The launching point for the development of the Ninja H2 was a strong desire to offer riders something they had never before experienced.Convinced that a truly extraordinary riding experience would not be found on a motorcycle that merely built on the performance of existingmodels, the design team committed to developing the “ultimate” motorcycle from a clean slate. The bike needed to deliver intense acceleration and an ultra-high top speed, coupled with supersport-level circuit performance. To realise this goal, help was enlisted from other companies in the Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) Group, precipitating an unprecedented level of inter-company collaboration.
Wanting to ensure a bold design worthy of a model that carried both the “Ninja” and “H2” names, the prime styling concept chosen for the Ninja H2 was “Intense Force Design.” As a flagship for the Kawasaki brand, it required presence, and a styling that reflected its incredible performance. But the design is much more than cosmetic. While its edged styling certainly looks the part, the Ninja H2 also possesses a functional beauty: each piece of its bodywork was aerodynamically sculpted to enhance stability at high speeds; the cowling design also maximises cooling performance and heat dissipation, aiding in achieving the engine’s incredible output; and the Ram Air duct is ideally positioned to bring fresh air to the supercharger. More than any motorcycle Kawasaki has built to date, the Ninja H2 is a showcase of craftsmanship, build quality and superb fit and finish— right down to the high-tech mirrored-finish black chrome paint specially developed for this model.
The supercharger used in the Ninja H2 was designed by Kawasaki motorcycle engine designers with assistance from other companies within the KHI Group, namely the Gas Turbine & Machinery Company, Aerospace Company, and Corporate Technology Division. Designing the supercharger in-house allowed it to be developed to perfectly match the engine characteristics of the Ninja H2. The highly efficient, motorcycle- specific supercharger was the key to achieving the maximum power and the intense acceleration that engineers wanted to offer.
Designed for the performance parameters of the closed-course Ninja H2R and shared with the street-going Ninja H2, the objectives for the chassis were to ensure unflappable composure at ultra-high speeds, offer cornering performance to be able to enjoy riding on a circuit, and finally to have a highly accommodating character. Ordinarily, high-speed stability can easily be achieved with a long wheelbase, but a shorter wheelbase was selected to achieve the compact overall package and sharp handling that were also desired. The frame needed not only to be stiff, but also to be able to absorb external disturbances, which, when encountered while riding at high speeds, could easily unsettle the chassis. A new trellis frame provided both the strength to harness the incredible power of the supercharged engine, and the balanced flex to achieve the stability and pliability for high-speed riding.
Although the Ninja H2’s high performance cannot be denied, since it was not intended to be a race bike designed to turn quick lap times as efficiently as possible, it did not need the spartan accommodation found on most purpose-built supersport models. The man-machine interface enables riders to enjoy the bike’s performance with a modicum of comfort. While the riding position, ergonomics and cockpit layout were all designed first and foremost to put the rider in the best position to control this amazing machine, the impression from the rider’s perspective is one not of austerity, but rather plush quality, high-tech control, and an impeccable fit and finish.
Despite it’s familiar In-Line Four configuration, the Ninja H2 power unit is loaded with technology developed specifically for this supercharged engine: some new, others with know-how from the Kawasaki Group. Every component of the engine was chosen to achieve a certain function. In order to accommodate the higher air pressure from the supercharger as well as ensure a high reliability with the over 300 PS output of the closed-course Ninja H2R, the whole engine was designed to be able to handle stresses 1.5x to 2x greater than on a naturally aspirated litre-class engine. In fact, aside from its camshafts, head gaskets and clutch, the engine unit is exactly the same as the unit designed for the Ninja H2R.
Wanting to ensure a bold design worthy of a model that carried both the “Ninja” and “H2” names, the prime styling concept chosen for the Ninja H2 was “Intense Force Design.” As a flagship for the Kawasaki brand, it required presence, and a styling that reflected its incredible performance. But the design is much more than cosmetic. While its edged styling certainly looks the part, the Ninja H2 also possesses a functional beauty: each piece of its bodywork was aerodynamically sculpted to enhance stability at high speeds; the cowling design also maximises cooling performance and heat dissipation, aiding in achieving the engine’s incredible output; and the Ram Air duct is ideally positioned to bring fresh air to the supercharger. More than any motorcycle Kawasaki has built to date, the Ninja H2 is a showcase of craftsmanship, build quality and superb fit and finish— right down to the high-tech mirrored-finish black chrome paint specially developed for this model.
