posted January 01, 2004 02:49 PM
ZX12 Differences I am looking to buy a used ZX12 and would like to know the major differences between the model years. I found only one article that compared the 2001 and 2002 models and the mag stated that the 2002 had a higher windscreen, lower bars and better mid-range. I intend to keep the bike basically stock.
Any help, advice and experience on this appreciated.
posted January 01, 2004 03:24 PM
The newer ones have all sorts of improvements to suspension settings, seating, aerodynamics, and so forth. In addition, inner fairing panels cover up the visible wiring guts, etc. of the original. The new 2004 has another set of improvements on top of those.
Most magazine reviews praised the 2002 and 2003 models for "fixing" the few problems of the original. However...
One of the problems with the original was a snatch in the fuel injection mapping. However, mine has a full Akrapovich and a Power Commander, so that takes care of that.
In addition, and I may very well be alone in this, I prefer the look of the original. The somewhat crude and "out there" air scoop looks too cool to me, and I like the unfinished cockpit. I think the rough edges are part of the personaity of the bike.
Any of them have WAY more performance than anyone can possibly use, certainly a chubby old fart like me, so making a selection based on personal issues of appearance and style is not entirely stupid.
A clean used ZX12R with a pipe and a Power Commander is (I think) the most outrageous performance machine for the dollar available - ever - in the history of wheeled vehicles.
Of course, the 2004 is going to be incredibly cool, so...
posted January 01, 2004 03:34 PM
Most important.... If you are not on a Busa you must be behind one
..nothing but luv for the 12's
____________
Cleveland Rydin Unit
posted January 01, 2004 04:21 PM
Go with the 2002 models if you can. I liked the 2000s too, but the 02s and newer are abit stronger in stock form and dont need any fixes.
If you werent going to do anything to it.. Id say just buy some BMC or K&N filters for it at the very least. Occassionally there are deals here and Ebay for full exhaust systems for under $500 delivered.
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
posted January 01, 2004 05:52 PM
I am partial to the 2002 model because I have one, but if I were in the market for a ZX12R right now, I would have to either buy a new 2004 model, or wait and buy a used 2004. In my opinion anyone that rides a ZX12R in the manner in which it was intended will realize the value of the new radial brakes on the 04 models. I have radial brakes on my ZX6RR and fell in love with them the first time I used them, and I think they would be fantastic on the 12. That being said I have been thinking about trading my 02 model in on a 04, after the 05's come out. I think I will be able to find a good new 04 at a good price, once they release the 05's.
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
posted January 01, 2004 06:54 PM
The 2000 was the only one that is fully unrestricted in stock form, no governor. 2002 brought about Kawi's claim of like 120 new changes/improvements, but I think the 2002's and up are a lot better then before. Smoother ride, better styling (in my opinion).
The 2003 stayed the same, except note the swingarm is now black and the bottom part of the fairing is color matched, no longer black.
The 2004's I believe have a few improvements, including something with the fuel injection system. The blue from the 2004's are all blue, no black either on the bottom of the fairing like in my 2002 model.
Dino mentioned something about the steering seemed tighter on the 02 compared to his earlier model. We havent figured that out yet though.
posted January 01, 2004 06:55 PM
Dont the 2000 12's have the speedo showing up to 200mph? And everything after has just 190mph? Can anyone confirm this?
posted January 01, 2004 07:29 PM
2000s have the 220 speedo...and guess what??? They just happen to plug right into the 2001-2003 models.
As far as "restriction"... well thats at top speed which can be fixed with a Yellowbox for $100 or a Muzzy Bonnie box for $80.
The 2002 is a better bike in terms of drivability and finish. THe only flaw I see with the 2002s is the lack of paint on the swingarm. But I guess Kawi had to improve on something for 03.. eh? ____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
posted January 02, 2004 05:23 AM
I don't think the improvements are numerous enuf to consider trading up my 00'....
____________
Enjoy the ride!
02' ZRX1200
00' ZX12R sold
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
posted January 02, 2004 05:47 AM
i have ridden some very nice A model bikes, one of which is Rodgers, I know Rodger did a lot of work to that bike, but after i rode it I knew why he was a fast as he is, man does that bike fly. I am not taking anything away from Rodgers abilityies here, cause ya would have to be one helluva rider to go as fast as he does.....I am guessing ehre but that bike has got to put 200+ hp to the ground, and atleast 110 ft lbs of torque. Its not stock, but its a really good example of how nice an A model bike can handle....my opinion, if I were highway cruising I would prolly take an A model bike, but if ya like the twisties, go with a B model bike...
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
posted January 02, 2004 09:03 AM
Just like the White with blue trim 1969 H-1 500, 1972 Blue H-2 750, 1973 Maroon Z-1- 900, 1979 Black 1000 LTD, & 1979 Light Blue Z1R 1000 1982 Red GPZ FI 1000 1983 Red GPZ 1100, 1984 900 Ninja, 1986 Black 1000 ninja, 1987 Red ZX10, and finally the 1990 Black ZX11 Ninja. Prior to the Green ZX12R, all of the bikes had one thing in common! They were all the first of a breed! Every bike after them was always more Civilized, Refinned, Smoother in power and ride and usually a little slower!
