ZX12R or ZZR1200 Which one should you buy ?

A comparison between Kawasaki 1200 models and why I chose the ZZR for the road.

[@stephenlatchford9850]

You are spot on with what you say, I owned one 10 years ago and went touring abroad on it twice, then sold it for the same money I paid for it. There has been nothing as relaxed (and ballistic) I have had since. The wind protection is superb, 60 to the gallon as well with luggage on, anyway I should have just kept it which is why this year I bought another zzr1200. 17 years old and in absolutely pristine condition, one owner and only 17,000 miles. It is in standard condition and has been really well looked after, and not molested at all, I am really going pamper it.

[@mcycle24]

Thanks for your comment, Always good to hear from a fellow ZZR owner👍

[@Errol.C-nz]

@@mcycle24 interested to know your comparison of the zzr1100 vs 1200.. good comparo👌 cheers from NZ

[@mcycle24]

@@Errol.C-nz I think they were designed for different markets, Original ZZR 1100 had to complete with sports bikes of the day like GSXR 1100 etc. So I suppose you could say the ZX12 was the natural successor to the original ZZR 1100.. The ZZR 1200 was designed to compete in the sports touring market so a different animal altogether.

[@Errol.C-nz]

@@mcycle24 thanks.. I asked because I'm getting back into bikes & starting a wee collection while they're (I think) at their bottom values & looking at a gsxr1100w & zzr1100 .. did the same with a small collection of BMC mini 20yrs ago too.. has paid of nicely & neat cars to drive

[@flybobbie1449]

Really are some low mileage bikes, i bought my 2003 bike 7 years ago with 3k miles on it. Garage queen.

[@LINKchris87]

Like them both a lot, but I prefer the ZZR. It looks like a great package of looks, power, riding joy and comfort.

[@DonJ.]

Excellent video loved my 2000 zx9r, great motorcycle unfortunately i had to sell it. A few years later purchased a 2003 zzr1200!! And I'm still holding on to it. Awesome bike for everything.

[@waynester71]

I recently added a mint, 4800 mile ZX12R to my garage.. Absolutely love it. Yes it’s heavier compared to an out & out sport bike, but it doesn’t profess to be a track God. The ZZR is a nice bike too, but it’s older, dated touring styling doesn’t appeal so much to me.. Just a bit bland. I actually prefer the older ZZ1100 in looks compared to the 12. I have a few other other bikes, so the ZX12R for me is just a treat to ride now and then..

[@alexboyde8129]

Great information. Recently sold my ZRX1200 and I am looking to buy a ZZR1200 in the next few weeks. ZX10/ ZZR11 are more sports orientated than ZZR1200 as ZZR11 has aluminium rear sub frame and ZZR1200 is steel. Kawasaki took the ZZR11 and totally re designed it from the ground up to be a sports tourer hence the ZZR1200 was born. And what a great birth!

[@mcycle24]

Yes the other bikes were built to chase top speeds against other manufacturers and ended up becoming compromised as a result. ZZR1200 was built to be a good all rounder which makes it more useable now 20 years on.

[@ralphwarom2514]

In the UK the zx14's are pretty reasonably priced though. Not ridden the older bikes but I think a zx 14 is pretty comfy.

[@PSYCHOPUNKED]

Absolutely love my 2002 zzr1200. Beautiful bike. Runs amazing 38 thousand miles 176 mph runs

[@mcycle24]

Cheers, Thanks for the comment.

[@markgc65]

People often talk rubbish about a zx12R I have had mine for 23 years now. The zx9R is not even on the same page in performance, I had a 2002 E2 model! and although I have never owned a ZZR1200 I did swap the ZZR1100 for my ZX12R. I respectfully disagree with your review! But with that being said "We" all have valid opinions of what's right for Us and to be fair they are all great motorcycles! I toured Spain in 1999 on a ZZR1100 (1 up ) and again in 2001 on My ZX12R. (1 up again). I enjoyed the ZX12R more! 2 up the ZZR would win every time.

[@mcycle24]

Your channel shows no content for the ZX12 ?

[@brazoon1]

That sums it up rather well. I bought a new ZX12r in 2004 after lusting over the ZX11 in my youth. In hindsight, I found it boring as insane as that sounds. Unless you are always flogging it (and even that gets tiresome) riding around at normal, law abiding speeds just seems pointless. A few years ago I bought an old 2006 Katana 750 just to ride around with an old friend who finally got his moto license. At the time I thought I was making a huge compromise as I didn't feel like spending 15k on a bike. It has turned out to be one of the favorite bikes I've owned. Absolutely nothing special about it but it does everything just well enough that I don't feel the need for anything else. Although I have been thinking of a ZZR1200 as it is similar in philosophy but with a bit extra.

[@umakantgajjewar8898]

All good information. Thanks.

