Kawasaki ZRX1200R

Super Standard

Naked bikes continue to grow in popularity as manufacturers from Asia and Europe jump on the bandwagon. Kawasaki was a pioneer in developing the modern standard and they have stuck to their guns by offering the ZRX1200R for another production year. As one of my daddy's favorite clichés goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

In 1996, Team Green was one of the first to come out with a retro-styled, standard liter-class motorcycle reminiscent of the '70s superbikes, and they did it with style. Available in a racing legend Eddie Lawson replica green motif, the ZRX1100 featured classic styling with a modern engine and chassis. Although not a huge seller for Kawasaki in the beginning, it spawned a new age of "naked madness." The early version featured an engine pulled straight out of the sport-touring titan ZX-11 with a pair of coil spring rear shocks and a sturdy double-cradle frame. More than enough for back-road roosting and front-wheel aerobatics.

In 2001, not satisfied to leave well enough alone, they gave the ZRX a larger engine and a sturdier frame and swingarm, breathing new life into an already beautiful package. Make no mistake, this is a huge bike, and approaching the ZRX can be intimidating. It has a muscular look with its large five-gallon fuel tank and wide "king and queen" style seat mounted above its beefy twin shocks and enormous exhaust muffler. You can almost hear your heartbeats racing as you throw a leg over the saddle....

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