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ZX12R Pic - sorry no video
- Thread starter OB_Coops
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Meta tagsOB_defectron
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So far everything is kool, I love it, everyday something new to discover and learn. Probably I can't stand close to a good rider yet, but I'll hopefully get there.
Like this was the most important thing to know for now, I'm able to hold an ok throttle wheelie for couple of blocks among other riders.
I've been up to 180 (speedo) on a highway, I would have tried up more but I guess it took me too long to bypass the locking feeling of that speed and so I run out of safe highway.
Next week I'll be going to take the beginners riders course, then whenever possible the second, and then whatever else bike course around I know of, better learn all you can.
The only thing that it kind of scared me is cars, traffic. I mean, no incidents, but the more I go all over places, the more I see how good chances are to become a colorful advertising poster for Suzuki on some van somewhere. So basically I'm going as decent as possible on normal roads, then I try whatever crazy thing in my stomach on some rather free highways, all dressed up like a cosmonaut. Got a 650 miles on it.
I think right now I'm in what is called a "second stage" for a beginner, the one in which you think you're kool but you're not instead, so with this in my mind all the time I feel I'll be kool (now this stage you're always one, of course).
The worst moment was when I got my new gloves, and I went for a ride and could hardly adjust to them. I was taking a right at a stop, uphill really steep, and I stalled the engine in the middle of the curve as I was climbing, and so the bike almost felt because of the strong inertia, it took me some hell of effort to keep it and bring it up, I was the happiest when I've seen no scratches on her! hooh.
That's it after about a month of riding, first time in my life, don't forget.
Like this was the most important thing to know for now, I'm able to hold an ok throttle wheelie for couple of blocks among other riders.
I've been up to 180 (speedo) on a highway, I would have tried up more but I guess it took me too long to bypass the locking feeling of that speed and so I run out of safe highway.
Next week I'll be going to take the beginners riders course, then whenever possible the second, and then whatever else bike course around I know of, better learn all you can.
The only thing that it kind of scared me is cars, traffic. I mean, no incidents, but the more I go all over places, the more I see how good chances are to become a colorful advertising poster for Suzuki on some van somewhere. So basically I'm going as decent as possible on normal roads, then I try whatever crazy thing in my stomach on some rather free highways, all dressed up like a cosmonaut. Got a 650 miles on it.
I think right now I'm in what is called a "second stage" for a beginner, the one in which you think you're kool but you're not instead, so with this in my mind all the time I feel I'll be kool (now this stage you're always one, of course).
The worst moment was when I got my new gloves, and I went for a ride and could hardly adjust to them. I was taking a right at a stop, uphill really steep, and I stalled the engine in the middle of the curve as I was climbing, and so the bike almost felt because of the strong inertia, it took me some hell of effort to keep it and bring it up, I was the happiest when I've seen no scratches on her! hooh.
That's it after about a month of riding, first time in my life, don't forget.
Kamikaze : Number 1 - I refered to a link not a mag - I do not speak German and I do not intend travelling to Germany from Oz to read it at this very moment.
Number 2 - 194MPH seems ok if you consider it is the first test (earlier Busa tests showed lower than this). Don't forget, to get 200.2mph out of the Busa they needed to take off the mirrors, have a strong tailwind, a 50mile run up, circumsize the rider and make him wear a G-string.
Number 3 - Wait until both bikes are tested together in the same conditions ie(temp, humidity, track etc) before making judgement.
Number 2 - 194MPH seems ok if you consider it is the first test (earlier Busa tests showed lower than this). Don't forget, to get 200.2mph out of the Busa they needed to take off the mirrors, have a strong tailwind, a 50mile run up, circumsize the rider and make him wear a G-string.
Number 3 - Wait until both bikes are tested together in the same conditions ie(temp, humidity, track etc) before making judgement.
