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If you had to choose, whick would it be: ZX-12, Hayabusa, or CBR-XX

4043 Views 44 Replies 29 Participants Last post by  molebaby
I fully believe that all the Y2K bikes were purposely power restricted because of the 183 mph limit thing. That sucks big time. The 00 Busa isn't in the same league as the 99 Busa. I believe that the 12R has the most potential. Howeva'....there have been a lot of reliability problems with the 12R because of the oil-check sight glass being a bolt-on last-minute addition. The glass gives erroneous readings causing you to overfill. While this is an easy fix (drain the oil completely and add exactly 4 quarts, or five or whatever, ensuring an accurate fill) I don't feel comfortable w/the fact that the little sight glass was bolted on at the last minute. Little things like that make me worry. How can you overlook something so important when building a brand new company flagship that was supposed to put the sportbiking world on it's ear? With all the hype the 12R received prior to it's release, you would thing it would've been "better conceived" Also, I believe SR mag had the shootout of 12R vs XX vs Busa. They felt that the 12R wasn't real refined, as compared to the other two; I.E. unfinished plastic in the cockpit, wire looms hanging out. Spotty build quality. Not refined enough for a company's flagship bike. I'm curious to see what Kawasaki does w/the 2001 model. Maybe they'll tweak it the right way. Even though I'm not a big Kawi fan, I really like the fact that the 12R comes w/a 4-1, as opposed to the other bike's 4-2. Less weight, one less thing to drag and ruin, and possibly one less thing to replace if you go down. The 12R is much lighter than the other two. I love the Blackbird. Very comfy. Way fast, and smooooooth. (Like "is this thing running?", kind of smooth) I've ridden one before. But, I don't dig those linked brakes. I felt like the bike was doing things on it's own, and that's not cool when you have it cranked over, entering a blind turn at about 60-70mph. Also it's kind of heavy. Never ridden a Busa, but have read enough and talked to folks that've had one for a year or so, so I can form my own knowledgeable opinion about it. So, I'd have to say:

1. Busa (only because it has better build quality than the 12R

2. 12R Monster motor, mucho tuning potential. (Once someone figures out the trick to the "black box", this thing is going to rip peoples arms clean out the sockets!) And light weight.

3. XX Darn LBS.

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Cosmo
'97 Katana 750
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Hey Cosmo -
Nicely put my brotha. I am with you. I change my answer - BUSA ALL THE WAY!
I'll take the ZX-12, that engine has the largest room for "tweeking" - and I would tweek the *&%[email protected]! out it!
My vote:

Most refined and powerful enough to tear your kajones off: Honda CBR1100XX

Most unique and powerful enough to tear your kajones off: Suzuki GSX-R1300 Hayabusa

Mixture of Refinement and Raw attitude, with enough power to tear your kajones off and laugh at you in the process: Kawasaki ZX12r

My $.02

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2000 CBR600F4
Piped, Jetted, totally trick...
Keep the Rubber side down
my Bruthas AND Sistas!!!
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I think I will go with the Suzuki!! :D

I don't know why I just like its look better I guess... :cool:

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Dan F4 Red/Black
I've had the pleasure of riding all three, and while all three can tear your arms out of their sockets :) I think I'd take the Hayabusa.

I think it handles the best in the twisties for it's size.


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Robert Basil
It ain't easy being green - Kermit the frog
But it sure is fun! - Robert Basil
The Honda of course! :D



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Kyle J.-
email:[email protected]
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1 Green ZX12
2 Copper '99 'Busa
3 Blackbird

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'98 Superhawk
ZX-12!!

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1999 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, 3,900 miles, Vance and Hines Titanium slip on, synthetics, more to come soon!!!


1988 Mustang GT ;)

[This message has been edited by JL1314 (edited June 15, 2000).]
Kyle,

I was going to pick the Honda but it just doesn't do anything for me. :( It's too plain.
Don't get me wrong. I AM a total HONDA man. :)

HONDA HONDA HONDA!!!!!

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Dan F4 Red/Black

[This message has been edited by Dan F4 (edited June 15, 2000).]
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Dan, You're right, the Honda is the plainest of the three. So IF I were'nt a Honda guy, I would go for the Busa just because its going to go down in history as the worlds fastest production bike.... Unless the Nemesis makes production, but that doesnt count anyway. :)

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Kyle J.-
email:[email protected]
Busa all the way.

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Dave
Too many curves...so little time
G
I would've said the Kawi because I think it looks better, but after that news of engine problems, I go with the Busa, and make that a '99 model.

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Pete
Email: [email protected]

[This message has been edited by Pete (edited June 15, 2000).]
I figured that almost everyone would go with the ZX-12!!! :confused:
Guess Suzuki has nothing to worry about!!


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Dan F4 Red/Black
Gotta go with the Busa! If you see one on the road you can't help but to stare at it!

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Rub those pegs raw!
I think it comes down to what you need from your scooter.

I haven't seen anything of the 12 racing yet, so the jury is still out on that one.

I think it will be faster on the track, it just looks better set up...

The Bus, well I have never really liked it, the headlight just does not do it for me.

The Bird, Hmmm, sure it's not as fast, sure it won't go around corners like the other two, but, it's well made, good appointments and I really get off on the lines.

She just looks good.

Track/Squid - zx12

Road/Tour - cbr1100xx

And just because I have one, it hasn't tainted my jugdment at all, really...

Yeah Right

Ross cbrxx


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He who dies with the most toys "wins"
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I would go with the ZX-12R because when the bike is unleashed it will be the best looking and fastest of the 3.

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Chris Blackman
If it is GREEN it has to be better!
www.memphissportbikes.com
I had to choose, and I chose the 12, for the following reasons:
Looks - no contest.
Lighter, shorter wheelbase, more ground clearance - suits my riding style better. I would take American journalist's comments that the Suzuki handles better with a sack of salt - it's heavier, lower, has more conservative steering geometry. Those things add up to a more stable but less responsive chassis on every other motorcycle made. But really, let's face it - If a guy beat me on a Suzi, going out & buying one myself doesn't mean that I would beat him next time around. At these power & speed levels, skills & daring (or a lack of survival instinct, depending on how you look at it) will more than make up the difference in the performance capabilities of these two bikes.
I have already "maxed out" as far as street speeds go - what I mean is that even if I had a faster bike, I wouldn't go any faster. For those of you to whom that statement doesn't apply, the Suzi has been around longer, & the aftermarket offers a wide range of accessories to speed up the "slow" stocker. I have 3800 miles, with no engine or any other problems. I suspect that fella in Germany who threw the rod was riding a bike which had been broken in by journalists, which is to say not at all. The bodywork on my bike lines up very well, the paint is beautiful, and I have no complaints, except about the unprotected radiator. Nuff said.........

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I'll take one of each, thanks. :D

But, since I'm a Honda girl at heart, I'd have to take the XX if I had to pick.

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Stacia
Co-Admin
'00 Honda CBR600F4
"Objects in mirror no longer matter!"
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