Kawasaki has announced that the 2019 supercharged Ninja H2, Ninja H2 Carbon and Ninja H2R motorcycles will receive significant changes. Both the H2 and the H2 Carbon, among other changes, get increased power from a revised engine and supercharger, new Brembo brakes (introduced with the Ducati Panigale V4), new TFT display and new tires. The H2R makes due with fewer changes, but will receive the new Brembos.
Here is the full press release from Kawasaki:
The Kawasaki Ninja H2™ line-up has already set the bar for hypersport motorcycles and the 2019 Ninja H2™, Ninja H2™ Carbon, and Ninja H2™R raise it even higher as engine updates make these supercharged hypersport machines the most powerful H2 engines to date.
Since the Ninja H2 sportbike was introduced, Kawasaki engineers were able to pursue unadulterated performance while remaining street legal and street capable.
A second model, the Ninja H2 Carbon, was developed as a special, limited edition model that features beautiful, strong and lightweight carbon fiber front bodywork and special insignia. The Ninja H2 and Ninja H2 Carbon are following in the footsteps of the unrestricted, track only Ninja H2™R motorcycle, which was truly Built Beyond Belief.
In addition to the increased performance for the Ninja H2, Kawasaki has added Brembo’s latest high-spec calipers. In the cockpit, a new TFT (thin-film transistor) color instrumentation display with four selectable display modes, as well as Smartphone Connectivity which enables riders to connect to their motorcycle wirelessly. Bringing all this power and technology to the pavement are new Bridgestone RS11 tires.
These incredible machines share technologically advanced components, including the 998cc inline four-cylinder engine, proprietary supercharger, lightweight trellis frame, compact superbike dimensions, aerodynamic bodywork, and a strong single-sided swingarm. The 2019 Ninja H2 is available in Mirror Coated Spark Black, while the 2019 Ninja H2 Carbon is offered in Mirror Coated Matte Spark Black / Golden Blazed Green with its clear coated raw carbon fiber fairing on display.
Highlights of the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Carbon and Ninja H2 hypersports:
- NEW Most powerful H2 engine to date while maintaining the same fuel efficiency
- NEW Brembo Stylema® monobloc brake calipers
- NEW Bridgestone Battlax RS11 sport tires
- NEW TFT full color instrument display with four selectable modes
- NEW Smartphone connectivity
- NEW All LED lighting
- NEW Highly Durable Paint with “self repairing” top coat on high touch areas
NEW More Powerful Engine
With the significant improvements, the supercharged acceleration of the Ninja H2 is more exhilarating than ever. The new engine performance does not affect fuel efficiency as consumption and range stay on par with previous models thanks to feedback from the Ninja H2™` SX motorcycle’s “balanced supercharged” engine. Key components to the increase in power include a new air filter, intake chamber and spark plugs.
NEW Brembo Stylema® Calipers
New for 2019 the Ninja H2, Ninja H2 Carbon and Ninja H2R hypersport motorcycles are equipped with high-grade Brembo Stylema front calipers. The dual radial mount, opposed 4-piston Stylema calipers gripping semi-floating 330mm discs are equipped with KIBS ABS to complement the technical innovation and premium quality of the Ninja H2, Ninja H2 Carbon and Ninja H2R.
NEW Bridgestone Battlax RS11 Sport Tires
Technical innovations continue on the Ninja H2 and Ninja H2 Carbon as they come equipped with all-new Bridgestone Battlax RS11 sport tires (12/70-17 front, 200/55-17 rear) that contribute to improved handling.
NEW TFT Color Instrumentation
Contributing to the Ninja H2 flagship-level of quality is the advanced, high-tech design of the instrumentation featuring an analogue-style tachometer complemented by a high-grade full-color TFT LCD screen that enables information to be displayed graphically. Four selectable display modes allow riders to prioritize the information they want to see depending on the kind of riding they are doing at the time.
