Kawasaki Z H2

The Kawasaki Z H2 screams power, authority and might in its design, which makes it easily the most bulbous and extreme looking naked roadster ever from Kawasaki. While all the other litre-class roadsters are heading towards weight loss, the Z H2 takes the old school route and projects itself as a bulky-looking litre-class roadster with tons of visual mass.

The majority of the bulk in the design of the Kawasaki Z H2 is at the front of the motorcycle, where it gets a massive-looking front fascia. This fascia comprises sharp looking dual headlamp setup, which has received an all-LED treatment and has a slanted design above it which is at the same angle as that of the tinted visor sitting at the top. This aggressive design of the front fascia gives it the advantage of being aerodynamic in its appeal. The bottom corners of this fixed front fascia come attached with LED turn indicators.

The huge fascia of the Kawasaki Z H2 merges well with the bulky-looking side panels, which merge with the bulky-looking fuel tank of the motorcycle, giving it a semi-faired appeal. Below these side panels and fuel tank, the Z H2 gets exposed green coloured trellis frame and the massive four-cylinder engine, the latter of which is finished in a theme of black. With an ample amount of ground clearance, the engine gets a cowl below it for further protection, below which the four-into-one exhaust pipe flow from the engine towards the single-side big exhaust pipe retained from the Ninja H2 SX.

The sharp-looking and angular tailpiece of the Z H2 look inspired by that of the Ninja H2, but the former gets a usable pillion seat which the latter simply misses out on. At the back of the pointy tail section, the Z H2 gets a tiny tail lamp and a functional rear fender, on which the LED turn indicators are mounted. Unlike the Ninja H2 on which it is based, the Z H2 gets a modern full-TFT instrument console from the Ninja ZX-10 R, which features Bluetooth compatibility and offers all the possible data required while on the go.

Apart from the engine, even the basic mechanical structure under the skin is shared with the Ninja H2, including the high-tensile steel trellis frame and suspension unit comprising of Showa separate-functioning upside-down telescopic forks at the front and new uni-trak Showa gas-charged mono-shock at the rear. Both front and rear suspension units feature adjustable compression and rebound damping with spring preload adjustability. With a kerb weight of 239 kgs, the Kawasaki Z H2 is one of the heaviest naked roadsters on the market right now. For bringing this heavyweight to a halt, Kawasaki has equipped it with dual 320mm discs at the front and a single 260mm disc at the rear.

The Kawasaki Z H2 shares its four-stroke, liquid-cooled, inline-four, 998cc engine with the Ninja H2. Holding the title of being the only motorcycle engine in the world to feature a supercharger, this engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox and produces a maximum power output of 200 PS and a peak torque output of 137 Nm. These figures surpass those of the Z1000 and now make the Z H2 the most powerful roadster ever produced by Kawasaki.

Power-packed with safety and electronic riding aids, the Kawasaki Z H2 gets dual-channel ABS, assist and slipper clutch, cruise control, bi-directional quick-shifter, traction control, cornering management function, three power modes, three riding modes and 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU).

The Kawasaki Z H2 ranks itself among the priciest motorcycles in the country today. However, with the number of technologies and performance it packs in, the hefty price tag is worth spending to experience its might.