Kawasaki ZX-12R

[gtrpimp76]

has anybody here ridden both the Busa and the ZX-12R? I know BT has a ZX-10R and he swears by that ride. I was curious how the 12R handles, accelerates, corners and feels ergo-wise. I've only ridden the Busa but I'm also in the market for the 10, 12 or Busa. Feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank guys

 

[moondog]

busa board, dood....?? try the kawa boards....imo, everything about the ten I rode sucked compared to the busa.

 

[BigDawg_03Busa]

Never rode one, but everyone I know who has ridden one has said the same. It handles curves a little better than the Busa. The Busa is more comfortable from my sittting experienc (at least for my build). I am however eyeing that black 05 12r. No I probably won't bite, but I'll be drooling anyway.

 

[soon2be]

I have ridden the 12r a few times. It's a nice bike. Good acceleration, good handling and clearance, and pretty comfortable. I opted for the busa because I felt the riding position was a little more relaxed (and looks). It seems like you sit pretty high in the saddle on the 12r. The 'busa sits lower and I still plan to lower it another 2 inches. I'm 5'11", so lowering is merely a preference and not a necessity.

 

[EAKbusa]

I owned a ZX12R before the Busa and I can tell you it is quite a ride. The power delivery is different from a Busa, more explosive and peaky, maybe even jerky, but very stong. The ride is a little more sporty I think, it is after all a little narrower and also sprung a little tighter. I can honestly say that it is a hard choice between the two for me. I actually really liked my ZX12R.

In its defense, the Busa is a little (very little) more comfortable, has a much better back seat, seems a little smoother and in general seems to build power at a ferocious rate, but does not explode like the 12 does. Also the Busa seems to sit lower although I am not sure it actually does. It has more to do with the frame on the 12 that makes it seem taller I think.

Either way both are awesome bikes. The Busa's power sneaks up and whips your azz and does it with class and style. On the other hand, the 12 is much more hyper and sporty (for lack of a better term). And I will add that even a stock 12 has an incredible sounding intake noise. It is music to your ears for some reason. you can hardly hear a Busa's intake by comparison. Geez, I miss ol' red

 

[Kento-Moto]

My cousin has one and he rides with me alot and we switch bikes alot. His 12 is a 03 model and I like the way it handles. He has Metzelers, and they really stick in the corners. Nice bike, sits a little high for me, and is a little more torquey. I would buy one but not over the busa. I would suggest go test ride a used one.

 

[Kento-Moto]

Oh and cuz has a muzzy pipe and boy is it loud and sweet.  

<!--EDIT|Hawaiibusa
Reason for Edit: None given...|1100218582 -->

 

[BLU88]

HOW TALL ARE U.. THE 12 WILL SIT HIGHER... I DEBATED OVER BUYING ONE.
I AM 6'5, BUT I JUST LIKED THE BUSA BETTER. GOOD LUCK WIT UR DECISION

 

[gtrpimp76]

Some great advice guys thank you. I like some of the head to head pics some of you posted. I've ridden the Busa and I love the powerband. It is soooo smooth (compared to my GSX-R750) and the ergonomics feels way more relaxed and not so agressive. I haven't had the opportunity to test ride the 12R. I only got to sit on the '05 12R and it is comfy but I feel a slightly bit more pressure on my wrist. The Busa never had that type of pressure on my arms. I stand at 6 feet 232 lbs so I fit the 12R just perfectly (barely) but not as comfy as the Busa. I do want to master the art of twisties one day and it seems that the 12R is more suited for that. Both bikes seem simliar as far as hp/torque according to many tests but the 12 is lighter. Arrgghh, such a hard decision.

Here is what is also making my decision a bit harder. My dealership already has the 12 in stock but the Busa is 'supposedly' coming in late this month. I wanna wait and get the Busa but I'm so tempted to pick up the 12 today.

 

[bacharles]

I've ridden both and I still prefer the Busa hands-down. The Busa has smoother response throught the gears whereas the 12 seems to hesitate, but when she spools up... she ain't no beetch. As far as comfort and style is concerned, the 12 doesn't even begin to compare. It's really what you're looking for in a bike which will ultimately finalize your decision. Good luck, and be brave...

 

[ChronosWS]

While I haven't ridden the 12R, I've always found the gearshift on Kawasaki's to be less than inspiring. Suzukis seem to be much quicker and more positive. Maybe it doesn't bug some people, but I notice it a lot. I've owned two suzukis and owned/ridden two kawis. I still own the zooks.

 

[ChronosWS]

The Hayabusa looks better than the 12R IMHO. Although I do like the all black motif, I think the black and grey 05 Busa looks more elegant.

