Kawasaki ZZR1200 Problems : 5 Known Issues (Solved)

The Kawasaki ZZR1200 is one of the several sports bikes manufactured by Kawasaki. The Kawasaki ZZR1200 is both powerful and fast. Quite a number of lovable attributes the Kawasaki ZZR1200 has. In this discussion we want to focus on the common Kawasaki ZZR1200 problems though.

Table of Contents

What Is The Kawasaki ZZR1200?

The Kawasaki ZZR1200 is a sports bike. It is commonly referred to as a sport touring bike. The Kawasaki ZZR1200 has a 23 liter fuel tank. That gives the Kawasaki ZZR1200 a range of almost 200 miles. It delivers 160 HP horsepower at 9800 rpm. It weighs 520 pounds. The Kawasaki ZZR1200 is a robust, powerful, and fast sports bike. It matters to also know that there are some common Kawasaki ZZR1200 problems.

Kawasaki ZZR1200 Problems

The Kawasaki ZZR1200 no doubt has several moving parts. It is a piece of machinery that must deliver speed and power. That, in part, makes it inevitable for some problems to occur sometimes. That is why we have to explore some of the common Kawasaki ZZR1200 problems.

1. Engine Overheating

Your Kawasaki ZZR1200 may experience overheating. This can be very unsettling since you will be sitting on the bike. The problem often presents itself when you reach a certain mileage or speed. Some of the common causes of this problem are:

  • Dirty or leaking air filter.
  • Faulty or worn out thermostat.
  • Not enough coolant.
  • Dirty or inadequate engine oil.

Troubleshooting Engine Overheating Problem

The overheating problem is fairly easy to address for your Kawasaki ZZR1200. You just have to first ascertain what the true cause is. Some of the solutions you can explore are:

  • Cleaning or replacing the air filter.
  • Fix or replace thermostat.
  • Top up coolant; plug leakages if any.
  • Top up or replace engine oil.

2. Power Loss

Power is a core aspect when riding your Kawasaki ZZR1200. You may notice that at high speeds your Kawasaki ZZR1200 may not deliver power as should be. The problem may also become apparent when the mileage reaches, for instance, 50 000 miles. Common causes of this problem are:

  • Faulty or worn out engine.
  • Inadequate or contaminated fuel.
  • Faulty or clogged exhaust pipe.
  • Low or dirty engine oil.

Troubleshooting Power Loss Problem

When you see your Kawasaki ZZR1200 encountering power loss issues, make some checks. When you are sure what the root cause is you can try out the following solutions:

  • Top up or replace fuel.
  • Fix or clean exhaust pipe.
  • Get engine serviced or overhauled.
  • Top up or replace engine oil.

3. Head Gasket Complications

This is yet another common Kawasaki ZZR1200 problem. It may stem from a number of issues. One of the causes is actually the overheating of the engine. Anyways, the common causes of head gasket complications in your Kawasaki ZZR1200 are:

  • Engine overheating.
  • Aggressive riding style.
  • Faulty or worn out head gasket.

Troubleshooting Head Gasket Complications Problem

Once you suspect some issues with your head gasket conduct some inspections. That will give you an idea of what the problem is and possible courses of action. Some of the remedies you can consider are:

  • Swiftly attending to overheating problems.
  • Riding responsibly without pushing the bike to its limits.
  • Fix the head gasket if possible.
  • Replace the head gasket altogether.

4. Faulty Brakes

You may experience some issues with the brakes of your Kawasaki ZZR1200. Sometimes you may notice that the brakes may be dragging. It is also possible to hear them sounding squeaky when engaged. This is risky and some of the probable causes are:

  • Faulty or worn out calipers.
  • Faulty, dirty, or worn out seals.
  • Insufficient lubrication.
  • Worn out or faulty brake pads.

Troubleshooting Faulty Brakes Problem

Faulty brakes are a risky thing when riding your Kawasaki ZZR1200. You have to do some checks to figure out where the problem is really coming from. Some of the solutions you can explore are:

  • Rebuild the calipers.
  • Clean or replace the seals.
  • Ensure moving parts needing lubrication are well-lubricated.
  • Fix or replace the brake pads.

5. Stalling Or Shutting Off Whilst Riding

This is highly inconvenient. Whilst riding your Kawasaki ZZR1200 it may suddenly stall or shut down. This is a problem you may encounter and is often stemming from fuel related issues. Some of the common causes are:

  • Dirty or leaking carburetor.
  • Dirty, stale, or incorrect fuel.
  • Dirty or clogged fuel filter.
  • Faulty spark plugs.

Troubleshooting Stalling Or Shutting Whilst Riding Problem

When the Kawasaki ZZR1200 experiences this problem it is usually fuel flow being compromised somehow. After some checks you can do the following:

  • Fix, clean, or replace carburetor.
  • Replace contaminated fuel.
  • Clean or replace fuel filter.
  • Replace spark plugs.

How To Avoid Kawasaki ZZR1200 Problems

This boils down to building a consistent routine of regular inspections, maintenance, and servicing. For instance, do oil changes every 7000 or less miles. Upon inspection if you notice any faults or wear and tear, immediately make adjustments or replacements. Be wary of overheating, if you trivialize it that will create more dire problems. See to it that your Kawasaki ZZR1200 does not experience any damage to its body. Keep revving to a minimum as well. Always keep your Kawasaki ZZR1200 clean. These are routine elements that are central to avoiding Kawasaki ZZR1200 problems.

What Is The Maximum Speed Of The Kawasaki ZZR1200?

The top speed of the Kawasaki ZZR1200 ranges between 169 and 186 miles per hour (272 and 299 kilometers per hour).

What Is The Quarter Mile Time Of A Kawasaki ZZR1200?

The Kawasaki ZZR1200 covers a quarter mile in 10.12 seconds at 136.9 miles per hour.

Conclusion

The Kawasaki ZZR1200 is good sports bike to purchase. However, it would be advisable to get a brand new one. A pre-loved one may be problematic especially if it has pre-existing issues. Whichever the case may be, routine checks, maintenance, and servicing are essential for the Kawasaki ZZR1200 to operate and last longer.