Test ride of ZX12 & ZX9

[johnl]

FYI : Last Saturday I went to Canberra City Motorcycles with a mate who was collecting his repaired ZX7. One of the workers there who to my suprise was a bloke I went to school with talked us into taking the ZX12 and ZX9 for a test ride. Almost two hours later we returned and I have got to say the ZX12 is one hell of a machine. The biggest difference I noticed was the handling, which I guess would be obvious after riding the busa for twelve months. As for performance, I think the ZX12 in gears 1 and 2 is slightly quicker but in gears 5 and 6 the busa has more power.
It is very difficult to pick any difference between the two bikes. I'm not being biased, but the ZX12 looks like just another bike with one crappy feature, the air intake at the front. Whereas the hayabusa looks intimidating, mean and has an aura of power about it. I would not swap mine for anything.

As for the ZX9, it feels as light as a trail bike and handles like a dream. For having fun, it's probably the best I've ridden, you can throw it around like a rag doll and believe me it's got enough power to keep you on your toes.

In my opinion the ultimate bike would be a bike with the power of the hayabusa with the handling of the ZX9.

Note: It was interesting to see that the fuel tank on the ZX12 is basically nothing more than a cover, the tank actually holds very little fuel. Under the tank is used to catch extra air for their "ram air intake system".

Cheers.

[Fox]

Good stuff John - I' d like to read more like this here ... jsut out of interest how did you find the finish of the ZX-12?
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[GSXR1000]

I may seem biased too, but a couple of weekends ago I rode an R1, ZX-9 & GSXR750Y within the space of a couple of hours, on the same stretch of road, (great ocean road) & found the ZX-9 to be crappy. The R1 was certainly better with a real nice engine but a chassis that is certainly suss. The 750 was f#@%ing great. So good if I sold my Busa I would buy one tomorrow. While not having the power of the other two (though real close) you could put it any where any time, brake late, sweep through corners that fast the bike laughs at you saying "is that the best youve got" A truly impressive sports bike.

[Fox]

Yeah the 750s get good raves - although the general comment seems to be "under-powered" ....
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[Trubbel]

I've never heard anyone say it was underpowered for a 750, in fact it's supposed to be significantly up on power over the last model. I guess if you ride a Busa, and R1 or a ZX12R, yeah it might seem that way. The only negatives I've heard about the bike were from Two Wheels who said the rear damper could be better and the brakes warped when they caned it.

[Jeff Banbury]

I have been fortunate to own a GSXR750WT since '96 and it was the longest I have ever kept a sports bike because I absolutely loved the thing. I traded it on a bus and although I love the bus too, I wish it was as good as the 750 turning and braking. I guess you have to compromise a bit sometimes for the power and weight we carry fully fuelled and ready to GO and GO it certainly does!
The new Y2K GSXR750 is one of the most beautiful things I have sat my arse on. and it is certainly not underpowered. If you think that, you should ride one - you will soon change your mind. Check the latest mags for it specs - more horsepower at the rear wheel than the highly acclaimed (overrated) new blade. Wet weight 196kilos and a top speed of 285kph radar verified. That's 178MPH. Yeah I also read about the brake warping, but that is the only report of that incident I have read. I must admit that besides the brake spec change (6 pistons to 4) the 6.0 rear rim also would have more street cred than the 5.5 that replaces it. But Suzuki are the makers and they know/test the best combinations for handling etc. so it must be OK as is.
As far as the ZX9R's go I have also owned one of these for the last 2 years. The most significant change other than setting it up properly was the change from OEM tyres (Bridgestones) to Dunlop 207's then finally settling on Michelin Pilot Sports. The motor was brilliant and the noises from intake and exhaust plus the braking "wizz" was great. I enjoyed this bike as an all rounder but I miss my GSXR750 so much today I traded it in on a new GSXR750. So the shed is looking good!.

Take the Bus for ballistic open sweepers etc or take the Bus Hunter!

PS: Is there any body active in this club over here in WA?? - Please respond.

Jeff.

[demeester]

After the weekend, I may be in a position to give you an updated contact list for WA members. There are a few.

[Fox]

Oops - it was the 600R I was thinking of ... sorry 750 dudes ..
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