Aryan

Photos and Text: Aryan/ xBhp.com

When I rode the ZX-12R for the first time a few weeks ago, I marveled at the forward thrust, both smooth and very formidable, available with a careful twist of the right wrist. "What effortless power!" was the first thought that came to my mind. I was also pleased to note that it is far more easier to keep the front wheel on the ground while using that immense thrust, than it had been, say on an R1!

I had been looking forward for the photo-shoot of the ZX-12R since quite some-time now. Although, it's production was stopped a few years back, but this is a machine which needs NO introduction, really. Winning comparison tests in ALL major publications, and receiving innumerable "awards", the Big Ninja was virtually an icon; it still is! The 12R certainly had the proper lineage - the Kawasaki ZX-11, which was the horsepower and speed king in the street legal motorcycle world for quite some time. It, to this day is considered to be a legend, but it's time has passed, unfortunately.





















Overshadowed in this power game by Honda's CBR 1100XX Blackbird and Suzuki's Hayabusa, Kawasaki developed the 12R, quite simply to fight back. As soon as the bike was launched, the top-speed tests started. Did the Kawasaki had a higher top-speed than the Suzuki? Quite frankly, I don't care. What I was interested to know always was whether the 12R made a competent and entertaining motorcycle in the real-world. Actually, there must be less than 1 in 100 owners of the 12R who would ever use the massive top speed of a motorcycle as fast as the ZX-12R, much less care how far beyond 300km/hr. the bike would take them. Yes, I totally understand that there are people who buy motorcycles because of their top speeds(!!), but I somehow knew that owning a 12R is MUCH more than just the top speeds. You see, performance in the real, everyday world has got to do more with pure acceleration than top speed runs. Even the 600cc machines of today have a top speed far beyond a normal rider's needs and capabilities (atleast mine!). Hence, we can safely say that the Hayabusa and the 12R had top speeds far beyond a street rider's requirement.

The acceleration and the performance - both are handled really well by the 12R. If covering a quarter mile in 9.80 seconds at 240km/hr. isn't fast enough for you, well, then NOTHING is! Especially, when we consider the fact that this, the 12R did also do practical transportation duties! However, for a bullet of a motorcycle, it also came with "fitments" like headlights that cut a realistic bright glow after dark and a horn as well! It also has a ram-air duct, which is included in the front cowl that has a wonderful looking windscreen for protection from the wind, at high speeds. There are plastic panels which cover the wiring and really makes the cockpit and the bike look tidy. The seating position on the 12R is really neutral - neither sportsbike like, nor like a behemoth of a cruiser. Then, there is the nice, large and comfortable seat located in the machine. Despite an airbox and a fuel-tank situated as tightly as your own underapants, the frame (which is a monocoque) is wrapped around a 1199cc inline-four cylinder engine, which is counter-balanced and never really seems to break a sweat!

























This bike spells performance even at standstill! You barely need to nudge the throttle from it's idling position, and the next thing you notice is that you are doing past the 100km/hr. mark! At this point the engine is "idling" at about 4000RPMs on the tacho, on 6th gear! This torque monster has so much torque on reserve which is good to go from as low as 50km/hr. all the way to to it's top speed on the top gear! With so much power, I say if Kawasaki would've provided a two-speed transmission on the 12R, it would've served the needs of more than 90% of the owners! The machine somehow communicates a degree of calmness and security to the rider, even while mimicking a bullet fired from a 357 magnum! But, given the kind of speeds that this monster is capable of, I am happy to say that the brakes are just as powerful as the acceleration figures. Scrubbing off obscene speed takes no more than one finger on the lever.

Conclusion
It is a machine for the experienced rider who wants the raw acceleration only available in the hypersports category, in a package that combines stupendous performance and superb riding pleasure. The simple fact that it is the direct descendent of the bike that arguably created the hypersports category in the first place - the ZX-11, says it all. Kawasaki's ZX-12R is not for everyone. It is not for the meek; it is not for the timid; it is not for the inexperienced.

The Ninja ZX-12R sadly, isn't in production anymore. It is a GEM of a motorcycle. Ofcourse, we cannot really compare this machine with the current breed of litre class (and above) motorcycles, neither is it meant to be. It is a legend in it's own right, in the world of performance motorcycling. Although, any of the litre class bikes would perhaps make for a better track-day tool, including Kawasaki's own ZX-6R/ 10R brothers (or sisters!), but if you simply want to blow your minds away, then I would suggest get yourself a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R (used ones, at present is all that you can find), and quite simply "Let the Good Times Roll..."

P.S: A very special thanks to Arjun, Sidd and B2L for coming so early morning for the photo-shoot, and co-operating wonderfully. Thank you so much guys, I really appreciate it and I hope you like the article and the photographs.

A few more photographs:





















Thanks,
-Aryan.

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WiZ

One of my earliest big bike crush.Still looks classy.Nice pics.

Sunny

Aryan, you have done it again! Great pics and words. Incidentally I bought its big brother's scale model today - a ZX14.

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ksatish

Nice bike and very good clicks....

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vinoob

my all time favorite beast...thanks Aryan for bringing it on..

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aargee

Pics IMG_7156.jpg & IMG_7139.jpg are giving a threatening look & wondering IMG_7169.jpg was taken crystal clear as it has missing/moving needles.

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soulripper

Great pics and bikes..... I saw this bike in Delhi .. one guy is riding.. I love the exhaust sound of this bike..... I still remind that night.. !!!

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FeEL The HeAt..!!!!! SmELL BuRNing RuBber..!!

jd666

one of my first experience of superbikes was riding a 2002 model 12r... insane power, amazing throttle response.

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My offerings to the gods of speed -

- KTM Duke 200
- Yamaha RXZ 5 speed

truelypulsarian

Gr8 piczz sexy bike

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PULSAR 220 DTS-FI - 2008
PULSAR 220 DTSI - 2011

sabret00the

what a beauty she is. Looks like a nimble beast.

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2003 Kinetic GF170 Laser Sport Edition
2007 Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTSi UG3
2007 Suzuki ALTO Lxi xFun