Voted most helpful review
Reviewed on August 26, 2005
The ZRX1200R is an outstanding overall streetbike. It's an excellent choice for the pragmatic, long-term rider. Having riden many sportbike (VFR, RC-51) years prior to the purchase of my ZRX1200R, I can provide some useful insights to the potential buyer who wishes to contrast this machine with...
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The ZRX1200R is an outstanding overall streetbike. It's an excellent choice for the pragmatic, long-term rider. Having riden many sportbike (VFR, RC-51) years prior to the purchase of my ZRX1200R, I can provide some useful insights to the potential buyer who wishes to contrast this machine with modern sportbikes. The ZRX provides an intermediate posture that allows for upright or leaned-into angles depending upon rider needs. The seat is high and tank low - therefore one cannot use the tank (for support) like a sport bike. Nonetheless, a cafe style posture can be maintained for short distances and provides improved stability and adequate shield from windblast. The pegs are dead-center (not forward and rearward) and are rather high. Therefore, riders with long legs (like myself) have a very tough time with long rides - with much pain in the knees. The bike handles great for its weight. It's surprisingly responsive up to mid speeds. At higher speeds to bike feels heavy in turns - so, much effort is required to lean the ZRX. This bike's handling is an excellent comprimise. Turns can be shaky and dangerous with stock settings - even with "optimal" settings the bike must be gripped carefully in fast turns (esp. w/bumps) to avoid the shakes. The bike has solid power thru the entire RPM range (literally 2000-10000 RPM) - especially in terms of torque. The motor revs much slower than a typical 1000cc sports bike. The engine is ideally suited for street work with or without passengers. The torque is such that I feel little or no difference with a 120 lb passenger. The comfortable, low-RPM torque is great for commuting, and yields excellent mileage with the stock machine. My stock mileage is 40-46MPG. Many folks who modify the engine for power see a large dropoff in mileage with the ZRX. (My personal opinion is that if you want a supersports bike then buy a supersports bike - leave the ZRX alone!!) The transmission is quite knotchy - especially between 1st and 2nd gears. From time to time a light shift in higher gears (e.g. 3rd to 4th) will result in the bike spinning our of gear (into some space between 4th and 5th). The lack of a 6th gear is sometimes frustrating but is appropriate for the suspension setup on this machine (it's simply not designed for high speed work - esp. in the turns). Nonetheless, I rarely break 5000 RPM even when I'm pushing. At 4500 miles the bike is rock-solid in terms of reliability. The stock tires are probably half way down even with some fairly agressive daily cornering. The ZRX is a joy to work on and maintain - chains adjusts, lubrications, cleanings are easy with the aid of a Pit Bull or comparable lift - the rear end is surprisingly light. I enjoy the ZRX1200R because it is a solid, reliable, excellent performing, machine. It hides one hell of an engine under that practical and fairly introverted skin. I park her in town without a lock and nobody messes around. If you're looking for a solid, long-term bike, with good performance and great economy then this is the machine. If you're looking for a crotch rocket or touring bike then you might look elsewhere.
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