I bought a Zx-12 on January 20, 2003 and coming off of an hopped up zx-11 the difference is day and night. I got it with 4,256 miles on it and a 78 year old man traded it for a 2003 model. As far as top end goes, I weigh 315 lbs and we hit the limiter with no problem. As far as performance I raced one bike while I was at home a 2001 gsxr-1000 I beat it but it gave me a good race. Keep truckin !!! Jamal Kawasaki 4-ever.