OB_Mr Bear
Registered
Defectron, keep in mind that (I believe) about 20,000 miles of road experience are needed to reach the "third stage" of experience. Unfortunately, you probably will need one fall in there to be truly veteran in experience...hopefully not a bad one!
My feeling is that the most likely cause of that heartbreaking first spill of your beautiful machine will be an unseen cause of bad traction. A sandy spot of the road left from a pavement repair, or some oil...something like that, invisible, can put you down. A badly-leaking car engine can put a big oil slick down quickly (like in the time it sits in the right-turn lane at an intersection, waiting for the light to change). If other cars track it around a right turn at an intersection, you can find yourself with a big emergency all of a sudden.
Idiot drivers are out there, but you usually have some chance to see and react, if you are paying attention and can use the great capability of your machine to stop and turn. You sound like a rider of excellent physical ability, if you are able to wheelie your 'Busa well at such an early point in your riding experience. All I can say is, use your talent for good instead of evil!!!
My feeling is that the most likely cause of that heartbreaking first spill of your beautiful machine will be an unseen cause of bad traction. A sandy spot of the road left from a pavement repair, or some oil...something like that, invisible, can put you down. A badly-leaking car engine can put a big oil slick down quickly (like in the time it sits in the right-turn lane at an intersection, waiting for the light to change). If other cars track it around a right turn at an intersection, you can find yourself with a big emergency all of a sudden.
Idiot drivers are out there, but you usually have some chance to see and react, if you are paying attention and can use the great capability of your machine to stop and turn. You sound like a rider of excellent physical ability, if you are able to wheelie your 'Busa well at such an early point in your riding experience. All I can say is, use your talent for good instead of evil!!!
OB_defectron
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Mr Bear,
thanx. I hope that if I'll ever fall (though I strongly disconsider it in my brains, my premonition bugs me), it will be in such a way so that not even a single scratch will be on my busa, and at most few on myself (dreaming again, huh?), hehe.
thanx. I hope that if I'll ever fall (though I strongly disconsider it in my brains, my premonition bugs me), it will be in such a way so that not even a single scratch will be on my busa, and at most few on myself (dreaming again, huh?), hehe.
OB_defectron
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wish I could now exactly when I would fall, so that I would borrow a ZX12 at that time.
The ZX-12R is pictured in MCN, out today, August 18, in the UK. You'll probably find it on our website: http://motorcycleworld.co.uk
We've got strip-down shots of it coming the week after, too.
One thing troubles me about the pictures: the size of the swinging arm. It looks too puny to cope with the predicted power. I'm told it IS braced, but I can't see where on the pictures we have.
Kawasaki Japan came to a political decision to allow Motarrad in Germany to get some snaps of it, mostly because they are pissed off with UK journalists at the moment. One reason (I kid you not) is that on the launch of the Drifter there was much "shot-gunning", well, how else are you going to get your kicks on that ludicrous thing? The Japanese technical staff couldn't believe the testers could be behaving so badly and convinced themselves there must be a fault on the bikes... and stripped them all down.
Anyway, international sensitivities aside, if the ZX-12R is meant to be a top speed orientated machine, why are the inicators on stalks and why are tbe bolts so big for the mirrors. Neither is going to help its aerodynamics.
We've got strip-down shots of it coming the week after, too.
One thing troubles me about the pictures: the size of the swinging arm. It looks too puny to cope with the predicted power. I'm told it IS braced, but I can't see where on the pictures we have.
Kawasaki Japan came to a political decision to allow Motarrad in Germany to get some snaps of it, mostly because they are pissed off with UK journalists at the moment. One reason (I kid you not) is that on the launch of the Drifter there was much "shot-gunning", well, how else are you going to get your kicks on that ludicrous thing? The Japanese technical staff couldn't believe the testers could be behaving so badly and convinced themselves there must be a fault on the bikes... and stripped them all down.
Anyway, international sensitivities aside, if the ZX-12R is meant to be a top speed orientated machine, why are the inicators on stalks and why are tbe bolts so big for the mirrors. Neither is going to help its aerodynamics.
