Kawasaki ZZR 1200 Hyperbike Review & Test Ride by Joe Average

[@Arakiel085]

I like your review of this bike. Im a happy owner of ZZR 1200, year 2003 and this is really a mighty machine!!

[@advent35]

Thank you for saying this, I have a 2005 and my mechanic calls it "scary fast", daily ride bike to work.

[@WEGGYZZR]

Just sold a crackin zx12r due to lower back trouble and now after owning a zzr 1100 d5 a few years back ive now got a 12000 mile zzr1200 to compliment my bandit 1200 streetfighter and i have to say that the comfort and the power is absolutely spot on for fast distance travelling...It can also hoon on b roads which is a bonus.. Chuffed to bits with it.

[@pavolmurarik6432]

Nice review, I had a pristine gsx1250fa and bought a 2002 for a resale as the guy was selling it cheap. It had 55 000 km and thought "Ill ride it for few days and sell it" .. Suzuki had to go, and I was very happy with it, but ZZR was just in another category, it has a character and raw power.

[@williammunro3460]

How much more powerful would you say it is over the FA, my first ride on my zzr will be in 2 days

[@reetabratabhattacharya4748]

I own a 2005 ZZR 1200, probably the last year of it's manufacture. It's a pleasure to ride it on a regular basis in Oman. It's probably the only one in GCC, haven't come across another owner

[@MegaBlackbird1100xx]

I`ve owned the blackbird and the zzr . I personally preferred the zzr. Not quite as smooth as the blackbird but its just as quick and handles the bumps a bit better and you can have fun on one too ;-)

[@CalTN]

Looking at 2002 ZZR1200 for 3,800 USD. Has a corbin seat with dual yoshi exhaust. 11,000 miles. Thanks for the review, Joe. Very informative.

[@LINKchris87]

Sounds like a bargain. I know it's been years but did you get it? Was/is it good?

[@CalTN]

@@LINKchris87 I found a 2007 blue ZZR600 with 7500miles for 2800. Had some surface rust and a few scuffs but mechanically it hasn't even been broken in. Loving it so far. I set the suspension back to stock and put a Lextech slip on muffler on the bike. My only complaint is how low the bike sits. It has prolink lowering dogbones on it but they are set the thr highest height. When I ride with a pillion the tire rubs the wheel well. Weight of us both is 360ish.

[@LINKchris87]

@@CalTN 600 are also nice. I've been riding a 750 Katana for some time and after being split between ZZR and Hayabusa I ended up buying a gen1 busa. Loving it. Will eventually pick up a zzr to make it company.

[@hiya4964]

Im very bias i love my blackbird more than any bike ive ridin and owned, but i belive all the old 90s early 2000's Big bore/Hypertourer's are still the best bikes :) top of the range in its day and bargin prices for anyone looking for a classic motorcycle :) theses old bikes still give modern bikes a nervous twitch :)

[@schzx14]

Nice review. When this bike came out, I had my 98 ZX11 and felt it was better looking and that the bump in performance of the 1200 wasn’t enough to justify changing. Fast forward to 2007 and I did jump to the Zx14. Probably the best bike I’ve ever had. Currently on a 2008 Concours 14 and like it very much. Blah blah blah.

[@jonathanstabler4823]

Proudly owned mine for 4 years now. Done plenty of track days, Isle of Man and commute to work on it. Great all rounder. The guys at Silverstone know it as "the flying sofa" 😂 Nice video, Joe, but could have cracked it open above 7k to showcase the real power. Pesky UK speed limits... 😉

[@niklaslindblad9075]

Yes they are great bikes (got a blue 03’) He could crack the throttle a little more! Above 6500 rpm’s is where it comes to live! 👍🏼😎

[@shiftyshamsk]

Top review. Very good mate. Lots big engined motorcycles will do 100,000 miles with regular oil changes. Mad that you can buy one of these 1200's for between £2000-3000 with just 30k on it. I love dials, proper speedo and rev counter. Not these modern screens that look horrible. The designers have to put these screens bang in the middle of the dash. Big cut out square. Not a thing of beauty! Few months ago I went from Oxfordshire to Normandy on a ZX-9R and it was really fun. I sold it for an 800 Crossrunner, but wish I'd hadn't.

