First ride: Kawasaki H2

It's bold, it's sharp, and it’s supercharged. I now know why Mad Max had a crazy-looking scared face with bloodshot eyes, zooming through the outback in his supercharged pursuit Falcon chasing the bad guys.

You may have guessed: I've just had my first ride on the supercharged Kawasaki H2! It was part of a recent outing with some journo mates, and I was earmarked to ride the H2 in the normal rotation of bikes — before I got an early gift.  I was cruising along on Aprilia's updated Tuono 1100 RR (review on that bike soon, as well), with Aussie WSBK and 500 GP winner Kevin Magee alongside me on the H2. A short time after, Magee whizzed past and gestured for me to pull over. I thought I had a problem with my bike, but it was fine. He dragged me off the Tuono and told me to get on the Kwaka. He was smiling more than normal, so I thought if he wants me to ride it now it must be a bit special.

I took off and gave the throttle a firm twist whilst banging up through the gears. As quick as I could change gears the H2 was begging for another. My arms were being torn from my sockets and my mind was in heaven and disbelief all at the same time. It’s been a long time since I've had that type and style of supercharged power under foot, and it’s an incredible rush.

Kawasaki is no stranger to thinking outside the square. It has released some exciting models over the years, from the two-stroke triples back in the ’70s to joining the turbo club with the GPz750 in the ’80s. When it decides to throw out the rule book , there are no half measures.

Most new high-performance bikes are designed with one eye on race track success, but the brief for this machine has nothing to do with that — and Kawasaki has the ZX-10R (and an updated one for 2016, apparently) to achieve those goals. And having Jonathan Rea on your bike doesn't hurt, either…

The H2 is built to thrill, and for that reason Kawasaki is very proud of the H2. It carries on its nose cone a small emblem called the Kawasaki River Mark. It's a figure of pride that has been used occasionally by Kawasaki since 1870, fitted only the best objects made by the Japanese giant. Yep, it's a big deal.

Believe it or not, comfort was where this bike's design started. Despite the staggering performance, it's not built to cut absolute lap times, which means sharpness of the ergonomics have been relaxed — and it shows.

At $33,000 plus on-road costs it’s pricey, but the H2 is worth every penny and fitted with high-quality components from top to bottom. Kawasaki went to town with top-spec monobloc Brembo calipers up front mated with massive 330mm discs. With this much stomp, you need good stoppers!

The frame is not just a rehashed ZX-10R either, but a specifically designed steel trellis item to not only add to the futuristic wow factor of the bike but make it corner. The frame is mated to a single-sided swingarm which is built for performance and beauty and really adds to the aggressive styling of the H2. Kayaba has also come to the party, supplying its premium AOS 11 racing suspension with specific valving to suit the H2's needs. Its similar equipment that Kayaba has fitted to the latest Yamaha YZF-R1.

The engine is loosely based on the ZX-10R, but nothing is the same. It’s beefed-up substantially to withstand the rigors of the 300hp supercharged H2R, making it nearly two times stronger than a normally aspirated unit. That means although you have a stomping 200ps in your hand, you have a truckload of reliability to go with it.

If you are looking for a bike to go touring on and fuel economy is something you’re worried about, you shouldn’t look at the H2. Its supercharged engine chews through the gas, but I personally don’t see that as a problem though because more gas means more power. It uses fuel like a jet, and looks like one too. When I first saw it rolled out at Kawasaki Australia my jaw dropped. The special mirror silver paint is just perfect and the green frame is almost like a sculpture. It’s been a long time since a bike has taken my breath away, but the H2 took mine. This is not just more of the same.

I’ve ridden some very fast motorcycles in my time but this Kawasaki might just be the fastest in a straight line. The power just builds and builds and builds and that equates to ample speed in a short period of time. The surge created by the supercharger is always ready to peel more rubber off the back tyre at a millisecond's notice.

I have never ridden a standard motorcycle that can outpace the H2. There were a couple of other people on the ride with the latest model 1000 sports bikes (the fastest ones), and in acceleration tests it was like I was leaving behind supersport bikes in my mirrors.

The H2 is fast, but it has a lot of prowess through the curves too. With the traction up high, it’s reasonably easy to ride but on low traction settings you really have to stay on top of the situation. It’s definitely harder to ride through the twisties than a pure sports bike because Kawasaki wants you to be in awe of this bike at all times. Is it still fast through corners, absolutely. The sound of the supercharger waste gate expelling unused energy is also another buzz that you won’t hear on a normally-aspirated bike.

I am impressed, and even Mr Magoo thinks the H2 is bit of alright. It’s fitted with all types of technology, it's fast but difficult to ride fast, and it burns rear tyres out quicker than it empties a fuel tank. It's about adrenaline, and this machine from Japan with the River Mark on the nose cone will keep those levels high always.

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 200hp at 11,000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 133Nm at 10,500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet multi disc slipper clutch
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel trellis
Front suspension: Upside-down KYB fork, fully adjustable
Rear suspension: KYB monoshock, fully adjustable
Front brakes: Dual 330mm discs with four-piston monoblock Brembo calipers
Rear brake: 250mm disc
Tyres: 120/70-17 front, 200/55-17 rear