90vtwin
Parking Attendant
Posts: 18
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posted October 04, 2003 08:21 PM
[Q]ZX12R or Yam FZ6 or Duc ST3 or FJR1300
Hi,
I just parted with my SV650S and joined this forum,
to solicit opinions on whether or not ZX12R is something
I would enjoy.
First, I am looking for the '04 model (not even
'03), I also do not think that with my riding
style I will use even 30% of the engine capability
this bike has. Even on my SV I am pretty much always
below 7K RPMs. I just go reasonably slow (not above
80-90 on higway and not above 60 in city) and never
race anyone (well... almost never)
I am basically looking at ZX12R simply because
I think it looks great, it has excellent brakes
(especially in '04), not as heavy
as FJR1300, more reliable than
ducati ( am sure, and does not require
$600 for every 6K miles valve tunap),
and more stable and 'sure' riding on a highway
then on my SVS (on my SVS I do not feel planted
at highway speeds and wind buffering, unless
I tuck behind in the 'sport-bend', is very very
disturbing -- my body is just floating in the air,
and that's with a taller Givin windshield)
I am commuting to work/school daily, city,not highways for about 20 minutes. I like to be able to go on a little
touring once in a while (once or twice a months)
for 50-100 miles.
I want to be able to have a passenger on the back
when touring (and I am over 220, so even with my
wife below 120, my SVS is somewhat hesitant on turns
and highways). And I want to have an option
of good hard bags (currently I kept givi bags from my SV)
I did lots of research on the web, I sat on the bike
(did not ride it). I think right from the dealership
I will have them install heili bars, frame sliders,
lower it by 1 inch (I am 5'9 and I like to flat
foot, they said
they can lower it by an inch without the speciall links
'dog bones')
I was somewhat disappointed that the bike did not even
come equipped with grab rails and was a bit low handle
bars than I would like (lower than on a VFR, but
higher than on a typical sportbike)
------------
So, I am looking for the ZX12R to be a comfortable
commuter and a lightweight tourier. Sort of an
a higher spec Ymaha FZ6/FZ1 with reminenceses of FJR1300
:-)
So what I want the opinion on, is the ZX12R out of all the
bikes I mentioned, something that will be
the best compromize for the above requirements
(and I do love the 'bragging rights' of the most
powerfull and controlable engine)
Also, I wanted to know the recommended make/model for best windshield and any other accessories that will make this bike more touring and passenger friendly
Thanks in advance
  
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted October 04, 2003 11:15 PM
by ur own description the power would probably be largely wasted, but even if u dont use all the power, the torque at cruising and commutter speeds is heavenly  if ur gonan do alot of city driving, i'd go 1 tooth down in teh front and 2 or 3 (or whatever) up in teh back, cause it's geared real high (or is that low?) stock. otherwise, altho it's undoubtedly nto the most practical commutter bike, given it's weight, overall size, and tendency to get real hot in traffic, it is a comfortable bike compared to the likes of the R1, zx6r, honda F4, etc. but inho not the most comfortable bike eighter, simply because the seat cause be a bit better. u may have a tricky time with the height of the bike too. it is rather tall, but shorter people than u have managed.
regarding 2up riding, a few members have installed their own grab handles or even a full backrest and lowered pillion pegs (search Vincent Hill's posts, very nice setup). cant comment on hard bags. only ones i know of are the corbin's which are hit & miss on style, and not as spacious as i'd like. havent seen anyone mount any others yet. but u can get good soft bags that work well, and a few members have racks installed above the pillion seat. again, do a search and u'll find some good info.
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entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
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posted October 05, 2003 03:49 AM
From the rather complete description of yr riding needs, I have trouble thinking of many bikes which would be worse for for you than the 12 (perhaps Duc's Mike Hailwood special is worse for yr purposes?).
Some here will certainly argue with me, and I LOVE my 12, but for your purposes, I wouldn't consider the 12 any further.... 
City riding?; a poor compromise at best.
1 up touring?; not bad, but MANY better. range & mileage? don't even ask...
Passenger? fuggetaboutit
Balls to the walls blitzing?, 1/4 mi? top end blasts? none better!!! 
There is a galaxy of choices for med weight cruisers out there, and pretty cheap. Have you looked at the cruisers?
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This moderator uses moderation in moderation
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Dino
Pro
Posts: 1422
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posted October 05, 2003 05:46 AM
I'd take a look at the zzr 1200. There are many other bikes out there that would suit your needs, but they aren't Kwaks.
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted October 05, 2003 07:29 AM
Yup. ZZR or FJR.
12 is no fun for a passenger (unless she is really short). If she's tall her knees will be in your armpits.
Range really sucks compared to the sport-touring models.
I don't think you'd be necessarily disappointed in the power of the ZZR or FJR, either.
For SOME city riding the 12R is much better than, say, a Gixxer.
