July issue of Motorcyclist...ZX12R excuses

[OB_Warp13Busa]

In the latest Motorcyclist, Kawasaki's saying the test bike was ill prepped, had too much oil in the crankcase, etc. Blame placed on oil level window design, etc.

Bottom line of it is that Kawasaki's going to supply Motorcyclist with a good running and properly setup ZX12R for re-testing.

I don't know about anyone else, but that sure sounds like they're going to send in a hand built tight tolerance "ringer" to me!

Motorcyclist didn't mention it but why not get permission from Kawasaki to get another test bike from a local dealers inventory? This would ensure it's a real production model. Or,let Suzuki have the opportunity to provide a "properly setup" Busa for another head to head test.

This is getting like the Superbike Wars in the early 80's where manufacturers would inflate front tires to 50 pounds, pry the brake pads away, coat the launch pad with gallons of VHT traction compound and hire Jay Gleason to fire the bikes down the track for the title of fastest production bike.

Wasn't Motorcyclist the same magazine that replaced 3 clutch packs at the drag strip in order to get their ZX9R into the 9's??

I'm not a diehard Suzuki rider just out to bash the Kawasaki fans (especially since I've got a built ZRX in my garage) but geez, what's next to pacify the manufacturer who's in 2nd place (at Motorcyclist) for speed currently?

Jim

 

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

The price of a Hayabusa or R1 just went up a notch or two.

 

[OB_valklex]

Motorcyclist has always been biased; nobody trusts it. I always rely on cycle world for tests, and you know the results.

 

[OB_falcon fool]

Those guys(or gals) at Motorcyclist are a bunch of sissys! Cycle World ran the 2000 Bus 191 mph...if I remember correctly.

 

[OB_Mr Bear]

In my biased opinion, handling and ergos would go to the ZX-12; motor, suspension, fit & finish would all go to the Busa.

But the magazines say what they are paid to say.

 

[OB_Tangram]

I always thought that my most favourite mag was one of the unbiased ones. Proved wrong this month though.
Fast Bikes, July 1999....
Bird - 179
Busa - 193

Fast Bikes, June 2000....
Bird - 179
Busa - 188
ZX-12 - 193

The 2000 busa slower then the '99, or a little nudge from the Kwaka crew in the printing department?

 

[OB_bimmerbusa]

motorcycle consumer news seems to be the only one on the level...............

 

[OB_barryg]

funny thing - that radar detector that motercyclist mag used , radared a tree going 60 in a 45 zone. (grin)

 

[Guest]

Fast Bikes ran the Busa without the rear hump - a critical aerodynamic component when it comes to high speed testing. You will notice the Busa still prevailed in the 1/4 mile testing even without the hump.

 

[OB_boneman]

Motorcyclist did their test up in the high desert, alt=2300ft. So it's not suprising the speed they got was down from others. Although I'm not sure where the others tested the bikes. Something to keep in mind when spouting off at the mouth about top speed. Point was though, who was the fastest in the given conditions.

 

[OB_grandvitesse]

All the magazines are biased. They can't help it. They depend on revenue generated by mfg ads. Except MCN, although sometimes I doubt their objectivity.

The paid mags have to give each mfg a little push every now and then, especially on new models, to stay in their good graces.

For example Motorcyclist's latest test of CBR929, R1, etc. You can't tell me that the R1 comes in second behind the 929. But, I'm not objective when it comes to the R1. But MCN supposedly is.

I'm waiting to see MCN's full test of the ZX-12 and how it stacks up against the abuser. Let's see what they have to say other than about this relentless obsession with top speed. What about the rest: motor, supsension, handling, ergos, fit and finish, value, etc. I know what the answer is going to be.

Just my opinion.

 

[OB_Mr Bear]

Did anybody ever clear up why the idiots ran it without the rear hump?

Talk about a stupid test. Why not just have the rider wear a parachute? Fukkin' morons.

 

[OB_Animal]

Maybe it was just like with SuperBike or Performance Bikes (don't remember for sure anymore) that had a '99 loaner Busa from just a dealer for the comparo with quite some miles on it and from the looks of it not in mint condition I'd say.
This is of course not 100% comparable to a ZX12 coming from Kaw perfectly prepped and also explains why the Busa had the passenger seat on and these guys probably never realised this or didn't bother?

Doesn't matter to me anyway, have seen enough ZX12 tests/comparos to know that I wouldn't trade my used Busa for a new Kaw!

 

[OB_godzuki 31]

When and if a 12 pulls up next to me, then Ill worry.

 

[OB_Mr Bear]

If you're on a Busa you still won't have to worry, Godzuki.

 

[OB_bimmerbusa]

Read motorcyclist today. What a bunch of crap.....Excuses galore. and now another test bike.... The 12 has oil fill problems. too much and it goes slower.... underfill and the motor siezes.... what a piece of shiitte

 

[OB_Hayawiz]

OK I,m not byassed either way but I've personally allready blown away 3 Z-12s allready!
but then could be just the rider????

 

[OB_bruce]

Fast bikes ran a 1999 busa without wing mirrors on this knocks off 7mph as tested by mcn in 1999 when they tried to get the busa to crack the 200mph barrier. super bike tested a 1999 busa with the pillion seat on even though the kawasaki had its seat cover on.

 

[Guest]

Look at the hard numbers piece on pg. 136 for more trash.

 

[OB_TURBOBUSA]

in the may issue of bike magazine they tested the busa and the zx-12 heads up the results from test goes like this
top speed zx-12 180mph
busa 189mph
1/4 mile was a little different
busa 10.31
zx-12 10.04
so see i'm not all that biased, but they did say they were a little dissapointed with the 12 and a kawasaki rep said he didn't know what they were talking about with this restriction **** !!!, but the kawasaki's front felt light during the top speed run and the bike wasn't stable according to the testers.