Kawasaki ZZR1200 reviews

After 10 years on my 1992 ZX11 I decided to upgrade just because I figured the new stuff must be better. What a great move! The 2003 ZZR 1200 is the most awesome bike I've ever ridden and I've tried just about everything. This bike does everything well. It will cruise the back roads with girlfriend at 40mph or blast the high desert at 140. It's rock solid. It brakes well, handles well, is fast and gets about 40-50mpg. In addition, it's one of the best looking bikes I've ever seen. On the open road, the weight works in your favor and makes the bike feel much more stable than others weighing 100lbs less. I would change nothing about this bike other than the flat spot at about 3800 rpm and the tank pinches your wrists on a full stop parking lot turn. This bike has my highest rating and recommendation!!! You'll love it. Show less

So it was just a little over two months ago when I aggressively started looking at used touring bikes, primarily to take the wife on scenic road trips across Southwest U.S. I had a price range of 4 to 6 grand, 25 years riding experience, and a deep desire to hit the road. I am thirty-six years old, so I figured I should do the the responsible thing and find a nice, quiet, mild-mannered sport/touring bike... like a used BMW K1100, ST1100, etc... After testing out a few (YYYYAAAWWNNN) BMWs and the like, I decided (and please no offense to BMW owners here) I don't like BMW's. I'm sorry to say it. I really WANT to like BMWs, but they are so boring. I know a BMW is what I should really be wanting... they are reliable, comfortable, sane, quiet. But they provide about about as much emotional pleasure and thrill factor for me as a root canal. Then I came across a local ad for an 02 ZZR 1200. It looked cool from the picture, but I literally knew nothing about ZZR's. I did a little research and thought I should at least take a look. I dragged the wife and kid across to the other side of Denver to see the thing, knowing for sure I wouldn't buy it, didn't need it, couldn't justify it to the wife anymore than an FHM subscription. But as soon as I saw the silver beauty sitting in the driveway, I knew I was in trouble. It is a beautiful machine... a sexy slippery work of art that looks fast standing still. And it's big... big enough for my 6'6" frame. The owner started the thing up, revved the throttle and I was done for. I don't like sportbikes, I told myself. I am responsible. I am a cautious, careful adult who wants to tour the southwest US in comfort. Nevertheless, the seller had a cashier's check in his hand the next day, and I have spent the last couple months wondering... What the Heck just happened? I now own a 145 hp motorcycle capable of blowing the doors off of anything that HAS doors, and can reach 150 mph faster than your wife can scream "SLOOOOW DOOOOWN!!!" The bike is rock solid at 140 mph, is very comfortable, and the ZZR1200 gets over 45 mpg. I have discovered a great, reliable and affordable motorcycle. Show less

This bike is my 5th motorcyle. I think it is the best. I love to ride long distances, but dislike the Crusier look. I opted for the ZZR as a compromise, and I am glad I did. This bike handles like a Superbike and is much less taxing on me. I just did a 2,000 mile trip and had no issues. Very good machine!!! Show less

Bike is very smooth and responsive to the throttle. Fuel injection would have been nice. I've had numerous bikes in the past, the last being an R6. I really feel at one with the road on this machine. Show less

I bought my 04 ZZR in August 04 and have never had a more exciting bike in my 27 years of riding. It is comfortable to ride and it flat out compresses distance like no bike I've ever owned. This bike is an absolute gem in that no one, and I mean no one, realizes how great it is which will allow you to beat your dealer up on price to get one. 160 HP at the crank, 6.1 gallon gas tank, 48 mpg and 187 mph top speed, who can argue with this. When this bike came out in 2002 only the mighty Hyabusa and Kawasaki's own ZX-12R were faster and that was after about 150 mph. Not bad for what Kawasaki calls a Sport Tourer! Show less

