Kawasaki H2-SX Ninja
Kawasaki H2-SX Ninja | |
Manufacturer | |
---|---|
Production | 2018 |
Engine | Four Stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 16 valve, Supercharger Centrifugal, scroll-type |
Compression ratio | 11.2:1 |
Ignition | Digital |
Transmission | 6-speed, return, dog-ring |
Frame | Trellis, high-tensile steel, with swingarm mounting plate |
Suspension | Front: 43 mm Inverted fork with rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs Rear: Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock, piggyback reservoir, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, rebound damping and preload adjustability, and top-out spring |
Brakes | Front: Dual 320 mm discs, radial-mount, opposed 4-piston calipers, dual semi-floating Rear: Single 250mm disc, opposed 2-piston calipers |
Front Tire | 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) |
Rear Tire | 190/55 ZR17 M/C (75W) |
Wheelbase | 1480 mm / 58.3 in |
Seat Height | 835 mm / 32.8 in |
Weight | 256 kg / 564 lbs - SE 260 kg / 573 lbs (wet) |
Recommended Oil | K-tech 10W-40 |
Fuel Capacity | 19 Liters / 5 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four Stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 16 valve, Supercharger Centrifugal, scroll-type. The engine featured a 11.2:1 compression ratio.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the Wet multi-disc, manual..
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) front tire and a 190/55 ZR17 M/C (75W) rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Dual 320 mm discs, radial-mount, opposed 4-piston calipers, dual semi-floating in the front and a Single 250mm disc, opposed 2-piston calipers in the rear. The front suspension was a 43 mm Inverted fork with rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs while the rear was equipped with a Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock, piggyback reservoir, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, rebound damping and preload adjustability, and top-out spring. The H2-SX Ninja was fitted with a 19 Liters / 5 US gal fuel tank. The wheelbase was 1480 mm / 58.3 in long.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Kawasaki H2 SX Ninja
When it comes to crazy-fast sports tourers, Kawasaki knows a thing or two.
Whether youre thinking of the original ZX-10 of the 1980s, the ZZR1100, the
ZX-12R or the current ZZR1400, for the last 30 years theres been a Kawasaki
dominating that niche.
Now its gone a step further, taking the bones of the madcap, supercharged H2
and fleshing them out into a boosted brute that weaves a new layer of
practicality into the mix. Say hello to the H2 SX.
The adoption of the SX title is revealing; this bike is to the H2 what the
Z1000 SX is to the Z1000. It shares much the same underpinnings as its
progenitor but should have a far wider appeal. Right now, the Z1000 SX is
Kawasakis best-seller in the UK, so theres reason to believe that a market
will exist for a spiced-up version of the same recipe.
The H2 SX is more than just an H2 with a set of panniers, though. The engine,
frame, electronics and bodywork are all either heavily revised or new.
Starting with that supercharged, 998cc four-cylinder motor, those basic specs
are as they were on the H2 but theres a host of detail differences. The aim was
to give a broader spread of performance without denting the top end too much,
and Kawasaki has hit the mark. The SXs peak power is just 5bhp down on the
H2s; it makes 197bhp at 11,000rpm compared to 202bhp at the same revs. But peak
torque is increased, up from 98.5ft-lbs at 10,000rpm to 101.3ft-lbs at 9500rpm.
The changes to the engine include new pistons, a new head, new cylinders,
camshafts and throttle bodies. And of course theres a new supercharger.
In fact, the changes to the engine are intriguing as they move it away from
the boost-heavy H2 to a design thats more akin to a normally-aspirated motor.
The supercharger has redesigned blades, and while its the same size as the
older H2s, it presumably makes less outright boost, because Kawasaki has raised
the engines compression ratio from the H2s lowly 8.5:1 to a much more familiar
11.2:1. The supercharger, running at 9.2 times engine speed, will be spinning at
just over 100,000rpm as the motor hits its 11,000rpm power peak.
The advantage of that increased compression ratio is that the engine will
perform better in the mid-range, when the supercharger isnt boosting at its
maximum.
Other mid-range-focussed changes include smaller throttle bodies down from
50mm to 40mm and less valve overlap from the reprofiled cam lobes.
Interestingly, while Kawasaki is referring to the engine as a Balanced
supercharged engine, it doesnt have the key detail of the Balanced Supercharged
Concept engine that the firm showed two years ago. That motor featured variable
intake vanes on the supercharger to improve airflow at different speeds, but the
idea appears to have been dropped from the production H2 SX.
As well as more mid-range, the engine pumps out less heat than the H2,
allowing more all-enveloping bodywork, and its more economical too. Allied to a
19-litre fuel tank, Kawasaki describes the bikes range as substantial.
The more useable engine resulting from these changes is fitted to a reworked
version of the H2s trellis frame.
