Still got both my Lee's Performance built ZX12Rs... and a spare 1361 stroker built by the late Dave Owen when he briefly worked for Lee. Let the Good Times Roll!!
I would say that the 98 ZX-9 is the most underrated (biased owned two of the 9s) I road raced a zx 9 in sanctioned events,drag races a zx 9 in sanctioned events and commuted on a zx 9. . It was the quickest stock bike untill the Hayabusa and it was just as quick around a road course as the more popular road racer R1. I used to road race an '89,'93,and 96 zx7. I dragged raced all three of those bikes as well. I started drag racing an '86 600 ninja back in 86 .I didn't pull the trigger on buying the 12r though, but I bought a '04 zx10 to race when they first came out. I have been a Kawasaki rider/racer since 86. Just got back into drag racing at '55 on an R1 . From not racing in 10 years (It was super cheap and already set up for drag racing). I used to flat track, Supermoto and Hare Scramble as well. From SE Washington DC
@@d.d.sarason8749 9's are good bikes I owned 98&03 but their old school carburetor bikes.Which I'm a fan and collector of but the zx12r and zx10r where the evolution for Kawi. The 12s make really good power with minimal effort and for being a bigger bike I think they handle extremely well.
In 07 I rode 1 of those as I was about 2 buy it but I then rode a ZX10 & found it 2 be a smaller sharper as strong bike. In 09 at the biker roundup in ATLANTA, I saw 12 ZX14's beat busas if you remember Ricky as you were there. I think today's ZX10 is a Scapple, the ZX14 is a sledge hammer. The Busa of today is still nasty but technology has caught up horsepower wise wit the mighty Busa. A full exhaust & tune on a ZX10 or GSXR 1000 today will get you 190-195 horsepower. I paid Adam's performance a lot of money 💰 just to get 180 horsepower out of my ZX10 in 09 which later had 2 be reworked by Lee's performance after a accident. Got 195 out of then. I think the ZX12 was a strong bike but I still think the ZX10 & 14 was better. Your Opinion would be appreciated Ricky 👏🏾 💯💯
The ZX12 was the fastest most powerful bike in THAT ERA. When the 10R came out it was meant to be the most powerful and the best power to weight. As the new bikes came out they were all designed to be better.
@dirtbikedrone I think this zx 12 was one of the most heavily anticipated projects ever for Kawasaki. I'm sure Ricky may know more about the project and research but I remember buying all the cycle world magazines and getting the brochures from the shop. They use have teaser commercials coming with a guy with helmet waiting. It was a whole dramatization. The wait was crazy. All the rumors. Talk of 200 mph and 190hp. Then they said the bike got limited on top speed because we the 1999 Hayabusa went 200 and the government came out with a regulation to limit the top speed on sport bikes which is where the 186 top speed came from. I was in Gainesville, FL, at Gator Nationals when Ricky debuted the preproduction model.
A Yo,THIS VIDEO is dope,imagine if you were featured in the biker Boys movie, and Remember the zx-12R won at the end of the movie,get somebody to remake ,or make biker boys 2,with you Riding, or even STARRING THE MOVIE, IT'S TIME MAN❤
Wait, you really don’t know that I was in the movie racing my ZX12R when they went to Fresno??? And I doubled for Tyson, Fishburne, and Kid?? I also was a consultant in the making of the movie( some parts). Go back and look at the credits and you’ll see my name.
This Information needs to get out there,you've been holding your own self back with the numbers, get that info out there, put up a video, your numbers needs to shatter the charts kit
Still got both my Lee's Performance built ZX12Rs... and a spare 1361 stroker built by the late Dave Owen when he briefly worked for Lee. Let the Good Times Roll!!
ZX12 is the most underrated bike in modern times.
💩Itty clutch
@@Gorealaracer38 Agreed, it's less than ideal. The aftermarket parts help to improve it. They really are great bikes.
I would say that the 98 ZX-9 is the most underrated (biased owned two of the 9s) I road raced a zx 9 in sanctioned events,drag races a zx 9 in sanctioned events and commuted on a zx 9. . It was the quickest stock bike untill the Hayabusa and it was just as quick around a road course as the more popular road racer R1. I used to road race an '89,'93,and 96 zx7. I dragged raced all three of those bikes as well. I started drag racing an '86 600 ninja back in 86 .I didn't pull the trigger on buying the 12r though, but I bought a '04 zx10 to race when they first came out. I have been a Kawasaki rider/racer since 86. Just got back into drag racing at '55 on an R1 . From not racing in 10 years (It was super cheap and already set up for drag racing). I used to flat track, Supermoto and Hare Scramble as well. From SE Washington DC
@@d.d.sarason8749 9's are good bikes I owned 98&03 but their old school carburetor bikes.Which I'm a fan and collector of but the zx12r and zx10r where the evolution for Kawi. The 12s make really good power with minimal effort and for being a bigger bike I think they handle extremely well.
Love these look backs in time! 💪🏾 Kawasaki definitely got their ROI with Rickey G!
🥳🥳🤗🤗👍
Awesome video! Thanks for sharing this Rickey.
AWH,That's good to know, that is AWESOME MAN
Can you do a video on your Kawasaki collection?
