There's a new flagship in the Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle series, one widely expected to set new levels of performance for open-class production motorcycles. The machine of the next century is the all-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R, the most radical embodiment of race-proven technology that Kawasaki has ever built.

The ZX-12R follows a long line of Kawasaki motorcycles, that set standards other manufacturers were forced to follow. From the legendary H1, to the famed Z1, through other various Ninja models such as the ZX-11.. which carried the standard of performance for nearly a decade, the ZX-12R will be the green benchmark into the new world order of extreme performance bikes.

The ZX-12R combines a compact engine in an all-new aluminum monocoque chassis, wrapped in slippery aerodynamic bodywork, and equals a light weight... and high horsepower to weight ratio... which in turn lends itself to a hold on and go for it ride unlike any other!

An all new engine... the most powerful in it's class!

Using the same bore/stroke ration that's at the heart of the class-standard setting ZX-9R and ZX-6R, the ZX-12R engine produces more horsepower from it's 1198cc displacement than any other machine in it's class.

Cast pistons ride in all aluminum cylinders... which feature electroplated bores. The pistons are heat treated to prevent distortion and wear, and have thin rings for quicker revs.

Four valves per cylinder are directly actuated by dual overhead camshafts... and a right side cam drive allows narrow valve angles for a highly efficient combustion chamber shape. VX thin-wire valve springs are lightweight yet strong, and also allow the engine to rev quickly.

An added benefit of the right side cam drive is increased torsional rigidity for the forged crankshaft, which has a special nitride treatment for extra strength and durability. A crank mounted generator with rare-earth magnets significantly reduces weight and friction. There is also a gear driven engine balance shaft... to smooth vibration.

The high compression engine gets it's fuel mixture through a Nipondenso-brand EFI system, and is fed through giant 46mm throttle bodies. The injector tips have four holes aimed to spray fuel directly at the intake valve, ala Top Fuel and Indy Car style. Electronic sensors continuously feed the system a variety of data, used to control fuel and ignition delivery for each cylinder, independently, based upon atmosphere and engine conditions. The result is exceptional throttle response and high output at all engine speeds.

Fresh air is introduced via an all new frame-integrated Ram Air system offers high intake efficiency... especially at high speeds. A large snorkel-type scoop projects about an inch from the front fairing to take advantage of the higher air pressure just ahead of the leading edge of the fairing, further increasing intake efficiency. The monocoque frame backbone creates an efficient airbox and a cartridge-type air filter slides easily into an opening in the frame.

Compact stick-style ignition coils help generate the electrical current to fire the twin-electrode, long-lasting platinum spark plugs. Burned gasses are expelled through a four-into-two-into-one exhaust system, featuring stainless steel head pipes and a lightweight, all titanium, muffler.

Monocoque frame is light, rigid and narrow

Kawasaki was among the first to apply a massive, twin spar aluminum perimeter frame to an open-class production sportbike, and once again it breaks new ground by introducing the aluminum monocoque frame on the ZX-12R. While the twin-spar perimeter frame provides exceptional rigidity, it also adds width to the motorcycle as it wraps around the engine. The ZX-12R frame eliminates the spars and puts the backbone over the top of the engine. This design significantly reduces overall width for better aerodynamics and a more radically streamlined look, while retaining stiffness and rigidity of a twin-spar frame.

The ZX-12R's frame consists of a cast steering head welded to pressed plates, welded to a cast mid section, that incorporates the batter case as a stressed member. An alloy bolt-on sub-frame supports the seat and tail section.

Lightweight aluminum is also used throughout the UNI-TRAK(R) rear suspension. An extruded aluminum swingarm uses a linkage system to progressively increase the damping and spring rate as the suspension is compressed. The single shock features a piggyback reservoir, threaded spring preload and a 20 way compression and rebound damping adjustment. Rear ride height can also be adjusted using shims.