But since you aren't looking to do back road bombing or high speed strafing perhaps a different motorcycle would better suit your needs. Although you can certianly equip a 12R to do those things, it's not as good at them as purpose built machines. And since your need for adrenaline isn't as high as many of the other members here it doesn't appear the necessary comprimises would be welcome.
Good luck and hope you are happy with your purchase.
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flite leader
Zone Head
Posts: 651
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posted October 05, 2003 10:56 PM
as an individual you might enjoy the 12r
its the most uncomfortable bike i own
yet i do like it & enjoy riding it
it does well what i bought it for.....flyin the mountains
i would not endeavor to do much 2 up riding with it tho
its extremely fast..... makes fast a multi sylable word
will have you walking around talkin to yourself
& so far very reliable approx 4800 miles
i too shopped around a lot
considered the yam 1300..... great bike
plenty of power....shaft drive.......factory bags
never heard anything bad about em
very different bike than the 12
simply couldnt get one
the 12 will eat up a lot of hiway.....im getting 38 mpg(worse 35mpg)
it is taut.....some bikes will give a better ride
& on the hi way it can be unforgiving after the 1st tank
(if only we could ride like in europe)
not a lot of room for storage
if you get a chance test ride what you can
for the type of riding you do
which will help you make a good decision
good luck
____________
bend your mind.....
or break your ass...!!
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted October 06, 2003 07:55 AM
I'm also 5'9" and 220. I love my 12R, but for your needs, you perfectly described ZZR or FJ... IMHO.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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Koz
Expert Class
Posts: 304
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posted October 07, 2003 03:29 AM
ZZR!
Koz
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted October 09, 2003 06:25 PM
ok I am gonna go out on a limb here....I bought my 12 for many of the same reasons that you are talking of...I wanted a do it all motorcycle, adn after looking for a very long time, i found the 12R....I waited for the B model bikes because I wanted the recent changes...the 04 is going to get Radial mounted calipers. I have a set of soft bags for my bike and have done weekend touring on it. Its a blast. I however dont ride 2 up, my wife has her own bike. I have installed a throttlemeister cruise control on it, and dropped a tooth in the front. It does everything I wanted. I will however someday have a Corbin seat.....there are bikes out there that do some things much better, but the 12R was the best all around package for me.....keep the SV, give it to her, get the 12R.....JMO
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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whatwasthat
Parking Attendant
Posts: 15
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posted October 10, 2003 09:11 PM
I got mine for the power without a whole lot of cornering expectations or commuting desires. I found that it corners as well as I do but it is not good for commuting. I expect getting an FJR next year. I was planning on selling my 12R to get it but have fallen in love with the 12 with or without its shortcomings.
Sorry that doesn't probably help but it is what I found for me.
List:
FJR 1300
ZZR1200
FZ1
VFR
ZRX1200
ST1300/1100
Bandit 1200
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Blow me up Tom!
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90vtwin
Parking Attendant
Posts: 18
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posted October 11, 2003 07:03 PM
Thanks guys for all your comments.
Since I am in FL, hot engine, short city commutes, heavy bike,
expensive insurance (although here we are not required to have
any insurance on a bike): all those things will make the zx12r even less attractive
It looks like if
if do get zx12r it will an emotional buy, not 'cold-headed thinking'
most likely I will get FZ6 and just TCP fairings for it once they become
available.
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k bryant
Needs a job
Sponsor
Posts: 2911
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posted October 11, 2003 08:01 PM
Wow! That's one heck of a change from looking at a ZX12. But then again, it's a smarter move since you're coming from a SV650. Overall, you'll probably enjoy it much more for what your overall riding mode looks like. Smart move.
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zxfingyz
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted October 14, 2003 09:15 AM
First, I am looking for the '04 model (not even
'03), I also do not think that with my riding
style I will use even 30% of the engine capability
this bike has.
That will last about 2 weeks. For some reason 95 MPH just seems like a reasonable cruising speed to me after having owned the bike for a summer.
The thing I like about the 12r for commuting is that it cuts the time spent commuting way down. Way down.
To other folks that might not be a good thing.
I might consider one of the naked big bore choices as well. Better for leaving parked where you can't see it and very 1 up friendly too from what I read in the mags. The Yamaha FZ1 scored real high second only to BMW.
And if you are an engineering student isn't there some sort of rule that says you HAVE to ride a BMW?
I thought I would tour alot too with the zx12 but it just aint happening. With the bar position my girlfriend is plastered to my back sometimes even choosing to put her hands on the tank. It wouldn't be too many miles for me to be like " Uh...I know your Darryl Hannah and realize your naked but my wrists are getting sore. Maybe I can come back and pick you up later?"
If I had to do it over again I would buy a newer zx12 or maybe I would buy the FZ 1 or the FJ 1300 or maybe the GSXR-1000 or maybe...
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