The last fastest year
Thanks to Kawasaki’s H2 SX SE, I’ll never be as fast as I thought I was again
What’s the best thing about the Kawasaki H2 SX SE?
Easy: it’s the Kawasaki’s unique evisceration of distance. Not through speed, but acceleration and — and this is the important bit — so stealthily you don’t even notice. You make an overtake, shortshifting like you do on any other bike but when you look round, the present has evaporated without the H2 even getting past 6000rpm. That’s the bit that knocks — literally — half an hour off Google Maps arrival time over a two-hour journey. Still astonishing, after eight months and 7000 miles.
What’s the worst thing?
Still got a rear-end imbalance making the bars wobble at 40mph like an old GPZ900R. Didn’t notice it with the OE Bridgestones S21s; Pirelli Rosso Corsa IIS amplified it; Metzeler M7RRS reduced it but it’s still there. It’s not caused by tyres or a tyre imbalance, so it may well be the wheel itself. I’ve not heard any other complaints, so... over to you, Kawasaki.
What was your defining moment?
Spent much of a hot summer riding to Wales. One ride in particular, following the A422 to Worcester, then the A44 to Rhayader, the B4574 to Devil’s Bridge and then, back again a day later, was so outrageous I still can’t believe I didn’t get arrested. Take that one down the High Street and bank it.
What have you learned?
Every generation thinks it’s the last days of the Roman Empire; a glorious final orgy of excessive speed and power before Brussels catches on and shuts us down for good. But it hasn’t yet happened; they introduce emissions regulations, electronic safety aids and speed limits, or we get old and fat and wobble about on adventure bikes... But while the world still makes the H2 SX SE a reality, sod it and go ride one. Fast.
If you had £18,242 to spend on a new bike, would you buy it?
Not this specific bike, because of the wobble. But a new one? There are so many stunning bikes for 18 grand... But the H2 is so casually, seductively, massively fast, it’s an addiction. I’m not over it yet. Oh, go on then, yes.