Come on then, why should I buy a ZX12R?... : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

habanero · 07-13-2009, 02:49 PM

Hi guys,

OK, first up, I've yet to ride 12R.

I've been a V-twin man for the last 4 bikes and currently have a gorgeous Ducati 996SPS. This I'm keeping, but the missus wants to come out and play and that has no pillion seat.

I've been looking at Hayabusa's (havent ridden that either) too but dont like the long boat-like styling.

I've always liked the look of the 12R and am now seriously considering one.

So, aside from the insane speed, why should I spend my hard earned pennies on the big Kwak?...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kawi_T · 07-13-2009, 03:28 PM

I love my 12R but I'm not so sure its a good bike for a passenger. The passenger seat is easily 4-5 inches higher up than the pilots seat. This puts the passenger pretty high up. The Busa seat is much more even with the drivers seat. seems like it might be a better choice for riding double.

JBearSVT · 07-13-2009, 03:44 PM

I would look at the ZX14 for riding two up, I wouldn't even consider the 12. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but the 14 is more tourer than sport, and with the extra 200cc's, it's just an all around better passenger bike. The only reason I can think that you'd buy a 12 for this purpose is if you came across a deal that was just too good to pass up.

AntiStock · 07-13-2009, 04:11 PM

I agree. Good reasons to buy a 12R:

- handles well for its size
- lots of power in any gear
- amazing top speed
- lots of people have never seen one, so it gets a lot of looks

I've had mine for a little over a month and love every second I've been on it.

redsled · 07-16-2009, 03:13 AM

You might want to look at a zzr 1200. way more comfy for two riders. And can be had used for less money than the 14. Still a very fast bike. The 14 on the other is as comfy as the zzr and as fast as the 12.

ZuluNinja · 07-16-2009, 06:39 AM

I like the 12 a lot, but seems like she sucks for 2 up specially if you have stretched it and lowered without paying attention to suspension settings... long story short, a friend came down from orlando with his 12, went 2 up with a girl and I told him that the bike was sitting 1 inch from the ground. He is like 5-4, don't know weight, and the girl is around same dimensions. Next day he told me the bike was leaking oil, and he was gonna take it to my garage so we could take it to my mechanic next day. The moron rode the bike without checking the leak first, instead of strapping it to the truck, next thing he is calling from the highway as the bike left him stranded. After the bike is tucked away at my garage, I took the fairings off, lay flat on the floor and my heart went cold as I saw the drain plug is GONE. There is a neat hole in the fairings where I guess the plug kept hitting the ground. After trying to fit a screw that wouldn't go in, took a closer look and saw there where metal shavings inside the turns of the nut, so I picked away for like half an hour, then carefully forced the screw in. Changed filter and filled up with rotella t synth, turn the switch but it made a half-assed attempt to fire up, so I left her charging overnight. So now I'm hoping he didn't really fuck her up and will try again when I get home. Worst case scenario, I believe the chrome rims on the 12 would fit the 14 quite nicely.

k_smittay · 07-28-2009, 09:03 PM

I must disagree. The ZX-12R is a fairly comfortable ride for a passenger. It is the only bike that I have owned that my wife enjoys riding on. To each his own I guess. All I can say... is test ride one.

clarkmanning · 07-28-2009, 09:16 PM

Take her to the Kawi dealer and show her the '09 250r. The SE model is a great looking bike. You could be otd for around $4,500.00. She needs to learn how to ride. Eventually she will be able to keeep up with the SPS in the tight corners. OK, never in the straights. More and more women are riding now instead of passengering.