what's better?? zx12r 2001 or new model 2002

I haven't ridden the '02.

With that said, and what I absorb on the site, I'll make the following observations:

1) The first gen' has a really light flywheel. Some guys like it, some don't. I do. It allows me to rev quickly out of the apex, and slows down quick off-throttle.

Getting away from a stoplight w/o bogging it takes a couple of hours to get used to.

2) The general consensus is that the '02 is more refined in the handling dept. Slightly, but there. I am talking about the opinions of guys who have rode both. Let the "newer bike" syndrome factor in, as applicable. Most of the guys I've heard give the opinion loved their first gen' 12's, so I suspect they are giving pretty objective opinions.

3) What do you like? Look at both, and better yet ride both. Either way, you are not going to be upset with your decision.

- Blitz



"Here, hold my trophy while I kiss your girlfriend."</p>

Brief Summary:

00,01.....Major badass feel to it, you know you are riding a beast and it's a blast. Also not the easiest bike to hop on and ride well right away.

02.......Much more "refined" ride, "smoother", more linear pull. Worse, more uncomfortable ergos. Seems "easier" to ride. Doesn't "feel" as fast.

Bottom line, I've ridden them both and I would be happy as hell to own any of them! I wish I owned one of each. They do feel different, but accomplish the same thing, all boils down to the rider.

As previously mentioned, if you can ride both do so before deciding.

"I may be slow, but you can't catch me!"</p>

02 are de-tuned versions of Kawasaki's original vision.
The heavier flywheel is just one of the changes to make the bike less radical. Tuners do not install heavier fly wheels to increase top end performance.

On a personal note the 02 is not as radical looking either, the 02's triangle third light is bizarre and the bike from the front now looks like a 9 or a ZX6 with the more integrated snorkel.

00 and 01 don't look like anything else on the road and they're faster.

My opinion.

Evel K



</p>

I had both. 01/02 We all had complaint's about on/off throotle, Front supension valved incorrectly, Clutch was a big one and still is with the guy's that have'nt done the clutch mod's. Cosmetic's everybody hated the front fender and mirror's. Be honest 00/01 guy's.

The 01 had a raw sense of power. When it hit 7000 rpm it kicked in. The 02 pull's hard all the way though, So you don't have that percived power burst at 7000 rpm. The 01 was fun and I loved the bike.

The 02 with the change's in rake does have a lighter front end which took me some time to get used to. But it does handle better and is smoother.

Overall Kawi seemed like they were reading our post's and fixed the thing's we did'nt like and refined the bike into a finnished package.

I loved the 01 and I love the 02. If I was to make a complaint, About the 02, I wish it came in Silverl

Both bike's are fast. And there's no way a rider with my skill level would ever get the full potental out of either of them.

If this is Kawi asking question? Can you make a Silver one in 2004? oh yeah, Send bike from factory with Perilli Super Corsia's Dragon's 190 rear. and raise the clip-on's up and back about 1 1/2 inch's<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=""> about where the 01 ergo's where, And one get outta jail free card please.

The 00, 01 and 02 are wicked bad to the bone bike's which require's you to pay attention. Fastest production motorcycle made period. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT="">

If Jessie Jame's had a ZX12R I'd ride with him.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub56.ezboard.com/bkawasakizx12r.showLocalUserPublicProfile?login=wardawg>WarDawg</A> at: 9/6/02 4:02:28 am