 

[Ironbrad]

I agree with the comment to go check the Kawi boards. I have a ZZR1200 Kaw and I'm moving to the Busa to get a higher quality/mature bike. Our ZZRs have had head shake, leaking cylinder castings, pitting camshafts and probably a few things I have forgotten. Kawi is NOT good about standing behind these things, so you really have to carry expensive extended warranties for as long as you own the bike, or face really big shop bills. I don't like this mode of operation, so I'm giving my kid the Kawi and going to try the big Suzuki. I really love my Big Kawi, but the reliability issues bug me. Maybe the 12 is better, maybe not. Check out their boards

Good Luck however you go

 

[1127 TO 1299]

I prefer the busa board

oh, you're talking about the bikes. I have riden both the I prefer the busa. You feel the power much better on the busa.

 

[RidersNation]

I have an 01 Busa, No cans, and a 2000 Kawi 12R Ninja, Full Muzzy everything,( clutch, Airbox mod, K&Ns, Double bubble, PowerCommander II, even the Muzzy Alum. fan), I agree with Hawaii, the 12R is more torquey than the busa but I will swear that the busa is a better bike because the 12 R has 17,900 on it hasn't been ridden except on runs and the busa just caught up to it 17,500 and the busa still starts and runs like new. The 12R is loosened up. 12R was dynoed 2 years ago at 179 rwhp at Kyle Racing. It is a terror to ride. I only weigh 135 so I can pull wheelies at will on the busa but the 12R comes up so damn fast that the tank hits you and your eyes actually have to catch up to your skull and by that time you are already vertical or you think you are gonna hi-side and fall over. I love my busa because it is either a hotrod or a sporttourer when I want it. but the 12R has a monocoque frame design and it is more sportlike. Also I have lowered my busa about 1-1/2" in fron and 2 in the rear and it still handles good enough for me. the 12R is stock with a lil stiffness and it does corner a lil better but I would not want to be on a speed run or a long haul on the 12. I also believe this, if you look at 12R's numbers, it does have more HP than the busa but less torque. weights are similar although My 12R is 24 lbs. lighter than my busa. I can pull away from the 12R anytime on the busa from 70+mph. But I cannot catch the Busa when I am on the 12R.
12Rs are good bikes, but choice:
Busa.
As for the 10R wait for the comparo on the 10R the NEW GSXR-1K and the R-1


R'sN

 

[gsteve]

My bud has one and ive ridden it lots.  Great bike , very quick , nice riding position ,  good brakes , all in all a fine bike.
 The busa is better built , doesnt look like every other bike out there , and holds it value MUCH better .  there is some wild deals out there on noncurrent 12s.  But you will lose your ass on resale.

 

[Aughtsix]

I don't think there's a question that the 12r will outhandle the Busa. The Busa though will pull harder because of its superior area under the torque curve - expecially in the low to midrange - and has a slightly higher top speed, if that's important to you. The 12r pulls like a wild beast though when it hits its powerband... don't under estimate the 12r.

Ergonomically I'm more comfortable on the 12r because it's a taller bike and has more leg room, period. The seat height on the Busa is slightly lower, and the bars slightly higher, but the reach to the bars is longer which makes you reach out across the tank more, negating the lower seat and higher bars, so, realistically speaking, they're about the same as far as the 'bent over' quality goes. If the weight on your hands bothers you, spend some time in a gym doing decline presses. For me it all comes down to legroom - hence the 12r being more comfortable. At 6'4" and 230lbs I just don't fit on the current fashion trend liter bikes...

The 12r is lighter feeling also. Don't know if there's much real difference in weight - never cared enough to find out.

I don't have an undying loyalty to either bike as I've owned and been quite happy with both Suzuki and Kawasaki throughout the years, so for me, this year, it's all going to boil down to the color of the Limited Edition Hayabusa. If it's a bad color, or if there turns out to be no LE for this year, you'll very shortly see me on a black '05 ZX-12r and I'll be a very happy man. I saw one today in the flesh and it's a gorgeous beastie...

Steve

 

[Sane_man]

There's a few guy's trying to unload their ZX-12R's on the local bike board for month's. It's fairly easy to sell a Busa.

 

[Aughtsix]

And I will add that even a stock 12 has an incredible sounding intake noise. It is music to your ears for some reason. you can hardly hear a Busa's intake by comparison. Geez, I miss ol' red

Oh yes, I don't think there's another bike around that has the beautiful, howling intake music of the 12r...

That's why they get such poor mileage...

Steve

 

[Aughtsix]

While I haven't ridden the 12R, I've always found the gearshift on Kawasaki's to be less than inspiring.

Yup, good point. The Kawasaki tranny takes 5-7,000 miles to smooth up.

Every Kawi I've owned in the last 20 years or so exhibits the same box-o-rocks transmission feel until you get some miles on them, then, almost magically, they become a wonderful box. The last Kawi I owned was a ZX11 and, after it got up to around 10,000 miles, was by far and away the best shifting bike I've ever owned - slick, smooth, positive and never a false neutral.

Of course, I'm one of those archaic throwbacks who uses that cute little lever on the left handlebar every time I shift...

Steve