G
Guest
Coops - I've taken a pretty hard look at the 200+ mph video of the Busa and it appears to me to have the stock mirrors intact. I had to really 'play' around with it and look at each of the few frames available when the Busa is actually passing the camera. There are only a few because it passes so quickly but I *believe* I see the mirror stalks clearly. Maybe some others can take a look and give their opinion. Also the rider appears to we wearing full leathers & helmet. I am also sceptical about your other claims as well without something to substantiate them other than green envy.
[This message has been edited by Todd (edited 18 August 1999).]
[This message has been edited by Todd (edited 18 August 1999).]
G
Guest
Any chance anyone could scan or let me borrow a copy of the Busa article in June's Bike mag? Also - I still have the video available for download on my website but I would think nearly everyone has it by now.
OB_KawAbuser
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Todd tell me what you want from the article and I will scan it for you, what are you looking for?
Quotes out of "BIKE"----"With any kind of crosswind at Bruntingthorp, the trick is to stay out of the middle of the runway until about a quarter of a mile from the lights, then let the crosswind blow you across toward the edge where the lights are so you going with it insted of fighting it." "The zz-r at 186.1 was almost unmanageable in the crosswind and needed a serious amount of countersteering to keep it straight without obliterating the timing lights. The Suzuki was more stable at 200mph than the zz-r was at 150." The only bike they mentioned "banging of the rev-limiter" was the R1 at 178mph "A stock production bike that costs L8000 has done 200mph. No raised gearing, no folded mirrors, no special fuel and no special equiptment. Amazing". As I said, this is reading from the artical.
G
Guest
I would like to read the entire article to learn as much I can about the run including info like : who made the run, where exactly was the run, how long was the course, what were the weather conditions, condition of the bike, info on any other runs made before & after the 200.2 run yada yada yada. Basically I want the whole nine yards.(any and all info available)
I get a lot of questions concerning this run and would like to be able to provide some valid information. Thanks.
[This message has been edited by Todd (edited 19 August 1999).]
I get a lot of questions concerning this run and would like to be able to provide some valid information. Thanks.
[This message has been edited by Todd (edited 19 August 1999).]
OB_Zleeper
Registered
Now if the Bike article has the ZX-11 doing 186 and the Busa on run two, doing 200.2, this means the Busa beat the ZX-11 by 14MPH. Since increases in top speed/quarter miles times, the ZX-12 doing 210 (which I believe it absolutely will), it has matched the increase in top speed performance between the Busa and the ZX-11. Don't flame this, I'm trying to be honest!
OB_Zleeper
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Some of the posts about the ZX-12 being strictly like the ZX-9 (no sport touring emphasis) conflict with what the Kaw marketing folks are saying according to the German Motorrad magazine article, #17, August 7, 1999, "Introduction Kawasaki ZX-12R"
"The sporty seatcover is standard, although the marketing people especially want to emphasize the sport-touring qualities of the ZX-12R. The ZX-12R should find its place between the ZX-9R and the ZZ-R 1100."
"The sporty seatcover is standard, although the marketing people especially want to emphasize the sport-touring qualities of the ZX-12R. The ZX-12R should find its place between the ZX-9R and the ZZ-R 1100."
OB_defectron
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Buddha,
Like 100 miles got me going ok.
Like 100 miles got me going ok.
I remember seeing a link somewhere on this site that was posted by a guy who worked for MCN. He has the Busa for a long term test I think and the link was to a site regarding the test (200.2). He mentionned the tail wind and the fact that a ZX11 managed 186 mph or abouts on the same course at the same day etc, with similar figures for the XX. He mentionned the strong tailwind. This would be a contributing factor for the ZX11 having hit the rev limiter in sixth gear. Would have been interesting to see if it would have made 187-188 without the limiter.
OB_Kamikaze
Registered
The German article said 194 mph max,if you are going to quote it,quote all of it.
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