Motorcycle Comparison: Kawasaki H2 Vs Kawasaki H2R

When Kawasaki revealed its H2R, the most powerful production motorcycle ever built and the first production motorcycle to feature a supercharger, many motorcycle enthusiasts' jaws dropped. A sexy exercise in flowing lines and sharp angles, fans heads nearly exploded when they heard the superbike bike would produce a whopping 300hp. Obviously more than enough power to satisfy any speed junky, the H2R's power output was just too much for most to handle-especially on the open road, therefore the bike was classified as a race-ready/closed-course only motorcycle.

To appease those that wanted the aggressive style and potent power of the Ninja H2R, Kawasaki then released a detuned version with the Ninja H2. The Ninja H2 is more suitable for everyday riders, and more importantly is a street legal option that puts up upwards of 207 HP.

H2 vs H2R

Up front the H2R's fairing is comprised of carbon FRP, whereas the H2's fairing is made of less expensive polypropylene. The winglets which are found on the H2R to help produce frontend downforce and better high-speed stability have been omitted on the H2 and in their place you find street-legal attire in the form of a pair of mirrors. The lower winglets were deleted from the H2 as well. In the center of the H2 fairing is a singular Cyclops-style LED headlight (taillight assembly and turn signal mount is at the rear), the H2R does not have a headlight, or any street-legal lighting for that matter.

The H2 engine package has been toned down a bit from its hi-po big brother to with different cam profiles, head gaskets and clutch package. While the information seems to be a little bit convoluted, we assume that it's also been slightly detuned and produces less boost . According to some info we found on RideApart, "The press release states 35 psi of boost, but according to a Kawasaki rep via email, the H2 makes 20.5 psi of boost. Was Kawasaki referring to the H2R when they wrote 35 psi?"

To allow for heavy breathing, the H2R has a racey, open motorcycle exhaust with a slash cut tip that stops right at the front lip of the rear wheel. The H2 on the other hand has an under engine pre-chamber followed by a rather large and obtrusive, stacked dual muffler that covers nearly the entire top half of the beautifully machined wheel. Obviously, with no muffler, the closed-circuit H2R will be much louder.

The race-only bike comes with 120/600R-17 and 190/650R-17 Bridgestone slicks, while its road-worthy brother comes with Bridgestone Battlax RS10SG tires.

Both bikes feature the same electronics package which include traction control (KTRC), engine brake control (KEBC), launch control (KLCM), anti-lock brakes (KIBS), a quick shifter (KQS), and an Ohlins electronic steering damper. The difference between the two however, is that on the H2R the antilock brakes can be switched off.

Kawasaki H2R Price

Price tag on the H2R is $50,000 and if you're interested in purchasing the track only bike you have to make an initial deposit of ($5,000 at a Kawasaki dealer then await production, testing, shipment, and delivery. An important thing to take note of here is that these bikes aren't just being slapped together along some assembly line with thirty different sets of hands piecing the bikes together. From start to finish, every single bike will be assembled by one experienced person, to Kawasaki's highest standards of fit, finish, and function.

Kawasaki H2 Price

While a little easier on the bank account than the H2R, the H2 still comes with a rather hefty price tag. The Ninja is H2 $25,000 and if you want to order one you have to put down a $2,500 deposit. The nice thing is that unlike the track only H2R you can get a lot more seat time on the H2 and ride it where ever you want.