The Kawasaki ZZR1200 sports tourer can be considered a creation out of this world. The shape of the headlight is such that it is difficult to clearly determine whether it is aggressive or not. The rear light gives the same feeling. Apparently, in the world where THIS came from, the forms and symbols associated with aggression or, conversely, with harmlessness, are completely different, not like on Earth. However, it is enough to look from the headlights to the “body” of the mysterious creature, and it becomes clear: this is a predator. Perhaps on Pluto this is what harmless sheep look like, grazing on the shores of lakes of liquid methane. But on Earth, teeth, claws, poisonous saliva and a muscular body ready to attack are clearly associated with aggression (1).
“Zizer” devices of classical form
Once in the saddle of the ZZR1200, your eyes were immediately drawn to the instrument panel. Very solid, and almost car-sized. On the left is a dial tachometer with a red zone from 11 to 13 thousand rpm. In the center there is a larger diameter speedometer, combining full and partial mileage counters. The speedometer scale is graduated as
“Zizer” devices of classical design
in miles and in kilometers per hour - apparently the bike came from the States. However, the kilometer scale is small and very difficult to read. And in the dark it is even less visible, so you will have to determine from memory what speed corresponds to 150 miles per hour. If you don’t remember, the first traffic cop armed with a camera will be happy to tell you. To the right of the speedometer are indicators for fuel level, coolant temperature and an LCD clock.
Poorly adjusted steering wheel caused joint pain
A separate story about the steering wheel. It is tuning, from Heli. And it is adjustable in all planes. In addition, the handles feature Harris Performance attachments. But big names do not always guarantee a positive result. At least not for every pilot. Confirmation of this is the pain that very quickly appeared in the wrist joints. The reason is just a rumor
Harris rubber overlays improve comfort
personalized tuning of this very tuning steering wheel. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a set of hexagons at hand and it took a long time to get used to the strange position of my hands, which gave me the feeling that my elbows were turned outward.
The contact with the Corbin saddle makes the butt radiate joy
In contrast to the unusual position of the handlebars, my butt immediately began to radiate joy from contact with the Corbin tuning saddle. The saddles of this company use a special gel layer, which in precise detail repeats the relief of the pilot’s “south pole”. And motorcyclists can additionally install a backrest.
“Alien”: teeth, claws, poisonous saliva and a muscular body
Having completed the visual exploration of the “alien”, it’s time to try to establish contact with him. As soon as I started the engine, I immediately felt a slight vibration on the steering wheel. Painfully similar to the one that occurs on the Kawasaki ZRX1200R. On the move, the engine immediately pleased with its smooth traction and elasticity at almost all speeds. And again it reminded me of the ZRX1200R with a feeling of some roughness. It turns out that even among such distant relatives it is easy to detect genetic similarities.
At speeds of 240-250 km/h the motorcycle was controlled stably
Due to the road conditions, I did not dare to reach the maximum speed. However, despite its large dimensions, at speeds of 240-250 km/h the motorcycle was controlled stably and caused a feeling of being “knocked down” - unlike some purebred tourists. The first “glitch” came out. At neutral 70% gas, the engine periodically began to “jerk.” It is difficult to say what is the reason for this behavior. Either the carburetors needed cleaning and adjustment, or the spark plugs were misfiring, or both. But as a result, annoying jerks appeared in the most important range of the throttle.
The Zizer saddle is very convenient and comfortable
Another good thing about the engine is its strange reaction to a quick turn of the throttle. If you decide to “unscrew” it sharply and all the way, you get a feeling of some “slowness” - something like on turbocharged engines. The engine will not even think of rushing to carry out such a decisive order. He will think, think about the situation, and then begin to accelerate evenly. And God forbid at this moment you lower the gas to 70% - thoughtfulness will give way to indecisive hesitation (see above). So the alien’s psychology matches his appearance: unearthly and complex for human understanding.
High windshield effectively protects from wind
However, both of these shortcomings can easily be attributed to excessive pickiness. If you operate the bike in normal mode, you simply skip the ill-fated position of the throttle and quickly reach 100% power. And that's where the fun begins. 152 horses quickly accelerate the motorcycle to ballistic speeds, and the extensive fairing provides amazing wind protection. The characteristic hoarse exhaust sound completes the picture. Not very loud, but cool.
ZZR1200 front brakes are adequate
In contrast to the engine, the ZZR1200's front brakes are quite adequate and show no drag when braking. Two fingers on the lever are enough to effectively slow down the alien beast. And the rear brake turned out to be sluggish like a sportbike.
