Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 2002 Kawasaki ZX-12R. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
When it was introduced in 2000, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R earned the title of most powerful production bike thanks to a ram-air intake that bumped power from 178 hp at low speed to 190 hp at high speed.
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.
A rarely-seen color option was Pearl Mystic Black/Metallic Crescent Gold – the black is actually a very deep blue with some flake in it that pops in sunlight.
Manufactured in February of 2002, this example is VIN: JKAZX9B192A002429. The seller acquired it six months ago from a friend.
During his ownership, the seller has covered approximately 100 miles. The odometer shows 40,130 miles.
Maintenance:
The bike had been sitting for a few years – the seller reports that he has changed the fork seals, the oil and oil filter, and the brake fluid. Additionally, he installed Dunlop GPR 300 tires with date codes of 3821 and 1922.
Modifications:
Yoshimura slip-on exhaust.
Battery tender lead.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes two keys.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Kawasaki is offered on a clean California title with registration that expired in June 2020.
Per the DMV website, it would cost $867 to make the registration current through June 2023.
Have any ZX-12R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
