Kawasaki H2

[2-Stroke]

And?
So you went 299?
Point of this post?

For fun. Perhaps you've heard of it?

What a bike  you lucky bastard. why choose the H2 and not the H2R. just out of curiosity. Again you lucky bastard awesome bike. 

The H2 is R320,000 (ish) while the H2R is R600,000. And the R is track only. I'd still love to have a go though. Sadly, this H2 isn't mine. Currently, it is back in Kawasaki's hands. 

I firmly believe that everyone should try a big superbike at least once in his life, if he proclaims even the slightest love of motorcycling.

Very difficult for Joe average to get a spin in a top-of-the-range Ferrari, but with superbikes the same performance is very accessible.

That H2 is one ugly duckling.

Agreed, the looks are subject to scrutiny, but, like the Hayabusa, this bike was more designed to stand out than look beautiful.

What were they thinking when they designed that Silencer?
 

It's bigs and manly! 

Has Kawa stopped production of the ZX10R or ZX14R?? Is this bike to compete for sales against other superbikes or other hyper tourers like Busa??

This bike is more like a ZX-14RS or SP. It's too heavy to produce lap times, but could probably turn laps, yet is fun enough on the road.

Nice bike - congrats. Have the HP4 so we should one day take the two Hes for a spinn. Would be interesting ( in a very responsible manner of way) lol

I'll get it back from Kawasaki and we can go be, um, responsible. 

[Tom van Brits]

Ok so what is your thoughts on the bike?
Did you get a change to ride the new R1 as well
I want to know how they compare

They are very very different bikes. The R1 is more track focused while the H2 is more a road bike. The H2 will probably out accelerate the R1, but on top they should be quite similar.

Thanks, just what I thought but wanted someone in the 'know's opinion!

[Berty77]

Yes, both electronically limited to 299 then?
The weight and power suggests the H2 is more in the ZX14 and Hayabusa league or is it closer to the ZX10R?

[2-Stroke]

Thanks, just what I thought but wanted someone in the 'know's opinion!

It's all thanks to Google!

Yes, both electronically limited to 299 then?
The weight and power suggests the H2 is more in the ZX14 and Hayabusa league or is it closer to the ZX10R?

I would say it sits in-between. The geometry is more ZX-10R but the weight is more ZX-14R.

[TheBear]

What a bike  you lucky bastard. why choose the H2 and not the H2R. just out of curiosity. Again you lucky bastard awesome bike. 

Only one H2 in SA and 0 H2R.

[subie]

And?
So you went 299?
Point of this post?

For fun. Perhaps you've heard of it?

 
Like your answer 

[DouglasN]

What a bike  you lucky bastard. why choose the H2 and not the H2R. just out of curiosity. Again you lucky bastard awesome bike. 

Could be because the R is not roadworthy and costs twice as much ??

Apparently cams, exhaust and software is all thats needed to convert your H2 into an H2R.
300hp  

not quite, plus all the air intakes, airbox and a filter with about 3 to 4 times the surface area of the h2

[jagter]

What a bike  you lucky bastard. why choose the H2 and not the H2R. just out of curiosity. Again you lucky bastard awesome bike. 

Could be because the R is not roadworthy and costs twice as much ??

Apparently cams, exhaust and software is all thats needed to convert your H2 into an H2R.
300hp  

not quite, plus all the air intakes, airbox and a filter with about 3 to 4 times the surface area of the h2

The H2R also requires a full inspection service every 15 hours of running time, comes with no warranty, impossible to make roadworthy, and will kill you if you check if skeef.

[jagter]

If my ship comes in, I'm definitely getting one.  But that silencer has to go.
 
I wonder what Kawasaki's test ride policy is   

[DouglasN]

Only one H2 in SA and 0 H2R.

The first client shipment of H2's is on the water and very near a local harbour, and 1 R is winging is way over.

[DouglasN]

If my ship comes in, I'm definitely getting one.  But that silencer has to go.
 
I wonder what Kawasaki's test ride policy is    

this is what most H2 owners are buying.

http://www.akrapovic.com/#!/motorcycle/product/road/15565?brandId=31&modelId=722&yearId=3770

as far as test rides go... shoo, I cannot answer that one (I am [im]patiently waiting my turn)  but you must remember that is bike is never going to be just sitting on a showroom floor waiting for a buyer so it will not have a "normal" test ride policy.

[Roxtar]

Way to go Kawasaki  If I was in the market now this would be my choice.......    Just luv the agressive lines pf this mean machine..... Kawasaki going back to the essence of raw and mean looking bikes.....

[Berty77]

and will kill you if you check if skeef.

Sounds like the 2004/5 ZX10R, too wild power delivery and too light meant only the skilled, brave or stupid would ride it. I did not risk my life on a friend's ZX when given the opportunity but never declined the GSXR R1 never got the keys for a CBR. That ZX10 took his life a few years back.

[Bensien]

Excuse me if I’m not completely blown away by the H2. As I stated on another thread, the Panigale has more power and torque, weighs about 40kg less, is much better looking and costs about the same.

[TheBear]

Excuse me if I’m not completely blown away by the H2. As I stated on another thread, the Panigale has more power and torque, weighs about 40kg less, is much better looking and costs about the same.

Tastes differ.   I would go V2 over in line 4 everytime.   Others won't.   The H2 is a jump in technology and that is a good thing for us all.

[Bensien]

Excuse me if I’m not completely blown away by the H2. As I stated on another thread, the Panigale has more power and torque, weighs about 40kg less, is much better looking and costs about the same.

Tastes differ.   I would go V2 over in line 4 everytime.   Others won't.   The H2 is a jump in technology and that is a good thing for us all.

I will not make a judgement before I’ve ridden the bike, but on paper I don’t see this bike as a jump in technology. Supercharged motorcycles are nothing new. This is just the first time it is being used in a mainstream production bike and in H2 form, it does not offer a real performance advantage over the opposition.

 Before sanity prevailed, my Hayabusa was making more than 200hp at the wheel and I was looking at a “mild” turbo option that would have increased it to over 300.  I suspect the H2’s relatively modest specs are the result of Kawasaki trying to demonstrate social responsibility and it will be possible to uncork its full potential with a few cheap mods.

[Tom van Brits]

Not pointless to me, and until Superbike magazine test it against it's competitors like they always do all will be revieled.
This bike made lots of people over the world excited and thus far only people with some 'status' and who is judged 'qualified' has had the change to test ride it.
Donovon therefore is probably over the moon - I would have been!
The point in this bike:
1: Super sexy (and nobody keeps any OEM exhaust on any super bike so stop the whining)
2: The real proof that I believe will be in the pudding should be acceleration - correct me if I am wrong Donovan

Although I also like Ducati the Panigale is definitely not the alpha and omega
There is a Wilddog on this forum (unfortunately not me) that owns the Panigale and the BMWRR and prefer the BMW by far

Welldone Kawasaki

[wolf skaap]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/guivYwCHk08" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/guivYwCHk08</a>

Insane how much faster a motoGP bike is on the same back straight.

[DouglasN]

 The H2 is a jump in technology and that is a good thing for us all.

100% AMZ, it is a new step in the evolution of motorcycle technology and  the "numbers" are not what make this bike.

[DouglasN]

2: The real proof that I believe will be in the pudding should be acceleration - correct me if I am wrong Donovan

absolutely one of it's strong points