Monoshock absorber spring preload adjustment unit
After a couple of hours in the saddle, I formed an opinion about the suspension. The Zizer fork is quite adequate, with well-chosen spring stiffness and damping values. But the monoshock absorber caused criticism. Even though it is adjustable (and turned out to be set to almost minimal damping), on relatively small bumps the bike bounced so much that my legs were fully straightened and I found myself standing on the pegs. So the monoshock absorber risks becoming the first victim of tuning.
By the evening of the test day, another interesting point became clear that long-range enthusiasts should pay attention to. The fuel level indicator readings do not change linearly, but spasmodically. After refueling, you can drive for a long time in full confidence that the tank is full of gasoline. But at some point, literally in 10-15 minutes, the arrow teleports from the sector of well-fed content to the zone of hunger. If the nearest gas station is far away, then panic may begin from surprise. But thanks to the 23-liter tank, the alien’s chance of dying from hunger is low.
To understand an alien, you need to get into his shoes
In an attempt to establish contact with a guest from other worlds, there will certainly be a temptation to try to “humanize” him - in our case, to compare him with other sports tourists - Suzuki Hayabusa, Kawasaki ZX-12R and Honda Blackbird. But ufologists will confirm that humanizing the “Alien” is pointless. We must try to evaluate the alien in the context of his lifestyle and taking into account the characteristics of his habitat. Therefore, do not try to compare the Kawasaki ZZR1200 with other “classmates” - it is different. That will not prevent connoisseurs of sports and touring equipment and the rough and low-tech character inherent in many Kawasaki motorcycles from taking great pleasure from communicating with its strange, inhuman soul.
Anton Barsukov, photo by Viktor Akilov. The author thanks Timofey Derevyanko for providing the motorcycle for testing.
(1) Airbrush “brush” by Andrey Litvintsev, “Raven” motorcycle club.
The gaze of the “Alien” is riveting and paralyzing. Airbrushing suits this bike. It’s hard to believe that THIS can be saddled and ridden in comfort. The beast froze before throwing. The design of the rear light is very unusual. “Alien” demonstrates aggression in every line. “Alien” looks with the gaze of a boa constrictor. “Alien” predator. Tank of the “Alien” Kawasaki ZZR1200R In turns, the “Zizer” is obedient and predictable
Technical specifications
General data Model Kawasaki ZZR1200R Model year 2002 Dry weight, kg 236 Dimensions, mm 1,506x754x1,245 Wheelbase, mm 1505 Seat height, mm 800 Gas tank volume, l 23
Engine Type 4-cylinder, in-line, 4-stroke timing DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder Displacement, cm3 1164 Dimension, mm 79*59.4 Compression ratio 10.6 Max. power hp at rpm 152/9700 Max. torque Nm at rpm 112/8100 Power system 4 Mikuni carburetors with a diffuser diameter of 40 mm Liquid cooling system Starting system electric starter
Transmission clutch , oil bath Gearbox 6-speed Main drive chain
Chassis Duplex aluminum frame Front telescopic fork, 43 mm Front wheel travel, mm 120 Rear pendulum suspension , with monoshock Absorber Rear wheel travel, mm 123 Braking system , separate, hydraulic Front brake 2 discs 320 mm, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 1 disc 250 mm, 2 -piston caliper Front tire 120/70ZR17 Rear tire 180/55ZR17
Main advantages
Of course, Kawasaki took into account the unpleasant moments that were in the previous model, and now the engine has a longer service life, and everything is much better with the chain. The Kawasaki ZZR 1200 can easily be called “working on mistakes.”
Among the advantages of the motorcycle:
- comfortable, relatively upright seating position;
- developed wind protection system;
- aluminum frame.
Some would consider it a plus that the bike has a carburetor fuel supply system. This sports touring motorcycle is perfect for aesthetes with a penchant for tourism and just long trips.
Engine
The engine is an in-line, four-stroke, four-cylinder unit. Its compression ratio reaches 10.6:1, and its working volume is 1164 cm³. The maximum characteristics are as follows: at 8200 rpm, the torque is 124 Nm; at 9500 rpm the power reaches 160 hp.
The speed characteristics are even more impressive than those of the 1100 model: in just 2.8 seconds the motorcycle accelerates to 100 km/h, and its top speed is 294 km/h. This makes the ZZR 1200 a good choice for those who like to drive fast on race tracks.
text from Motorreview No. 2, 2002:
Alexander Dmitriev
Kawasaki ZZ-R1200: 1164 cm3, 152 hp, 290 km/h, $14,300.
