2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R

Pros: Best in class high revving engine outperforms all others. 186mph bragging rights (albeit restricted) sportbike!!!
Cons: All that power dictates a fairly heavy bike as well as less than comfy ergos.

I just became a new owner. Love the bike. Boundless yet easy to control power. Faster than the blazes. Nothing not already understood by most motorcycle enthusiasts. Yet in model year 2002, it is the subtle things that rule the roost in the new and...

Pros: Power, Power, Power
Cons: Needs bigger meat on the rear

Update: March 1st, 2003

Since writing my first thoughts on this incredible bike(see below) I just wanted to add a update as I am about to hit the 25,000 mile mark on my 2000 ZX12R.

I have had more fun then one should have with a...

Pros: Absolute, outright power and quick handling given it's size
Cons: Abrupt throttle response - can be dicey when letting loose 200 bhp mid-corner.

If you want a rocketship on 2 wheels,you've found the right bike. Not for beginners,definitely.

With some basic mods like a PCIII and a Full system pipe you can expect 180 rear wheel horsepower or 215 hp at the crank with the ram-air...

Pros: Power, Power, Power. Tough Quality, Great corner handling, Touring like ride with sport bike feel.
Cons: Luggish at lower speeds. Could stand losing a few pounds. Loves guzzling gas.

I've been riding bikes since the age of 16. From a Yamaha 80, to a Honda Magna V30, to a Kawasaki ZX-6, and now to the ZX-1200R. At first the ZX-1200R seemed liked quite a big jump from the 600 i was rather comfortable with. Throttle response was very...

Pros: Power, looks, comfort, power
Cons: Lots of heat, Gas guzzler.

I learned to ride on a Katana 750. 5 months later I was ready for more power. I thought I wanted an R1 til I rode one. It's too small. I am 6' 4" 265 solid. Thought I was going to have to settle for a Hayabusa. Then I saw an '01 ZX-12R. Did some research ...

Pros: good brakes, lower weight, Ninja's reputation.
Cons: the gear box is quite tight.

Hy there! My name is Paul, and I am riding motorcicles for about 8 years. I had all kinds of bikes, but when i rided for the first time a Ninja, all the aspects about sport-bikes had changed. I now own a Kawasaki Ninja ZX12-R wich I'm really proud of....

Pros: Fast, quick comfortable
Cons: no reserve valve

I have been riding sport bikes since 1980 when I purchased a Honda CBX, then in 86' a Kawasaki 1000 Ninja and in 99' a 900 Ninja.
Well I thought I knew what is was like to ride a fast wheel but man this bike is unreal. The breakin calls for under...

Pros: The power is amazing, a pillion doesn't really make a difference.
Cons: The power delivery could be better, the build quality is a little bit poor.

I was in the market to but a brand new bike, I decided that the kawasaki range suited me best but couldnt justify buying a $20,000+ (Aus) dollar bike. So I bought an ex-demo ZX9 which i had a lot of problems with and ended up trading onto the ZX12R. The...

Pros: Tremendous power band, instant acceleration, civil handling at low speed, powerful grippers.
Cons: not comfortable after two hours or so, poor heat venting, passenger seat?

I've owned my ZX12 for a year. It has 3200 miles on it. I am simply astounded by its performance and capability. The ZX12 is not for the timid or ham fisted idiots. This bike can detach your retinas if your not paying attention. I bought this bike...

Pros: acceleration,handling,brakes
Cons: seat cover fit,no reserve

My opinion on the zx12r motorcycle is that after the first check up my fuel gauge stopped working under quarter tank.I would get fuel to fill up the tank and the idle or low r.p.m. would be so erratic it was hard to go slow.Acceleration was unbelievable...

Pros: Incredible power and handling in a top of the line, well thought out design
Cons: Needs a bigger gas tank, but it is sure fun using the fuel

I am still completely blown away by my ZX-12R. Just when I start getting used to it, I added an Akrapovic Exhaust system and dyno'd at 178.5HP it is a whole new bike now, with incredible power. Next I added a Dynojet PCIIIR and remapped the fuel and...

Pros: Power
Riding position
Looks
Kudos
Cons: Fuel consumption
Battery position
Quick way of losing your licence
Wind pressure [ get a bubble }

Gone from a 73 H2C to a Z1 to a CBX then the 2000 A1 ZX12R and my opinion? GET ONE !!!
I can rant and rave all day about how devistatingly quick this bike is { In all its forms } but nothing prepares u for when the needle goes into the higher scale from 100mph onwards and it gets into warp mode. It will accelerate for ever it seems and u begin to realise that u will never fully master this two wheeled missile. The handling is not up with the lighter sports bikes and you will lose out in corners { But its still very good }. and feel a little down as they edge away but then u come to a straight and absolutely destroy them !!!.
R1, CBR1000RR, GSXR1000 and the such like are really great bikes, but the ZX12R is something else.

Pros: Power~torque. Size (big and tall)
Cons: Heavy. It radiates a lot of heat from the engine.

I purchased this bike in Apr 03, I have rode it for the last 7 months and I love it !!! You want looks, you got it. You want performance, you got it. You want horse power and torque, you got it !!! can you ask for more? I would not recommend this bike for the inexperienced rider, with a ZX12R you better know your limitations before you end up in a wheelchair. Despite its weigh 540 (Wet), it’s a bike that can handle pretty good on the turns. I am a tall guy (6 3) and was looking for a bike that will fit me well. I tried different models including the Hayabusa, but no other bike fit me better than the Ninja. I hate when you see big guys in small bike, they just look funny. It’s tall , it’s big, it’s a mean SOB. I do not regret buying this bike, and will definitely recommend it to anyone who knows how to ride…

Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing

I am not a really talented rider. I got back onto bikes with a 77 Honda CB750 for a year or so before it needed work. I then bought a Kawasaki 1990 ZX10 which was fun for over a year. Moved onto a ZZR1100 which was fast but lardy to handle.

But my eyes feasted a Red ZX12R. X-2000. In two years of ownership I have travelled up and down the country (away from cameras) and have enjoyed every moment. Never out of line, you just guide it to where you want to go. Pure fun.

I gave it new tyres and battery and 0-40 F/S racing oil and it has never missed a beat. Now I am selling it and for the first time in my life I feel a sense of regret about selling my bike (why does it feel like a sad divorce?) somebody on e-bay will get a bargain this week.

But what I really wanted to say, is that this bike made an amature like me, feel like I was a TT champ on days when there was little traffic on the quieter cariageways of the county.

Pros: ROAD HOLDING, NO TROUBLE AT ALL SINCE 3 YEARS
Cons: OVERHEATS & CLEANING/REPLACING SPARK PLUGS

THE ZX12R IS "THE BEST" BIKE I HAVE OWNED AND RIDDEN. GOOD FUEL CONSUMPTION, RIDEABLE, PLEASURE, WHEELIES LIKE A FLY, PERFECT BRAKING.