Because of the history of Kawasaki, If I had it all to do over again, I would still get a new 2000 ZX12R! There are still a few around or very low mileage! I other than the recall for the gas tank vibration and wires leaking, that has been about it!
____________
Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
posted January 02, 2004 10:50 AM
I have read that the 2000 year had some issue with the clutch basket not getting oil, etc. Has all of this been fixed and updated on the 2000 models? Was this fix applied automatically to the 2001 and later bikes?
posted January 02, 2004 01:16 PM
You can modify the clutch hub itself for more oiling, but that wont fix the weak clutch basket. No way other than to replace it with a billet basket.
posted January 02, 2004 01:32 PM
Muzzy Hub and Billet Basket easy fix!
I actually prefer the looks of the 2000 over the new model! I was really sad when they changed it! I would like to get a new model but if I was to buy one I would look around for another 2000 I believe. and anyone I have ever let ride my bike, came back and all they could say was Oh my god! of course I do not do the twisties very much!
Mad Mike.
____________
200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
posted January 02, 2004 01:45 PM
Mike I tell ya what, Rodger( I dont remember his board name on here) has one of the strongest 12's I have ever ridden, if not the strongerst. and he will run twisties with the best of them. He and Lucky would check out on most of us at DGVI. he would run the dog shit out of that bike, he and Lucky both. I never rode Lucky's bike but you can tell its a brute as well....
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
posted January 02, 2004 03:26 PM
IMHO, the "clutch problems" of the '00 model only applies if you do even an occasional hard launch (i.e drag/street racing or a lot of wheelies). Not to say that one would HAVE to do one of these actions to get a clutch basket to fail, but if one did neither, it would, in almost all cases, not be a problem. I have over 48,000 miles on my OEM basket and have had no problems. Keep in mind, I also have never done a single seriously hard launch either.
If I were to chose between an A model ('00-'01) versus a B model ('02-'04), I'd probably take a B model over the A. Even after extensive modifications to my A model's suspension and geometery (7R swingarm, RaceTech fork springs, 180/55 rear tire, etc.), it's just now getting to where it handles better than a B model... and that's just SLIGHTLY better.
Though the A models might feel "brutish" in their power delivery, the heavier flywheel on the B model makes the delivery of that power seem smoother. Both will produce basically the same amout of HP and torque with similar mods (pipe, PCIII, filters, etc.).
There are several other "little details" that might not seem like much, but do really make a difference. The oval throttle pulley on the B models is just one example. The majority of us A model owners have long singe grown used to our round pulley, but once you feel the ease of rolling on with an oval pulley, it just make us wish we had one (can't buy it seperate from the throttle body assembly).
It still boils down to what your riding style and road preferences are. Both are great in 95% of all riding applications. The A model seems like it's better off the line in street/drag racing and the B model seems to handle better in the serious twisties. Still, the differences are so minor, one would have to be rather serious about where and how they ride to notice any major differences.
Of course, in both a street race or the serious twisties... I'm usually so far behind the rest of the pack, even a JATO wouldn't help me.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
posted January 03, 2004 06:32 AM
RedElk also said it! The First of a line Kawasaki's are more Raw Un-refined Bruts. All of the bikes after them are smoother more refined & civilized!
____________
Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
posted January 03, 2004 07:51 AM
Im thinking of buying a hyperpro spring kit to make my model A more smoth in the curves. And I will put a 190 rear tire.
Any recomendations in the handling deparment.(I dont have the money for a ohlins)
I put a muzzy lowering link in the short and lower the front and the bike, and the bike handles way better. And I use the inside of my knee to push the bike and It realy helps.
posted January 04, 2004 10:30 PM
Marcos,use Pirelli supercorsa tire (190/50) for better handling. Don't go to a 180/55(they are "skitterish") when hard on the power,keeled over slightly.
____________
A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK TO A BLIND HORSE
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
posted January 05, 2004 01:23 AM
I've installed RaceTech fork springs and swaped the swingarm for one off a 7R. The swingarm and all the bearings, etc. was less than $250. The fork springs and oil was around $115. I recharged the rear shock to 200 psi. a note about recharging shock... make sure whoever charges it has a needle. The 12R shock doesn't have a Schreader valve.
Used to swear by Pilot Sports (120/65 or 70 & 180/55), but after putting the 7R arm on, I preferred Diablo Corsas (can't afford Super Corsas), Still, the most important thing you can do is to set your sag before making any adjustments to your suspension. If you change springs, fork oil, shock nitrogen or even tires, you'll need to check and possibly reset your sag.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
HOME
NEW TOPIC
posted January 01, 2004 02:49 PM
posted January 01, 2004 03:24 PM