[@garrypeaks770]

I have a zzr1200 it’s a fantastic bike the garage who looks after it call it a beast good review

[@zzzpip]

good video.i just got a 2004 model very happy with it. cheers

[@miketr732]

Great review, I just got one. Very comfortable bike.im 6ft3in. And seat in position is fine. As for the power, it is amazingly fast and smooth delivery. Above 4000rpm hang on to those bars.

[@EEEBA1]

What's your experience so far? Thank you

[@lyndonmortimer4123]

I have had my zzr for a month.not a great riding position.above 50mph the bike feels as though it needs another gear.thinking I will need to change the sprocket .and the bars as for me they are to low.failing that I will change the bike.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Great intro to the video! My 02 is at 62,000 miles right now. Fastest color, Galaxy Silver outfitted with aftermarket gear for XCountry touring. The original suspension is reported as weak but I'm still running stock. I should probably look to replace all the springy bits soon. I'm the second owner, bought it with 20,000 miles on it. The fella sold it to buy a VStrom to ride to Alaska. Then he bought another ZZR1200. In a couple of years I'll buy a new bike on my retirement and the Mighty ZZR will be retired/restored, stripped of the touring accessories.

[@geonerd]

Love the Road Rash inspired intro! ;)

[@MrPoopnoddy]

One of mine I've owned since 10,000 miles. Now it's got 100,000 miles on it and doesn't consume oil between services. Sure some things have 'aged' and the bike has some patina...but it's still going strong and pulls like a, well, ZZR.

[@niklaslindblad9075]

I got one 03’ I’we read that the ZZR is faster on every gear except topspeed compared with the Superblackbird. Who needs or will ever go in 300km/h? I’we run mine for 260km/h once (topspeed =275km/h) Great bike! Trust me!!

[@lovetofishneosheo1829]

I've been riding for over 40 years and their is absolutely no way I could ever ride on the wrong side of the road that good

[@niklaslindblad9075]

Hahaha. ”Wrong” side...! I see what you mean I ride on the right side as well! 😆

[@flybobbie1449]

Excellent pedigree coming from a GPz900r. Had one for 10 years, left biking for a while, now have had ZZR1200 several years now. ZZR is just a more refined and steerable GPz. Still just as bonkers on acceleration when you want to, or just cruise along. I think some drivers think it's a scooter from the rear, until you open up. i was naughty once chasing a 911 Porsche on motorway, won't say what speeds we were doing.

[@G33MAN65]

I've got one and it's a beast of bike.

[@justinturner4067]

Another great review...long may they continue!!!! 👍🏻✌🏻

[@richardrichard5409]

Brilliant review, thanks for the upload 😎

[@1wannabee1]

Hi, you state this bike is quite 'long'! How does it compare to the ZZR1100? I find the 1100 ok so I'm wondering about this before I go n buy 1, cheers

[@ousejamais1vezousejamais1vez]

No kawasakis on the intro movie. Its bmw s 1000 rr

[@flybobbie1449]

Just keep on top of cam clearances, say 10k service, to keep vibration through bars down and noise which comes up from under instrument panel, you notice with visor up.. Only thing missing on this review, should show an acceleration test. I think i owned my bike 6 months before brave enough to redline it.

[@starionnsw]

how tall are you joe Average

[@AutoExpectations]

I have an 04 zx1200-c and I’m pretty sure this is the same bike, looks identical. I have yet lost a race on this bike.

[@kwakkers68]

Very under-rated bikes

[@Smufter69]

Bought one new in 2006. Absolutely hated it. The most uncomfortable bike I have ever ridden. Swapped it out for a ZZR1400 and loved that one....

[@gdfggggg]

The musta been a lot of cash for a bike you didn’t like!

[@Smufter69]

@@gdfggggg got it brand new for £6k. Swapped it for a 3 month old 1400 and a bit of cash. All told, I guess I spent about £8k

[@gdfggggg]

@@Smufter69 not too bad then.

[@charlescheatham179]

Uncomfortable? First time I’ve ever heard that about this bike.

[@Smufter69]

@@charlescheatham179 hated the bloody thing. Even a new Corbyn seat couldn't sort it out. Worst bike I have ever ridden