The high-grade full-color display features TFT technology to ensure a level of visibility. The screen’s background color (black or white) is selectable at the touch of a button, and screen brightness adjusts automatically to suit available light. In addition to scrollable multi-function windows, four display modes offer riders a choice of how they want their information presented. Simple handle control switches put all mode selection and display options at the rider’s fingertips.
In addition to a digital speedometer and gear position indicator, display functions include: odometer, dual trip meters, current mileage, average mileage, fuel consumption, bank angle display and max bank angle recording function, coolant temperature, boost indicator, boost (intake air chamber) temperature, clock, and Economical Riding Indicator.
NEW Smartphone Connectivity
As Kawasaki continues along a path of innovation, the 2019 Ninja H2 model comes another first: Smartphone Connectivity to the motorcycle. A chip built into the instrument panel enables riders to connect to their motorcycle wirelessly. Using a smartphone application, a number of instrument functions can be accessed, logged, and reviewed contributing to an enhanced motorcycling experience. The information below can be viewed on the connected smartphone through the proprietary app:
- Vehicle information including fuel level, odometer, trip meter, maintenance schedule, battery condition, etc.
- Riding record including GPS route information, speed, rpm, gear position, fuel mileage and more
- Telephone notices: when a call, text or mail is received by the smartphone, this is indicated on the vehicle’s instrument display
- Vehicle settings: general instrument display settings (such as power or riding modes and ride support aids, such as Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS,) can be adjusted via the smartphone as well as by manual switch
The app can also be used when away from the motorcycle. When riding (with the app ON), the bike and smartphone are always connected. Once the engine is turned off, or the smartphone is out of range of the instrument’s chip, the latest riding information is stored by the app and may be viewed on the smartphone. Any changes made via the app while the engine is off, or while out of range, will be implemented as soon as the ignition is turned on and the smartphone is in range with the app ON.
NEW All-LED Lighting
The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 and Ninja H2 Carbon feature new LED turn signals and an LED license plate lamp, meaning all lighting equipment (headlamp, position lamps, taillight, turn signals, and license plate lamp) are now brighter and more efficient LED technology.
Styling
A new “Supercharged” emblem emphasizes the increase in performance offered by the supercharged engine of the Ninja H2. Red color accents express the uniqueness of this high performance engine, while graphics depicting high-velocity intake air being spun around convey a sense of speed. Also new for 2019 are wheel pinstripes, which help to convey a high-class image.
NEW Highly Durable Paint
Also new is Kawasaki’s Highly Durable Paint (used on all non-carbon bodywork parts). The new paint features a special top coat that allows certain types of scratches to repair themselves, enabling the paint to maintain its high quality finish through normal wear and tear†. The self-healing is achieved through microscopic soft and hard segments within the top coat working like a chemical spring, creating a trampoline effect that absorbs many impacts.
† Notes:
1. In some cases, it takes more than one week for recovery.
2. The paint will not recover in the case of scratches caused by a coin or key, or zip fasteners.
KAWASAKI NINJA H2™R
The Kawasaki Ninja H2™R hypersport motorcycle once again returns as a class leader and one of the most sought-after motorcycles on the planet. New for 2019 is the addition of the Brembo Stylema® front calipers, a redesigned supercharged emblem, and Kawasaki’s Highly Durable Paint.
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Too much power? Never use it all? Oh come on, you hot-wrist street racer wanna-bes. The ones of you that ride 250 and 300’s don’t use all your bike. You may come close if you do track days. Using it all isn’t the point. Bikes like this have superior power, but they also have superior handling and brakes. Are we supposed to sluff around on little small-motor cycles that can only wheeze their way up to the legal limit? I’m 69 and ride a Kawa ZX-14r. Do I use it all? Not on your life. But at 70 MPH it lopes along at under 4000 RPM, unlike those 600’s that sound like chain saws on steroids. Do I have the squirt I sometimes need to get out of a bad situation? Yup. Big brakes to haul it down? Yup. And even a big Ninja handles and is flick-able. Insurance? $52 a month during the riding season for an old man with a clean BMV report, but I also carry higher limits as I have stuff to protect.
