Kawasaki Z H2

In any other year, this would surely be hogging all the limelight at the EICMA show in Milan – the first ever supercharged hyper-naked machine, with 200bhp and knockout radical styling. But the Ducati V4 Streetfighter and Honda Fireblade knocked the new Kawasaki Z H2 down the billing a little. Which is a shame, because it has a fantastic package of power and performance.

Like the V4 Streetfighter, the Z H2 takes much of its technology and design from the fully faired H2 and H2 SX machines. A similar steel tube trellis frame wraps around a revised variant of the 998cc ‘balanced’ supercharged engine, with high-end electronics, suspension and braking components – in an upright, super-naked package.

But there are several important changes. Obviously, there’s a conventional dual-sided swingarm in place of the flash single-sided design on the H2 superbike and the H2 SX hyper-tourer. And the inline-four engine’s been retuned for better low-down and midrange performance, thanks to a custom-designed supercharger installation, revised valve timing, and an overhauled fuel injection system. The ride-by-wire throttle, exhaust geometry and fuel mapping have all been revised, moving the peak torque figure down the rev range and that, together with lowered gearing, should make the Z H2 an absolute monster off the line. The massive exhaust can will no doubt be put straight in the bin by many owners, but Kawasaki reckons it’s put a load of effort into the aural side, with special intake and exhaust geometry to accentuate the unique supercharger soundtrack.

Trying to keep all that performance in check is a long list of powerful electronic aids (all with the letter ‘K’ at the start…): KTRC traction control, KLCM launch control, KIBS cornering anti-lock brakes, and KCMF corner management function overseeing it all. The KQS quickshifter works on up- and down-shifts, and it’s all easily controlled via the slick new colour LCD dashboard, similar to the one on the high-end H2SX and Versys 1000 SE models.

The Z H2 is compatible with Kawasaki’s Rideology smartphone app, so you’ll be able to log rides, alter dash settings, and even fettle power mode settings. There’s also easy access to three different rider power modes and cruise control.

Braking is by Brembo and Nissin, with M4.32 radial fourpiston front calipers, 290mm discs and Nissin master cylinder, while the suspension is by Showa. You get premium Separate Function/Big Piston forks up front, and there’s full adjustability at both ends, while the conventional dual-sided swingarm borrows its design from the ZX-10RR superbike and is super-stiff yet light weight. Fat alloy bars, LED lighting and a now-typical posh H2 paint job bump up the premium feel of the Z H2, and while the styling isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it’s certainly striking.

The only potential fly in the ointment is the weight. Kawasaki’s supercharged bikes are all a bit on the portly side, and the Z H2 weighs in at 239kg ready to ride – 40 kilos more than the likes of the Ducati V4 S Streetfighter, but we’re reserving judgement until we have a spin on the Z H2. And we can’t wait!