I've ridden 50.000miles (no commuting) on my 12, which I have owned for 12 years. I have fitted Dunlop 207, Avon Storm 2, Metzeler Sportec M5, Maxxis M6029 Supermaxx, CST C6577 Adreno (shock/horror), Bridgestone BT014, BT021, BT023, and Continentals, all ranging from 1500 miles to 3500 miles out of a rear tire, using two rears to one front. But the Michelin Pilot Road 4's have managed 5800 miles out of a rear on both occasions I have used them, and are my favorite choice of tire at the moment.
Best Tires for the Kawasaki Zx12r
Kawasaki Zx12r drivers have left 5 tire reviews on Tire Reviews, covering 18,100 miles of real world driving. Every tire they rated is ranked below, so you can see what actually works on this car.
- 5owner reviews
- 18,100 milescovered on them
- 5different tires rated
- 73%average tire score
Tire sizes Kawasaki Zx12r drivers run
The sizes fitted in the reviews on this page. Each one links to the top rated tires in that size, across every car.
What Kawasaki Zx12r drivers say
The most recent owner reviews from this car, in their own words.
wet grip is almost a joke, steady throttle at 90mph on zx12r in the rain and there was slip/wheel spin apply enough throttle to overtake in the same conditions and rev counter red lines.9000miles on this set and still going strong so shouldn't complain about the grip, front feels vague in the last 5-7mm of chicken strip on the road with the odd controllable slide; also front felt like the bike had ABS when hard on the brakes as tire would slide then grip chirping like a bird.
avon azzaro, slow to warm up, low traction under load.
ok, if your a slow rider.
ok, if your a slow rider.
Running on a 55 ZX12R Modded to 195bhp, use everyday for 30 mile round commute come rain or shine, also 'Weekend Blasts'..
These tires are very very good, have run many different tires over the years and not much comes close in terms of Grip V Wear. Great while 'Getting Down' to the edge with the triple compound, and gave me an amazing 3700m rear and 5000m front, even with all the grunt of the 12. Wet I would say pretty good but the front a little 'vague', so i don't tend to push it too hard. Prior to these tires i was on Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's and these are better in my opinion...
These tires are very very good, have run many different tires over the years and not much comes close in terms of Grip V Wear. Great while 'Getting Down' to the edge with the triple compound, and gave me an amazing 3700m rear and 5000m front, even with all the grunt of the 12. Wet I would say pretty good but the front a little 'vague', so i don't tend to push it too hard. Prior to these tires i was on Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's and these are better in my opinion...
fitted these to a 2001 zx 12r .. cant find anything bad to say . down to wear indicators on front and rear , 2600 miles . had great grip and feedback both wet and dry . did have a couple of rear slides but had to provoke them . performed very well on such a heavy bike with big bhp . i would say if used on lighter machines they may take a little warming up . just fitting second pair so , i must be happy
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Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.