Gravitating towards sports tourists, not everyone decides to go on a long voyage. But there are more than enough people who like to ride around the area. The secret to the popularity of these expensive motorcycles is a rare combination of power and comfort.
Without aggression What can I say – I’m like that myself. Classic sportbikes don’t attract me too much - they provoke you to go faster than you can. And “sports” with a tourist bias are what you need. Endowed with a good reserve under the right handle, they are not very agile in turns, but they inspire confidence on the straights. And they delight with what is called “high class” - huge dashboards, wide saddles, and careful wind protection. Of course, riding such motorcycles around the city is not using them for their intended purpose. But if you stick to dogma, it’s better not to get out of the car at all! The Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 replaces the ZZ-R1100, which was produced for more than 10 years. The predecessor is familiar far and wide; it is one of the bestsellers in the category of large sport bikes. Let's not forget a well-known historical fact: until 1996, the old ZZ-R confidently held the highest bar among powerful and high-speed motorcycles. This means that the ZZ-R1200 should please you with something unusual.
However, there is no need to expect sensations: Kawasaki representatives do not hide the fact that all extraordinary solutions are used in the ZX-12R, because today it is the most powerful production bike in the world. What the ZZ-R1200 completely lacks is aggression. Biodesign, popular several years ago, has received a new interpretation in an eye-catching solidity. In contrast to the sharp headlights and angry air intakes of the Ninja series bikes, the ZZ-R looks peaceful and friendly. You can’t say about someone like this: “he wants to give way.” However, does a bike with more than one and a half hundred “horses” hidden under the plastic need to give up something?
Driving in the wet The wind drove clouds across the sky all day, and by evening it started pouring like buckets. A wet road is not the best companion for a powerful and completely new motorcycle, but I didn’t wait for the weather to improve. At the same time I got the opportunity to practice driving slowly. I didn’t like plodding along in the traffic at all: as soon as the speed exceeds 40 km/h, I want to open the gas fully. But you can’t - the slippery asphalt will not forgive pranks. I make my way through a traffic jam - it has become more convenient to do this than on the ZZ-R1100, although not much more. Driving between cars is made difficult by widely spaced mufflers, but there is no escape from them. Contrary to my fears, I got used to the motorcycle faster than I had planned, and after only 30 km of city riding I began to allow myself to accelerate on wet roads. And I noticed the first feature of the new model. The engine responds to the gas with a slight delay and does so smoothly, without malice. Obviously, this is done to make it easier to control the powerful motorcycle. In any case, on a wet road, the slippage of the rear wheel is clearly controlled. This is especially valuable when turning: the engine reacts quite inertly when releasing the gas, allowing the pilot not to think about the rear brake. The manufacturer does not offer ABS - but the existing brakes are designed with the expectation that they will not be used by a racer. Soft levers allow you to accurately dose the forces even on a wet road, which ensures control over skidding of the wheels. The excellent straight-line stability of the motorcycle helps - even when locked, the front end does not instantly drift to the side.
And when, if not in the rain, will you appreciate the quality of the fairing! I didn’t get my leather overalls and boots wet even after two hours of riding without a raincoat.
To the dacha! To a cottage, a villa, out of town - wherever you want, the meaning of the event will not change. It’s no secret that when we talk about traveling on the highway, we often mean dynamic driving from the center of a metropolis about 50 kilometers from the city. Well, 100 is the ceiling. With these thoughts, I rode my new bike outside the Moscow Ring Road. The usual Simferopol highway was met with not too intense traffic. Left lane – 220 km/h. Stability is excellent, wind protection is also excellent. The aerodynamics of the bike are excellent. But the fit of the cladding parts suffers - in some modes the plastic begins to vibrate unpleasantly. However, you can put up with this. Kilometers fly by faster than fast: high-speed maneuvering in traffic is very confident, you don’t get the feeling that you can’t change the trajectory at will. I remembered the ZZ-R1100 - such a feeling arose on it.
On the way back, I took a passenger on board, so I pre-tensioned the spring of the rear shock absorber, fortunately this is very easy to do - using a remote hydraulic drive. Putting more load on your motorcycle is a good way to test your suspension and make sure it's reliable. During normal driving on a variety of roads, comfort is within normal limits, the shock absorbers do not break through, and there is no swaying observed. As for sportiness, of course, if you try to maneuver the ZZ-R into the steep turns of a race track, the rigidity of the hydraulics will clearly not be enough, but for such exercises there are other motorcycles!
With such thoughts, I forgot that I was not traveling alone. The passenger felt a little uneasy at the high speeds that the ZZ-R allowed him to develop without straining at all. Another conclusion was obvious: the ZZ-R is excellent for dynamic driving for two.
