Usually 1,200 cc Kawasaki sport bike were called ZZ-R1200 in some markets and ZX-12R in others, but the ZX-12R only went by one name. The 2002–2005 Kawasaki ZZ-R1200touring motorcycle did use this scheme, going by either ZZ-R1200 or ZX-12C. The ZX-12R's R designation followed the race-replica Kawasaki ZX-6R, ZX-7R, ZX-9R, ZX-10R.
From the first year of production ZX-12R, in the 2000 model year, its top speed was restricted by a motorcycle manufacturer gentlemen's agreement that was started in late 1999. This was due to a voluntary gentlemen's agreement that included BMW Motorrad and the Japanese manufacturers, amid fears of government regulation of motorcycle speeds mainly in Europe. Prior to the agreement, with rumors of going 200-mph Kawasaki had planned a world press event to launch their answer to Suzuki's Hayabusa, but the event was abruptly cancelled, and instead the ZX-12R with a revised engine control unit that limited speed to about 300 km/h was released with no fanfare or comment by Kawasaki.
Performance
At its introduction the ZX-12R was Kawasaki's flagship sport bike and a competitor to the Suzuki Hayabusa. Its handling and braking matched the power of the engine resulting in a motorcycle that was docile at low speeds and very easy to handle in heavy traffic, but had strong acceleration. The displacement engine generated at the rear wheel. Cycle World tested the ZX-12R's acceleration at 2.59 seconds. They found an electronically-limited top speed of, a braking distance of, and fuel economy of. They tested the time at 10.04 seconds, reaching. The 1/4 mile result Motorcyclist reported was 9.87 seconds at, and Sport Rider found 9.95 seconds at.
Monocoque aluminum frame
While most sport bikes use an aluminum perimeter frame, the ZX-12R uses a unique monocoque aluminum frame. Described by Cycle World in 2000 as a "monocoque backbone...a single large diameter beam" and "Fabricated from a combination of castings and sheet-metal stampings", this was the first use of this type of frame on a mass-produced production motorcycle. This design surpasses the level of chassis strength and stiffness associated with conventional aluminum perimeter frames. Its intention was also to make the bike narrower, and thereby more aerodynamic. The design saves space by housing the battery and incorporating an efficient airbox and a cartridge-type air filter that slides into the frame. It was fuel injected with four Mikuni 46 mm throttle bodies and was Kawasaki's first fuel-injected sport bike since the 1981–1985 GPZ1100.
Model history
The 2002 model was updated with 140 changes. While some of those changes made the bike easier to launch, with a heavier crankshaft and a reshaped flywheel and fuel mapping changes. It had less than the 2000 and 2001 models'. It had a revised suspension with stiffer front fork springs and a softer rear shock spring. The front fender had cosmetic changes, and panels were added to the inner fairing below the instruments and bars. The centrally-located ram-air intake scoop protruding from the fairing that takes advantage of the higher front air pressure was revised. This intake is integrated into a wider and shorter front cowling from Kawasaki Aerospace Company division, lowering the drag coefficient by one point from 33 to 32. The last update was in 2004, with the addition of radial brakes and more fuel injection changes. The ZX-12R was discontinued in 2007, and was followed by the 2006ZX-14 which had a similar monocoque frame.
