Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 Problems – Durability, Issues, And Main Features

Japanese crotch rockets are thought to be the best when you compare the prices of the motorcycles and their performance. Japanese engineers use some kind of magic when they create very affordable technologies that are both fun to ride and quite durable. We believe that the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 is one of the best sports bikes you can get. And in this article, we'll try to consider both the good and the bad sides of this model.

The crotch rocket by Kawasaki is not bad in terms of the technical side and also design. It looks cool, it accelerates fast, it has a durable engine and a solid frame. What else do you expect to get from a motorbike? But, of course, the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 still has some problems that you will get over time if you decide to buy this motorbike.

Today, we'll discuss the following:

1. Technical equipment of the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 - good or bad?
2. Main problems you are expected to get with this bike.
3. The longevity of the ZZ-R1200 model in different conditions.
4. Reviews and recommendations of experienced bikers.

Let's get started!

The Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 - what do we know about it?

The motorbike was only produced from 2002 to 2005. Now, not so many good bikes are available on the market. These crotch rockets are pretty old and they all have high mileage which makes finding a good option to buy a difficult task.

This is not a completely sports bike. The ZZ-R1200 is considered to be a sports tourer. The main advantage of such a type is that it can carry two people with relatively good comfort, also, you will not get back pains after riding this bike for some hours. It's not a bad choice for those who want a bike for all-purpose use.

Here are some facts you should know:

• the four-stroke 1.2-liter engine is quite powerful and reliable, it offers 160 horsepower and can rotate like mad giving the highest power at 9800 RPM;
• all models were equipped with a traditional six-speed transmission which was also very reliable and easy to use;
• the seat height of 800 mm is an average figure in the class, so everyone will be able to sit comfortably;
• the top speed depends on the year and version and can be 169-186 mph or up to 299 km/h;
• the engine is liquid-cooled which is really good for its longevity, but still, some problems with overheating are possible.

We see that Kawasaki didn't experiment much with these technologies. The motorcycle was equipped with quite traditional technologies and they were going to sell this motorbike to people who had already known what Kawasaki is all about.

The ZZ-R1200 bike had no revolutionary technologies, but it could overtake the most capable and powerful bikes of that time. The top speed of 186 mph in some versions was really good. We can't even think of the bikes in the same price range that could beat Kawasaki in this. But of course, speeding up to 180 mph on a bike like this is a mad idea and a very dangerous thing to do.

The longevity of the Kawasaki bike

Unfortunately, most ZZ-R1200 bikes have already reached the limits of their longevity. It doesn't mean that you can't find any bikes that are "alive" and ready to go another thousand miles. But finding a good option to buy used is a very complicated task for you.

This bike can go around 60 000 miles with no major problems. After that, it's more like roulette. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to ride your bike even twice more than that. We've seen Kawasaki crotch rockets with 120 000 miles on the clock. And they still were OK. Yes, when you see this mileage on a bike, you should understand that it's about to die, anyway.

Here's what you should do to improve the longevity of the bike:

1. Oil change every 7 000 miles or even more often. Your engine will only want to work a long time with good oil inside. Otherwise, the wear and tear will destroy the engine quickly.
2. Small problems repair. You should always keep an eye on any minor issues and find a way to repair them as soon as possible. You should also use only good parts, better buy original Kawasaki parts for any maintenance and repair.
3. Avoid overheating. If the engine and transmission overheat, they start falling apart. This will cause the most expensive issues that will reduce the longevity of the bike sharply.
4. Avoid any physical damages. We've seen some bikes that were waiting for new engines just because they fell on asphalt road. The engine in these bikes is not protected from physical damage.
5. Avoid revving up the engine for too long. If you rev up the engine and tear it with high RPM, it will overheat. After some time, this engine will start burning more and more oil.
6. Get ready to pay for minor repairs. We usually buy crotch rockets to fly over the road. We don't buy them to go to supermarkets obeying all the speed limits. So, the engine will always be revving up, overheating, etc.

From time to time, you should spend some time and money on complete diagnostics and small repair services. This will allow you to enjoy riding your bike much longer. But the high mileage will anyway cause problems with your motorbike, so avoid buying a used crotch rocket with more than 60 000 miles on the clock.

Opinions and tips from experts

We asked a couple of mechanics who specialize in repairing Kawasaki bikes and they said that the ZZ-R1200 is a good model. But also they agreed that the bike is now old and buying one used is not a very good idea. If you already have this motorbike, you can maintain it and ride it for a long time. But buying it now is a risky thing, so you should choose some newer models.

Also, the experts agree that this bike basically has no weak links which could be seen as potential problems. The company has not made a lot of these motorcycles, so they are not very cheap on the market. But still, finding one in a good condition is close to impossible. But you may try if you really love the way Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 looks and goes.

What are the main problems of the ZZ-R1200?

This model is not problematic at all, but still, every kind of transport has its own weak points and popular problems. We've investigated the information on specialized forums and blogs, we've also asked people who own or owned Kawasaki ZZ-R1200. And this way we came up with a list of problems that you should expect to get if you own this bike.

Here are the most popular problems:

1. Power loss. These engines are quite reliable and they don't cause many problems. But after 50 000 miles, these units may require expensive maintenance and repair. If you see black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, get ready to spend some money.
2. Poor gas mileage. Originally, the bike offers 48 MPG, on average. After some years, the mileage drops to 40 MPG. If it's even worse, you should check the carburettor which is a little old-fashioned and can fail.
3. Head problems. Because of overheating, the head in the motor can be damaged. Sometimes it's just about the head gasket, but often the head itself needs to be replaced or repaired.
4. Clutch problems. The clutch longevity depends much on how you use your bike. If you ride the motorcycle for sport, the clutch will not live long. On average, it lives about 60 000 miles and then needs to be replaced. It's not a cheap thing, by the way.
5. Fuel injection. The injection is organized just like it was supposed to be organized in 2002. It's not up-to-date and it keeps failing all the time. The injection system (carburettor to be precise) needs readjustment and repair constantly, and this is a small but very unpleasant problem.

You should understand that the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 is usually not a very expensive motorcycle in repair, but the good original parts cost a lot. That's why a clutch replacement, for example, may make you think about whether you should sell the bike or keep driving it. Also, constantly you will have to clean and set up that carb, especially after the winter break.

You shouldn't think that we are now putting this bike in the category of bad motorcycles. It's a very good model, but it's outdated and it has some problems that you will have to cope with.

Final words

Although the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 is one of the best bikes in its class and in its time, we don't recommend buying it used. You may have big problems if your bike has already had some accidents, bad repairs with cheap parts, poor maintenance, etc. High-mileage Kawasaki bikes are also a very bad idea if you want a really long-lasting and reliable motorcycle. But if not talking about a purchase, the ZZ-R1200 are legendary crotch rockets that are fun to ride.

UPD: We've got feedback from our reader from Europe and here's what he wrote: "I myself am a ZZR1200 owner for 8 years. Bought the bike used and am riding it without any problems ever since. I have made 80.000 km since I have it, traveling round the Europe. The bike has now 125.000 km and there are no major problems. It is fun to drive, easy to maintain - I do most of maintenance myself"