I'm writing this review because there are so few reviews of the wonderful motorcycle. I have owned MANY motorcycles over the years and I've owned a Yamaha R1, Honda VFR, Suzuki SV650, Kawasaki ZX-11, and of course the ZZR1200 ALL this year! No that is not a typo.. so I feel pretty comfortable telling you the pros and cons of the ZZR1200. Pros: This bike is a freight train! I mean that in a good way, it is solid and very predictable. Fast and stable, it's a great bike to do curvy back road sweepers, but will fly straight down the interstate if that's what you need. Loaded with luggage and a passenger doesn't really upset the bike either. I feel like it accelerates or turns the same with or without my wife on the back. The engine is a very solid design that is quite proven and dead reliable. Cons: The list is short and mostly easy to remedy. The rear shock is good, but clearly not great, there is plenty of room to improve here. There is a very slight buzz in the handlebars, but you soon forget about it (I only noticed because my VFR was so smooth) The seat is crappy, but what seat isn't? Maybe I'm spoiled but I ALWAYS purchase an aftermarket seat. that's about it... that's the cons list. My verdict? Wonderful, powerful, do it all bike for sport riding on the street (not the track). Touring one up or with a pillon, and commuting. I love my ZZR and I'm VERY happy with the purchase. Other bikes I considered before purchasing the ZZR were the Yamaha FJR and the Suzuki Hayabusa. I think the ZZR splits the difference. Show less

I have owned over 40 motorcycles in my 40 years of motorcycle riding. I have never owned a more exciting bike before. This bike is smooth and handles like it's a part of your body. The power is always there when you need it. The handling is the best I have ever experienced on the road. The bike has a superbike look with a style that is second to none. The brakes are very good and if you can keep it at a normal speed the gas mileage is not too bad. This sportcruiser class is better than most bikes with the insurance company. This sportcruiser is the one for you if you want something different than everyone else and excitement in each ride. Keep the shiney side up and ride friendly. Show less

I have just clicked off over 5000 miles in a year. The bike seems to run better every time I click off another 1000 miles. Acceleration, handling, braking, everything that I expected and more. There are some extras that I have not tried - new seat - it does push you forward. I do want to try to add new pipes and a less restrictive air filter. Back to the bike... this is the most predictable and easy to control bike I have ever rode. When you do hit the digits above 160 it never seems to want to stop. It truly is the sleeper of the Kawasaki line. One more thing... love the insurance rates. What I saved in the first year, I could buy all the upgrades I just mentioned. Check it out, that is all I can say! Show less

I purchased my new 1200 five weeks ago. After riding Harleys for the last 6 years this was quite a change. I was overwhelmed with the power this motorcycle produces. The first 1000 miles was a learning experience, I'm glad I survived it. I found myself riding faster than I ever had in my 35 years of owning motorcycles. It was so effortless to cruise at the registered 100 mph mark, and fun also. In the last five weeks I have put 3400 miles on the machine. I usually ride 100 to 300 miles at a time. The first change I made was to raise the bars 1 1/4 inches, this helped, the second was to get rid of the stock seat. The third was to add a lip to the windshield. I now can go out and run the Interstate and mountain roads comfortably. The gas mileage is impressive for such a powerful machine, I average between 46 and 49 mpg. The 1200 is an easy machine to ride as long as you respect it. It will take you places faster than you may want to go. I will turn 60 in a few weeks and have owned more motorcycles than I can remember. If you want to put the fun back into riding, buy one. I just hope you survive the first 1000 miles. Show less

This is the one bike in the Kawasaki stable that should be called Ninja, it creeps up behind you like the silent assassins and assaults you, the only difference is that this bike leaves you grinning like an idiot. This is truly the stealth bomber of the biking world. It has none of the loud and racy graphics of the sports bikes that seem to attract the attention of the law. It looks like it should be driven by sensible people in business suits. Suckers, this thing goes, the handling is tight and compliant and that engine just pulls from 2000rpm up to the redline. I cannot imagine ever wanting a true sport bike again, when this bike does all I ask from it, in comfort. Biking shouldn't be uncomfortable but should be this much fun for everyone, the sports bike fraternity just don't know it yet. Show less