Kawasaki's H2 Superbike

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For anyone who's ridden a 200HP bike at speed around the track, I think it would be difficult to fathom that Kawasaki actually intends this bike to be used as a track bike. I can't even imagine 300HP on the track, that's more than a MotoGP bike and they have multi-million dollar electronics on them to control the power. There is NO way that Kawasaki is putting that level of electronics on a $60k bike. And there's also NO way that the current generation of electronics on the ZX-10R can handle that kind of fury without making major compromises. You would have a 300HP bike that feels like it has 180HP, what's the point? They can't homologate it for racing. I suspect it's more of a marketing exercise and will have very low production numbers. I think the real-world application of forced induction on a motorcycle has nothing to do with a roadracing bike, this just gives them a huge amount of press to launch the technology. A touring bike would be a great application for that technology, something where you don't need razor-sharp throttle response. Time will tell!
 
IMHO the H2 is a pretty ugly extension for lacking body parts ...

with a duc you get at least something to look at and extend naturally :D
 
Bitubo forks, shock, and dampner.
+
Akra exhaust
+
Pirelli tires
+
quickshifter and TC
+
Forged wheels
+
Zx10r or GSXR1000

__________________

Faster than the H2 on any track in the US.




Not many riders out there that can make use of more than Superbike power. 300hp sounds like a hindrance as much as anything. There's more to a bike than just power. A chunk of supercharger weight slapped on a widebody I4 ain't going to set the world on fire. I'd still bet my money on the SL running quicker lap times at any of the tracks I'd like to run at.

I think I found my pillion pad. Wondered where I left that.
 
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Kawasaki may just simply be ahead of the curve. Forced induction could very well be the next big step in competitive motorcycle racing. No manufacturer has had the fortitude to set fire to the major corporations’ gentleman’s agreement and push the limits this far, but why not? Because it isn’t currently allowed in racing? Because it can’t be homologated?

Pushing limits and breaking boundaries is the nature of this industry. Pushing limits on the track is what the public want to see, and the desire to challenge our personal confines, to do the unfathomable, is what is ingrained in those who ride and race these kinds of motorcycles. The new H2 could be much more than a marketing exercise – it could be a materialized vision of where this sport and industry may be headed.
 
Meanwhile, the new GSX-R1000 is being released with ABS and BOLD NEW GRAPHICS!

The queue begins here, gentlemen... you can line up behind me!
 
VAST said:
if it really is 300hp a lot of people will be getting hurt or dying come spring...


..
Click to expand...

people popping for 65000 grand bikes generally know how to ride, and have something to loose.

I don't think you see near as many deaths as the average 18 year old buying a $3,000 7 year old ninja to tear up traffic with.
 
I mean this bike is bad to the bone. But what the hell would you do with 300 hp track only bike? I just don't see a useful application. The street version would be fun. Even though 250 hp is way to much. But would be fun to punch it occasionally on the street.

Seems like this bike is more of a collector almost gimmick type thing.

But if the 300 hp power delivery is smooth and electronics are good then it might work. Just have to see i guess.
 
outhouse said:
people popping for 65000 grand bikes generally know how to ride, and have something to loose.

I don't think you see near as many deaths as the average 18 year old buying a $3,000 7 year old ninja to tear up traffic with.
Click to expand...

actually you are wrong. the latest stats show most deaths and most increased deaths precisely in the demographic that can afford this bike: mid30s-mid40s.

i guess the middle-age crises in certain irrational pursuits like motorcycling does lead to...well....anyhow.....enjoy going in circles round and round w/ over 200hp more than you're even qualified to ride LOL.. and the last SL rider i rode alongside was wearing loafers sans socks, no gloves and a dress shirt: nothing to lOse u say ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
 
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I would think due to sport bike sales being so low v cruiser HD market, vast majority have nothing to do with performance ? I know up here In Cruiser central every week someone to a couple of fatalities every week in riding season, 20 to 1 easy it have to be a cruiser
 
jarelj said:
For anyone who's ridden a 200HP bike at speed around the track, I think it would be difficult to fathom that Kawasaki actually intends this bike to be used as a track bike. I can't even imagine 300HP on the track, that's more than a MotoGP bike and they have multi-million dollar electronics on them to control the power. There is NO way that Kawasaki is putting that level of electronics on a $60k bike. And there's also NO way that the current generation of electronics on the ZX-10R can handle that kind of fury without making major compromises. You would have a 300HP bike that feels like it has 180HP, what's the point? They can't homologate it for racing. I suspect it's more of a marketing exercise and will have very low production numbers. I think the real-world application of forced induction on a motorcycle has nothing to do with a roadracing bike, this just gives them a huge amount of press to launch the technology. A touring bike would be a great application for that technology, something where you don't need razor-sharp throttle response. Time will tell!
Click to expand...

Discussing this bike this morning was the same conclusion . I have a mate that does salt Lake Racing I suggested this might suit .
Road racing no way .
 
So....KawE have potentially made a bike that takes a lot of skill to ride???That no electronics can tame/control....that no rider can possibly ride to its max ... And this is a bad thing??
 
VAST said:
the latest stats show most deaths and most increased deaths precisely in the demographic that can afford this bike: mid30s-mid40s.
Click to expand...

Stats also say the average bike is almost a liter, and your stats do not list demographics of sport bike riders only.

I will also state you took me way out of context making you factually in error.

Lest look into it.


How many H2's will they sell a year in the USA? Probably about half the number of deaths from new young riders on sport bikes, maybe ???

The H2 riders would probably have to wreck every one 10X's for me to be in error, unless you don't think young kids ever crash their sport bikes.

Exaggerated? oh hell yes, but there would have to be a hell of a lot of H2 deaths to make me in error
 
Buliwyf said:
Bitubo forks, shock, and dampner.
+
Akra exhaust
+
Pirelli tires
+
quickshifter and TC
+
Forged wheels
+
Zx10r or GSXR1000

__________________

Faster than the H2 on any track in the US.




Not many riders out there that can make use of more than Superbike power. 300hp sounds like a hindrance as much as anything. There's more to a bike than just power. A chunk of supercharger weight slapped on a widebody I4 ain't going to set the world on fire. I'd still bet my money on the SL running quicker lap times at any of the tracks I'd like to run at.

I think I found my pillion pad. Wondered where I left that.
Click to expand...

I wager this scenario will play itself out at CotA next season. Zero doubt that at least a few H2Rs will turn up.

I'm not sure I'd be betting on that ZX-10R, GSX-R, or the SL there.
 
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Stw said:
So....KawE have potentially made a bike that takes a lot of skill to ride???That no electronics can tame/control....that no rider can possibly ride to its max ... And this is a bad thing??
Click to expand...


Don't know . What do you think ?
 
wilkson said:
Don't know . What do you think ?
Click to expand...

Well...... $64000 question isnt it...But I have read continuously on various websites where people are complaining about how electronics are killing the sport and that the rider skill levels are diminishing....I remember specifically this being said of F1... So I accept I am taking some of these comments out of context..But my point is ....if this bike is the Return of the "Widowmaker" as it appears it could be...then the skill level required to ride it may not exist right now...but some will learn it and take it to another level... and if tyre manufacturers have to step up their game also then I find this to be a huge positive.... So..... Agreed the numbers appear insane.... But... I am looking forward to the possible ramifications of this bikes arrival on the scene...
 

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