While fiddling with my bike the other day outside my house a Blue Kwaka ZX12R rode past, did a uturn and stopped. Seen the bike a few times around the neighbourhood, anyway the rider walks over and takes his helmet off revealing a older than expected 50/60 something year old rider. Goes 'hey nice bike son, what year ect..' start having a conversation with him, turns out he had the previous incarnation of my bike, a 92 model and he regretted selling it, anyway after a few minutes of chatting he asked if I had contemplated selling it, only had it for 14 months so I hadn't, he then starts talking about his Kwaka which he said he loves but its to much or a handful for him, his bike is a 01 model with a bubble screen and a Lazer slipon pipe (I think), was pretty shiney and only has 13k on the clock, lets me have a sit on it and give it a few revs. Then 1minute later he goes 'if your interested how about swapping bikes?' I'm like 'eh? For the weekend or something?' he's like 'nah I'm after a Hurricane and you got the type I want, but no rush, I live 3 blocks away heres my number gimme a ring and we can work something out, your welcome to take my bike for a solid test ride as well'.

Now I'm perplexed, his bike is worth more than mine and has slightly lower mileage but I don't know much about the 12R, ridden a few but only for 30m squirts, heard they are rear tyre killer and are a bit pricey to service but seen a few with over 100k on the clock so they are the usual Japanese bullet proof engine, however I really like my bike, enjoy wrenching on it, enjoy the simple but powerful carby engine and the fact it runs happily of regular unleaded, but the Kwaka ZX12R would be more fun to ride especially through the hills and it sounded awesome with the aftermarket can (he said he'd included the orginal as well).

Just wondering if anyone else can lend some opions on the ZX12R? ATM I'd pass on the generous offer but its so bloody tempting...

 

Coopz, ride it, you will (probably) love it.

I rode one and thought it was fantastic, nearly bought my mate's when he sold his after 5 months of ownership. The power is just amazing, it's like piloting a a rocket ship. Massive power in any gear at any rev. You will have a massive grin.

The downside is the running costs. 95 miles to a £18 tank of petrol! My mate got 900 miles out of a sports compound rear tyre (and he does not ride madly). Servicing costs are high if you rack up the miles. My ZZR1100 needed valve adjustment every 6000 miles and it costs a fortune. They eat chains, cush drive rubbers, wheel bearings etc - my ZZR was a money pit. I have only had to adjust the CBR chain once in 8000 miles whereas the ZZR would be needing replacement at that mileage!).

My "advice" is simple. Ride the 12 but if you are going to rack up the miles on it, get a second job! If you only do a few miles each month then I don't think you would regret it. Hand your licence in to the Police, it's only a matter of time before they ask for it anyway! The 12 is one fast bike and I would struggle to keep the speed down.

Comes down to what you use the bike for I suppose, and the size of your wallet!

Good luck traitor (ha ha), keep us posted
Phil

 

Hi Coopz, I rode the touring model ZZR1200 a couple of weeks ago -goes like STINK, but I found the steering a bit twitchy compared to the Hurricane. It has, as Flogger says, HUGE power in ANY gear, and the ZX12 is even quicker. Flogger's right, though, I've heard it said that the bike isn't cheap to run, but 900 miles on a tyre.......no, sounds odd.....my buddy's getting around 5000 miles, and he whacks it, and carries a pillion most of the time.....
The steering position's a bit lower on the bars, which I found a bit uncomfortable (spoilt by the Hurricane), and the suspension's a bit stiffer, which is good for roadholding but noy my old backside. Maybe ask him to exchange for a week, and then see how you feel, or at least take it for a LONG ride, 250 Miles+, and see how you feel afterwards. The grin factor, however is huge.

 

Yeah I had a 1996 ZZR1100, nice bike but almost $600 for it's 12k service made my jaw hit the ground... The CBR cost me $150 as I did the oil and filter myself.

Running costs are a factor, the CBR costs me less than $400 a year to insure at 10k value (probably a bit under than now) the quote I got from my insurer for the Kwaka was nearly $1300 at 12k value, with 10 years of riding, 1 speeding fine and zero claims..[:@]

I've ridden the ZX12 a few times and enjoyed the power, longest ride was about 50k and that was all it was comfortable for...
Still thinking about it though.

 

What's there to think about. The Kelly Blue book value for an 01 Ninja 1200 is $2,000 U.S. more than for a 96 1000F (last year sold in the U.S.). Trade him, sell the Ninja, then buy another 1000f (or whatever) and have more than a little scratch left over.

 

Mines a 1999 model with about $1500 worth of aftermarket parts.

 

I don't know how things are down under, but around here that wouldn't make much difference. I only quoted Kelly Blue Book's 96 value for the 96 CBR because that's the last year they list. The Ninja looks a lot more modern and people know that they are wicked fast. Plus, $1500 in aftermarket goodies does not equate to a $1500 increase in resale value. Often times te opposite may be true- bone stock bikes can be worth more than tricked out bikes. Unless the Kawi has some significant issues, to me it's a no-brainer, even if I didn't want to keep the Ninja.

 

Tell you what, Coopz, I'll buy your 99 model, then you buy the Ninja...........

 

I bought a 95 1000f for 2500 bucks 2 years ago and I wish i didnt wreck it, kinda miss that one...

 

tough call there Coopz. The Kwak is pretty fast, but lack the refinement of the Honda. I suppose it depends on your needs. If you love long distance touring, I would stick with the Honda, but if you love to have a big blast on a fast bike, I would deffently give the Keak a chance. You could always sell the Kwak and get an Blackbird if you dosn't like the fell of th ZX.

When we are talkin Kwaks. Does anyone besides Shadow have any experience with the ZZR-1200??? Is it a good or a bad replacement to the cane?

Shadow; What do you mean by twitcy steering???