Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R

Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production	2000–2006
Successor	Ninja ZX-14
Class	Sport bike
Engine	1,199 cc (73.2 cu in) inline four
Bore / stroke	83.0 mm × 55.4 mm (3.27 in × 2.18 in)
Compression ratio	12.2:1
Top speed	185.8–187 mph (299.0–300.9 km/h)[1][2][3][4]
Power	161.2 hp (120.2 kW) (rear wheel)[1] 178.5 hp (133.1 kW) @ 9,500 rpm[5]
Torque	91.2 lb·ft (123.7 N·m) (rear wheel)[1] 101 lb·ft (137 N·m) @ 7,500 rpm[5]
Transmission	Wet clutch, 6-speed, chain
Suspension	Front 43 mm KYB , Inverted telescopic fork, with adjustable preload, 12-way rebound and 12-way compression damping Rear Bottom-Link with gas-charged shock: piggy-back reservoir, adjustable spring preload, 18-way rebound and 20-way compression damping
Brakes	Front Dual semi-floating 320 mm discs with dual 6-piston calipers Rear Single 230 mm disc with opposed 2-piston caliper
Tires	Dunlap Sportmax II D207 120/70ZR17, 200/50ZR17
Rake, trail	23.5°, 3.7 in (94 mm)
Wheelbase	56.69 in (1,440 mm)
Dimensions	L: 2,100 mm (82 in) W: 720 mm (28.5 in) H: 1,190 mm (46.7 in)
Seat height	800 mm (31.6 in)
Weight	463 lb (210 kg)[5][6] (dry) 545 lb (247 kg)[1][4] (wet)
Fuel capacity	20 l; 4.4 imp gal (5.3 US gal)
Oil capacity	3,600 ml (3.8 US qt)
Fuel consumption	7.3 L/100 km; 38.6 mpg-imp (32.1 mpg-US)[1]
Turning radius	3.0 m (9.8 ft)

The Kawasaki ZX-12R is a sport bike that was made from 2000 to 2006 by Kawasaki. In those years the ZX-12R at 178 hp (133 kW) at low speed to 190 hp (140 kW) at high speed with ram-air intake.^[7][8][9] Made it the most powerful production motorcycle up to 2006 and the release of the ZX-14. ^[10] It was known as a contender to be the fastest production motorcycle, and for its role in bringing to a truce the escalating competition to build a faster motorcycle. Its top speed of 187^[2] made it the fastest production motorcycle for sale from 2000 to 2005.

At its introduction the ZX-12R was Kawasaki's flagship sport bike and a competitor to the Suzuki Hayabusa. It was fuel injected with four Mikuni 46 mm throttle bodies and was Kawasaki's first fuel-injected sport bike since the 1981–1985 Kawasaki GPZ1100.^[11] The 1,199 cc (73.2 cu in) displacement engine generated 161.2 hp (120.2 kW) at the rear wheel.^[1] Handling and braking matched the power of the engine resulting in a motorcycle that was docile at low speeds and very easy to handle in heavy traffic, but had strong acceleration.

From the first production ZX-12R, in the 2000 model year, its top speed was restricted by a motorcycle manufacturer gentlemen's agreement.^[1][2][3] This was due to a voluntary gentlemen's agreement that included BMW Motorrad and the Japanese manufacturers, amid fears of government regulation of motorcycle speeds mainly in Europe.^[2] Prior to the agreement, Kawasaki had planned a world press event to launch their answer to Suzuki's Hayabusa, but the event was abruptly cancelled, and instead the ZX-12R with a revised engine control unit that limited speed to about 300 km/h was released with no fanfare or comment by Kawasaki.^[12]

Cycle World tested the ZX-12R's 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration at 2.7 seconds, and 0 to ¹⁄₄ mi (0.00 to 0.40 km) at 10.04 seconds at 143.78 mph (231.39 km/h).^[4] They found an electronically-limited top speed of 301 km/h (187 mph), a 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) braking distance of 118 ft (36 m), and fuel economy of 32.1 mpg_-US (7.3 L/100 km; 38.6 mpg_-imp).^[4]

While most sport bikes use a aluminum perimeter frame, the ZX-12R uses a aluminum monocoque frame which holds the battery. The design incorporates an efficient airbox and a cartridge-type air filter that easily slides into the frame. A massive ram-air scoop protrudes from the fairing to take advantage of the higher air pressure. The ZX-12R was discontinued in 2006 and followed by the ZX-14 (ZZR1400) the same year, which incorporated a similar frame.

Notes