Looking to buy a ZX12R - need some advice

[hdp]

Hi guys,

i went to look at an 2001 manufactured model ZX12 this weekend. bike is in generally good condition only 24000 km (15000 mi), full akra exhaust pulls nicely. everything went well but when my buddy took it for a ride (who also owns a ZX12) upon his return i noticed a ticking noise coming from the left top side of the motor, it didnt do that when it was cold. I have done a search on the forum and read about the ticking noise and the "kawi tick" but didnt find anything under the ZX12 forum.

when he rides home today he said he will check as he arrives home when his bike is nice and hot. almost sounds like injector noise just louder. we tried to listen on his bike but it does not seem to be doing it... obviously there is something not right here, right?

Should i steer clear of this bike?

cheers

[Andy12R]

Kawasaki have never made particularly quiet engines, there's always a fair amount of mechanical noise going on in there and it's really difficult to say much when you can't hear the engine in question yourself.

Is the bike at a dealership or is it a private sale?

Either way it's worth seeing about getting the valve clearances checked based on where you say the noise is coming from - I think they should get checked at 16,000 service but not sure.

good luck, let us know how you get on

Andy

[hdp]

thanks for the reply andy; listened to another ZX now and it definitely did not make that sound on his bike you could just hear valve-train noise, think i will continue my search, hopefully i will find a better specimen