Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi guys, I had a 96 ZX9 and loved it, I will more than likely get another 9 as I think they are great but I think the 12s are just SO HOT, I think the best looking bike out there.

My question is do most of you 12 riders find it easy to lanesplit? I am a firm believer in lane splitting and wont buy a bike if its too wide to head down the middle. I found the 9 comfy enough to ride about 250ks in a day but I dont think I would want to go much further than that, are the 12s much more comfortable generally?

Thanks guys
Steve

I've lane split with my ER with saddlebags and crap all over it. I don't think any bike is as wide as that standard...maybe a HD, but I said "bike" hey?

Even though I am not a big advocate of lane splitting I have had to do it a few times on the 12 and I can safely say that no it's not too wide. Maybe a bit heavier then the 9 but still light enough to move it around quickly when needed. the longest trip i have done is around 400k's with frequent stops and my bum is still pretty ok by the end of the day. My younger brother also has a 12 and he rode up to Cairns on it. Stopped every 2 hours for a rest and a smoke but made gladstone on the first day, mackay on the second and then an 8 hour run up to cairns. He loved it. In my opinion...go the 12, but then I am biased.

no idea, take both out for a test ride

Reckon the 9 was easier to toss around, but painful on a long run. Lane splitting is OK, obviously a bit bigger again.

Ran down and back, Sydney to Canberra, (Friday) on the 12 and was OK after it! Reckon the 9 would have left me with a limp...........

Also 120km/hr is about 4,500 revs, (might be a littel out on the revs) so she does it easier.

i reckon the 12 will be slightly wider

Have a look and see how cheap you can get a new 12 for at the moment, you might be surprised.

I know I cant believe about 15k for a brand spanker, certainly makes me think about it, wouldnt mind a brand new bike thats for sure, will see how I go for the folding stuff though, dont want debt for a vehicle ever again, and with the ? impending move im thinking about waiting until I have decided either way to lay out the bones for it

they are both shitheaps

you really would not like em.

not that i've ridden either !

go the mighty 6's

fab

bollocks to your 6!!! I have been riding a friends 6 around, gimme a 9 any day, and im sure once I ride a 12 I will be saying the same

MadFab wrote:they are both shitheaps

you really would not like em.

not that i've ridden either !

go the mighty 6's

fab

fab
go and try a 12R ..and remember to HANG ON
they are amazing

Smitty wrote:

MadFab wrote:they are both shitheaps

you really would not like em.

not that i've ridden either !

go the mighty 6's

fab

fab
go and try a 12R ..and remember to HANG ON
they are amazing

Fab would get a huge shock after gettin off his bike!

i've done the island to sydney in a day round the coast on my nine, i was a bit sore but i reckon i would have been sore if i was in a cage

i've done heaps of 700+ days and been ok, it eally is the best compromise, the ultimate sports tourer if you like

the 12 is a bit wider, but if your the size of stu (hammer) you'd be able to toss it round like a 2fidy anyway.

the new 12's look nice - very nice in fact but i reckon "ya cant beat the 9"

Smitty wrote:

MadFab wrote:they are both shitheaps

you really would not like em.

not that i've ridden either !

go the mighty 6's

fab

fab
go and try a 12R ..and remember to HANG ON
they are amazing

haha, the 12R would be too big for him...

Get the 12R, lane splitting is a breeze just use the power to turn for u, do it all the time. (my weight is 90kg)
You will never get this bike new much cheaper than the prices they are asking for them now, I know the landed dealer cost as thats what I paid for mine and it is around the $14k mark.

As for touring the standard 12R is excellent as the extra weight helps with stability and the seat is a bewdy', even better than the ZZR1200's seat IMO as I have done simular long distance rides on both bikes with more comfort being awarded to the ZX12R after 11 hrs in the saddle with the compulsory fuel stops every 2.5 hours (which is the only bad part about these bikes) and you do sit a bit more upright than on a 9 but thats just my opinion..

I dont think the 12 is that wide at 29.1" or 739mm, how does the 9R measure up ?

yes u gotta luv the 9 but its old tech still you will go far on the 12R

hammer wrote:

Smitty wrote:

MadFab wrote:they are both shitheaps

you really would not like em.

not that i've ridden either !

go the mighty 6's

fab

fab
go and try a 12R ..and remember to HANG ON
they are amazing

Fab would get a huge shock after gettin off his bike!

um wasnt fab the first one WITH a 12