Kawasaki Ninja H2

Overview

The Kawasaki Ninja H2 can be called many things. An engineering marvel. The last hurrah of petrol powered bikes before the inevitable domination by electric bikes. A logical conclusion of horsepower wars. Sheer lunacy. But hyperbike seems like the most fitting. First launched in 2015, the H2 pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the motorcycling world by fitting a supercharger to its engine. The H2 is named after its equally insane and legendary grandfather, the Mark III H2. Back in the70’s, it claimed the record for the fastest production motorcycle thanks to its 750 cc triple cylinder two-stroke engine. The new H2 has the same goal in its sight and can achieve a claimed top speed of 340 kmph. And frankly, it can and will reach even higher speeds.

Malaysians too can be privy to this lunacy at a cost of RM 145299. This is not the updated for 2017 (with Ohlins’ suspension) model but the same 2015 model. For people with bigger wallets and much bigger cojones, there is the track only Ninja H2R. But for people who don’t want either of these, there are all the other litre-class superbikes, the Suzuki Hayabusa and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX14R. Because as we’ll find out, nothing comes close to the Ninja H2 in the way that it fulfils the need for speed.

Exterior

Despite looking almost alien in appearance, it is uncanny how easy it is to recognise the H2 for being a Kawasaki. Typical Kawasaki aggression is apparent from every element of the bike. The front end looks like it feeds on a steady diet of superbikes. The sharp mirror silver finished body panels look like they could cut you just by staring. But in truth, this is simply function following form. The front end needs that gaping intake to constantly feed the supercharger with huge gulps of air. The body panels and indeed the whole bike – even the rear-view mirrors – are made to slice through the air while making sure it does not simply take off. The sharp edges and lips channel air around the bike to allow its high speed. Then there are rider focused elements like the hip supporting pads on the rear that ensure the rider does not fall off when the goes through its paces.

The rider also gets to look at an analog tachometer and a large digital screen as instrumentation. Then there are quality components like the exquisitely welded exposed steel trellis frame and Kawasaki’s first ever single-sided swingarm showcasing the gorgeous 5-star pattern wheel. It goes without saying that the number of drool-worthy details about this bike are simply too many to list. And we haven’t even started with the river mark emblem below that low windshield.  The whole picture, however, is something, only its mother would call handsome. More appropriate words seem to be intimidating. And girth. Which is strange considering that this bike is no larger than any other comparable motorcycle. Its dimensions reads 2085 mm (L) X 770 mm (W) X 1125 mm (H). There are, however, some exceptionally fat tires on (120/70 front and 200/55 for the rear) those 17-inch wheels.

Ride & Handling

Despite what it looks like, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 can be put through its paces even on a race track. But it takes considerable effort. The bike has a curb weight of 238 kg and it shows. The seat is adjustable but still quite high at 825 mm. The riding position is extreme with very low set handlebars. So, the riding experience is as exhausting as it is intimidating. The chassis shows some flex when you accelerate but otherwise provides good feedback. The bike does come with a very comprehensive suspension package. The front comes with fully adjustable 43 mm front forks with an oil damping cartridge pump. On the rear is a fully adjustable KYB mono shock. There is an Ohlins’ developed electronic steering damper that keeps the bike stable at every speed. All these together work to make the bike fairly usable. But this is first and foremost built for speed. This is not what you’d want to use to beat lap times.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Almost completely exposed under those body panels is the Kawasaki Ninja H2’s engine. It produces 200 PS at 11000 rpm and 133.5 Nm of torque. This is much lower than the full-blown 310 PS that the H2R produces, but you won’t find many people complaining. The 998 cc liquid-cooled inline four engine is a masterpiece by the engineering term. It is a nerd fest for mechanical engineers. A supercharger with a milled impeller is driven by planetary gears that speed it up by 9.2 times the crank speed, driving it to a supersonic 130000 rpm. This allows it to push air at 2.4 times atmospheric pressure into the strengthened combustion chamber that is designed to withstand a compression ratio of 8.5:1. The air itself comes from a huge ram air and an aluminium intake chamber. The fuel is sent into the combustion chamber through four 50 mm throttle dual bodies. The power is sent to the back wheel through a six-speed MotoGP inspired dog ring transmission. This results in a surge of power that is simply mind-bending.

Of course, the bike is very wheelie happy. The huge power is scary and confidence inspiring at the same time. Scary because everything is coming towards you much before you can even react. Confidence inspiring because nothing else on the road can approach your speed. Long stretches of empty and smooth roads are mandatory to experience the bike in fullness. The on-board launch control also comes in handy to stop light drag races. The performance does have its drawbacks. The fuel economy is abysmal at around 12 kmpl even when you are not hooning the engine. Even the 17-litre fuel tank cannot keep up with the bike’s thirst. Perhaps jokingly, Kawasaki has also included an economic ride indicator. But even before the fuel tank has emptied itself, you might want to get off because of how much heat the engine throws at your legs.

Braking & Safety

The Kawasaki Ninja H2 is the kind of bike that needs safety equipment to protect the rider from the bike’s full potential. And Kawasaki has done a pretty good job. The new Kawasaki Traction Control system allows the rider to choose between maximum acceleration and stability with three different modes. Super sports style ABS comes with a 6 axis IMU and manages rear lift, kickback and back torque. And of course, there are the brakes. The front gets massive 330 mm Brembo semi-floating discs with a Brembo four-pot calliper while the rear gets a 250 mm disc with a two-piston Brembo calliper setup. All these systems are endlessly customisable and can even be switched off for the rawest performance. 

Verdict

The Kawasaki Ninja H2 was made to push the limits. But it does this by pushing the rider. The tachometer does not show its redline. The numbers reveal themselves only when the needle has moved over them. The digital display does not show the boost pressure being generated. The limits of the bike are for the rider to find. But in this process, they are bound to find the limits of their own courage and abilities. The thrill of the way this bike gains speed is exhilarating and intoxicating. But many riders will soon realize that they do not have the reaction time that this demand. And that is ok. They just have to keep pushing their limits. It comes with a territory that is the pursuit of speed. What the rider then needs to ask themselves is – do they have it in them.