2002 ZRX1200 Review
January 12th 2008 08:47
In the early eighties, the bike most people wanted, myself included was the Kawasaki KZ1000R. The 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R motorcycle was developed in response to the increasing success of a motorcycle racer named Eddie Lawson, who in the early 1980s turned out some impressive lap times with his 250-cc Kawasaki competition bike.
With the creation of the competition Superbike class, Lawson switched to larger street-based machines, and often put them in the winner's circle. To commemorate these feats, Kawasaki released the 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R motorcycle, otherwise known as the Eddie Lawson Replica, or ELR for short.
Based on the standard KZ1000, it sported the same 1015-cc double-overhead-cam inline four, but with a special four-into-one Kerker exhaust header as standard equipment (Kerker enjoying second billing on the fuel tank).
Painted "Kawasaki racing green," the ELR was also fitted with a small bikini fairing that probably did little to protect the rider, but added a competition look -- as did the blacked-out engine.
Stiffer front suspension and special "piggyback" reservoir rear shocks aided roadholding, while triple disc brakes brought the whole affair to a halt.
Relatively few KZ1000Rs were built, making them rare when new and even more rare today. But Kawasaki later revived the spirit of the 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R motorcycle by releasing an updated replica (making it a replica of a replica) called the ZRX1100. (net sourced)
So continuing my mission to find a repalcement bike, I thought I would give the ZRX1200 a go.
This model was in the Kawasaki blue although I do prefer the green myself but anyway, first impressions:
Hmmm first thing I noticed was just how high and upright the handlebars were, didn't like that to begin with and the second thing was the rearsets. These are okay if you are used to them or like that riding position but they did nothing for me. But then again, these bikes all seem to be a little tricked up here and there and overall that is part of their appeal.
Pulling away into the traffic, clutch and gear box was nice and smooth with a nice quiet snick for every gear change. The accleration wasn't too bad and the pipe was quieter than the XJR 1300 I rode last. The riding position is different though and I felt like I was sitting up alot higher but this is mainly due to the bars.
This model had the newer larger half fairing and twin lights unlike the smaller bikini fairing on the older models and it didn't do too bad a job of keeping the windblast down. Power delivery was smooth and effortless as I turned onto a 80kmh stretch of road, reaching that speed fairly quickly.
The front discs had real stopping power although when you did pull on the brake lever, the front forks really allowed the nose of the bike to dive down sharply. I hadn't noticed this kind of excessive diving on any of the previous bikes, so it could be maybe the bike has been wheelied alot and needs thicker fork oil or uprated springs? As every review online advises that you can generally wheelie these bikes very easily.
Clocks were well positioned and the fuel/temp gauges easy to read.
'Got to love that classic swingarm'
Overall not a bad bike, I only had this for about 30 mins as the shop was closing shortly, so I would like to try it with the rearsets adjusted and for longer time. The only things I would comment on is the way the front forks handle hard breaking and the fact that I felt that this bike would be pretty unforgiving if you made an error whilst riding it a bit harder.
But it has great retro looks, styling and performance so well worth considering if you want your bike to stand out from the crowd.
1998 model in green and I think this is the colour to go for.
kiwiauthor rating 7.5/10 great looks/styling - performance under breaking/riding position
word and photography by Heath Ling
With the creation of the competition Superbike class, Lawson switched to larger street-based machines, and often put them in the winner's circle. To commemorate these feats, Kawasaki released the 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R motorcycle, otherwise known as the Eddie Lawson Replica, or ELR for short.
Based on the standard KZ1000, it sported the same 1015-cc double-overhead-cam inline four, but with a special four-into-one Kerker exhaust header as standard equipment (Kerker enjoying second billing on the fuel tank).
Painted "Kawasaki racing green," the ELR was also fitted with a small bikini fairing that probably did little to protect the rider, but added a competition look -- as did the blacked-out engine.
Stiffer front suspension and special "piggyback" reservoir rear shocks aided roadholding, while triple disc brakes brought the whole affair to a halt.
Relatively few KZ1000Rs were built, making them rare when new and even more rare today. But Kawasaki later revived the spirit of the 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R motorcycle by releasing an updated replica (making it a replica of a replica) called the ZRX1100. (net sourced)
So continuing my mission to find a repalcement bike, I thought I would give the ZRX1200 a go.
This model was in the Kawasaki blue although I do prefer the green myself but anyway, first impressions:
Hmmm first thing I noticed was just how high and upright the handlebars were, didn't like that to begin with and the second thing was the rearsets. These are okay if you are used to them or like that riding position but they did nothing for me. But then again, these bikes all seem to be a little tricked up here and there and overall that is part of their appeal.
Pulling away into the traffic, clutch and gear box was nice and smooth with a nice quiet snick for every gear change. The accleration wasn't too bad and the pipe was quieter than the XJR 1300 I rode last. The riding position is different though and I felt like I was sitting up alot higher but this is mainly due to the bars.
This model had the newer larger half fairing and twin lights unlike the smaller bikini fairing on the older models and it didn't do too bad a job of keeping the windblast down. Power delivery was smooth and effortless as I turned onto a 80kmh stretch of road, reaching that speed fairly quickly.
The front discs had real stopping power although when you did pull on the brake lever, the front forks really allowed the nose of the bike to dive down sharply. I hadn't noticed this kind of excessive diving on any of the previous bikes, so it could be maybe the bike has been wheelied alot and needs thicker fork oil or uprated springs? As every review online advises that you can generally wheelie these bikes very easily.
Clocks were well positioned and the fuel/temp gauges easy to read.
'Got to love that classic swingarm'
Overall not a bad bike, I only had this for about 30 mins as the shop was closing shortly, so I would like to try it with the rearsets adjusted and for longer time. The only things I would comment on is the way the front forks handle hard breaking and the fact that I felt that this bike would be pretty unforgiving if you made an error whilst riding it a bit harder.
But it has great retro looks, styling and performance so well worth considering if you want your bike to stand out from the crowd.
1998 model in green and I think this is the colour to go for.
kiwiauthor rating 7.5/10 great looks/styling - performance under breaking/riding position
word and photography by Heath Ling
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