Kawasaki ZZ-R1200

The ZZR1200s – Bought my first one of these in 2001. Running it in exactly as per the book. Hit a small tree branch that lay across my side of the road steered to small stuff but would still have pierced the oil pipe on the right side. Coasted to a stop 60k outside of mount Magnet. Ute following due to running in speed. Stopped took me to the town, knew the… Read more

Hydraulics Manager of NZ hydraulics, made a new pipe, I bought new oil and replaced the pipe. All OK. Bought the man a meal and filled his tank, thanked him and moved on for the rest of my five thousand K trip.

Since then changed fork seals tyres and battery. That's it. A Magic reliable Machine with power where it's most suited for Aussie roads. I have sat up the backside of everyone of most other similar bikes on twisty roads and they don't like it. Top speed not as fast as the Hayabusa's, HP4,s and R.1's and four cyl BMW's but still handles all of them in the corners on public roads. Chicken strip now 2mm. Need track time to kill it.

Primarily, I swapped my ZZR1100 for the ZRX1200s Because of the twin (now 100watt) headlamps and my future touring in Kangaroo land (WA), often at night. Once did Paraburdoo to Nanutarra in WA 300 kms on 13 and a half litres exactly at a cruise speed of 110kph (with a following wind) to enjoy the scenery. No cars no service stations no houses. Nuttin.

As I needed to shorten my time touring I bought another in Melbourne last year to tour the Vic alps and the long ride home, so now I have a pigeon pair. Magic bikes.