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{{Motorcycle
|name            = Kawasaki S2
|photo= 1972_Kawasaki_S2_Orange_1.JPG
|aka              =
|manufacturer    = Kawasaki
|parent_company  =
|production      = 72-73
|model_year      =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            =
|engine          = 350cc
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      =
|top_speed        =100 mph
|power            =
|torque          =
|ignition        =
|spark_plug      = {{sparkplug|NGK B9HS}} '72-73
|battery          = {{battery|YUASA 12N5.5-4A}} '72-73
|transmission    =
|frame            =
|suspension      =
|brakes          =
|front_tire      = {{tire|3.00-18}} '72-73
|rear_tire    = {{tire|3.50-18}} '72-73
|rake_trail      =
|wheelbase        =
|length          =
|width            =
|height          =
|seat_height      =
|dry_weight      =
|wet_weight      =
|fuel_capacity    =
|oil_capacity    =
|recommended_oil= K-tech 10W-40
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius  =
|related          =
|competition      = [[Yamaha RD350]]<br />[[Suzuki GT380]]
|final_drive= {{chain|530}} `72-73<ref name="wps_street_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 Western Power Sports Catalog|publisher=[https://www.wps-inc.com/catalogs Western Power Sports]|date=2019}}</ref>
}}
The '''Kawasaki S2''' is a 350[[cc]], [[triple cylinder]], [[two stroke]], [[street motorcycle]] manufactured by [[Kawasaki]] from 1972 through 1973.
==History==
After [[Honda]]'s great success, it was difficult in the late Sixties for a new Japanese [[marque]] to create an image for itself. [[Kawasaki]], however, succeeded brilliantly in establishing a reputation as an exclusive specialist in high performance [[motorcycle]]s. Kawasaki has hung on to its reputation in racing, even though its model lineup has widened.  The 350cc version of Kawasaki's line of three cylinder sports machines was a really popular bike in Europe, where in the US, the [[Kawasaki H1|500cc H1]] was the favorite.  A little less demanding to ride the S2 was still very fast, but also had a great thirst for gasoline.  Billed in Britain as "the most powerful production 350cc machine ever built", it gave incredible performance for the dollar.
==Bone-Splintering Acceleration==
It all began in 1969 when Kawasaki introduced the [[Kawasaki H1|500 H1]], a three-cylinder machine with terrifying acceleration that gave a new dimension to the concept of sporting bikes. Then Kawasaki's French importer, Xavier Maugendre, had the vision to form the Kawa-Godier endurance racing team, which finished first and second in the 1974 Bol d'Or and went one better in the 1975 event by coming in first, second, and third!
==One-Make Formula==
In 1971, Maugendre, a dyed-in-the-wool racing enthusiast, inaugurated the "Coupe Kawasaki-Moto Revue," a one-make formula that would be copied all over Europe. Initially, the Coupe Kawasaki was based on the [[Kawasaki A7|350cc Avenger]] twin but enjoyed its greatest success from 1972 on, when the formula centered on the three-cylinder '''S2 350'''. This was derived from the famous 500 H1, probably the most explosive motorcycle of its era, and -though it performed better on a circuit than on the road -the S2 was a little more "civilized" than the H1.
==1972==
==1972==


[[Image:1972-kawasaki-s2-mach-II.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 (Mach II)]]
[[Image:1972-kawasaki-s2-mach-II.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 (Mach II)]]
[[Image:1972 Kawasaki S2 Mach II.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 Mach II]]
[[Image:1972_Kawasaki_S2_Orange_1.JPG|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 in orange]][[Image:1972_Kawasaki_S2_Orange_2.JPG|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 in orange]][[Image:1972_Kawasaki_S2_Orange_3.JPG|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 in orange]]
[[Image:1972_Kawasaki_S2_Orange_1.JPG|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 in orange]]
[[Image:1972_Kawasaki_S2_Orange_2.JPG|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 in orange]]
[[Image:1972_Kawasaki_S2_Orange_3.JPG|left|thumb|1972 Kawasaki S2 in orange]]
<br style="clear: left"/>
<br style="clear: left"/>


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*Maximum Horsepower:
*Maximum Horsepower:
*44 HP @8,000 rpm
*44 HP @8,000 rpm
*Spark Plug: NGK [[NGK B9HS|B9HS]]
*Spark Plug: NGK B9HS
*Tire Size
*Tire Size
*Front: 3.00S-18 4PR
*Front: 3.00S-18 4PR
Line 80: Line 24:
*Shop Manual No.: 99997-705
*Shop Manual No.: 99997-705
*Remarks: Very similar to the 250 cc [[Kawasaki S1]], except for engine displacement. Can be identified positively by the engine or frame number prefix.
*Remarks: Very similar to the 250 cc [[Kawasaki S1]], except for engine displacement. Can be identified positively by the engine or frame number prefix.
==1973==
==1973==
<gallery mode='packed-hover'>
[[Image:1973-kawasaki-S2A.jpg|left|thumb|1973 Kawasaki S2A]][[Image:1973-Kawasaki-S2-Blue-1510-0.jpg|left|thumb|1973 Kawasaki S2 in Blue]]
File:1973-kawasaki-s2-350-0.jpg|1973 Kawasaki S2 350
<br style="clear: left"/>
File:1973-kawasaki-s2-350-1.jpg|1973 Kawasaki S2 350
File:1973-kawasaki-s2-350-2.jpg|1973 Kawasaki S2 350
File:1973-kawasaki-s2-350-3.jpg|1973 Kawasaki S2 350
File:1973-kawasaki-s2-350-4.jpg|1973 Kawasaki S2 350
File:1973-Kawasaki-S2-Blue-1510-0.jpg|left|thumb|1973 Kawasaki S2 in Blue
File:1973-kawasaki-S2A.jpg|left|thumb|1973 Kawasaki S2A
</gallery>
 


*Color  
*Color  
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*Major Changes: Color, marking, seat, and front fork. Disc brake put on front.
*Major Changes: Color, marking, seat, and front fork. Disc brake put on front.


==References==
[[Category:Kawasaki motorcycles|S2]]
{{reflist}}
 
{{motorcycle-stub}}
{{motorcycle-stub}}
{{Kawasaki}}
[[Category:Kawasaki motorcycles|S2]]
[[Category:1970s motorcycles]]
[[Category:Street motorcycles]]
[[Category:350cc displacement motorcycles]]
[[Category:350cc 2-stroke motorcycles]]
[[Category:Triple cylinder motorcycles]]
[[Category:Triple cylinder 2-stroke motorcycles]]
[[Category:2-stroke motorcycles]]
[[Category:Piston Inlet Port motorcycles]]

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