Kawasaki H2 SX

Kawasaki H2 SX Is Kawasaki missing the point a little by giving us a supercharged touring bike capable of 200hp?

By: Clinton Pienaar 

Pics: Gerrit Erasmus

 

Well, I’ve just spent a week with this bike using it as my daily commute and I have to say Kawasaki has nailed it. I’m going to sound like Kawasaki’s marketing department now, and believe me I want to sound completely objective and neutral, but I am totally smitten with the two new offerings (H2 SX and Z900 RS) Kawasaki has brought to SA recently, and for completely different reasons.

But let me start off first with things I did not like before I move on to the things I loved. Regarding the looks and paintwork, once you’ve seen the normal H2 and H2R’s paintwork in the flesh, all other bikes’ dark colours look a little bland, and on this bike the Metallic Carbon Grey/Metallic Matte Carbon Grey just makes it just look a little dull. Kawasaki is a little wilder than what this colour suggests. I would have liked the metallic green frame, but most people I spoke to did not. The lineage of the H2 family is clearly visible and the similarity in looks is strong; it’s got that ‘either love it or hate it’ look, there is no middle ground but, personally, I love the Darth Vader-like aggression the front portrays. The bike I rode is the base model which is the one they are bringing into SA but I felt let down because there is no quick shifter, especially when so many bikes nowadays are fitted with them. I feel that the top touring model should have a quick shifter as standard but, hey, that’s my opinion and thankfully the end of my negativity. Regarding the rest of the bike, and it’s a lot of machine, I absolutely loved it!

So what does it feel like to ride the supercharged SX? Well, it’s not just about speed and out- and-out power, Kawasaki has actually redesigned many components in the engine to make it more rider-friendly and fuel efficient, which is an important aspect of a sportbike or touring machine. So while the H2 SX’s engine and supercharger appear very similar to the H2’s, they have actually undergone several changes aimed at making the bike more practical for street riding and touring purposes. The first step was to increase the engine’s thermal efficiency by increasing the compression ratio from 8.5:1 to 11.2:1, with new cast aluminium pistons, cylinder heads and cylinders. The intake and exhaust cam profiles were shortened to match the reduced airflow requirements of street riding, and the supercharger was redesigned with a new impeller, intake chamber, cams and exhaust components. What this does is create passion and the enjoyment of riding the bike a little briskly, with the supercharger chirping as the end of the blades break the sound barrier, between 9,500 and 11,000rpm, which is absolutely addictive. You’ve often heard guys talk about driving the older Alfas and what emotion it stirred in them, well this bike is all about that. For sure it needs a pipe but the aural pleasure of being on the bike with the induction noise, supercharger over boost and exhaust is something to experience. As a matter of fact, I’d go as far as to say that if you were even slightly considering this bike just because of the spec sheet, media hype and maybe the looks, once you’ve experienced the urgency of the supercharger pull, as it comes on song and the emotions it stirs in you, that test ride WILL cost you money. And don’t ride it around the block, this bike needs a long run because the roll on and off in 5th gear with the absolute surge of the force fed engine will get you hook, line and sinker.

The riding position is typical sports touring and the wind protection is exemplary. It’s very much like the ZX1400’s riding position and I’d almost say that a ZX1400 might still be quicker but, again, it’s the way in which the SX makes its power that makes it so addictive.

Next up on the sport touring list, as opposed to the H2, is payload capacity and stability, and the redesigned trellis frame now boasts a 195kg capacity and is ready to accept Kawasaki’s matching 22 litre hard side cases. The single-sided forged aluminium swing arm was lengthened by 0.6-inch for added stability at speed, and the steering lock was increased to 30 degrees, both left and right, for easier low-speed manoeuvring.

Suspension: The Ninja H2 SX gets fully-adjustable suspension front and rear, which is ‘sport bike sourced’ and designed for ‘a combination of ride comfort and sport performance ideal for street riding and touring’ according to Kawasaki.

Brakes: The four-piston radial-mounted front callipers provide braking that is amongst the most powerful and precise you will find on a machine of this power and weight. (256kg wet).

The H2 SX has Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF), which uses a Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that provides a real-time view of chassis orientation. KCMF monitors engine and chassis parameters throughout the corner – from entry, through the apex, to corner exit – modulating brake force and engine power to facilitate smooth transition from acceleration to braking and back again, and to assist riders in tracing their intended line through the corner.

On the Ninja H2 SX, KCMF oversees the fol- Natalie’s Opinion I, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to ride the H2 or H2R so have nothing to compare the SX to, but what I will say is that I absolutely loved the way the power is delivered, from the moment you open the throttle. Also the bike is extremely comfortable and I could easily see myself going on a very, very long ride. Brilliant bike, loved it! Daniel’s Opinion I fell in love with the sound of the supercharger, especially when blipping the throttle to gear down. I was left wishing this motorcycle had a quick shifter as I think it would make the gear shifts a bit smoother. As for the power on the bike, this was the first time I have ever ridden a motorcycle with a supercharger and I was amazed by how fast the bike accelerates. 37 38 JULY 2018 www.superbikemag.co.za lowing systems: 

• KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control, including traction and wheel lift control). 

• KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System, including pitching and corner braking control). • Kawasaki Engine Brake Control. 

• KLCM (Kawasaki Launch Control Mode, only on the SE model).

The H2 SX is available in two trim levels worldwide but, here in SA, Kawasaki are only bringing in the base model. The base model includes electronic cruise control, all-LED lighting, a 2-mode LCD display, 3-mode Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), Kawasaki Intelligent ABS (KIBS), Engine Brake Control, three power modes (Full, 75-percent and 50-percent) and a 5-axis Bosch IMU with a sixth axis (yaw) calculated by Kawasaki’s proprietary software developed through World Superbike racing experience. The H2 SX SE adds LED cornering lights, a full-colour TFT display, a larger windscreen for touring, Kawasaki Launch Control Mode for wheelie and wheel spin control, a quick-shifter for clutchless up- and downshifts, braided steel brake lines, heated grips and a centre stand. Both models feature a fully adjustable 43mm KYB fork and fully adjustable KYB 40mm rear shock with remote preload adjuster. If I was you, I’d put pressure on them to bring in the SE model, you are not taking the money with you one day, spend your kids’ inheritance.

As an end note, Kawasaki had made such a hype about how good this bike was going to be on fuel economy, and I’d like to apologise now because I was having so much fun with the supercharger, I think I did almost a 700km but not once did it dawn on me to even consider trying to prove them right or wrong. The ozone was damaged a little with this SuperBike test.

cources:

Superbike South Africa, July 2018

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