Front suspension is supplied via 43mm inverted cartridge forks with adjustable preload, compression and rebound dampening. The upper fork crown is cast aluminum to reduce weight while the lower clamp is forged aluminum for strength.

New 17" three spokes feature hexagonal spokes. The rear utilizes a six inch wide wheel, and an even wider 200-50 tire for excellent traction. Braking is accomplished with huge 320mm dual front brake rotors, and lightweight six piston calipers. The rear uses a single 230mm rotor, and a lightweight opposed piston caliper is secured to the swingarm.

Aircraft inspired aerodynamics

In order to make it as aerodynamic as possible, the ZX-12R spent more time in a wind tunnel during it's development phase, than any other motorcycle in Kawasaki's history. Due to the monocoque chassis design, the ZX-12R is already narrower than any other machine in it's class. The front cowl wraps tighter ahead of the radiator to reduce frontal area and enhance airflow through the engine compartment. Small winglets on either side of the fairing may be mistaken for creating down force when they actually separate airflow around the motorcycle, preventing turbulent air coming off the front wheel from disturbing the laminar airflow along the upper portion of the fairing.

Separating the laminar flow and turbulence greatly enhances the fairing's coefficient of drag. To reduce drag further, there are also small wind deflectors cast into the bottom of the forks that deflect the turbulent air coming off the fork and brakes out and around the lower part of the fairing, where resistance is low, instead of allowing this air to flow inward toward the engine, where resistance is high.

Additionally, the ZX-12R has a passenger seat cover, that easily attaches to provide a sleek and aerodynamic custom appearance for solo riders.

Into the new millennium

The new Ninja ZX-12R delivers a radical interpretation of race-proven technology, setting the standard for sport bikes of the 21st century. With it's high performance, cutting edge engine pumping out the most horsepower in it's class, innovative monocoque frame and highly-developed aerodynamics, the ZX-12R extends the performance legacy of Kawasaki's Ninja sportbike lineup.

SPECIFICATIONS:

FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES:

4-Cylinder 1198cc Engine

• Compact and light weight
• Aluminum cylinders with electroplated bores, reduce weight, resist wear and offer superior heat dispersion
• Balancer shaft for smooth running at all RPM

Four Valves per Cylinder

• Better breathing for more power at high RPM
• Compact combustion chamber for increased compression ratio and more power

Nipondenso Fuel Injection System

• 46mm throttle bodies for quick throttle response and high output.
• Each injector has four orifices, aimed to spray fuel directly onto intake valve

Digital Ignition

• Independent timing control for each cylinder based on data from several engine and atmospheric sensors
• Stick-type ignition coils are compact and lightweight

4-into-2-into-1 Exhaust System

• Stainless steel header pipes
• All titanium muffler

All-Aluminum Monocoque Frame

• Lightweight and narrow with exceptional strength and rigidity
• Serves as airbox and battery holder to save space
• Fuel tank has been relocated beneth the rider, lowering the center of gravity and moving over 30 pounds of weight over twelve inches down in the bike

Ram Air Intake

• Increases volumetric efficiency as speeds rise, for more horsepower
• Designed for maximum pressurization

Aerodynamic Fairing

• Separates turbulence and laminar airflow for increased drag
• Dual headlights for more aggressive look
• Distinctive parking headlight for better visibility

43mm Inverted Front Fork

• Fully adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound dampening

Bottom-Link Uni-Trak Rear Suspension

• Lowers the center of gravity for better handling
• Progressive rate provides a smoother, more controlled ride
• Lightweight aluminum components provide quick suspension response
• Fully adjustable shock with piggyback reservoir

Rear Passenger Seat Cover

• Installs easily to provide sleek, aerodynamic appearance

All Electric Instrumentation

• Electric tachometer, speedometer are compact and lightweight
• LCD clock, odometer, trip meter, and coolant temperature gauge with LED warning light

17" Wheels - Massive Rear Tire

• Wide, modern 17-inch rims, fit low profile, high performance tires
• Comes with 200-50x17 rear tire

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