This site was last updated on
08 January 2007
My 2002 Kawasaki ZRX1200R
Most of the site has now moved to Blue's Crap: http://www.blues-crap.com
| Here's a recent photo of Blue Rex with me in my "streetfighter" gear: the stuff I use for the shorter trips. |
 "Captain Blue" and "Blue Rex" |
 and one without the helmet (be afraid, be very afraid) |
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This is the colour and model of the ZRX1200R I now have. Grateful thanks to Kawasaki Motors (UK) Limited for the image which I've reduced somewhat... It has a plonker/vanity 'plate, so if you see 3 RHM on the road, it's me! | ||||
| OK, well here are the first couple of
not-very-well-posed shot of the Rex. I've tried to get some better shots now the small numberplate is fitted. Its first track day debut was at Snetterton on 18 June 2002 at a track day organised by the Motorcycle Folly. It's already been the subject of unwanted attention with a side-swipe from a Honda Civic driver that broke the LHS footpeg casting; luckily I stayed on and upright. |
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This is a rear, three-quarter shot showing the vanity plate. The bike was more or less run in by the time it had its first service so I was able to give it the berries and get right to the edge of the tyres which I managed to do at Snetterton (see below). | ||||
| Here's a cheesy photo (taken on a freezing February 2003 day) of Blue Rex with some good looking fat bloke standing behind it... |
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The modifications have begun in earnest now: first up was
the replacement of the overly large rear mudguard with a Canadian
specification one. This was easily ordered through my local Kawasaki dealer
from European stock. Secondly, a carbon fibre Akrapović end can has been added to make it sound better, to increase power and to reduce weight. Much better, eh? Now I've added a carbon-look Powerbronze hugger for the rear end to keep it all clean, some clear indicator glasses (with orange lamps) to make it look more colour-matched and a set of LSL crash mushrooms from Rhencullen in case my next track day results in a get-off... The first set came in handy when I dropped Blue Rex after getting new trackday tyres fitted. Finally, I've added a Clear Alternatives clear rear light with the LEDs which finishes off the rear end nicely. I've also added some Gilles rearsets to move the pegs up and back: this meant my boots clashed with the rear passenger footrest hangers, so they've been removed. Except the right hand side bracket also supports the exhaust end can, so a rather pretty (and very lightweight) Wyn's Muffler Bracket has been sourced from Wyn in the USA. |
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| Here's a photograph from its first track day at Snetterton on 18 June 2002 organised by the Motorcycle Folly. The morning sessions took place in torrential rain with standing water all around the circuit which led to it being closed at 11.30am before re-opening at 1.00pm. Even by the end of a very sunny afternoon (and around 100 track miles...), there were still puddles around Coram Curve. I managed a 1 minute 29 seconds lap which wasn't too bad - I was hitting 145mph at the end of Revett Straight and around 125mph on the shorter Senna (start/finish) straight. The OEM Bridgestone BT020 tyres weren't as bad as I expected - just a couple of slides and (hardly surprising) monster wheelspins out of Russell Bend. The difference between them and the 010s on the race replica stuff like the R1s and GSXR-1000s was noticeable with my tyres only showing some bobbling compared to the comprehensively knackered 010s. This was also the first outing for my Pro Slide Kneesliders which are now both well scuffed despite the titanium pins. |
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 On the warm up lap  And again Photos by Stuart Norris, Trackstar Photography 01732 868333 |
I've now fitted
a pair of Bridgestone BT010SS track day tyres in time for its outing at Mallory
Park on 29 May 2003. The tyres were superb, much better grip than the already good 020 tyres I'd used at Snetterton. They also didn't destroy themselves as much as the 010 tyres fitted to Purge's and Johnny's ZRX1100s. We met up with another Rexer: Gaz and his ZRX1200S. Gaz had 'an incident' on the slow down lap after his first of second session:
Never mind: Martin was filming us and got some good footage - on Google Video. These are the "after" photos following the trackday and ride home from Mallory. |
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Mallory was also the location for the
ZRX Owners Club August 2003 track day. A few more riders turned up to ride and to watch and a few more have now caught the bug and will ride this year. Gozzie captured some video - on Google Video. |
 Around Gerrards Photo by Stuart Norris, Trackstar Photography |
 Out of the Bus Stop |
 Into the Bus Stop |
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Related Links:
ZRX Owners Club: www.zrxoc.com
| ZRX Owners Association: www.zrxoa.org
ZRX Owners Club Screensaver (version 1.3, 355kb).
