This is a report on our first ride of the 2002 Kawasaki ZX-12R. We will post a Part Two to this report, with a more extensive analysis, later next week.
You might want to take a look at our brief discussion of technical changes to the ZX-12R in our article dated September 18, 2001. We will also provide more detailed information next week on these changes.
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This bad boy deserves a bit of respect!
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With over 130 updates to its two year old model, including mild cosmetic changes (note, particularly, the front fairing), Kawasaki has worked hard, and quickly, to refine its flagship sports machine. Although we have only put a little over 100 miles on the new ZX-12R, we are very impressed so far.
The bike is far smoother this year. This is due, in large part, to significantly increased crank shaft mass, an eccentric throttle wheel (more about that later), and re-mapped fuel ignition. Overall, the ZX-12R has much less vibration and less abrupt off/on throttle response.
Despite being smoother, and utilizing a much heavier crank, the new ZX-12R seems quite a bit more powerful than the last model we tested about a year ago. The powerband seems broader, as well, with smooth torque that comes on well below 3,000 rpm (last year’s bike felt a bit weak down low, by comparison).
The bike is certainly more nimble. Revised chassis geometry and a new swingarm pivot point get credit here.
In our opinion, the cosmetic changes to the front end are a huge improvement, and the blue paint on our press bike (called “Candy Thunder Blue” by Kawasaki) is absolutely stunning. Overall, the bike looks sleeker and more integrated this year.
I was not pleased with the suspension settings (particularly, in the fork) during my first ride on the big Ninja. We will play with the fully adjustable suspension and report back in Part Two.
Our first impression is that the ZX-12R is much more refined (and even faster) than the prior model. Stay tuned.
