The MAM Journals- Kawasaki-ZRX 1200-Update

[@1MrBryn]

The only bike I've regretted selling. I fitted a second hand, no brand made in a workshop in Japan full exhaust system to it. (The workmanship was insane. It just slotted together perfectly) To this day the best sounding four cylinder motorcycle I've ever encountered in the flesh. It was downright orchestral.

[@michaelmam]

There is something special about them …greater than the sum of their parts .

[@nnickingram]

I went to 110mph briefly on my ZRX1100 last Sunday. I am a good bit "longer in thigh" than you and properly needed to tuck down. Excellent bike, 100% usable, and now, in better weather, new tyres next, off we go!!

[@michaelmam]

Have fun Nick . Your bike looked great earlier this year .. 👍

[@TheChrysler56]

Well I finally got round to watching your video Michael. As I’ve mentioned before the nearest I’ve got to owning one of those ZRX is a Suzuki GSX1400 and my Honda CB1300s all quite similar and all very good muscle bikes in their own way. I did enjoy your take on the ZRX though and thanks for taking the time to show us all yours.

[@michaelmam]

Thanks for finding the time to watch. Have a good christmas .

[@julianroberts9757]

Another great video with useful advice. Looking forward to catching up with you on Thursday to talk ZRX's and rock music. 😁👍🎅

[@jodavey3053]

Great video Michael, I live in Australia and have a 04 ZRX1200R in the green, amazing bike.........cheers

[@ryannafe9252]

Really interesting video, dude, thanks. That’s a pretty peppy bike for its age, it reminds me of the early 90’s IROC-Z Camaro.

[@Don1atUTube]

I use to own a 09 zrx 1200r. Great bike.

[@timmyc7898]

Hi. I have an 2002 and love it. I wanted a GPZ when they were new in 82, but never got one. Thanks for the info on the starter chain drive, I was not aware of that problem. My is all stock and original. Thx!

[@motorcyclin]

I used to be like that and ended up giving away a bunch of original spares with my motorcycles. Good on the previous owner, the grab handles look mint.

[@crumblymal8479]

I had the what I guess would be the plain sister of the Lawson rep mine was a deep sort of wine color ,it was a great bike to own wish I still had it really .Yours really looks great and I had no idea there were so many still around cos I rarely see one when I'm out and about .Interesting vid Michael cheers : )

[@michaelmam]

Thanks for watching again . Glad you enjoyed it .👍

[@enzocolonna]

It s an amazing motorbike... I own a 1100 model with lot of mods

[@raybruce9522]

Thanks for posting another great video.

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Raymond . You are very welcome !

[@raybruce9522]

@@michaelmam It’s funny I just watched British video on speaking better English. She stated that Americans say you’re welcome and proper English is the British way. You are very welcome . Haha you just proved it. Anyway thanks again.

[@michaelmam]

@@raybruce9522 😂😂👍

[@theboatshoptb]

Great video on the ZRX! You can usually judge how much fun a bike is to ride, as well as it’s comfort and reliability by how many miles they have on the clock. I have always wanted one of these bikes, but here in the states they all have very high mileage. Maybe one day I will run across one with lower than average mileage that I can acquire?

[@michaelmam]

Hi Tony . The bike really wasn’t on my radar until a friend let me ride his for the first ZRX video . It was so good that I immediately started looking . There are a lot of higher mileage bikes here too and the engines seem to cope well . I was lucky to find mine . Stay well !

[@captainamerica9353]

I have a 2000 ZRX1100 in black and grey with low miles. Great bike, but I just don't ride much anymore. Sadly I'm up in Wisconsin, though.

[@Saxondog]

I'm looking to get another 1100 because aesthetically the Lawson paint job is better than the 1200 imo. I remember your comparative of these two in your earlier vid. That's a good place to know where you got your machine serviced.

[@michaelmam]

Great believer in finding the one you want, rather than accepting the one that is available 👍

[@georgebrowne5935]

I have one of these bikes 03 reg in green, and I couldn't part with it, Big Boy Toy, that makes me smile just looking at it parked.

[@michaelmam]

Nice bikes . If you are interested I compare the 1200 to the 1100 in this video ..kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpuaf6R6YpqFf7M

[@georgebrowne5935]

@@michaelmam Yes, I have just watched your video. Very Good. Thanks.

