Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R

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The ZX-12R is a sport motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki Motorcycles.

Before the introduction of the ZX14 (ZZR1400), the ZX-12R was Kawasaki's flagship sport bike and a competitor to Suzuki's Hayabusa. The ZX-12R is a fuel injected (4 x 48 mm throttle bodies) 1200 cc hypersport motorcycle, generating around 178 hp at standstill and 190 hp at 300 km/h by virtue of its ram-air system. Handling and braking match the power of the engine resulting in a motorcycle that is docile at low speeds and very easy to handle in heavy traffic, but has strong acceleration and a top speed around 185 mph (298 km/h).

Starting with 2001 models, speed limiters were included to reduce the ZX-12R's top speed to 300 km/h. This was due to the fact that governments (mainly in Europe) were concerned with the ongoing pursuit among Japanese manufacturers of ever higher maximum speeds, which were seen as a powerful marketing tool in most markets around the world. The manufacturers were told that they could voluntarily limit the speed of their bikes, or there would be a law limiting speeds. Japanese manufacturers agreed on a gentlemen's agreement to limit top speed to 300 km/h (186 mp/h). The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R was discontinued in 2006.

[edit] External links

• Kawasaki ZX-12R Ninja Homepage
• Kawasaki ZX11/ZX12R Repository
• Easy Rider's ZX-12.org
• Bikeland original ZX12R site