2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 Specifications

Name: 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200
Brand: Kawasaki

Sport touring • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 Overview

Kawasaki ZZR 1200 is a sport touring motorcycle, displacing 1164 cc. Power comes from an In-line four engine running DOHC valve actuation. On the performance side, it delivers 164 of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 270 km/h. On the road, the 2004 ZZR 1200 tips the scales at 236 kg, carries a 23-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 780 mm and spans a 1,500 mm wheelbase. The full 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 compared with other bikes in the Sport touring category

We checked the recorded figures for the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 against up to 562 bikes in the Sport touring category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.

Only 13 of the other 328 bikes in the Sport touring category have a higher top speed than the 270 km/h of the ZZR 1200.
With 780 mm, the ZZR 1200 has the joint 26th lowest seat height of 364 bikes in the Sport touring category, 4% below the category average of 810 mm.
Engine displacement of 1164 cc is larger than that of 448 of the other 561 bikes in the Sport touring category.
Narrowing the field to the 79 models within five model years of it, the top speed of 270 km/h is higher than that of 66 of the other 78.

2004 ZZR 1200 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the double disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
Large fuel range: A 23-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.

Considerations

Carburetor fuelling: Expect to spend more time keeping the carbs in tune, especially after long storage periods or a change in altitude.
Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Carburetor maintenance

Carburetors on the ZZR 1200 need periodic attention - pilot jets and float needles are the first parts to gum up after the bike sits, and the first thing to check if idle or throttle response degrades.

Valve clearance checks

With DOHC valve gear, the ZZR 1200 needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from double disc - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Final drive maintenance

The ZZR 1200 uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.

Handling the weight at a standstill

236 kg puts the ZZR 1200 toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.

ZZR 1200 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 with its 1164 cc sport touring, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs chain final drive, so check chain slack and sprocket tooth profile specifically - a worn sprocket is a cheaper fix now than after it's chewed up the next chain. Now 22 years old, this sport touring is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy ZZR 1200 should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects the ZZR 1200's 1164 cc in-line four like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Carburetor upkeep

Deposits in the carbs are the usual culprit behind poor running on a stored ZZR 1200 - strip and clean the float bowls before the first start. Pilot jets clog first and get overlooked most, so make a point of checking them.

Valve clearance service

Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used ZZR 1200 since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.

2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 have?

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 uses an In-line four engine with 1164 cc of displacement.

What is the top speed of the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200?

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 has a factory-quoted top speed of 270 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.

How much does the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 weigh?

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 weighs 236 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.

How much torque does the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 produce?

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 produces 164 of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200?

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 has a 23-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 383-460 km between stops.

Is the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 suitable for shorter riders?

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 has a seat height of 780 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.

What brakes does the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 have?

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 uses double disc at the front and single disc at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 use?

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 runs 120/70-ZR17 front and 180/55-ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

Kawasaki ZZR 1200 Spec Evolution

The Kawasaki ZZR 1200 was produced across 2 model years (2004-2005). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2004	2005
Dry Weight	236 kg / 520.3 lbs	235.9 kg / 520.0 lbs
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in.	800 mm / 31.5 in.
Fuel Capacity	23.00 litres / 6.08 gallons	23.08 litres / 6.10 gallons
Displacement (cc)	1164.00 cc	1.16 cc
Displacement (ci)	71.03 cubic inches	0.07 cubic inches
Wheelbase	1,500 mm / 59.1 in.	1,506 mm / 59.3 in.
Fuel System	Carburettor	Carburettor. Keihin CVKD40 x 4
Colours	Silver, Blue	Blue

Key Specifications

Engine

In-line four

Power

Not recorded

Torque

164.00

Top Speed

270.0 km/h / 167.8 mph

Weight

236 kg / 520.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity

23.00 litres / 6.08 gallons

Full 2004 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 Specifications

Colours Silver, Blue

Seat Height 780 mm / 30.7 in.

Wheelbase 1,500 mm / 59.1 in.

Dry Weight 236 kg / 520.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity 23.00 litres / 6.08 gallons

Top Speed 270.0 km/h / 167.8 mph

Max Torque 164.00

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.6780 HP/kg

Displacement (cc) 1164.00 cc

Displacement (ci) 71.03 cubic inches

Engine Type In-line four

Fuel Control DOHC

Stroke 4

Fuel System Carburettor

Valve System 4

Final Drive Chain

Gearbox 6-speed

Brakes - Front Double disc

Brakes - Rear Single disc

Tyres - Front 120/70-ZR17

Tyres - Rear 180/55-ZR17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.