The recent launch of the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2 (making roughly 200 hp at the crank) and H2R (300 hp) occurred at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. MD did not attend this launch, but we wanted to highlight two excellent videos for our readers that provide some sense of the performance of these amazing new Kawasakis.
The first video is provided by the English publication MCN, who sent a very quick rider to the test. It shows, among other things, the H2R inhaling the front straightaway at Losail in a mind-boggling sprint. For reference, I last rode at Losail during the launch of the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R. I distinctly recall exiting the right turn onto the front straight at Losail in second gear, and the ZX-10R floating a power wheelie as I stood the bike up and attacked the front straightaway. It did this lap after lap. Although the 2008 ZX-10R is a very fast motorcycle, I can tell from the MCN video that the H2R is in an entirely different league.
We hope to get a ride on one, or both of these machines, soon. Enjoy the videos — the second one is from Kawasaki.
He almost bottomed the front end. How soft are those springs? I get the E-suspension, probably(?). And the overall weight, I stick with the R-1M, or for that matter the standard, new R-1.
You might be the only guy I know cross-shopping those two bikes. Scrub off that much speed that fast, and you can just about bottom the suspension on any bike.
Good point. You don’t cross=shop these two bikes! And a correct suspension should run through its range at maximum performance. Looks right to me.
How long until we see a Bugatti Veyron vs the H2R video?
There just aren’t too many methods of feeling this kind of acceleration… For Drag Racers and Speed Junkies this is a juicy morsel.
missing the creds…
for those who haven’t seen the official bike beats the car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zj2h-3AeiM&t=62
I’m not saying it’s not capable, obviously it is…
So let me rephrase it: video has not been done.
I’d really be interested to know the mechanical difference responsible for the power discrepancy between the H2 and the H2R. I’m guessing that it is little more than a set of pulleys for the supercharger. 200HP at the crank isn’t enough to compel me to spend the cash on the bike, but 300 would be (not that I’m good enough to handle it – I just want to feel it…). Just wondering how much work it would be to turn up the boost.
It’s likely the planetary gearset within the supercharger that defines the boost level. I’m guessing there will be a kit……
–“Kawasaki has confirmed that the only differences between this motor and the 300+ horsepower H2R are the camshafts, head gasket, clutch and … software.”–
Obviously the different exhaust as well. I am assuming that the boost level is actually controlled by the ECU operating a waste gate?
If those are the only differences, then this has the sweet smell of (what could be) a relatively inexpensive “race kit”.
re: “camshafts”
that’s a bingo. (Hans Landa voice)
re: “this has the sweet smell of (what could be) a relatively inexpensive “race kit”.
sweet…? yes. relatively inexpensive…? not a snow ball’s chance.
Who on earth is Hans Landa?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Who+on+earth+is+Hans+Landa%3F
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Who+on+earth+is+Hans+Landa%3F
omg that’s hysterical…! LOL
re: “200HP at the crank isn’t enough”
good, ’cause the base model’s likely got MORE than that reported figure at the crank. they’re just playing down.
The 300hp model has a Flux Capacitor.
88mph ain’t gonna be a stretch for either of these rockets
What a strange view from 1:46 on in the first video
goPro or similar tied to a supporting device (a stick?) tied on the helmet (notice how the head does not vibrate according to the rest of the image)…
strange indeed
The stick on the head angle, has been used in many Go-Pro videos. If you look you can see the shadow, or reflection. Last year when Roczen raced the DesNations, they had the counterbalance weight set up, so when he braked, it swung to the front, and got a rear shot. On acceleration, it swung to the rear, and looked forward. I can only guess it looks goofy in real life, but its Hollywood.
has to be uncomfortable to have that thing flying tied to your head at those speeds
Not that it should be one’s biggest concern should they buy a bike like this, but buy some stock in Bridgestone…and Michelin…Pirelli….. 🙂
It’s all a con trick. A con trick to divert attention from the fact that Kawasaki has failed to produce new models in the the super sport class or other top end bikes. An old trick but highly successful nonetheless.
I second that, Norm!
At the risk of getting flamed…did anyone else think the acceleration up to 300 kph wasn’t quite as impressive as expected, considering the 300 horsepower on tap?
I mean, obviously the thing’s a beast…and maybe this wasn’t a maximum effort (he had to make the corner, after all, and no carbon brakes here)…but check the recent vid of the new R1 coming down the front straight at Sydney Motorsport Park. By my rough count it gets from 200 to 300 kph about a second faster than this bike, and it’s down 100 horsepower.
re: “maybe this wasn’t a maximum effort”
no maybe about it. traveling through “hyperspace” (220mph) ain’t like dustin’ crops. Without precise calculations on the length of that straight, he could fly right through a star or bounce too close to a supernova, and that’d end his trip real quick wouldn’t it?
Haha. Or, in the absolute best case scenario, make for a seriously awkward conversation with the Kawasaki publicity staff…
“Traveling through “hyperspace” (220mph) ain’t like dustin’ crops.”
Flying a 600 hp biplane 8 feet from the ground over and under telephone lines can be just as exciting as grabbing onto a 300 hp two-wheeled missile. I’d be happy with the cropduster and the “cheap” 200 hp bike!
the most over the top, impractical, gratuitous, guilty pleasure to ever be created (without need to exist) in the history of motorcycling…
yes please.
Most sold kit parts for the bike:
-2 more teeth on front, 2 less in the back sprocket kit: to aid corner launches…
-standard steel exhaust: no one likes that blue glow…
-all time on anti wheelie kit
-no noise exhaust (no one likes that aaaiiaiaaaaa screaming)
-standard abs plastic fairing
-turbo removal kit (we don’t like those spatial tech things, normally aspirated, like the good ol ford model T)
Yes I’m kidding
Dirk is already stretching out in preparation for the test ride….
Unreal…
How hard and how long he brakes… 0:35
300Km/h+ on 0:58
rear wheel loosing contact, steering damper notifying you are on the limits of brakes…. 1:00
Suspension almost bottomed out 1:18
I tough it was going to have a “free hell power now” transition but seems to happen seamlessly