‘I OWN A KAWASAKI NINJA H2 SX SE...’

‘…and it has exceeded my expectations completely’

Age 54 Height 6ft 1in Current bike H2 SX SE, 1290 Adv R, 790 Duke, Africa Twin AS, and more Been riding for 40 years

I went to the Milan show mainly to see the H2 SX, and as soon as I sat on it, it just felt right. I wanted a sportsbike designed for normal size people that could also take luggage. I called my local dealer from Milan and ordered one. I was the first person in the UK to place an order.

I do at least four week-long trips away in Europe each year, and have taken the H2 away for a few days in Brittany already. I’m taking it on an annual mates trip to Asturias/Picos/Portugal in September and will try fit in a long weekend to the Nürburgring/Eiffel mountains before that. It has exceeded my expectations completely. I thought the engine might overwhelm the rest of the bike, but that’s really not the case. It has biblical power and is ultra-smooth with the supercharger always ready to shove you forward.

But what has amazed me is the handling and braking. The bike isn’t ‘flicky’ like a superbike, yet also isn’t a barge like a ZZR1400/Hayabusa. It just rolls into corners with complete authority and feels very planted and sure-footed, but light enough to exploit the explosive power on tap. It really is a complete package and yet is very comfortable and accommodating. The fact that you can add panniers in seconds is the icing on the cake.

If I could only have one bike then it would have to be the H2 SX SE, it’s in a class of one. It’s a 200+bhp sportsbike for sixfooters that can take you and your luggage to the Route Napoleon, then remove the panniers and play when you get there.