The clearest change is the new subframe, developed to cope with the 195kg
payload that the SX is capable of carrying (up from 105kg on the H2). But there
are more subtle alterations elsewhere. In particular, the whole steering head is
15mm further forward, allowing more steering lock (up to 30 degrees in each
direction). The engine has also been tilted forwards by 2 degrees, lowering the
centre of gravity and adding stability.
Its not a lazy tourer, though; rake is still sporty at 24.7 degrees and the
wheelbase is only 25mm longer than the H2s. Even with the more substantial
chassis and more enveloping bodywork, the SX is only 18kg heavier than the H2,
at 256kg wet (260kg for the SE version, which well get on to in a moment
)
The suspension is much like the H2s with high-end, fully-adjustable 43mm USD
forks and a KYB monoshock, again fully adjustable. That monoshock also gets a
remote preload adjuster on the SX.
Buyers will get the choice of two versions of the H2 SX. Both are equally
impressive in performance terms, but the H2 SX SE adds a whole extra layer of
equipment above and beyond the already well-kitted stock bike.
Key changes to the SE model include the addition of cornering lights, which
are built into the front edges of the side fairing panels. These are tied into
bank-angle sensors, and come on in stages to illuminate in the direction youre
turning.
The SE also gets a different dash, with a TFT display. The stock SXs
instruments are already well-kitted, with fuel gauge, dual trips, bank angle
display, boost pressure, boost temperature and even an economical riding
indicator. But the SE gets far more, including two display modes touring or
sport. In the latter, its color screen gives info including brake and
throttle application displays and G-force readings.
The SE also benefits from extra technology elsewhere. While all the H2 SX
models have three-mode traction control and three power level settings (100%,
75% and 50%), the SE also gets a launch control mode. Similarly, while both
versions have cruise control and engine brake control, only the SE gets an
up-and-down quick-shifter.
Less high tech, but just as important, are the SEs taller windscreen, centre
stand, steel-braided brake hoses, a 12V socket and heated grips.
Oh, and then theres color; if you like Kawasaki green, youll be needing
the SE. The base SX only comes in grey.
While we dont have pricing details yet, you can be pretty sure that the H2
SX wont be cheap, and Kawasaki will be ready to take even more money as you dig
into the options catalogue.
The GIVI-made panniers are probably a must-have, and theres a smart bag
tailpack option as well. Both are identical to the versions offered for the
Z1000SX. Those panniers are 28 liters but dont go planning on filling them with
bullion, as their max load is only 5kg each.
Other options include a low seat that reduces the height by 15mm.
Non-SE buyers will also be able to kit their H2 SXs with some of the SE
parts; the screen, centre stand, heated grips and 12V socket are all extras
available for the base model but standard on the SE.
Source
Make Model | Kawasaki H2 SX Ninja |
---|---|
Year | 2018 |
Engine Type | Four Stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 16 valve, Supercharger Centrifugal, scroll-type |
Displacement | 998 cc / 60.9 cub in |
Bore X Stroke | 76 x 55 mm |
Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
Compression | 11.2:1 |
Lubrication | Forced, wet sump with oil cooler |
Induction | Fuel injection: φ40 mm x 4 with dual injection |
Ignition | Digital |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 197.3 hp / 147.1 kW @ 11000 rpm |
Max Power Ram Air | 206.5 hp / 153.9 kW @ 11000 rpm |
Max Torque | 137.3 Nm / 101.3 ft-lb @ 9500 rpm |
Clutch | Wet multi-disc, manual. |
Transmission | 6-speed, return, dog-ring |
Final Drive | Chain |
Primary Reduction Ratio | 1.480 (74/50) |
Gear Ratio | 1st 3.077 (40/13) 2nd 2.471 (42/17) 3rd 2.045 (45/22) 4th 1.727 (38/22) 5th 1.524 (32/21) 6th 1.348 (31/23) |
Final Reduction Ratio | 2.444 (44/18) |
Frame | Trellis, high-tensile steel, with swingarm mounting plate |
Front Suspension | 43 mm Inverted fork with rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs |
Front Wheel Travel | 120 mm / 4.7 in |
Rear Suspension | Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock, piggyback reservoir, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, rebound damping and preload adjustability, and top-out spring |
Rear Wheel Travel | 139 mm / 5.5 in |
Front Brakes | Dual 320 mm discs, radial-mount, opposed 4-piston calipers, dual semi-floating |
Rear Brakes | Single 250mm disc, opposed 2-piston calipers |
Front Tire | 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) |
Rear Tire | 190/55 ZR17 M/C (75W) |
Rake | 24.7° |
Trail | 103 mm / 4.0 in |
Steering Angle | 30° Right / 30° Left |
Dimensions | Length 2135 mm / 84 in Width 775 mm / 30.5 in Height 1205 mm / 47.5 in - SE 1262mm / 49.6 in |
Wheelbase | 1480 mm / 58.3 in |
Ground Clearance | 130 mm / 5.1 in |
Seat Height | 835 mm / 32.8 in |
Wet Weight | 256 kg / 564 lbs - SE 260 kg / 573 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 19 Liters / 5 US gal |