Faults:

The cam chain tensioner jammed at 40,000 klm.

General Comments:

I bought the 12 new in 07 in a model runout sale before the ZX 14 superseded it. 4 years of ownership, and it rates as the best all round road bike I have ever owned.

It's got monster power and torque right across the rev range. It's just so easy to leave long black lines out of corners, and murders rear tyres if you're heavy on throttle.

Handling is very stable at high speed, and it feels planted on the road. The bike is a heavy unit by modern standards, and this shows up in the tight stuff, but conversely the weight helps it at high speeds, it's rock solid and planted in big number bends.

The standard brake setup is disappointing, spongy with average stopping power, new pads are a must have on a bike this fast.

ZX-12R ownership makes it hard to keep your license intact.

Modifications are Power Commander III, K&N air filters, a Pipe Masters slip on, brake pads, braided stainless steel brake lines and a set of Helibars for comfort.

The old girl has just been dyno-ed at 175BHP at the rear tyre, which is not bad for a 50,000 klm plus bike.

The 12 is still a seriously fast bike 11 years after it first appeared. I think I'll keep mine for a little while longer yet.

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:

The bike has been very reliable; yes it does eat tires!

Other than general maintenance and the fact the battery is hard to get to, I have no complaints.

General Comments:

My last Kawasaki was a 1987 ZX1000R, and I put 100,000 Kilometers on it. It was fast but not like this one.

My ZX12 is the unrestricted model, last time on the Dyno I was getting 167 HP to the tire. And this is stock.

330+ km down through Gaspe in New Brunswick.

Just for reference I am 51, and I have been riding and racing since I was 9.

Faults:

Perfect reliability.

Replaced the set of tyres.

New battery.

General Comments:

It is very fast, reliable and economical.

I rode it from Mumbai to Hyderabad - a distance of 720kms

Rode in the climatic condition of temperatures soaring to 42.

It is comfortable, and at age of 51 I was not tired by using such a long ride of 720 km.

It gave a fuel consumption of 18.75 KMPL at steady speed for the entire stretch.

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.