Kawasaki’s stated goal was to produce a mega-bike with modern tricks, while retaining the charisma of the original ELR. In doing so, the 1052cc ZZR engine in the ZRX1100 was slightly detuned for more torque and less outright power, and when the 1200 version came about, it was available in two closely-related models in Australia; the ZRX1200S with its snooty half fairing, and the ZRX1200R with a bikini fairing strongly reminiscent of the original model. In some markets, there was also the ZRX1200C with no fairing at all. It’s the 1200R that concerns us here.
In 1200 form, the water-cooled 1100 engine was bored and stroked for an extra 112cc and a 13% increase in power, but still mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Cylinder bores were plated. Removing the engine was made easier with detachable bottom frame rails. Unashamedly retro, the original colour schemes in the 2001 release of
