RF FEB 2021 ONLINE

Whistle?
Yup! Standing on the side of the road taking pics – you
hear the supercharged whistle long before the soft hum
of the 1000cc engine. It’s quite weird – futuristic and
ever so cool!
The H2 Naked features the same 998cc supercharged
powerplant as the H2 SX line, with a few notable
changes to fit this naked bike application. An all-new
chassis, comfortable ergonomics, and an updated
electronics package is what makes this bike so user
friendly.
Changes to the engine from the H2 SX gives the bike
more low-end and mid-range oomph. On this one,
Kawasaki engineers developed new model-specific fuel
maps, and an entirely new exhaust system with longer
header pipes, that prioritize low-end and mid-range
power whilst still meeting Euro 5 emissions standards.
The final piece of the puzzle is shorter final-drive
gearing.
Ride-by-wire throttle tech allows for three preset and
one customizable ride mode. Once behind the
handlebar of the Z H2, riders will have the choice of
Sport, Road, Rain, and Rider modes all displayed on
the really neat TFT display. This compact TFT is shared
across several Kawasaki models. It works and looks the
part, relaying everything you’d ever need to know at a
glance, in or out of direct light. Racers will love the lean
angle indicator.
The modes adjust the levels of traction control, throttle
response, and all other electronic aids. Sport and Road
share a throttle map, which is a sporty pairing well
suited with the H2’s personality. TC is bumped down to
the lowest setting in Sport, giving you plenty of leeway;
Road reigns it in a bit. Rain cuts power and softens the
throttle considerably, while also jacking up TC to its
maximum settings.
Rider mode allows you to customize the Z to taste. As
linear and easy to control as the supercharged engine
is, it’s still good to have state of the art technology
watching over your shoulder. Standard features assisted
by the six-axis Bosch IMU include cornering ABS,
three-level lean-angle-detecting traction control, wheelie
control, slide control, cruise control, and launch
control. Also, three power modes are available—
Full (full power),
Middle (75 percent power), and Low (50 percent) to let
you tailor the maximum output to your needs.
Naturally, we rode her mostly in full power mode…
You’d expect a bike like this all to be about superbike
speed and scrunched up ergonomics. But it’s not. The
Z H2’s upright position make riding around town, hitting
the freeways, or even the track, a relaxed affair. The
bars are noticeably taller than the H2 SX platform,
creating a sporty, yet neutral riding position. The seat
height is accessible for most, and we could all get our
boots on the ground. It’s actually a really comfortable
motorcycle – that if you have the means you could use it
all day every day. But like we say – you need to ride it to
understand.
In comparison to the H2 SX, the Z H2 has more snap.
It’s so easy to hoik the wheel while pulling out of a
corner, this bike can be manic, naked hooligan.
Riding the bike, the Z H2’s supercharged powerplant is
incredibly smooth. It does not hesitate. It does not rattle
or vibrate.
The gearbox on the Z H2 feels perfect,
with its precise, easy shifting.
You’ll never need to use light clutch
unless you’re coming to a stop, thanks
to the quickshifter that works well in either
direction. Kawasaki says that you
should only utilize it when the engine is
spinning above 2500 rpm. On this bike,
that’s easy.
It delivers a smooth, refined ride. This
bike proves that 197 horsepower at
10,500 rpm and 101 ft-lbs of torque at
9500 rpm can be calm. Power is everywhere,
and it builds in a
predictable, linear fashion. Like a Siren
of old, it can lull you into a false serene
bubble – until you need to open that
throttle and the unbelievable acceleration
will stretch your arms and crack
your face into a smile as you scream
with joy into your helmet.
Fully adjustable Showa suspension
keeps things in check. There is a
43mm SFF-BP fork with a linkage-assisted
shock. Together, they do well to
soak up the rough stuff. The setup on
this bike leaned towards comfortable.
For what we did it felt really, really
good. The blend of a good chassis,
excellent suspension and great tyre
choice in the Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3
rubber that is fitted standard inspires
much confidence in the rider. Just so
well balanced – and although it’s fast
as F… it just feels so lekker.
Slowing things down swiftly are dual
Brembo 4-piston M4.32 calipers clamping
onto the 320mm floating rotors.
Adjustable levers are also in the mix.
Out back, a dual-piston caliper grabs
onto a 250mm rotor and has an equally
good feel. No complaints here, but we
wonder why Kawasaki has not fitted
braided brake lines on such a high
spec bike?
Yes, the Z H2 is as happy plodding
along through suburbia as it is running
at flat taps through the Karoo.
We have to be honest. We ran out of
guts and road long before the bike ran
out of steam…
Sean Says:
I really do like crazy motorcycles, bikes
that you just know that if you
disrespect it, will kick you solidly in the
nuts and the Kawasaki Z H2 supercharged
hypernaked is possibly the
most insane naked bike out there.
Bolting a supercharger to an already
insanely fast 1000cc motor and then
sticking it in an unfaired street fighter
style bike sounds like an idea born out
of snorting way too many coffee beans,
but it really works and works extremely
well.