The latest incarnation of the bike that ruled the production bike top-speed roost for six years in the 1990s, Kawasaki's spirited new ZZ-R1200, has the goods for sport touring.
There's also a clear bloodline to the original ZZ-R1100's voluptuous profile, though from whatever angle you look at it the bike has presence and fellow riders, passed at 260km/h-plus, had no hesitation in confirming that its rear is especially impressive!
Kawasaki says the ZZ-R1200 is "based on the famous ZZ-R1100 superbike, with its unassailable reputation for high performance. It gives sport touring riders everything they demand in a high-performance sport touring machine: awesome engine performance, sporty handling and high comfort".
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Such claims are often inflated, but not here, as the bike does indeed give sport touring riders everything they demand - the fuel-economy of a Triumph Triple excepted.
| The 236kg Zee Zee Twelve's handling is something of a revelation. |
For R124 995, it's cheaper than Ducati's ST4, way more comfortable in any situation and better furnished. It also has buckets more power on tap than all of the accepted top-notch sport tourers.
"Ah, but it'll handle like a cow," I hear the critics say. Don't you believe it.
The 236kg Zee Zee Twelve's handling is something of a revelation. Whether under hard acceleration or at indicated speeds of 280km/h, its straight-line tracking is matched by staunch bend-swinging ability, with quick steering and positive feel from front and back.
Better still, its open road handling doesn't end where the easy curves do and a visit to Midvaal raceway confirmed this - for a big two-seater the Kawasaki is a handler, with more capability than you're likely to need on a two-up sojourn to Sabie.
In Midvaal's tight and bumpy corners, the ZZR-1200 remained steady and planted, steering quicker and more securely than most big-bore bikes I've tested there.
| Why not share it with someone nice to keep your back warm? |
A plus feature of the new machine is bound to be its comfy riding position for rider and pillion, with both sitting on a more level plane than the ultra-sporty ZRX-12. After all, when you have so much power on tap, why not share it with someone nice to keep your back warm?
As the first local journo to test the bike, I had the privilege of running it in and initially thought the four-pot callipers on their dual, semi-floating, 320mm and 5mm thick front discs were a little wooden and in need of more bite.
The track test showed I had simply been working them too lightly, and once running hard down the Midvaal main straight that impression gave way to one of admiration. The brakes have powerful bite and slow the big machine down progressively without locking up, though I'd still like to see them equipped with reinforced hoses.
220km/h pretty good
Having experienced the addictive power of the carburettor-fed 12's new 1164cc, quad-valve, in-line four engine on the open road, I somehow envisaged it being quicker down the straight than the ZX-9R Ninja, which ran to about 230km/h before braking.
However, the 220km/h achieved was pretty good considering neither bike nor rider can be labelled as lightweights. Such extra weight also played a role when braking for the first right-hander, where the added mass would have meant losing out to the lighter, more agile 900 Ninja.
Still, that feeling of being able to take on the world, though somewhat misplaced, says a lot for the bike's willing character and fortunate owners will certainly not embarrass themselves on track days at Kyalami.
Claimed engine specs give a crankshaft power output of 114kW (155hp) at 9800rpm, and 120kW (163hp) when the Ram Air system does its bit, with maximum torque a strong 125Nm at 8 200rpm.
Completely reworked
With the redline at 11 000rpm, this matches the factory's claims that it set out to create more mid-range torque instead of outright top speed, especially now that the range-topping ZX-12R is more clearly defined in its hyper-sport role.
Compared with the older ZZ1100, the 1200 is a completely reworked machine and its engine changes include a new all-aluminium cylinder block with plated bores, CVKD40 carbs with throttle position sensors, twin fuel pumps, digital ignition, twin-fan radiator and even twin oil pumps.
The dual theme continues into the exhaust pipes, which house twin catalysers in each of the twin upswept stainless steel mufflers. To prevent damage to the KLEEN (Kawasaki Low Exhaust Emission) system, only unleaded fuel is used.
The new six-speed, close-ratio gearbox is a pleasure to use in almost all situations, though aerodynamics being what they are I noticed a large amount of wind drag on the toe of my left boot when shifting up at more than 250km/h.
Number of tweaks
Chassis-wise, the new 1200 has an-all-aluminium twin-beam frame, while two bolt-on downtubes cradle the engine and allow for its easy removal. Like its wheels, the ZZ-R1200's preload adjustable cartridge fork comes straight from the ZRX1200, while a new ZX9R-type aluminium swingarm has reduced stiffness to match the new frame, and instead of eccentric rear axle adjusters it uses Ninja-style axle sliders.
The rear Uni-Trak suspension system features a nitrogen pressurised emulsion-type rear shock and a number of tweaks that contribute to the bike's sporty handling.
Finally, a smart, neatly laid-out and comprehensive dash panel includes an attractive, easily read speedo (limited to 280km/h by international agreement) and rev-counter (redlined at 11 000rpm), plus ever-so-handy fuel and temperature gauges and a digital clock.
SUMMARY
The Zee Zee Twelve makes a perfect choice for action-seeking biker lovebirds. It offers great handling and braking, top-notch creature comforts and the prospect of scintillating all-day two-up tangoing to set the pulses racing before bedtime.
It also has a main stand (handy for lubricating the chain), grab rails, tie-down hooks, an accessory plug and a storage compartment beneath the seat.
Solo, it will readily handle track school and easily stay with or ahead of the pack on any breakfast run.
Bike from KMSA, helmet from Arai, both at (011) 448-1112, and thanks to Midvaal Raceway.
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