How about faster? I returned to the city a different person: firstly, the rain had stopped - the asphalt had dried, and, secondly, I was used to Kawasaki! Yes, this device requires some getting used to - it is powerful and relatively large-sized, it does not allow you to immediately turn off the full throttle. Thanks to the rain - it helped test the car in conditions of low wheel grip on asphalt. And with a habit - what can you do! The device is modern, it allows a lot, but it doesn’t like driving slowly. In dense traffic jams it is slightly clumsy, and at low speed it is inconvenient due to the overly sporty steering handles. I only noticed this on the second day! Otherwise, no complaints - there would be room to accelerate.
I didn’t want to emphasize it, I thought it would work out, but I have to mention it. The gears on the new Kawasaki shift unclearly, errors occur when shifting, and it is difficult to catch the neutral position. This is all the more offensive, because the motorcycle is equipped with a traditional Kawasaki gadget - a “neutral” search mechanism: when the bike is stationary, you can only turn it on to first gear, and from first to “neutral”. On the ZZ-R1200 all this works very poorly. But before, I considered Kawasaki gearboxes close to the standard... One can only hope that this is a feature of a single instance.
Smile more often Comparing the ZZ-R1200 with its classmates, which have appeared in abundance lately, one cannot help but want to highlight it in a separate line. Of course, it is powerful, controllable and comfortable. But it was special because of its appearance: wherever I drove it, I was met only with smiles. And no wonder. Look around - everything is completely black and scary. The angrier the better. The city is the jungle, the law is the taiga. The blue motorcycle of the highest class - not a scooter - seems to challenge the hidden aggression coming from literally everywhere. You ride it and rejoice - this Kawasaki is not capable of causing negative emotions.
Summary Kawasaki's new sport tourer with a powerful engine provides high levels of comfort and confident handling. The motorcycle is pleasant for the driver, but takes some getting used to. Convenient for riding with a passenger. The engine runs smoothly, which helps eliminate gross piloting errors. The imperfect fit of the cladding parts and the unclear operation of the gearbox are disappointing.
Options _
Debut/Start of Production 2001/2002 Dry weight 236 kg Curb weight 270 kg Dimensions 2175 mm Base 1505 mm Seat height 800 mm Ground clearance 115 mm Front fork pitch/reach 25о/105 mm Engine 1164 cm3, 4-stroke, in-line, 4 cylinders, DOHC, 16 valves, liquid cooling Dimension 79x59.4 mm Supply system 4 x Keihin CVKD40 Power 152 hp at rpm Torque Nm at rpm Transmission 6-speed gearbox, multi-plate wet clutch, chain Frame diagonal, aluminum alloy Front suspension telescopic fork O43 mm, travel 120 mm Rear suspension pendulum, monoshock absorber, progressive characteristics, adjustments - spring preload, stroke 120 mm Front brake 2 discs O320 mm, 4-piston calipers Rear brake disc O250 mm, 2-piston caliper Front wheel 120/70-ZR17 Rear wheel 180/55-ZR17 Gas tank volume 23 l Maximum speed km/h 294 km/h Acceleration 0-100 km/h 2.8 s Fuel consumption l/100 km 7.3 l/100 km
Dimensions and weight
The weight without fuel of the ZZR 1200 is 236 kg. This is not much considering the power that the car contains. For 100 km of road, the motorcycle will consume 7.3 liters of fuel, but this is not so significant, given that the gas tank capacity is 23 liters. The rear tire dimensions reach 180/55 ZR17, and the front tire dimensions reach 120/70 ZR17.
Chassis and brakes
The motorcycle is equipped with an aluminum tubular frame. In design it is very similar to that of the 1100. The wheels are, of course, alloy, just plain in shape. The steering wheel is approximately the same in size as its predecessor. It gives good controllability of the motorcycle at high speed.
The rear suspension is a progressive monoshock absorber with a stroke of 112 mm. Both rebound and preload can be adjusted. At the front, only the preload is adjustable, and the suspension is a telescopic fork with dimensions of 43 mm, with a stroke of 120 mm. The rear brake is a 250 mm disc with a single-piston caliper. The front brakes are provided by two discs, each 320 mm, assisted by four-piston calipers.
Test Drive Kawasaki ZZR 1200
No sooner said than done - we exchanged contacts, and a week later I was going to Kemerovo to visit my parents, and to the motsa show at the same time. The device is truly beautiful, however, I immediately decided to change the shade (airbrush it in winter), everything is new, the plastic mmm.. aahh.. it still smells like a factory. Still a 5 year old device.
