Kawasaki ZX12R First Impressions.

Have managed to get hold of a 2005 ZX12R that was a none runner and had not been started for 2 1/2 years it is now ready to rock and roll. This video shows me talking about the bike and also a ride I had on it today. You will notice I cant keep smiling whilst talking about the bike. That tells you how I feel about it.

[@b_the_lone_wolf]

Great collection of Kawasaki weapons!

[@MichaelZZRrider]

Thanks mate. Big K through and through.

[@sorendk1]

It´s the confidence the bike gives you, and the feeling of superiority to anything you meet on the road, that makes the ZX12R such an amazing bike to ride 🥰 It´s just so powerful, planted and smooth, and in the same time you have that little whisper in the back of your mind, telling you all you have to do is twist that throttle a little bit and POW... Off you go!! 😁🤩 I´ve been riding a lot of big Kawasakis, from the late 70´s z1000, mid 80´s Gpz1000RX, mid 2000´s ZRX1200, to my latest one, a ZX10R from 2010 I sold 2y ago because I´m getting to old for these asphalt-rockets :D But the ZX12-R will forever be my favorite.

[@sorendk1]

Btw. if your fuel-cut/stutter problems doesnt go away when you get the bike back, maybe this article can help (I cant make a link here, but you should be able to find the page) ivansperformanceproducts DOT com SLASH fce DOT htm

[@ipedelacruz]

Beautiful.

[@grego10r]

2 weeks ago i got my self 2003 zx12r 9k miles in mint con like brendnew it was my 1st bike 22 years a go got it again lol

[@MichaelZZRrider]

Sounds great mate. Have fun. 🙂

[@alcapone6946]

Wow. I've definitely been away from KZbin for a while! Turn my back for 5 mins and along comes a ZX12R! Awesome bike and great video as always! My 11 is still being rebuilt but I got a new job last August and been really busy ever since...so just getting back to it all now. The weather has been crap this summer in Scotland so I haven't lost out. I'm on A/L for 2 weeks and off to hand over the cash for my next bike tomorrow. A gen 2 1400. Dark blue. 5k miles. Will need to get rid of the standard exhaust cans though as it's not a PS model. Looks like the moon and the stars have lined up nicely for some late summer sunny weather here in the next week or so! Finally.... 😅 Thanks for keeping us green-blooded junkies entertained as always!

[@MichaelZZRrider]

Hi mate. Great to hear things are getting back on track! Good luck with the 11 and you will also love the 14. I just posted a video of me having a little fun on my 14R.

[@alcapone6946]

It was a rainy day yesterday for a test ride but it did still put a big smile on my face. Pegs are higher up and my heavy textile trousers made for an uncomfortable first ride as they were not for budging or stretching at all and it was difficult to prise my feet off the pegs at lights and junctions. I got used to it after a couple miles in traffic. I can see why people add bar raising kits and lowering sets for footpegs but I'll see how i get on in standard trim first. In the deal got new tyres, new sprockets and chain and asked them to replace the front wheel bearings as they were a bit noisy. 6 stamps in the book since new and only 5k on the clock. 2013 model. Glad i got this before the ZX12R as who knows what laws will emerge in the UK in the next few years. Wanted to experience the ZZR1400 for a while before anything changes. 😊

[@MichaelZZRrider]

@@alcapone6946 Enjoy mate. You might struggle to get it out of first gear in the UK Ha! Ha!

[@samh3145]

Thanks for doing the comparison, ZZR11 I love, ZZR14 too fugly for my taste, ZX12 in my targets (was worried it was too leant forward)

[@MichaelZZRrider]

Hi mate, I find it OK but everyone is different.

[@OldBarnWorkshop]

I have an early ZX, I have been told that they are a little rough on the fuel map around the 6000 ish rpm range. Mine can get stuttery if I try to cruise around 6000 rpm, great if I am on the gas but as you say, that roll on can be a bit hit and miss. Did the tune up you had done cure yours? Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@MichaelZZRrider]

Hi mate, the earlier A models apparently have a less smooth throttle response. The B's should not. I think mine was just in need of a fine tune however, I did not get a chance to find out. When I took the bike to the tuner I asked him to have a listen to a barely discernible rumble I had heard in the engine. Turns out it is a Con Rod bearing. Engine is now stripped and waiting for spares.

[@l8ton803]

Did you get the stutter sorted & if so what was it? When I first picked mine up it had an annoying stutter, I ended up balancing the throttle bodies and it runs lovely now. I've had my 12r for about 2 years & it still gives me a massive smile everytime I go out on it.

[@MichaelZZRrider]

Hi mate, I did not get a chance to find out. When I took the bike to the tuner I asked him to have a listen to a barely discernible rumble I had heard in the engine. Turns out it is a Con Rod bearing. Engine is now stripped and waiting for spares.

[@l8ton803]

@MichaelZZRrider hopefully you have found that before too much damage has been done. As you have a zzr1400/zx14r as well, how much faster is the zzr1400/zx14r to the zx12r overall? I have been considering looking at a gen1 zzr1400 as well as keeping my zx12r if I am lucky enough

[@MichaelZZRrider]

@@l8ton803 Hi mate, In regard to the relative performance, the book figures are that the 14R is a few tenths faster on acceleration. That, of course, depends on the rider. If I had to make a seat of the pants comparison, I would say that the 14R has more initial snap and greater torque. I dont really think there is a great deal of difference. The thing with the 14R is that the power seems endless. If you are getting a ZX14 I would strongly suggest getting the Gen 2 14R. It is a better machine all round than the Gen 1.

[@martinwellsted4922]

Fortunately I'm even luckier as I've a zx10r zzr1100 zx12r and a zzr1400

[@MichaelZZRrider]

Ha! Ha! Good for you mate. The three will do me. 🙂

[@gormanspacemarine]