!!!
Like Vincent, I've got a 12 and a ZRX & love them both.
Dan
"B" Careful of this guy's ZRX, it is quicker than his 12 and he aint messing around in this turn either!!
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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dougmeyer
Needs a job
moderated
Posts: 2713
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posted June 18, 2007 01:52 PM
I LOVE riding ZRex's. Most of the time I'm positive I could be faster point to point on the street on that bike than anything else I ever ride. Stick some higher compression pistons in it and it is a wheelie monster.....
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madmike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted June 19, 2007 05:33 AM
I begged my brother to get a ZRex when he was looking at buying a 3500 bike last year... I told him Every single person I have ever spoke with about one Loved them!!! and had hardly any issues... Yep, he bought a 76 sportster??? nothing but problems, and I have worked on it more then my race bike, LOL... maybe he was adopted???
Hey Vince how about the next event we switch bikes for a couple of passes!!! I bet that thing is fun to launch like my R1...
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 19, 2007 09:30 AM
Edited By: VincentHill on 19 Jun 2007 13:08
quote:
I begged my brother to get a ZRex when he was looking at buying a 3500 bike last year... I told him Every single person I have ever spoke with about one Loved them!!! and had hardly any issues... Yep, he bought a 76 sportster??? nothing but problems, and I have worked on it more then my race bike, LOL... maybe he was adopted???
Hey Vince how about the next event we switch bikes for a couple of passes!!! I bet that thing is fun to launch like my R1...
MM. you NEVER have to ask to ride anything I own ever! Actually with the front end strapped lightly and the rear shock full soft and full rebound, I could leave kind of Hard and not feel like I thought I would be (A Unicycle). It was very easy to ride and control, ask Freek!
Man 0 Man, how could you have given your brother ANY better advice??? He would still be hugging you right now if he owned one! A detuned ZX11 engine with a clutch the ZX14 took and strong Chassie, Comfort and SPeed! The only reason I did not get one first is I wanted more SPEED!
http://zrxoa.org/forums//showthread.php?s=&postid=1918270&t=9708#post1918270
This one just sold for $5,500 with only 6,500 miles, 2003 and it was Blue!
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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madmike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted June 20, 2007 05:38 AM
there was a 99 in the paper the other day for 3500 obo... but my wife would frown on yet another bike in the garage... 
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 20, 2007 05:45 AM
I am betting that "IF" you got one and your Brother rode it, the Hardley would be GOOOONE and then it would be your Bro's bike and less time away from home working on the Hardley Ableson! Look at ZRXOA complete bikes and you may find something in your area!
I paid $3,500 for mine a 2000 with 11,000 miles and ZX11 Cams and Muzzy Pipe and Jet Kit!
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mrcengr
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted June 20, 2007 05:53 AM
Vince Hill ?!?!?!?!?!
You're not the same Vince Hill that had two white guys as a pit crew at Daytona saaaayyyyy about 1985 ???????
Your budzzzzzzzz.
Mike Cecchini
Bethesda.
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 20, 2007 08:13 AM
quote:
Vince Hill ?!?!?!?!?!
You're not the same Vince Hill that had two white guys as a pit crew at Daytona saaaayyyyy about 1985 ???????
Your budzzzzzzzz.
Mike Cecchini
Bethesda.
MIKE!! I still have the Fire Bottle!! DO you still have the H-1R? I know you have some Ducati's DId I answer your question??
Does this look like an Older Version of the same guy?
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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mrcengr
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted June 20, 2007 03:23 PM
Hiya Vince !!!
The H1R's went out the door right after I rode my first Ducati.  )
The Ducks have been procreating and now there's 6. Along with 4 CBX's, a 77 MV Agusta
http://www.mad-ducati.com/GalleryShow.php?SeqId=1&GalleryId=110
........and rather nice 74 Ducati Sport.
http://www.mad-ducati.com/GalleryShowTN.php?GalleryId=322
Good hearing from you buddy.
My best to you.
Mike
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madmike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted June 20, 2007 07:41 PM
http://www.mad-ducati.com/GalleryShow.php?SeqId=1&GalleryId=110
http://www.mad-ducati.com/GalleryShowTN.php?GalleryId=322
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 21, 2007 04:25 AM
You do not look a Day different!
Read here for the full article attached to that Picture!
http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/122_0444_200_mph_club/index.html
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mrcengr
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted June 21, 2007 04:54 AM
Edited By: frEEk on 21 Jun 2007 13:03
Yeah.....everyone says the same thing.
It's all the good living  )
But honestly, the man has been good to me.....and olive oil works......in salads.
So you're chasing speed records these days........eh ? Good on ya Vince.
At least it keeps you off the street corners.
I hope our paths cross a few more times before the sun goes down.
My very best to you buddy.
Mike
[snip]
anytime
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 21, 2007 12:19 PM
Did anyone notice my "MUZZY" Sticker on my bike? I have a Muzz Man fan so I put it in the correct place for that ! I thought that would also be good in case I won the ET Race but I would have needed his exhaust also and that has been long gone!
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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H2 to ZX12
Needs a job
two stroke power
Posts: 3674
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posted June 25, 2007 09:07 AM
check this ebay auction out "Kawabusa II"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/kawabusa-Hayabusa-ZRX-Street-Fighter-Bandit-1300_W0QQitemZ230145739879QQihZ013QQcategoryZ6719QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 25, 2007 09:30 AM
a bit much for me!
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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H2 to ZX12
Needs a job
two stroke power
Posts: 3674
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posted June 25, 2007 10:43 AM
me too, but pretty cool just the same. of course I'd prefer some air filters and a better paint scheme but you've got to give the guy credit, reminds me of a "Norvin"
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted June 25, 2007 02:20 PM
Now IF I had to have one, this is the one I would like to have!
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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H2 to ZX12
Needs a job
two stroke power
Posts: 3674
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posted June 25, 2007 02:26 PM
the guy built that one first, the ebay auction is Kawabusa II
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