ZX-12R or CBR1100XX Which is better?

[Steve'sR8]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at trading my '05 Z1000 on either a ZX12R or a Blackbird & would be grateful for any feedback on either model regarding performance, comfort, reliability, etc. Both bikes are similar in price with the runout deals available at the moment, I'm leaning towards the 12, but not sure which way to go.

Cheers,
Steve.

[slash]

I've owned examples of both these choices, here's my thoughts.

The ZX12R is definately the pick of the two in my opinion. Great power, handling and brakes. Sport or touring, it's very good. The only drawback is cleaning the air filters VERY regularly as they block up with bugs & shit quickly, causing power loss & excess fuel consumption.
If you have a passenger in mind....forget it. Otherwise a superb motorcycle.

The Backbird is a very reliable bike. It's good two up, comfort & handling are average & the linked brakes are not a bad thing, unless your a demon braker. A good solid bike.

I sold the Honda to buy the Kawasaki & was extremely happy with the choice. I have since sold the Kawasaki for a Ducati & wish I still had the Kwacka, but that's another story.

[johnv]

I have the Blackbird, would probably be the more comfortable of the two and better suited to longer distance touring or two up.

But for power and handling I would go the ZX 12 R.

Horses for courses.

[Steve'sR8]

Thanks guys,

Thats exactly the kind of info I need. My better half is only 5'1", would the 12 still be uncomfortable for her? She generally rides herself but occasionally gets on the back with me. What model Ducati did you buy?

I had an R1 before the Z1000 so either would probably be a lot more comfortable.

Cheers,
Steve.

[Hellbent]

blackbird is more of a tourer, zx12r is more on the sporty side, after riding an r1 you might not like the blackbird, unless you are ready to wind down and clock up some ks :)

[Nawdy]

I've got a new Blackbird as well, and am very happy with the choice I made:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Nawdy/blackbird_06_silver_600x450.jpg

Not having ridden the Kwaka (or a Huyabusa for that matter), I would imagine that real on-road performance would be fairly close anyway, with the Kwaka falling on the sporty side of Sportstouring (as already mentioned). I have found it very easy to live with without have to make the sacrafices sometimes required on a pure sports bike.

The reasons why I chose the Blackbird were:

* Easy to ride (particulary coming off a modded VTR1000) - I commute on it everyday through Melbourne.
* Very comfortable, although a little more room between the seat/footpegs would be good
* The other half loved it (she couldn't get on the back of the VTR while I had the high pipes fitted), and finds the pillion seat very comfortable
* Didn't have to be a contortionist or into pain to ride it
* Touring ability
* Looks - I wasn't after something that screams "look at me" but wanted something where you could sit back and have a few beers while just looking at it. And would catch out unwary cars drivers who think a sedate-looking bike would be easy pickings.... :limpy:
* Price (talk about great bang-for-your-bucks)
* Insurance costs (the Blackbird isn't in the highest insurance bracket...)
* Proven reliabilty and design

I hope this helps.

[slash]

Thanks guys,

Thats exactly the kind of info I need. My better half is only 5'1", would the 12 still be uncomfortable for her? She generally rides herself but occasionally gets on the back with me. What model Ducati did you buy?

I had an R1 before the Z1000 so either would probably be a lot more comfortable.

Cheers,
Steve.

996 - OK track bike, uncomfortable road bike, rediculous service costs. For Sale if you want it.

The 12 pillion seat would be comparable to the R1 I'd say.
The riding position is about the same as the Blackbird, fairly upright. I toured a lot on the 12 and it was very comfortable. Torque, power and handling are all far superior on the 12 than the Blackbird. (12 will eat the 'bird) Tyres may be a problem depending on your riding style. The best I managed was 5,500klms and worst 1,500klms. (both Michelin Pilots)

I agree with what Nawdy has posted re Blackbird except the "real on road performance", but it's all relative.....doesn't matter if you don't use it.

[Steve'sR8]

Sounds like the 12's the bike for me, I'm a bit of a horsepower junkie & the pillion situation really isn't an issue. Tyre wear will be a problem with whatever I buy, there are very few straight roads over here, there's 12 corners in the 4km from home to town. I'll be lucky to get 3500km out of the rear tyre on the Z1000, but thats a relatively small price to pay for the fun of wearing it out.

Cheers,
Steve.

[FRASHD]

Go the 12. I have an 04 I just bought and it's great. Shite loads of torque.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/FRASHD/P1000559.jpg

[Smitty]

Go the 12. I have an 04 I just bought and it's great. Shite loads of torque.



hmmm...
maybe I should put you in touch with a mate of mine
had a blue '04 or '05 model and with a few subtle mods
increased the rwkw by about 25-30% :bow:
guess a lot is never enuff..but reckon you know that :rofl:


cheers

Smitty

[Sonnymad]

Thanks guys,

Thats exactly the kind of info I need. My better half is only 5'1", would the 12 still be uncomfortable for her? She generally rides herself but occasionally gets on the back with me. What model Ducati did you buy?

