Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R

File:Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R.jpg
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production	2000–2006
Successor	Ninja ZX-14
Class	Sport bike
Engine	1,199 cc (73.2 cu in) inline four
Bore / stroke	83.0 mm × 55.4 mm (3.27 in × 2.18 in)
Compression ratio	12.2:1
Top speed	185.8–187 mph (299.0–300.9 km/h)
Power	161.2 hp (120.2 kW) (rear wheel) 178.5 hp (133.1 kW) @ 9,500 rpm
Torque	91.2 lb·ft (123.7 N·m) (rear wheel) 101 lb·ft (137 N·m) @ 7,500 rpm
Transmission	Wet clutch, 6-speed, chain
Suspension	Front 43 mm KYB , Inverted telescopic fork, with adjustable preload, 12-way rebound and 12-way compression damping Rear Bottom-Link with gas-charged shock: piggy-back reservoir, adjustable spring preload, 18-way rebound and 20-way compression damping
Brakes	Front Dual semi-floating 320 mm discs with dual 6-piston calipers Rear Single 230 mm disc with opposed 2-piston caliper
Tires	Dunlap Sportmax II D207 120/70ZR17, 200/50ZR17
Rake, trail	23.5°, 3.7 in (94 mm)
Wheelbase	56.69 in (1,440 mm)
Dimensions	L: 2,100 mm (82 in) W: 720 mm (28.5 in) H: 1,190 mm (46.7 in)
Seat height	800 mm (31.6 in)
Weight	463 lb (210 kg) (dry) 545 lb (247 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity	20 L; 4.4 imp gal (5.3 US gal)
Oil capacity	3,600 ml (3.8 US qt)
Fuel consumption	7.3 L/100 km; 38.6 mpg-imp (32.1 mpg-US)
Turning radius	3.0 m (9.8 ft)

The Kawasaki ZX-12R is a sport bike that was made from 2000 to 2006 by Kawasaki. In those years the ZX-12R at 178 hp (133 kW) at low speed to 190 hp (140 kW) at high speed with ram-air intake. Made it the most powerful production motorcycle up to 2006 and the release of the ZX-14. . It was known as a contender to be the fastest production motorcycle, and for its role in bringing to a truce the escalating competition to build a faster motorcycle. Its top speed of 187 made it the fastest production motorcycle for sale from 2000 to 2005.

At its introduction the ZX-12R was Kawasaki's flagship sport bike and a competitor to the Suzuki Hayabusa. It was fuel injected with four Mikuni 46 mm throttle bodies and was Kawasaki's first fuel-injected sport bike since the 1981–1985 Kawasaki GPZ1100. The 1,199 cc (73.2 cu in) displacement engine generated 161.2 hp (120.2 kW) at the rear wheel. Handling and braking matched the power of the engine resulting in a motorcycle that was docile at low speeds and very easy to handle in heavy traffic, but had strong acceleration.

From the first production ZX-12R, in the 2000 model year, its top speed was restricted by a motorcycle manufacturer gentlemen's agreement. This was due to a voluntary gentlemen's agreement that included BMW Motorrad and the Japanese manufacturers, amid fears of government regulation of motorcycle speeds mainly in Europe. Prior to the agreement, Kawasaki had planned a world press event to launch their answer to Suzuki's Hayabusa, but the event was abruptly cancelled, and instead the ZX-12R with a revised engine control unit that limited speed to about 300 km/h was released with no fanfare or comment by Kawasaki.

Cycle World tested the ZX-12R's 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration at 2.7 seconds, and at 10.04 seconds at 143.78 mph (231.39 km/h). They found an electronically-limited top speed of 301 km/h (187 mph), a 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) braking distance of 118 ft (36 m), and fuel economy of 32.1 mpg_-US (7.3 L/100 km; 38.6 mpg_-imp).

While most sport bikes use a aluminum perimeter frame, the ZX-12R uses a aluminum monocoque frame which holds the battery. The design incorporates an efficient airbox and a cartridge-type air filter that easily slides into the frame. A massive ram-air scoop protrudes from the fairing to take advantage of the higher air pressure. The ZX-12R was discontinued in 2006 and followed by the ZX-14 (ZZR1400) the same year, which incorporated a similar frame.