BIG BAD BLOWERS WERS

When normally aspirated engines aren’t enough to whet one’s appetite, there’s always turbo and supercharged options for the ultimate thrills. And, as proven here, they’re far more than straight-line heroes…

Horsepower and dyno numbers are vital pub ammo, which has slowly evolved into an obsession here in the UK. As a nation of sportsbike lovers, there’s an inherent pursuit of peak power figures that runs throughout the country, and we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to bolt-on goodies. But there’s a limit to normally aspirated (NA) motors, and hunting horsepower usually sacrifices reliability and engine longevity. A race engine will net you 220bhp, although you’ll need a refresh after 1000km. What you need is forced induction. Yes, you.

Regardless of what you make of the aesthetics, Kawasaki raised the bar with the release of the H2 – the result of KHI’s (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) technology arsenal, a rolling melange that showcases the Big K’s clout and valour, and uses all its resources in doing so. While some question the H2R’s point of existence, the road-legal H2’s everyday usability blended with supercharged silliness has to be tasted.

There aren’t any true rivals for the H2, so we thought we’d source some home-grown turbo talent to test its mettle. Big CC – as the name suggests – build very fast motorbikes from their base in Wokingham, and hold various top speed records for both NA and forced induction motors. This relatively unassuming Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5 was purchased for a bargain after a new customer had been previously shafted by another tuning shop. Big CC then worked their magic and this naughty little thing is the end result.

There are arguments both for and against turbos and superchargers, and this test does little to cement a definitive solution. Both cost over £20,000, both supply hideous power, and both have very different manners. K5 or H2? No, they’re not Staedtler pencils…