I had an R1 before the Z1000 so either would probably be a lot more comfortable.

Cheers,
Steve.

Steve,

if ur gonna go touring go the blackbird as its a fantastic tourer and beleive me its not short on any punch,great fuel economy,handling,braking and very comfortable pillion seat :),if it was upto me to ride again,& do touring,i wouldnt walk past the hyabusa as its the best of all worlds.

regards sonny

[Smitty]

Steve,

if ur gonna go touring go the blackbird as its a fantastic tourer and beleive me its not short on any punch,great fuel economy,handling,braking and very comfortable pillion seat :),if it was upto me to ride again,& do touring,i wouldnt walk past the hyabusa as its the best of all worlds.

regards sonny

sorry but I disagree

I test rode lots of sportsbikes before I bought the 12...
including the Blackbird and the 'busa

the Hayabusa is a missile in a straightline (quicker than a 12 or the 'Bird),
as pillion friendly as topnotch sportsbike can be ...but oh so ponderous and heavy in the corners!
it requires your total attention and muscle to get it around corners and with brakes
much worse than either the 12R or the Blackbird (the 'bird helped (some say hindered) by its linked brakes)

If I was buying a hyper bike for touring with a pillion..it would be the Blackbird .
I bought a 12R coz it was the best of the bunch..but I expect NOT to carry a pillion

and imho..the 'Busa has to be one of the ugliest bikes ever designed

cheers

Smitty

[FRASHD]

hmmm...
maybe I should put you in touch with a mate of mine
had a blue '04 or '05 model and with a few subtle mods
increased the rwkw by about 25-30% :bow:
guess a lot is never enuff..but reckon you know that :rofl:


cheers

Smitty


I am currently looking for some parts to mod mine. I'm thinking Power Commander, pipe and K&N for now. Seems hard to find go fast bits for the bike. Also want fender eliminator.

[Quen10]

there both awesome bikes

throw the hayabusa in and the choice gets harder or easier

[Smitty]

I am currently looking for some parts to mod mine. I'm thinking Power Commander, pipe and K&N for now. Seems hard to find go fast bits for the bike. Also want fender eliminator.

haha

thats 'zactly what Paul did with his 12R
and zoom zoom... hyper missile

he went Megacycle for the zorst
(his bike is pictured here as he was the guy who lent Ken the bike to make the zorst )
http://www.megacycle.com.au/KawasakiZX12R.htm

and more chat here ..re the mods
http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=7412&hilit=


hth

Smitty

then
there is always this...


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270204722151


:confused:

then
there is always this...


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=270204722151


:confused:

[FRASHD]

Thanks for all the links. I want to put mine on the dyno at work as soon as we re-locate the bike bracket from Cranbourne. Then I will start to play. No NOS though, babys are bottle fed, not bikes. Maybe a turbo.:D:D

[Sonnymad]

sorry but I disagree

I test rode lots of sportsbikes before I bought the 12...
including the Blackbird and the 'busa

the Hayabusa is a missile in a straightline (quicker than a 12 or the 'Bird),
as pillion friendly as topnotch sportsbike can be ...but oh so ponderous and heavy in the corners!
it requires your total attention and muscle to get it around corners and with brakes
much worse than either the 12R or the Blackbird (the 'bird helped (some say hindered) by its linked brakes)

If I was buying a hyper bike for touring with a pillion..it would be the Blackbird .
I bought a 12R coz it was the best of the bunch..but I expect NOT to carry a pillion

and imho..the 'Busa has to be one of the ugliest bikes ever designed

cheers

Smitty


Your entitled to ur own opnion,though test riding and owning sure becomes something different,i have been riding for 15years + and owned 15+ diff bikes,evey bike has a diff charactaristic and feel,wat suits some doesnt suit others,it becomes personal prefrence and on the 12 ? mine is that at the old road it felt like a brick & flat,the busa felt sharp and heavy,though i preferred the busa over the 12,but hey thats my opnion,others may differ.

regards sonny

[Smitty]

Your entitled to ur own opnion,though test riding and owning sure becomes something different,i have been riding for 15years + and owned 15+ diff bikes,evey bike has a diff charactaristic and feel,wat suits some doesnt suit others,it becomes personal prefrence ...snip
regards sonny

..agree
I also have owned around 15 bikes and probably ridden/borrowed/test ridden/had loaned another 30 different ones ...over 35+ years of riding


cheers
Smitty

[VT LS1]

As a Blackbird owner, I can only tell you why I made my decision....

Between the 3 there really is not that much in it in a straight line on a track, let alone on the street (you can loose your licence on all of them in first gear, and they all pull low 10's stock).
All 3 have more cornering ability than i have balls (again especially on the street)
At 6foot 2, I found the 'Bird far more comfortable, and I was looking to do some real miles. That does not however mean you will find it more comfortable.

