Faults:

I purchased my ZX12R used in September, 2008. I have road it about 21,000 miles in the past 14 months. It is my primary transportation. I ride it about 75 miles per day round trip to work in all types of weather, plus my wife and I ride occasionally on the weekends.

It has been very reliable. No maintenance issues at all other than routine maintenance. I clean and lube the chain once a week, change the oil every 3000-3500 miles and put on new tires every 9000 - 10,000 miles.

General Comments:

The bike is very comfortable for a sportbike. I have no problem riding it 300+ miles in a day with only fuel stops.

Not the greatest fuel mileage for a motorcycle, I average 33-35 MPG. The fuel tank should be bigger, the low fuel warning light starts to flash at around 125 miles.

Now for the best part, the acceleration and top speed is fantastic!!! I know that it is not quite as fast as some of the latest sportbikes, but it is still brutally fast by any streetbike standard. Handling and brakes are very good also.

Faults:

Tires wear out every 2000 miles.

Gas mileage is terrible.

Handling is very weird.

Bike feels heavy on back roads.

Valve adjustment is very difficult for the DIY as the frame goes over the engine.

General Comments:

If you want to smoke all your friends on the highway, this is the bike to do it on. The power is overkill.

This bike is suitable for sport touring as it rides very smooth on the highway.

Applying full throttle makes the tire spin or the front wheel to come off the ground, which wears out the tires fast and also ruins your underwear. If you don't need to go 190 mph, then I suggest buying a different bike. It takes a lot of concentration to make this bike handle smoothly in the twisties.

I experienced no mechanical breakdown problems with this bike.