[@JP-sl2ix]

You mentioned in your video @(3:37) that the ZZR1200 has steel engine cradle. They are, in fact, made of aluminum alloy. Take a look at the welds. Steel welds are much smaller. Go ahead and take a magnet to the spars, you will find that the spars are indeed aluminum. The same is true of the ZX11 (ZZR1100) and the ZX-10 before it. I worked at Kawasaki dealerships in my younger days and have owned them all. Still have ZZR1100 (ZX11 in the States) and recently acquired an extremely low mile ZZR1200 with all the options. The rear sub-frame, however, is steel as you stated. Enjoy your low key vids on the ZZR1200........ cheers :thumbsup:

[@mcycle24]

That’s interesting, According to the technical specs I read online they are tubular steel. I shall have a closer inspection next time I have the fairings off. Thanks for the comment.

[@JP-sl2ix]

@@mcycle24 You're welcome. Feel free to contact me for any technical questions. Cheers 🏍

[@BikenutGB]

@@mcycle24 He's right, just checked mine with a magnet, it didn't stick. I too thought they were steel

[@georgeday5901]

Zx12r supersports,zzr1200 sports tourer zx 1199 zzr 1164,1 had a gpz1100 a few years ago.

[@tiredofyou3892]

Depends on your riding style . For me zx12r . If you're not into super speed then the zzr1200 is probably better for traveling.

[@MrBrimsy]

Both bikes have their merits and limits if used as intended they are both epic machines. Opinions are like As#Holes we all have one and are entitled to share them. I have and still own several zx12r just because they suit what i do. But if a mint zzr1200 came along i would also own one , just a great allrounder. Look forward to seeing your other vids. Ride safe

[@gemaskerdebeuker8511]

Im debating getting a 1400 or 1200. Right now I am happy with my 1100 zzr though. Would love to see a comparison video between a late 1200 and early 1400

[@mcycle24]

I have done a comparison, Check out my other videos.

[@commonsense769]

Totally agree as I love my ZZR 1200 its a more reliable bike!

[@vvrr4277]

Привет с России ! Так же купил ZZR 1200 !

[@xpresscolourart5531]

I had Zzr 1200 and it’s a fantastic bike but I just couldn’t get by the way it looks because the zx12r is incredibly good looking I moved to blackbird and even though the Zzr and blackbird are the same type of bike the blackbird is so different and much more refined and handles better and for me so much better looking than the zzr The back end look of the zzr is just criminal and used to break my heart because it’s a truly great bike and the engine is phenomenal

[@BuffaloStampede69]

I have my owned my ZZR 1200 for 4 years and put about 60,000 Mi on it it's amazing bike and I will never get rid of it the only downside of my opinion is the scarcity of parts in the states

[@dirkvandermerwe6027]

The ZZ-R 1200 is so much easier altogether- no computerised nonsense- straight fwd carb job with a beautiful howl through the rams and so akin unto it's predecessor the ZZ-R 1100 / ZX11.

[@ireneuszpyc6684]

your opinion is controversial

[@husky-xu2ow]

I had the zx12r bloody fast bike.

[@mcycle24]

You also have a ZX9 r ? How did they compare in your opinion.

[@husky-xu2ow]

@@mcycle24 the zx9r is a better bike not so heavy and nearly as quick the zx12r she's a big girl if you need to do distance work that's the bike to have I got 190 mph out of her. But where I live the country the zx9r makes more sense. The zx12r is a nightmare to do any work on the engine not much clearance to work with. defo better then the zzr1200 for speed and handling but a would choose the zx9r out of all of them. I've got a bmws1000rr and a husqvarna 701 and the zx9r at the moment and no money😂😂

[@djcwes]

I owned a green ZX12R and I loved the look and the power, but driving it was a pain. I could take 30 minutes at a time before my wrists and shoulders were aching and I just wanted to get off! Ive also owned a ZZR 1100 and that thing was a pleasure to ride. Could sit on it for hours and hours. -What good is a good looking machine if you cant ride it for more than 30-40 minutes?

[@GrimReaper-ly8zk]

I don't have problems riding mine. Toughen up princess.

[@mjs924]

Hi mate, just got 96 zzr 600 ,14000 miles, fuel and temp gage not working, any idea most likely cause, I'm limited with patience and mechanical skill

[@mcycle24]

Most likely cause is the connections check the wiring plugs are all connected properly, Also check fuses are OK .

[@JohnBrown-bu8ji]

Zzr 1200 Kawasaki please 🙏 bring the zx 1100 from 1994/2001 and the 90s prices $ 9000.00 - 10,500.00

[@dominicgalea6006]

ZZR 1200 do you use old coppers or iridium plugs? My old coppers don’t even last 7K

[@mcycle24]

I used iridium plugs in the ZZR1200.

[@dominicgalea6006]

@@mcycle24 is 7K from old coppers normal or not?

[@mcycle24]

@@dominicgalea6006 Genuine NGK ones should last 10k at least .

[@dominicgalea6006]

@@mcycle24 that’s what I thought. Maybe they are getting cooked with too much electricity? The bike isn’t blowing light bulbs so I don’t know what the problem is.

[@flybobbie1449]

My bike documents from dvla call the zzr1200 a zx12

[@mcycle24]

Mine was the same.

[@grahameveale6483]

In the US I believe the ZZR1200 was the ZX12C

[@GrimReaper-ly8zk]

The vin starts with zx12. Hence its under the family. The government calls anything that the vin starts with that zx12