[A^K^T]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at trading my '05 Z1000 on either a ZX12R or a Blackbird & would be grateful for any feedback on either model regarding performance, comfort, reliability, etc. Both bikes are similar in price with the runout deals available at the moment, I'm leaning towards the 12, but not sure which way to go.

Cheers,
Steve.

I'm thinking of a runout deal as well although i am thinking the 07 Hayabusa or perhaps the Blackbird , i checked on the insurance for the Bussa and was quoted $2915 :eek: I thought it was a little steep .

[VYSHSV8]

I'm thinking of a runout deal as well although i am thinking the 07 Hayabusa or perhaps the Blackbird , i checked on the insurance for the Bussa and was quoted $2915 :eek: I thought it was a little steep .

A little mate that farkin bullshit :(

[FRASHD]

I am 6 foot 3 can ride my 12 all day. I use to have a CBR900 fireblade and it was pretty cramped.

I did a lot of reading before even riding any bikes. From what I read the 12 suits me. The blackbird is ment to transmit less vibration due to the chassis type, but the 12 is a one piece frame designed for a more track bike feel and handling. here is one of the articles I found.

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/ZX12R.htm

P.S Dont expect to beat a 12 on a BLACKBIRD. wont happen. (more than happy to back that statement up)

[Road Warrior]

P.S Dont expect to beat a 12 on a BLACKBIRD. wont happen. (more than happy to back that statement up)

Well, with the 12 having what, 178hp and the 'Bird with 147 I don't think there is any need to :lol:

[FRASHD]

Just refering to previous posts that they are on par. far from on par.

[VT LS1]

Well, with the 12 having what, 178hp and the 'Bird with 147 I don't think there is any need to :lol:


Actually the bird has 164, and in straight line performance they are very close. the bird is however more sports tourer, the 12 more sports. with the same rider, expect the 12 to whoop the bird through the twisties....

[Smitty]

I'm thinking of a runout deal as well although i am thinking the 07 Hayabusa or perhaps the Blackbird , i checked on the insurance for the Bussa and was quoted $2915 :eek: I thought it was a little steep .

geezus...... and I thought the $690 I am paying for the 12R
was a little exxie....:confused:

[FRASHD]

Actually the bird has 164, and in straight line performance they are very close. the bird is however more sports tourer, the 12 more sports. with the same rider, expect the 12 to whoop the bird through the twisties....

Maybe the 12 you are refering to had a blocked aircleaner and l spark plug lead off. :rofl:

[VT LS1]

Maybe the 12 you are refering to had a blocked aircleaner and l spark plug lead off. :rofl:

Or perhaps you didn't have the nuts to open the tap on the bird......

There seriously is not that much in it, not on paper, and not on the road.
At the end of the day if 1/100 of a second here and there strokes your ego, then look for numbers that you like and pick a bike that way. If you enjoy riding motorcycles, ride a few and buy the one that rides best (for you and your style of riding) thats what I did, and couldn't be happier with the bird.

[FRASHD]

Or perhaps you didn't have the nuts to open the tap on the bird......

There seriously is not that much in it, not on paper, and not on the road.
At the end of the day if 1/100 of a second here and there strokes your ego, then look for numbers that you like and pick a bike that way. If you enjoy riding motorcycles, ride a few and buy the one that rides best (for you and your style of riding) thats what I did, and couldn't be happier with the bird.

I think some one has sand in there vagina. Settle pettle. I have riden both bikes and dont need a bullshit paper figure to back up what is fact.

[Sonnymad]

I think some one has sand in there vagina. Settle pettle. I have riden both bikes and dont need a bullshit paper figure to back up what is fact.



Brett this arguement can go on for ever,it will come down to rider preference,at the end of the day someone can come with a busa and whip the 12,then someone comes with another bike and whips the busa,its a never ending argument...i prefer the balckbird over the zx12,i was a true blue kawasaki guy and owned nothing but that make till i rode the 12,but thats my personal preference & opnion..each bike has a negative and positive and those fit certain riders preferences.

:)


regards sonny

[FRASHD]

I agree totally with what you are saying.

[aussiedav]

And of course you all realised this topic was started almost 18mths ago.

I will take my 1400GTR with secondaries removed, power commander added and muzzy muffler thank you very much.
:dancenana:

[Chris'R8Clubby]

KAWASAKI all the way man, it will never let u down, team green!

[Smitty]

KAWASAKI all the way man, it will never let u down, team green!


gawd..you a KSRC member...? :bow:

www.ksrc-au.com

can't get greener :lol:

[ZRX]

I have had a 2006 ZRX1200 for about 6 mths bought it new Yep traded in my old GPZ 9R Cause of shoulder probs find the Naked version awsome yet very comfy on long trips

zrx 1200 's are very comfy and still awsome to ride hard

[tlr1000]

I got a 08 zx 14 2 months ago, done 4000kms since and its good knowing i always have plenty of spare throttle to play with when my mate on his bandit 1200 thinks he is quick.

[zxnator]

imo you cant compare a 12r to a xxx , its zx all the way, 12's ARE OFF TAP. :stick: