2003 Kawasaki ZX12R

Kawasaki ZX-12R Ninja

Make Model

Kawasaki ZX-12R Ninja

Year

2003

Engine

Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.

Capacity

1199 cc / 73.1 cu-in

Bore x Stroke

83 x 55.4 mm

Compression Ratio

12.2:1

Cooling System

Liquid cooled

Lubrication

Wet sump

Engine Oil

Synthetic, 10W/40

Induction

Electronic fuel injection

Ignition

Digital ignition

Spark Plug

NGK, CR9EKPA

Starting

Electric

Max Power

178 hp / 131 kW @ 10500 rpm

Max Torque

134 Nm / 13.66 kgf-m @ 7500 rpm

Clutch

Wet, multiple discs, cable operated

Transmission

6 Speed

Final Drive

Chain

Front Suspension

43mm upside-down cartridge fork with adjustable preload, 12-way rebound and 12-way compression damping.

Front Wheel Travel

120 mm / 4.5 in

Rear Suspension

Bottom-Link with gas-charged shock: piggy-back reservoir, adjustable spring preload, 18-way rebound and 20-way compression damping

Rear Wheel Travel

123 mm / 4.8 in

Front Brakes

2x 320mm discs 6 piston calipers

Rear Brakes

Single 230mm disc 2 piston caliper

Front Tyre

120/70 ZR17

Rear Tyre

200/50 ZR17

Rake

24°

Trail

107 mm / 3.9 in

Dimensions

Length 2120 mm / 82.1 in
Width 739 mm / 29.1 in
Height 1199 mm / 47.2 in

Wheelbase

1450 mm / 57.1 in

Seat Height

820 mm / 32.3 in

Ground Clearance

119 mm / 4.7 in.

Dry Weight

210 kg / 463 lbs.

Wet Weight

245 kg / 540 lbs

Fuel Capacity

20 Litres / 5.0 gal

Consumption Average

14.8 km/lit

Standing ¼ Mile

10.3 sec

Top Speed

303.2 km/h / 188.3 mph

Reviews

Motorcycle-USA / Sport Rider / Motorbikes Today

Kawasaki had long owned the 'fastest motorcycle' crown with its ZZ-R1100, until Honda's Blackbird then Suzuki's Hayabusa moved the class on. The ZX-12R Ninja was Kawasaki's response. An all-new design, it uses a unique monocoque frame, together with a 142kW (190bhp) engine, the most powerful up to 2005. The chassis is aimed at speed: the frame is narrower than a twin-spar design, and houses the airbox and battery, saving space elsewhere. Aerodynamic bodywork is dominated by a massive ram-air scoop, and huge mirrors, small canard wings on the lower fairing and cast spoilers on the forks help the ZX-12R to a top speed of 299km/h (186mph). It is also more sporty than the Hayabusa or Blackbird.

After more than a half century of building high-performance aircraft, Kawasaki knows a lot about aerodynamics.

Those little winglets that look like canards at the front of the fairing encourage laminar airflow at high speeds. For maximum efficiency, the Ram Air duct is centrally located at the area of highest pressure.

This is a bike for those who have experience and seek the ultimate in terms of design and performance. The sleek lines of the most powerful Ninja ever belie the technology that lays beneath. At peak power the dual throttle body, fuel injected motor produces 190ps with Ram Air driven through a six speed gearbox to the massive 200 section rear tyre.

Radial mounted front brake calipers demonstrate that this machine is as much about control as it is performance. And the Kawasaki immobiliser system fitted as standard shows thieves that the ZX-12R rider is serious about owning the ultimate expression of Ninja power and control.