Kawasaki Ninja H2 – Built Beyond Belief

The Kawasaki Ninja H2 is a supercharged super-sport class motorcycle in the Kawasaki Ninja sport-bike series, manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, featuring a variable-speed centrifugal-type supercharger. With a claimed 300hp, the H2R track only variant has 50% more power than the fastest street-legal motorcycles and would greatly exceed the production motorcycle top speed of nearly 320Km which is held by the Suzuki Hayabusa or Kawasaki ZX-12R, but the comparable street-legal H2 has a much lower power output of 200hp. When it came to name this model, Ninja was an obvious choice because it is synonymous with Kawasaki performance and is shared by legendary models over the years. It is also named for another iconic model that is the 'H2', which is powered by a two-stroke 748cc triple and boasted the sort of intense acceleration that made it a worldwide sensation. For a motorcycle that delivers super-sport level handling coupled with the kind of acceleration no rider has experienced before, the Ninja H2 is to be the best suitable name.



Designed for the performance parameters of the closed-course Ninja H2R and shared with the street going Ninja H2, the objectives for the chassis were to provide superb motorcycle composure at ultra-high speeds, while cornering performance that allows the rider to enjoy riding on a circuit and finally to be very accommodating to the rider. Ordinarily, high-speed stability can easily be achieved with a long wheelbase, but a shorter wheelbase was selected to achieve the compact overall package and sharp handling that were desired. So the frame not only needed to be stiff, but also be able to absorb external disturbances, which could otherwise unsettle the chassis when encountered at high speed. A trellis frame provided both, the strength to harness the incredible power of the supercharged engine and the balanced flex to achieve stability for high-speed riding.



As speed increases, wind resistance increases exponentially. To enable high-speed operation, a combination of high power and slippery aerodynamics is needed. With power requirements taken care of by the supercharged engine, the bodywork design that provides both minimal drag and good control when riding at high speed. Assistance from Kawasaki's Aerospace company was enlisted in creating the aerodynamically sculpted bodywork to provide maximum aerodynamic efficiency. It is no accident that when viewed from the side, the Ninja H2 and H2R do not have the aggressive forward canted stance of most modern super-sport motorcycles. While super-sport bikes use their front leaning attitude to aid quick steering, at the speeds for which the closed course Ninja H2R was designed, which hinders top speed potential. Therefore, the H2 stance is very natural, almost flat like a Formula 1 car, to make the body as aerodynamically sleek as possible.



Since the Ninja H2 is not intended to be a pure race bike, the Ninja H2's interface enables riders to enjoy the bike's performance with a degree of comfort. While the riding position, ergonomics and cockpit layout are designed by giving the rider priority, so the rider is in the best position to control this amazing machine, the impression from the rider's perspective is not one of austerity, but is more about quality, high-tech control and the impeccable fit and finish. The advanced, high-tech design of the instrumentation conveys the image of piloting a fighter jet. Handlebar control switches put all mode selection and display options at the rider's fingertips. With the kind of performance the Ninja H2 portrays, it shows that it is designed for a compact package resulted in a riding position similar to that of a super sport bike without being quite as aggressive. As enjoyment of the intense acceleration and high-speed capability was the first priority, a solo seat for the rider is the only seating provided.



Overall, its another impressive machine from Kawasaki and a deserving bike that adds more muscle to the line-up of Ninja's. The Kawasaki Ninja H2R and H2 are limited release production motorcycles, available for a short time in selected markets. The H2 is priced at ₹29Lakhs and the H2R is priced at ₹39.56Lakhs. A small difference between the two motorbikes is that the H2R is reserved for the track, while the H2 is a road going model.