Kawasaki Ninja H2 is the ultimate

A less powerful street-legal version of the Kawasaki H2R, called the H2, will be launched at the Intermot Show in Milan at the beginning of November.

When Kawasaki first conceived the Ninja H2R, the driving development concept was to offer the kind of acceleration no rider had experienced before. That a motorcycle be “Fun to Ride” is one of Kawasaki’s guiding principles.

But while there are many ways for a motorcycle to be enjoyed, it was felt having incredible acceleration was a major factor in delivering ultimate riding exhilaration.

Powering the Ninja H2R is a supercharged engine with a design target of 225kW allied to a compact design on par with power units found in supersport litre-class models.

The key to achieving this incredible performance lies in the engine’s supercharger – a motorcycle-specific unit designed completely in-house with technology from other companies within the KHI Group: the gas turbine and machinery company, aerospace company and corporate technology division.

KHI Group technology was not limited to the supercharger. Advanced technological know-how shared from other group companies is found throughout the all-new engine and chassis design. For example, the carbon-fibre upper and lower wings that ensure stability when riding in the ultrahigh-speed range were designed with assistance from Kawasaki’s aerospace company. This is but one example, and this intergroup collaboration, combined with the level of technology poured into this model, is the reason the Kawasaki River Mark is displayed prominently on the front of the Ninja H2R.

When it came time to name this model, using “Ninja” – a name synonymous with Kawasaki performance and shared by many legendary models over three historic decades – was an obvious choice. But this model is also named for another epoch-making model, whose two-stroke 748cm3 Triple gave it an intense acceleration that made it a sensation: the Mach IV 750, also known as the “H2”. For a model designed to offer “the kind of acceleration no rider has experienced before”, one can think of no better name.

To be able to offer intense acceleration and a top speed in a range most riders never have a chance to experience, it was essential the engine be able to produce big power. While a large-displacement engine could easily provide a high engine output, to ensure a lightweight, compact overall package a compact engine was also needed. Using a supercharged engine allowed both of these engine design requirements to be met.

The objectives for the Ninja H2R’s chassis were to ensure supreme stability at ultrahigh speeds, offer cornering performance to be able to enjoy riding on a closed course and 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 a compact overall package and sharper handling. The frame needed not only to be stiff, but to be able to absorb external disturbances, which, when encountered while riding in the ultrahigh-speed range, could easily unsettle a lesser chassis.

A new trellis frame provided both the strength to harness the power of the supercharged engine and the balanced flex to achieve the stability and feedback required for high-speed riding.

As speed increases, wind resistance increases exponentially. To be able to operate in the ultrahigh-speed range, a combination of high power and slippery aerodynamics was needed. The next step was to design bodywork that both minimised drag and added control when riding at ultrahigh-speed. Assistance from Kawasaki’s aerospace company was enlisted in creating aerodynamically sculpted bodywork to ensure maximum aerodynamic efficiency.

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 H2R was “Intense Force Design”. Design is much more than cosmetic. While it certainly looks the part, the Ninja H2R also possesses functional beauty: each piece of bodywork was aerodynamically sculpted to enhance stability at ultrahigh-speed; the cowling design also maximises cooling performance and heat dissipation, aiding in achieving the engine’s 225kW 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 H2R is a showcase of craftsmanship, build quality and superb fit and finish – right down to the hi-tech mirrored-finish black chrome paint specially developed for this model.