It’s all subjective and individual. For me, vast quantities of controllable power is a good thing. I applaud the engineering and the attitude Kawa displays with the cycles they continue to produce. Too much performance? As with sex and money, you can’t have to much. I’ll take what you don’t want.
You have been deceived. A bike that is bigger, heavier, and has bigger/heavier tires will never handle as good as a light bike with skinny tires. For some reason, people tend to think a more powerful engine equals better handling. Supposedly, the best handling bikes out there currently are the KTM 390 and the Yamaha R3 – not counting the super motards. Yes, they can go around a corner faster and transition to the next faster than the H2.
You’re absolutely correct, Todd. A heavier bike will never handle and stop as well and as fast as a lighter one, but I’m talking everyday use. I don’t want a small engine that requires high RPM to deliver power screeching in my ears all day long. Fingernails on the blackboard to me. I’d never take my 14 to the track, but that’s not what I want to do anyway. I want a comfortable (yes, even at my age I find the sport bike ‘crouch’ more comfortable than the load on my ass cruiser-couch position), fast (when I choose) bike that handles and stops in the top tier. For daily use, I’ll take the 14. Ride what you like and what suits your needs.
Dirck: You did a great job as always with your ride report on the 2018 Kawasaki H2SX SE. Yet Kawasaki never supplied you with an H2 to ride (2015-2018). What can your loyal MD readers do to support you in convincing Kawasaki to grant a test on the improved 2019 H2? Our laptops (and pens) are ready to unleash an email campaign to educate Kawasaki of your considerable riding and reviewing talents. Let us know how we can support you.
Yep. Still want one. Don’t care how overkill it is, don’t care that it weighs more than some geezer’s RD350, don’t care that it has all sorts of awful electronics, don’t care that it looks like a spaceship prop from Babylon 5. Want one bad. And I need to stop spending less money on cheaper bikes, so I can notch something insane like this up someday…
Cool, but I’ll keep my H2SX. It’s a better daily streetbike.
Jealous and poor here… what’s your overall real-world impression of the SX so far?
I have a 2018 H2 SX SE, the insurance premium is less than my wife’s 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. Buy the bike, insure it, ride it. What a blast.
Well, at least when you sit on it, it makes you poke your hind end way up in the air. That’s the most important thing nowadays.
ABSOLUTELY, and don’t forget to be stylish while arse flying ! I used to get down flat and low as possible while motoring quick like a bunny, into the wind. Old days were good.
When this bike is blurring by at a speed well north of 130 mph, does anyone really care what it looks like? Can the human eye even detect the bit of green frame? I wish I were capable of driving this to its full potential.
I want to ride it (across nevada). I don’t want to own it…my insurance would drop me
I wonder who other than the like of Jay Leno could self insure for owning one of these bikes?
The average Joe will not be able to afford the premium, nor the bike either I guess.
Check youtube. It’s unbelievable what young kids buy (can afford?) these days? Tons of H2s and H2Rs owned by 20somethings.
“Don’t take the H2, you’ll kill yourself!”
I wonder . Would it be possible, difficult certainly, but could a world class modifier trash all the gimmicky creases, folds, mini downforce blades, old garbage can looking fuel tank, stepped seat, and transformer kid looks to be replaced with the parts that simulate a 1966 Triumph motorcycle or any traditional looking bike from the late 60s thru the mid 70s. Wouldn’t it be grand to look good again ? Really ?
Kawasaki z900rs
Nah- the RS still looks worse than my CB1100, which I just put new camshafts into.
I should contact a magazine to do a test ride of my bike and and see what they think.
I think it is very close to being the bike ‘Honda should have built’.
