Kawasaki H2 gets major makeover and 15 per cent more power
New 2019 H2 supercharged superbike packs 228bhp
Biggest power gain MCN has seen Rideability boosted with parts from SX
Kawasaki have released details of the 2019 H2 and it is set to become the lairiest, most outrageous road bike ever seen. Introduced in 2015, this is the first major evolution for the supercharged weapon of distance destruction and Kawasaki have worked hard to make it cleverer, stop faster and, despite the power increase, not use any more fuel.
Engineering overhaul
The boost in power is huge; up from 197bhp to 228bhp at the crank, the biggest single gain we’ve seen in the evolution of any bike. Kawasaki aren’t revealing full details of the changes yet, but with huge power gains on the current model available just by remapping the ECU, it’s obvious the base engine is capable of more power than it has been producing so far. However, there are more to the changes than just raw power. In a bid to boost rideability Kawasaki say a number of parts now cross over from the H2 SX sports tourer. The new bike boasts new plugs, a new ECU, a new air-filter and intake chamber.
There’s also new Brembo Stylema brake calipers, as first seen on the Panigale V4. Lighter and more rigid than any other superbike caliper on the market, they offer class-leading power, which will be needed as we suspect the new H2 won’t be any lighter than the genuine 260kg kerb weight of the previous model. It also boasts new Bridgestone RS11 tyres, while retaining the Öhlins TTX36 shock introduced in 2017.
Dashing new look
The 2019 H2 has a new instrument panel, too, inspired by the display on the H2 SX SE. For the first time it features a TFT dash, plus smartphone connectivity allowing the rider to monitor battery condition, fuel level, service intervals and get a riding log, too. While another new feature is ‘self-healing paint’, seen for the first time on a production bike. The technology has been in seen automotive applications before and uses a polymer that ‘melts’ imperfections smooth in hot sunlight, but Kawasaki’s version is claimed to be faster and more effective than ever before. Prices and on-sale dates are yet to be announced but as before, there will be a standard machine and a plusher Carbon model. With all the new tech, expect prices to be higher than the current £25,499 stocker or £27,999 Carbon.