Update 4.08.2017: The seller has notified us that this bike has sold to one of our readers. Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc
When Honda and Suzuki responded to the “world’s fastest” ZX-11 with the Blackbird and Hayabusa, Kawasaki doubled down with the ZX-12R, pushing 178 hp and 188 mph. This first year ZX-12R still has – and needs – the break-in warning sticker on the tachometer.
A technical showcase as bikes at the top of the range tend to be, the ZX-12R has the first monocoque chassis on a production motorcycle. The stamped thin-wall “hull” supports the steering head and holds the air filter, with velocity stacks and frame connectors built in. Completely invisible once the bike is assembled, it provides the big horsepower machine a rock-steady base of operations. The ZX-12R got a fair bit of wind tunnel time also, with a protruding ram-air scoop and dive planes just forward of the clutch and alternator housings, it still had a low .33 coefficient of drag. The subdued metallic green maturely recalls the bright racing greens of the past.
This ZX-12R has had two careful owners but not even oil-change miles. A serial ZX-12R fan, the current owner has taken care of any maintenance or long-term storage concerns, and says this about the bike:
2000 Kawasaki ZX-12R with 1,287 miles. Runs and drives perfect. In very very good condition. I am the second owner and bought the bike with 1,175 miles. The first owner was a gentlemen who bought the bike brand new from Sun Kawasaki in Denver and obviously rode the bike very little and kept it stored indoors. The bike is located in Colorado Springs and has a clear Colorado title.
Within the last month had these brand new parts installed:Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires
Walbro GSS242 fuel pump
Injectors professionally cleaned, balanced, and calibrated by RC Engineering (flow chart provided)
Lightweight lithium battery
NGK spark plugs
Smog block-off plates
Coolant flushed
Brake fluid flushed
Oil changed
The owner also provides this video walk-around – https://youtu.be/QzYEOQGIO2o – and cold start.
Starting in 2001, Kawasaki built the ZX-12R to threaten the 200 mph barrier, the perceived threat of regulation caused the major manufacturers to back away from that milestone, agreeing to keep top speeds a bit under. In return, buyers got a better all around motorcycle in the ZX-12R, with all-day comfort if not fuel capacity, and an outstanding power-to-weight ratio with greater stability. With careful storage and maintenance to ensure as-new performance, this ZX-12R is as close to a brand new Y2K flagship as one could hope. And being a 2000 model year, this one has no top speed restriction! The ask is $6,500.
-donn