Gone but not forgotten to us real enthusiasts out there
In 07 I rode 1 of those as I was about 2 buy it but I then rode a ZX10 & found it 2 be a smaller sharper as strong bike. In 09 at the biker roundup in ATLANTA, I saw 12 ZX14's beat busas if you remember Ricky as you were there. I think today's ZX10 is a Scapple, the ZX14 is a sledge hammer. The Busa of today is still nasty but technology has caught up horsepower wise wit the mighty Busa. A full exhaust & tune on a ZX10 or GSXR 1000 today will get you 190-195 horsepower. I paid Adam's performance a lot of money 💰 just to get 180 horsepower out of my ZX10 in 09 which later had 2 be reworked by Lee's performance after a accident. Got 195 out of then. I think the ZX12 was a strong bike but I still think the ZX10 & 14 was better. Your Opinion would be appreciated Ricky 👏🏾 💯💯
The ZX12 was the fastest most powerful bike in THAT ERA. When the 10R came out it was meant to be the most powerful and the best power to weight. As the new bikes came out they were all designed to be better.
Still one of my all time favorites! Would love to add one next to the gen 1 Busa
25 YEARS LATER STILL A BEAST I HAVE 2 OF THEM 2000 A1
I also have a 2000 model
I bought the first new green 💚 zx12r that arrived in West Australia in April 2000 ..Im still loving it 💨🚀
Yep, those were the days. 🙌
Yes, sir. Had my order in before they hit the floor. Got the first green one the shop had coming to Orangeburg SC back in 2000. Loved that bike.
Yes sir! My ZX9R was still faster than your ZX12R.lol
I'm from orangeburg also and I use to go to the honda shop on 301 and drool
@dirtbikedrone I think this zx 12 was one of the most heavily anticipated projects ever for Kawasaki. I'm sure Ricky may know more about the project and research but I remember buying all the cycle world magazines and getting the brochures from the shop. They use have teaser commercials coming with a guy with helmet waiting. It was a whole dramatization. The wait was crazy. All the rumors. Talk of 200 mph and 190hp. Then they said the bike got limited on top speed because we the 1999 Hayabusa went 200 and the government came out with a regulation to limit the top speed on sport bikes which is where the 186 top speed came from. I was in Gainesville, FL, at Gator Nationals when Ricky debuted the preproduction model.
I love that bike and time in motorcycling.
That's some pretty cool promo from the past!
❤. Love my 2000 model
It Really,Really ,overdue, for another bikers movie KAT
Agreed
Those were the days! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I EVEN THINK KAWASAKI WILL DO IT,ASK,YOU SHALL RECEIVE,put me in the movie as waterborne something
I was in Rockingham when you pulled out the ZX 12 . I believe it was the first time anyone had seen it in person.
Yup. I have the picture.
@@rickeygadson6095 I also have a picture of you on a 1999 ZX9. I think it went 990's.
Have that pic too🥳
A Yo,THIS VIDEO is dope,imagine if you were featured in the biker Boys movie, and Remember the zx-12R won at the end of the movie,get somebody to remake ,or make biker boys 2,with you Riding, or even STARRING THE MOVIE, IT'S TIME MAN❤
Then they would have to cast me as the younger brother to kidd son of smoke by another woman 💥
Wait, you really don’t know that I was in the movie racing my ZX12R when they went to Fresno??? And I doubled for Tyson, Fishburne, and Kid?? I also was a consultant in the making of the movie( some parts). Go back and look at the credits and you’ll see my name.
did you forget you flipped down your visor with your name on it!?!😝🤣@@rickeygadson6095
DAM RICK THATS HOW I REMEMBER YOU IN YOUR STREET RACING WEIGHT
I would most definitely buy one if i can find one in good condition.
Cool video.
I remember when you got the first silver 12 and brought it to Feltons. Good shit
I brought THE FIRST ONE to Felts, it was Green. The one he purchased later was Silver☺️
@@rickeygadson6095 Its been a min for sure since that time. Yes he did, that's probably whey I am thinking of silver.
Great video i never saw before! Thanks for sharing. You still got those leathers?? Those are awesome.
Yessir
I wanted a red one, but then the 14 came out. I had to get the most powerful streetbike 😁
This Information needs to get out there,you've been holding your own self back with the numbers, get that info out there, put up a video, your numbers needs to shatter the charts kit
I miss my ZX12
my 06 14'😭dude I sold it to blew it up in weeks shouldnt have sold it to a young newb
How does this 1200 compare to the 1400 ? Will 12 replace the 14 on street and track?
This video is 24 years old BEFORE the 14 was ever thought about😂😂
Loved the zx12 Love the zx14 I just wish they would update them. Ricky do you think kawasaki ever will or just discontinue them?
New bike sales are not enough to dictate them spending the money to re tool. I think they’ll just go away!!
@@rickeygadson6095 I am afraid that will be the case.
Damn Ricky you look like you were about 17 back then
Lol, I was 34 back then!!
how about you and chris moore do a movie, call it the hyper bikes use,or something
Are we going to get a ZX-15????
Seriously doubt it. Don’t think they are going to even change anything on the 14
👍🏽🇺🇸👍🏽
My cousin wants to race my zx14r on his 12r
He’s crazy😂😂😂
Not a SUZUKI. ITS OK