Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Kawi planned on having a big release to counter the then-current top speed king, the Hayabusa. Team Green was hinting that they’d be able to top 200mph, and that was enough to scare some regulators into calling for an import ban on these top speed monsters. So in 2000, the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ that capped top speed at 300 km/h (186 mph) was instituted by manufacturers to avoid political issues. The ZX-12 thus never got the glory it probably should have because it had to be capped even before it was released.
In their quest for performance supremacy, Kawasaki introduced an aluminum monocoque frame – the first of its kind on a mass-produced production motorcycle – for increased stiffness and a narrower/more aerodynamic design. It was also Kawi’s first use of fuel injection in a sport bike since the GPz1100 from nearly two decades prior.
Manufactured in April of 2000, this example is VIN: JKAZX9A14YA014286. It came to Iconic as an import from Japan; prior history is not known, though it was originally sold in Canada.
The odometer shows 46,816 kilometers (29,090 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us replace the battery, flush the fuel, and give the bike a detail.
Steve did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 0714/1014 CRACKING
Tire % Front/ Rear: 60/80
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 32/36
Brake % Front/ Rear: 60/80
Hydraulic: OK
Oil: LOW /DARK
Coolant: OK
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light: OK
Plate Light: OK
Kill: OK
Horn: OK
Battery: NEW
Notes:
• ROUGH
• TANK INTERNAL SIGNIFICANT RUST
• FORKS PITTED
• LOTS OF CORROSION EVERYWHERE
• FRONT BRAKE STICKS
• RUNS, NOT TEST RIDDEN
Recommended repairs:
• TANK REPAIR/RELINE
• FUEL FILTER
• OIL + filter
• COOLANT
• HYDRO FLUSH X2
• TIRES
• CHAIN
• FRONT CALIPER REBUILD
Modifications:
Titanium exhaust.
Aftermarket turn signals.
MRacing mirrors.
Aftermarket badging.R
Decal delete.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT023 tires with date codes of 0714 and 1014.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Kawasaki is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any ZX-12R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