[@peterneed6283]

Great video..Are there any areas I should look at when viewing one of these?Im an 80’s rider,had many Z1’s/gpz’s..Thanks for any inputs ,I live in Birmingham(U.K),so rubbish roads,and primarily wet!👍

[@kchappelle]

Glad you got rid of the crash bars. Besides looking hideous I believe they do more damage than good. I bought the exact same bike as you and I'm in Taiwan. My bike is a 2005 though.

[@michaelmam]

Looks cleaner without 👍

[@nnickingram]

Hi. Can you link to PDQ Slough please?

[@michaelmam]

pdq1.com/ They are good guys . Larry , the owner is a ZRX enthusiast 👍

[@howardrathbone2120]

Hi Michael, what brake fluid do you use? Thanks

[@michaelmam]

Apparently PDQ used Dot 4 . 5 is a “complete no no “ . Hope this helps 👍

[@cadmanchannel]

I have sent a video link to Kwick at ELS.

[@YouCantSawSawdust]

It's a 2006 model, not a 2007 model. It is a Kawasaki ZRX1200R A6F.

[@michaelmam]

@@YouCantSawSawdust Yes , it is an A6F … sold in July 2008 .. The last ones were slow to sell 👍 According to my records the A7 , A8 and A9F were Japan only until they launched the DAEG - the DAF’s in 2010 .

[@kchappelle]

Hey Michael, do you prefer this beautiful bike over Kawasaki's latest retro release, the Z900RS?

[@michaelmam]

Tough question . Like asking someone to pick their favourite child ? I ride the RS more . It is easy , nimble and versatile . The ZRX is a Muscle bike . Great presence and torque but quite heavy.

[@kchappelle]

@@michaelmam , I think you answered my question by telling me which bike you ride more. Thanks. Have a good one

[@michaelmam]

@@kchappelle I think I am influenced by the fact that I can still get a new RS if I pile the miles on 😂 Both great bikes 👍

[@tactical1224]

I find the ZRX 1200R to handle very well, and the turning radius is outstanding. I believe the bike suits riders in the 6' - 6'2" tall range particularly well. Riders that are shorter seem to have more issues regarding weight of the motorcycle. However, in my experience the low center of gravity and overall well balanced design of the bike allow it to feel much lighter than its actual weight when taking it through the twisties. It impresses me with its overall competence every time i ride it

[@lamilumag]

@@tactical1224 nice to hear, being 6‘3“ and on the lookout for one ☝🏻

[@MsDenver2]

I was watch your videos on your 1200 Kawasaki as I’m looking at one available. I herd you say that you loose 15% of your power with shaft drive well perhaps on some moto guzzis yes ? My last bike was a kawasaki Z1000st and trust me when I say it did not loose more than a couple of % , I know this because I used to rip-off the chain version in a head to head , it was a fast bike and Kawasaki had a fantastic shaft drive and for the life of me I don’t understand why they stopped putting it on bikes for touring , bad decision Kawasaki.

[@michaelmam]

Hi , the comment was referring to the power loss from the crank to the rear wheel . Many engineers use a rule of thumb that you lose c10 % with a chain and c15 % with a shaft . 👍

[@daniellopez8301]

Is it for sale? How much $$

[@michaelmam]

😂 . No …

[@evilgel666]

i thought this is JDM bike ?????

[@michaelmam]

Japanese Domestic Market ? The injection model was but the carb versions sold on , in Europe certainly , until 2007 . I think they stopped in the States a couple of years earlier?

[@evilgel666]

@@michaelmam yeah in the US... ZRX 1100 was certainly discontinued around that time

[@tactical1224]

@@michaelmam Correct...the ZRX 1200R was available in the United States from 2001 - 2005

[@williamrae9954]

Motul...160yrs of development...someone should tell my Yamaha dealer, who dumped out my fresh Motul for Venezuelan ,'Chitgo',masquerading as Yamalube...they lost a long-term customer over that stunt!

[@michaelmam]

Oil is increasing sophisticated and not many of us , including me , can really understand the complicated chemistry involved . As a rider , I ,possibly like you , have found Motul delivers smooth gear changes and engine performance and comes out cleaner than others I have tried . I like it and use it regularly . Whether I am right ? 🤷🏼‍♂️