Anybody got any views on the Kawasaki ZRX 1200S ????

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HowardQ · #1 Post by **HowardQ** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:22 pm

Anybody got any views on the Kawasaki ZRX 1200S ????

I know they are long, heavy and an old style big bike with lots of bottom end and mid range torque, but none of that bothers me, (especially the latter!).
I have only ever ridden one very briefly and that was a 1200R, which is pretty much identical with a bit less fairing.
Liked it at the time, it felt a lot like my CBR1000F with Higher bars.

Fausto · #2 Post by **Fausto** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 3:57 pm

I've always had a soft spot for the R. Tested one once and loved it except that it was too cramped for my long legs. Since then I have fallen in love with V twins and not sure I could go back to IL4 even if I had a leg shortening op. Not keen on the look of the S model - That bikini fairing is an awful lot of the R's appeal - especially in Green.

BikerGran · #3 Post by **BikerGran** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:00 pm

There's a long review on the Carole Nash site - no idea whether it's just taken from the manufacturer's blurb though. Looks great in this colour scheme...

Stokesy · #4 Post by **Stokesy** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 8:15 pm

got one, in silver, 2001 great riding position. top box makes a great commuter, loads of real world grunt and the weight dissapears once on the move, not going to set a record around brands but as a comfy mile muncher with good MPG and relaxed view taking, it takes some beating

Legging to Monza in May so a good long distance test, however the sound does not move the soul, hence its stable partner the full fat 97 TL1000S!!!

HowardQ · #5 Post by **HowardQ** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 8:59 pm

I am looking to replace the old CBR1000F that I have had for more than 7yrs, so alongside that the ZRX is a lightweight, but I have always liked long heavy powerful bikes anyway, (it is what I grew up on).
I am getting nearer to retirement and could go early if I wanted.
I have always liked the idea of having two older bikes rather than one new or nearly new one. I like V twins, (and V60s best), but a 1200 IL4 with a shedload of torque (82 Ft/lbs),is a nice alternative option.

I have put almost 24k miles on the Falco since I bought it at 6k miles nearly 5 1/2 years ago, and I will never sell it as long as I can still ride! Also put around 16K miles on the CBR.
Thing is, if I do retire, I fancy something big and comfortable to do some touring on, whilst still keeping the Falco as a fun bike for the weekends or whatever. Don't want to put a lot more touring miles on it when I might not be able to afford to replace it once retired. Could get another low miles Falco, but when I've already got the fastest colour and the best looking, what would I get. Don't get me wrong, I like Falcos in any colours, but BLACK is my colour and I love that bike with a passion I have never had for any other bike over 40 odd years riding, so could not bare to sell it.
So the idea is to get a second bike to do some touring, where I actually look at the scenery, (rather than blasting through it), and get me a chance to get my camera out, but still have plenty of power to get me to somewhere like Scotland quickly and still be fun when I get bored with the photographs and want to play for a while.
I had always planned to swap the CBR for a Blackbird, but saw a really nice ZRX1200S at a local Honda dealer that is totally unmarked. It is a 55 Reg with just over 6K on the clock and comes with luggage, newer similar version to the colour scheme you liked BG, actually not quite as good. Mainly silver with red, with black engine and pipes. I always liked the same one as you. Anyway I could get a 10 year old Blackbird with around 30K on the clock or this ZRX for the same money. So I am tempted.
It will depend on whether I can pursuade them to take the CBR off my hands, otherwise the plan will be to wait until spring when it will be easier to sell the old tub.
Then again the dealer has dropped the ZXR price to sell it now, so we'll see how it goes. They also have a 94 CBR Thou up for sale at £2k and mine is a 95 with slightly less mileage, so worth a punt I suppose. Would probably take well under half that price if I could sort out in one deal.
Hope to get down on Wednesday afternoon, if the weather is OK and I can get the afternoon off. With my luck they probably won't be interested in the CBR at any price, watch this space.
Thanks for your thoughts, much appreciated.

HowardQ · #6 Post by **HowardQ** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:10 pm

Thanks for your comments Stokesy.
I did also have a look at a low miles very tidy TL1000R, but probably not the best tourer.

Would be interesting to see how it compares with a Falco though.
Had a short run on my nephew's late model, (softened and with a steering damper), TL1000S, but overall I thought my Falco was a better package.

#7 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:13 pm

HowardQ wrote:It will depend on whether I can pursuade them to take the CBR off my hands, otherwise the plan will be to wait until spring when it will be easier to sell the old tub.
Then again the dealer has dropped the ZXR price to sell it now, so we'll see how it goes. They also have a 94 CBR Thou up for sale at £2k and mine is a 95 with slightly less mileage, so worth a punt I suppose. Would probably take well under half that price if I could sort out in one deal.

Hi Howard,

A guy I know has been looking to get another big bike for a while now, and a CBR1000 has come up in conversation once or twice. Only trouble is, he lives in France (but is English). However he makes trips back fairly regularly. If you want to PM me some details about the 'old tub' (lovely description), I'll pass them on to Andy.

Can't promise anything, mind...

#8 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:19 pm

HowardQ wrote:Had a short run on my nephew's late model, (softened and with a steering damper), TL1000S, but overall I thought my Falco was a better package.

I had one of the original 'full fat' Widowmakers, and it was a great bike. I had to sell it (redundancy) and I was very sad to see it go. But I agree the Falco was the better bike. To be honest, the Falco is the bike the TL1000S should have been.

That rotary damper was crap, no way about it; the only thing it was good for was to act as a door closer. And there was definitely something not quite right with the geometry or weight distribution, as well.

The engine was an absolute peach, though. I doubt if the Falco makes any more top-end power than an early TL. Probably has more mid-range stomp, though.

HowardQ · #9 Post by **HowardQ** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:33 pm

These are some earlier photos -

https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=3473

It hasn't really changed too much. I will try and sort some newer ones and PM you.
I am off down to Andalucia again for two weeks from the 28th of December and the Kwack may not be there when I get back, so if I can do a good deal with one in and one out on the same day I may well go for it. If the dealer doesn't want to deal at any price I am open to offers. Ideally I would like around a £1k.
It's a 1995 registered CBR1000FR with 37,580 miles on the clock. Have last 7 or 8 MOTs, tyres are good, BT014 front, BT021 rear), new battery and reg.rec fitted, new pads all round and new rear disk. Standard screen and dark smoked, (now fitted), exhaust modified to single sided with alloy race can (non legal), plus a stainlless legal race can, that cuts the power quite a bit, for MOT time.

#10 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:01 pm

Cheers Howard. I've emailed Andy to see if he's interested. Will keep you posted.