LIVINGWITH
Understanding Kawasaki ZH2 acronyms: it’s P.A.N.T.S.
If stampeding bike development in the ’80s and ’90s put your head in a whirl then, if you’re like me, you’ll be fond of an acronym or ten. TSCC, YPVS, EXUP, SRAD and CBS are woven into the fabric of biking. Who can resist a bit of FAI (Fresh Air Intake, the holes in an FZR1000 fairing)? Kawasaki didn’t go big on acronyms. ZXRS carried a few letters about ram-air, but in the UK the only common one was KIPS (Kawasaki Integrated Powervalve System) on two strokes. They’re making up for it now. Our long-term test Z H2 has more letters than a sorting office. It’s due to the befuddling array of electronics and make-life-easier widgets crammed into the 998cc supercharged supernaked. The Zed has KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Braking System), designed for ‘supersport handling’ with the anti-lock ECU linked to the engine ECU.
To help ensure its mad midrange and light-switch response don’t put you on your back there’s KLMC (Kawasaki Launch Control Mode), which manages revs during fast starts – just pin the throttle and feed out the clutch. To further reduce chances of being lobbed in a hedge there’s KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control) which manages slip as well as spin, like on a ZX-10R.
There’s also KCMF, or Kawasaki Cornering Management Function. This chats with the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), looks at what the engine and chassis are up to, and glues it all together. The Z H2 also has KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter), TFT (Thin-film Transistor) dash and a BST gauge for the blower, though this is simply an abbreviation of ‘boost’.
The silky two-way quickshifter has become utterly natural despite initial concerns over gearbox longevity.
The Zed also has cruise control, used more than I ever expected. But I haven’t noticed the ‘rider aids’. Either they’re super subtle, or with modern tyres and self-preservation a brisk-ish approach to the B5234 means intervention isn’t needed. The traction has only been activated being silly in the wet in ‘road’ mode; pop into ‘sport’ and the anti-wheelie and traction don’t care less, the Z H2 pulling mingers and smoking its Pirelli everywhere.
No self-cancelling indicators, though. Indeed, Bike’s test Zed has developed POW: Permanently Off Winkers. As in they’ve stopped working. It won’t be anything major, but it’s flippin’ annoying.
‘Pulling mingers and smoking its Pirelli’