Kawasaki's H2 Superbike

BigBoost · Sep 11, 2014

Holy crap..... I hope this thing rocks! We will know by the end of the month.

Technical Analysis: Kawasaki Ninja H2 Superbike- Kevin Cameron Insights

The more competition Ducati has the better!

Cloner · Sep 11, 2014

A nice article, as I expected from the likes of Kevin Cameron.

JArnold · Sep 11, 2014

I have been awaiting some release information on this one. It would be really exciting to see this on a ZX-10.

mark419ny · Sep 12, 2014

another bike the 1199 will finish after in the rankings oh jeez. so now it will be the hp4, ape rsv4 factory abs, ninja, and the new r1 ok 5th isnt so bad

JeffD · Sep 12, 2014

Thanks for posting this article, I rarely check the Cycle World website. I'm getting excited by this bike, seems like cool, innovative technology and a neat configuration.

The GSX-R 750 doesn't weigh too much less than a GSX-R 1000, and it seems all the plumbing Cameron describes would make up the weight difference. The 203 horsepower would be damn impressive and perhaps the smaller engine's (750cc triple) lower crankshaft inertia would make it flick and steer lighter than a 1000.

My first bike was a Kwak and I'll always have a soft spot for them, this may be my next Jap bike...

MrKO · Sep 13, 2014

JeffD said:
Thanks for posting this article, I rarely check the Cycle World website. I'm getting excited by this bike, seems like cool, innovative technology and a neat configuration.

The GSX-R 750 doesn't weigh too much less than a GSX-R 1000, and it seems all the plumbing Cameron describes would make up the weight difference. The 203 horsepower would be damn impressive and perhaps the smaller engine's (750cc triple) lower crankshaft inertia would make it flick and steer lighter than a 1000.

My first bike was a Kwak and I'll always have a soft spot for them, this may be my next Jap bike...

the 750 is nearly 40lbs lighter than the 1k. I own both, the 1k feels soooo much heavier, even with mag wheels it just feel heavy.

blinkme2028 · Sep 13, 2014

I'm fairly certain that I will be selling my Pani for the H2. Always wanted a Kawa and now seems to be the time to jump ship!

JeffD · Sep 13, 2014

MrKO said:
the 750 is nearly 40lbs lighter than the 1k. I own both, the 1k feels soooo much heavier, even with mag wheels it just feel heavy.

Feedback from an actual owner of both trumps any spec chart, but here they are anyway:

GSX-R 750

GSX-R 1000

So in street trim about 17 pounds difference. However, I can definitely see how the crankshaft inertia of the 33.3% larger motor would make it feel much bigger in practice. I wonder how the supercharger impeller spinning affects the "flickability". Maybe they made it counter-rotating to the crankshaft like the MotoGP YZR-M1 and MV Agusta 675/800 triple motors to cancel out even more gyroscopic forces and make it even more flickable. Now that would be trick.

AntiHero · Sep 14, 2014

That silhouette suggests a hideous monstrosity. Add NINJA in 10 different places, and some usual (spice things up!) green and purple paintbrush graphics and, well, we shall see if its performance is inversely proportional to its looks.

1stduc1199 · Sep 14, 2014

I have a deposit for the first H2 at local dealership.I have a feeling this thing will cause hysteria as only Kawasaki knows how to do when things get stagnant in the superbike market. I will be in in a quandary as I don't want to sell my Pani for this bike but can only afford one toy.

Prince Albert · Sep 14, 2014

Any preliminary pics of this H2 you have all spoken of...?

shakazulu12 · Sep 14, 2014

A racer who works on the Kawi USA developmental team has stated that none of the photoshops that are floating around are close. Guess we are waiting until the 30th.

MrKO · Sep 14, 2014

JeffD said:
Feedback from an actual owner of both trumps any spec chart, but here they are anyway:

GSX-R 750

GSX-R 1000

So in street trim about 17 pounds difference. However, I can definitely see how the crankshaft inertia of the 33.3% larger motor would make it feel much bigger in practice. I wonder how the supercharger impeller spinning affects the "flickability". Maybe they made it counter-rotating to the crankshaft like the MotoGP YZR-M1 and MV Agusta 675/800 triple motors to cancel out even more gyroscopic forces and make it even more flickable. Now that would be trick.

That chart is from the Track Shootout , if you look at the notes for the GSXR they swapped out the exhaust for a Yosh unit (If I remember correctly). I have a full Ti system on both my 750 and 1k. 750 is about 405 , 1k is about 438. But like you said, Its likely the engines size that makes it ride heavy . This H2 has me intrigued, to bad I dont believe Kawi's build quality.

Tyler1199 · Sep 14, 2014

Lol kawis build quality ? When have you experienced a issue with them? Out of my experience (06 black green 08 orange 09 and black 11) no issues at all. None. I loved the looks on the 4th gen until I saw the pani. And hate all the other jap bikes.

Eleven 99 · Sep 14, 2014

Zero issues with my gen4 10R. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Kawi. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if there's some bugs to be worked out of first year H2 models... however that generally applies to all first year vehicles.

Tyler1199 · Sep 14, 2014

Eleven 99 said:
Zero issues with my gen4 10R. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Kawi. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if there's some bugs to be worked out of first year H2 models... however that generally applies to all first year vehicles.

I would agree especially with something so new as superchargers- if kawi does make a lot of them for other projects hopefully that will keep the issues down- however my 06/08 and 11 were all first iterations of that gen and never had an issue. I'm looking at getting a pani on the sole purpose of looks. She's got me hooked. The ride isn't as nice as the kaw though.

zaster · Sep 14, 2014

Tyler1199 said:
I would agree especially with something so new as superchargers- if kawi does make a lot of them for other projects hopefully that will keep the issues down- however my 06/08 and 11 were all first iterations of that gen and never had an issue. I'm looking at getting a pani on the sole purpose of looks. She's got me hooked. The ride isn't as nice as the kaw though.

That's what you get for hanging with a supermodel

pbarry · Sep 15, 2014

Had the 13 ZX10R and I must say that the ride was great but just not the thrill of the 1199. It is like the 1000RR they all look the same.

JeffD · Sep 15, 2014

Eleven 99 said:
Zero issues with my gen4 10R. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Kawi. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if there's some bugs to be worked out of first year H2 models... however that generally applies to all first year vehicles.

^This.

Of all people, the people on this forum should know about first generation bugs needing to get worked out. I don't think I'll ever buy the first generation of anything ever again.

Charliem90 · Sep 15, 2014

JeffD said:
^This.

Of all people, the people on this forum should know about first generation bugs needing to get worked out. I don't think I'll ever buy the first generation of anything ever again.

Engine cases.

Anytime I hear supercharger and motorcycle being used in the same paragraph I wonder what the going rate for case replacement is. Because that's what is going to be the maintenance item.

Kawasaki's H2 Superbike

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