Does any serious magazine already test the ZX 12?

[OB_plinione]

I have read many crap on the Internet about the ZX12R, and couldn’t find any serious test of the zx12. Does any body already know something for sure?
I think the Busa still rules.

 

[OB_speed]

my buddy just got his last night.. it was the green one.. but i gota say I dont know why but they put those 1970 looking rubber letters on the gas tank.. it reminds me of one of those old car emblems...

But the greem was a nice color.. candy green metalic. I sat on it and it felt smaller but I think that was because the wait seem to set a lot lower in the bike than on the abuser.

It still looks like a big grass hopper from the front to me. I wouldnt trade my abuser for one, thats for sure.

 

[sherm]

I think MCN is the only English language magazine to publish a full test report. German and Dutch magazines have done reports.
The MCN tester said he like the 12 better than the 13 so I guess that automatically makes it crap by some people's standards.

 

[OB_00 so Blue]

Ya crap.

 

[OB_Earl]

Got a new issue of sport rider today---they say they have done a full road test and the results will be in their next issue on sale May 3. Who knows---but I speculate because of Kawasaki's huge advertising budget in all the mags, that they will say the 12 is the fastest and best openclasser they have ever tested. Watch, that will almost be a quote of what kk will say. Next year the same thing will be said of the next newest and best advertised. Kawasaki has a lot invested in what the mags are going to say about the 12. I am sure all the editors have been told what to print. We'll see---anyway whatever the mags say wont take away the fact the busa is a bench mark machine.

 

[OB_oddball]

A fellow posted at LAbusas on this matter. This is all hearsay so far. 1300 faster in 1/4 mile. 1300 faster top speed, 191mph vs 187mph. Once again, no one has an actual magazine in their hands yet.

 

[sherm]

My guess is that ZX12 is still a work in progress and Kawasaki is asking the mags to hold off until they get the bike sorted out. Like if it has a high speed wobble and it doesn't come with a steering damper, Kawasaki may want the mags to say a fix is on the way (steering damper).
Best thing to do is ignore the 12 for three or four months and then see what it adds up to. It could end up being another gift from god for speed and power lovers, or just another bike.

 

[OB_sonnybusa]

YES I AGREED BUT WHAT WOULD THE BUSA DO WITH SAME FULL OUT RACE AS THE KAL HUM MAKES YOU WONDER? BUT I BET A FULL OUT BUSA WOULD EASLY BREAK 200 MPH ALL DAY LONG MY .02 CENT WORTH CAN'T WAIT TILL MY MODS GET DONE!!!!!

 

[OB_insinu8]

I suppose you believe those stories in the magazines they sell at the check out stand too, right?

Earl is right you know.

 

[OB_Animal]

Like Sherm already mentioned, so far only Dutch (one ZX12 test, one ZX12/Busa comparo) and (serious) German mags (one ZX12 test, one comparo ZX12/Busa/Blackbird/K1200RS) available with this (although "serious" combined with having a BMW K1200RS in that comparo might make people think otherwise).
The ZX12 did not win the comparos, Dutch one had no clear "winner" and the German one from PS (that's German for HP, by the way) had the Busa as the overall winner.
Both German mags have now already reported about that ZX12 blowing-up under another journo and Kawasaki Germany having admitted to the fact that these were a specially prepared batch of ZX12's for the tests and both mags have now reported that they will be "countering" this possible "manipulation" by using a ZX12 NOT acquired from the importer directly, but anonimously via a dealer or normal owner.
Motorrad will simply buy one themselves for their comparo in next issue and PS will even use a NORMALLY available one as a longtermer.
Motorrad already had a normal one on their dyno again for comparison to the results of their special one, but it was even slightly better, so no clear conclusions there yet about WHAT Kaw did to that batch of test bikes?
That blown-up ZX12 has still got some mysteries uncovered but it's a fact it blew-up for sure and the rotten thing for Kaw is that this bike was being used in a combined test by mags from 4 different Euro countries!


[This message has been edited by Animal (edited 06 April 2000).]