KAWASAKI NINJA H2 SE 2018 REVIEW

KAWASAKI NINJA H2 SE 2018 WALKAROUN REVIEW TOP SPEED

Performance and economy has been the aim of the Ninja H2 SX, according Kawasaki. Not just to make something extreme, like Ninja H2 it takes its 998cc in-line-four engine from, but to offer ZZR1400-levels of power, at 200hp, with Versys 1000-levels of fuel economy, at 49mpg.



With revisions to make the engine more practical for road use, it’s a new sibling for the Z1000SX, “not a Ninja H2 with a pillion seat,” the firm was very keen to stress.

Between 10,000rpm and the red line at 12,000rpm, it sometimes makes a chirping sound. According to Kawasaki that’s the tips of the supercharger rotor blades breaking the sound barrier.

There are three power modes: full, medium and low. Low gives you 50% of optimum power throughout the range, medium offers 75% and full provides… well, you can work that out.



Handling



The Ninja H2 SX has a new steel trellis frame, similar to the Ninja H2’s but with thicker tubes in the main section and a more substantial and intricate structure at the rear to support a pillion and luggage.



There are two versions of the Ninja H2 SX. The base model weighs a claimed 256kg wet while the higher-spec SE edition – the one ridden on the launch test ride – is 260kg.

Suspension



The Ninja H2 SX gets fully-adjustable suspension front and rear, which is ‘supersport-sourced’ and designed for ‘a combination of ride comfort and sport performance ideal for street riding and touring,’ according to Kawasaki.

Brakes



The four-piston radial-mounted front calipers provide braking that is among the most powerful and precise I think you will find, as they should on a machine of this power and weight. A gradual increase in pressure from one finger on the front lever is answered with impressive force.

Equipment



As well as the power modes and cornering ABS, the Ninja H2 SX has multi-level traction control and engine-braking control, working in conjunction with an inertial measurement unit to adapt to lean angle and chassis pitch. It’s also got cruise control and an assist and slipper clutch.



On top of which, the SE edition has a TFT dash (Kawasaki’s first), quick-shifter, launch control and cornering headlights. The latter consist of three LEDs on either side of the fairing which illuminate according to lean angle.

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Description Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four with Supercharger

Fuel System Fuel injection: Ø 40 mm x 4 with dual injection

Cooling Liquid Cooling

Displacement 998 cc

Maximum Power 200 PS @ 11,000 rpm

Maximum Torque 137.3 Nm @ 9500 rpm

Number of Cylinders 4

Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler

Compression Ratio 11.2:1

Bore 76 mm

Stroke 55 mm

GEARBOX & CLUTCH

Number of Gears 6

Gearbox Type 6-speed, return, dog-ring

Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Overall Length 2135 mm

Overall Width 775 mm

Overall Height 1205 mm

Ground Clearance 130 mm

Seat Height 835 mm

Wheelbase 1480 mm

Kerb/Wet Weight 256 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity 19 litres

BRAKES & SAFETY

Front Brake Dual semi-floating 320 mm discs. Caliper: Dual radial-mount, monobloc, opposed 4-piston

Rear Brake Single 250 mm disc. Caliper: 2-piston

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

SUSPENSION & WHEEL TRAVEL

Front Suspension 43 mm inverted fork with rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs

Rear Suspension New Uni-Trak, gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir, compression damping, rebound damping, remote spring preload adjustability and top-out spring

Front Wheel Travel 120 mm

Rear Wheel Travel 139 mm

TYRE SIZE & WHEELS

Front Tyre 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)

Rear Tyre 200/55ZR17M/C (75W)

Front Wheel 17-inch

Rear Wheel 17-inch

Tubeless Tyres

Alloy Wheels

INSTRUMENT CONSOLE FEATURES

Speedometer Digital

Tachometer Digital

Trip Meter Digital

Odometer Digital

Clock Digital

ABS Light

RPM/Gear Display

Fuel Gauge Digital

Gear Indicator

Service Reminder

Low Oil Indicator

Low Battery Indicator

Engine Check Indicator

Rev-limiter Indicator

COMFORT & CONVENIENCE FEATURES

Pillion Grabrail

Step-up Seat/Split Seat

USB Charging

Pass Light

Self Cancelling Indicators

Pillion Footrest

Electric Start

Engine Kill Switch

Riding Modes

Stand Alarm

BATTERY & ELECTRICALS

Battery Type MF

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Frame/Chassis Trellis, high-tensile steel with Swingarm Mounting Plate

Trail 103 mm