The supercharger used in the Ninja H2 was designed by Kawasaki motorcycle engine designers with assistance from other companies within the KHI Group, namely the Gas Turbine & Machinery Company, Aerospace Company, and Corporate Technology Division. Designing the supercharger in-house allowed it to be developed to perfectly match the engine characteristics of the Ninja H2. The highly efficient, motorcycle- specific supercharger was the key to achieving the maximum power and the intense acceleration that engineers wanted to offer.
Designed for the performance parameters of the closed-course Ninja H2R and shared with the street-going Ninja H2, the objectives for the chassis were to ensure unflappable composure at ultra-high speeds, offer cornering performance to be able to enjoy riding on a circuit, and finally to have a highly accommodating character. Ordinarily, high-speed stability can easily be achieved with a long wheelbase, but a shorter wheelbase was selected to achieve the compact overall package and sharp handling that were also desired. The frame needed not only to be stiff, but also to be able to absorb external disturbances, which, when encountered while riding at high speeds, could easily unsettle the chassis. A new trellis frame provided both the strength to harness the incredible power of the supercharged engine, and the balanced flex to achieve the stability and pliability for high-speed riding.
Although the Ninja H2’s high performance cannot be denied, since it was not intended to be a race bike designed to turn quick lap times as efficiently as possible, it did not need the spartan accommodation found on most purpose-built supersport models. The man-machine interface enables riders to enjoy the bike’s performance with a modicum of comfort. While the riding position, ergonomics and cockpit layout were all designed first and foremost to put the rider in the best position to control this amazing machine, the impression from the rider’s perspective is one not of austerity, but rather plush quality, high-tech control, and an impeccable fit and finish.
Despite it’s familiar In-Line Four configuration, the Ninja H2 power unit is loaded with technology developed specifically for this supercharged engine: some new, others with know-how from the Kawasaki Group. Every component of the engine was chosen to achieve a certain function. In order to accommodate the higher air pressure from the supercharger as well as ensure a high reliability with the over 300 PS output of the closed-course Ninja H2R, the whole engine was designed to be able to handle stresses 1.5x to 2x greater than on a naturally aspirated litre-class engine. In fact, aside from its camshafts, head gaskets and clutch, the engine unit is exactly the same as the unit designed for the Ninja H2R.
| DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Overall length | |
| Overall width | |
| Overall height | |
| Wheelbase | |
| Road clearance | |
| Seat height | |
| Curb mass | |
| Dry mass | |
| Fuel tank capacity | |
| PERFORMANCE | |
|---|---|
| Max. power | |
| Max. Power with Ram Air | |
| Max. torque | |
| ENGINE | |
|---|---|
| Type / Valve system | |
| Coolant System | |
| Bore x Stroke | |
| Displacement | |
| Compression ratio | |
| Fuel supply | |
| Lubrication system | |
| Starting system | |
| Ignition system | |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
|---|---|
| Driving system | |
| Transmission | |
| Primary reduction ratio | |
| 1st Gear ratios | |
| 2st Gear ratios | |
| 3st Gear ratios | |
| 4st Gear ratios | |
| 5st Gear ratios | |
| 6st Gear ratios | |
| Final reduction ratio | |
| Clutch type (Primary) | |
| FRAME | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Front Suspension | |
| Rear Suspension | |
| Front Wheel travel | |
| Rear Wheel travel | |
| Caster (Rake angle) | |
| Trail | |
| Steering angle (left/right) | |
| Front Tyre | |
| Rear Tyre | |
| Front Type Brake | |
| Caliper (Front) | |
| Rear Type Brake | |
| Caliper (Rear) | |
