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Hi, folks. New poster but I've poked around here for a long time as the info was useful and the attitude convivial. I've long been a closet fan of the ZZR1200 and finally took in a nice '05 two years ago.
It's a fine motorcycle. Old school now, of course, but I always liked the original, ca. 2000 definition of Sport Touring: a high-performance sporting platform modestly tweaked for longer-range duty. Call it the "all-day sportbike." They aren't making 'em anymore (VFR1200 and K1300S were about it), and as good as the C14 and FJR may be, to call that SPORT Touring is a stretch for me.
Anyway, despite its age, this bike is unusually good at everything I ask of it: improve my outlook with a fast canyon blast, get somewhere 600 miles away before sundown, cruise down the coast for Sunday brunch with Melissa on the back -- it's all I need and a definite keeper. Especially since we downsized and I'm trying to get down to one motorcycle!
I'm keeping it largely stock as I don't want to put my development skills up against those of Kawasaki's engineers and test riders (a few of whom I worked with in the dim, distant past). But who can resist personalizing the compromises just a bit? Taller gearing puts the 5000-rpm vibration period in a more convenient place for me, some considered weight loss (mainly exhaust cans, an Li battery, and lighter sprocket and discs) has sharpened direction changes, and last-gen ZX9R front brake calipers and mc give excellent response and feel. A Nitron shock offers more polished damping action and more rear ride height, and I'm about set. From here, it's just diligent maintenance and keeping good tires under her (the bike and I both really like Pirelli Angel GT IIs).
I apologize for being slow to stand up, but it's good to be with you.
Cheers. --Kevin Smith
It's a fine motorcycle. Old school now, of course, but I always liked the original, ca. 2000 definition of Sport Touring: a high-performance sporting platform modestly tweaked for longer-range duty. Call it the "all-day sportbike." They aren't making 'em anymore (VFR1200 and K1300S were about it), and as good as the C14 and FJR may be, to call that SPORT Touring is a stretch for me.
Anyway, despite its age, this bike is unusually good at everything I ask of it: improve my outlook with a fast canyon blast, get somewhere 600 miles away before sundown, cruise down the coast for Sunday brunch with Melissa on the back -- it's all I need and a definite keeper. Especially since we downsized and I'm trying to get down to one motorcycle!
I'm keeping it largely stock as I don't want to put my development skills up against those of Kawasaki's engineers and test riders (a few of whom I worked with in the dim, distant past). But who can resist personalizing the compromises just a bit? Taller gearing puts the 5000-rpm vibration period in a more convenient place for me, some considered weight loss (mainly exhaust cans, an Li battery, and lighter sprocket and discs) has sharpened direction changes, and last-gen ZX9R front brake calipers and mc give excellent response and feel. A Nitron shock offers more polished damping action and more rear ride height, and I'm about set. From here, it's just diligent maintenance and keeping good tires under her (the bike and I both really like Pirelli Angel GT IIs).
I apologize for being slow to stand up, but it's good to be with you.
Cheers. --Kevin Smith
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