Blink and You'll Miss It
Considered the very pinnacle of motorcycle performance, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 incorporates cutting-edge technology, and offers riders a truly unique experience. Few bikes smear rubber against the tarmac the way in which the H2 does, so if you’re searching for a visceral, adrenaline-infused thrill, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a faster street-legal bike than the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2.
Design
The Kawasaki Ninja H2’s strong focus on performance is seen throughout its construction. It forgoes the typically aggressive forward-canted stance seen on most modern supersport bikes, favoring instead an aerodynamically designed body. Overall, the H2’s stance is much more neutral, allowing for a sleeker profile with less drag.
The upper cowl, for example, uses lips and lines that direct airflow over its surface, while the compact side cowls and under cowls were designed to help facilitate heat dissipation. The rear cowl operates in much the same way. It features a compact three-piece design that allows wind to freely pass between the center and side pieces, further improving airflow and mitigating air resistance.
Of course, the Ninja H2 is famous for running at high speed, which requires a great deal of downforce to maintain stability during aggressive straight-lining and when changing direction at blistering speeds.
To facilitate this, the H2 features a number of features that ensure the front wheel maintains strong contact with the ground. There’s a chin spoiler incorporated into the upper cowl that produces downforce that greatly contributes to high-speed stability. The H2 also features mirror mounts with airfoil cross-sections.
Powertrain
Powering the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 is a liquid-cooled 998 cc inline four-cylinder engine. This all-new engine was created to accommodate extreme air pressure created by the H2’s supercharger. The supercharger itself was designed specifically to match the new engine, and allows for high-efficiency operation over a wide range of conditions. As a result of the supercharger’s design efficiency, the H2 forgoes a large, heavy intercooler to cool compressed air.
Because the engine creates a large amount heat, Kawasaki opted to cast, rather than forge, the H2’s pistons, making them both lightweight yet strong—and able to withstand extremely high temperatures. It’s yet another trick in the H2’s impressive tech arsenal.
Mated to the engine is a MotoGP-style dog-ring transmission. This particular setup is commonly found in high-performance racers. The benefit of dog-ring transmission is two-fold: it allows for effortless short shifts, and instead of shifting the gears into place, the lightweight dog rings move to engage the gears.
In short, the combination of all-new engine, MotoGP-inspired transmission, and ultra-efficient supercharger provide unforgettable performance and an adrenaline-filled riding experience that few street-legal bikes, if any, can match.
Frame
The H2 sports a tubular, thin-wall steel trellis frame and single-sided swingarm. The open design allows for much better heat management, which is essential considering the H2’s high-performance engine.
Often, high-speed bikes have long wheelbases, but Kawasaki had other things in mind for the H2. While raw power and speed in were priorities, Kawasaki wanted to develop a track-day machine that could also corner. The trellis frame provide the perfect balance of stiffness and flexibility, furthering the H2’s credentials as more than a mere straight-line rocket.
Bottom Line
The 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 starts at $25,000* and is worth every penny of its hefty price tag, especially considering the extensive technology and engineering that make this motorbike marvel possible. While the cost of entry may be steep, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more exciting and exquisite machine for your money.
For more information, don't hesitate to contact us at 3Birds Template today.
* Specifications and pricing are subject to change. Dealer sets the actual destination charge, your price may vary.
Image: Kawasaki
