The Kawasaki ZX-12R as Used Sport-Tourer

Back in 2000 the Kawasaki ZX-12R was Kawasaki's attempt to produce the fastest road going motorcycle on the planet. Now-a-day, ten-years later, the Kawasaki ZX-12R is still a hell of a motorcycle. But for what it is – a ten-year-old superfast, sport tourer that you can pick up for not to much money, the Kawasaki ZX-12R still has to be judged as a serious performer.

The Kawasaki ZX-12R is appreciably more agile an flickable than its big rival, the Suzuki Hayabusa. The Kawasaki's better brakes help leave the Suzuki behind when the going gets twistier too. The only real drawback the Kawasaki ZX-12R has a high center of gravity. This isn't a problem most of the time, but it can make the ZX-12R feel a little awkward and ponderous at very low speeds. Stuff like tight hairpin bends and mini roundabouts need to be taken with care to feel comfortable. The Kawasaki ZX-12R always feels more at home on sweeping stuff than it does with anything more stop-start.

Speaking of comfort, the riding position is a little too racy for some. It's not as extreme as other sportsbikes, but it still has you hemmed into more of crouched and committed position than some would prefer. And the low screen, especially bearing in mind the windblast you might have to suffer at the pace the Kawasaki ZX-12R is capable of, is another restriction to longer periods on board without a rest.

As is the slight vibration from the engine between 4000 to 5000rpm which can annoy a bit on motorways when holding revs in this zone continually. Mind you, if you thrash the 1200 above this zone you'll need to stop every 160 kilometer or so to refuel anyway, such is its high rpm thirst.

While we're moaning, the ZX-12R is a big and bulbous beast, and though it's still some way to the ugliness of the Suzuki Hayabusa, it's never likely to win any beauty awards. It looks far bigger and bulkier than it actually is too ride, and the weirdly shaped aero-aiding mirrors and fins on the fork legs and lower fairing it a bit of a scifi look – or is that just me?

Overall though, a used Kawasaki ZX-12R has to be worth considering. If offer outstanding value with its exceptionally powerful engine that easily generates warp factor speeds, and the decent chassis copes quite well with the power when it comes to corners. Just as long as you're disciplined enough about where and when you use the Kawasaki's truly staggering performance, then you'd be more than pleased with it. It proves fast motorcycles don't always have to cost a fortune.