I’ve maintained for decades that a supercharged 250 single or 500 twin could be the basis of an entire family of bikes.
It seems that the street bike industry is always capable of making motorcycles with more power. Chassis technology improves a bit more slowly.
But really. With all the major strides that have been made. A street bike that has more than 75hp has isn’t significantly smaller or lighter than they were thirty years ago.
So yeah. Maybe a forced induction engine could lead to a street bike that is closer to 300# wet than the 400# wet they seem to be stuck at. But I have been continuously disappointed for decades. I am not about to start holding my breath.
Do you ride a 30yr old bike? Because while they may be roughly the same size and weight, there is no objective way in which a bike from 30 years ago is superior to its modern day equivalent.
You might check out the KTM Duke 690..
After taking\chasing a week long trip with a bro with a BMW K1300 while flogging a poor Ol’ Ducati ST2, I was lamenting the death of the Sport Tourer. It’s pretty much Kawi or nothing. Too bad the ADVs have taken over. Upright and ugly would be great if I could lose the ego. 100 to 150 HP and 500 lbs, no nannies. Guess it’s Motus or Kawi.
Are you forgetting the FJ09, FZ6R, the FJR1300, ST1300, Interceptor, the Conni, Ninja 1000, ZX14, Versys, BMW K1600, R1200RT, F800GT, KTM Super Duke, the Hyabusa, GSX bikes and the Bandit, and that’s just from the major brands…
Long live the Sport Tourer.
Ducati SuperSport S, BMW R1200RS
Hideous styling, but I still want one.
Perfect bike to blast down Baja Mex 1 in 2 days for a shot of Tequila in La Paz.
Please send new rear tire to La Paz.
I’m waiting for the jet blasters that’ll launch me vertical for when I want to explode into space 🙂
My God.
Does Kawasaki actually WORK at making their exhaust systems that damn ugly?
Because nothing could be done that badly on purpose..
Damn.
I dunno. The new little Honda 300 is more interesting to me. I think it is actually harder for a manufacturer to make a desirable bike at a reasonable low price point that will sell tens of thousands of units. Making a superbike where you don’t have to worry about all that business, cost effective design, volume manufacturing, and broad appeal is too easy.
Nice bike if your father is the police chief and your mother is an insurance agent.
…and never ride beyond that particular municipality.
I think the most interesting thing about this bike is the self-healing paint. Tell me more…
Would be neat if it works like a Borg Cube.
OK now, …..what do I hear for my obsolete 2018 H2 ? Going going gone….
I’m curious to how large a market there is for bikes like these. Fast, expensive and highly impractical. And to me, hideously ugly. I wish them success however.
It’s a profitable market. One of the few left. Due to ever greater socioeconomic stratification, it can be more profitable building a bike aimed at being the 23rd in the collection of those who already have 22, than the 1st bike for new riders. As a side effect, bragging rights and thrills until the 24th one comes around, counts for more than broadly competent practicality. It’s the jet powered bike people rave about in Leno’s collection, after all. Not his SV650, if he even has one.
So who rides these death machines?
I used to live near a smaller motorcycle dealer that sold Kawasaki, Yamaha, Triumph and Suzuki. They told me in a given year, players on the NFL team in the were good for at least 5 of whatever Kawasaki or Suzuki’s fastest bike at the time was (ZX10/11/12/14, Hyabusa). Most would be bought totaled from insurance companies withing a couple of months, repaired, and re-sold. The players usually escaped the crashes with minor, if any injuries.
Ooh! Ooh! Me! Pick me! Pleeeeez!!!
Not to be a spoilsport, what is the horsepower of this beast? Zero to 186 in 9 seconds? 500 lbs?
I’m a wild man myself, but “expletive deleted”.
More power. Well thank goodness. This issue was holding me back. NOW I might buy one.
Hilarious!!
I hate to encourage him since he seems to be on a roll for this article, but commenting after this post is like taking the mic after Sinatra on karaoke night…