- Overview
- Behaviour
- What has changed since then?
- Competitors
- Price
- Video
- Specs
Overview
Kawasaki started teasing its most aspiring naked from September 2019. We could almost see three combined teasers of ZH2 from September to October 2019.
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In the same month September 2019, the news was intense about the Kawasaki and Bimota collaboration.
And Kawasaki does own 49.5 per cent in the partnership. To be more precise on October 23, 2019, Kawasaki unveiled its naked charm the ZH2.
The 2020 ZH2 version was strong enough to turn any eye. The ZH2 was a head-turner with its beefy body and those jugular green veins.
And the might naked was responsible for giving Kawasaki a unique position in the illustrious naked segment.
Behaviour
The ZH2 comes with a powerful 998cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, supercharged motor delivers whopping 200 horses at 10,500 rpm with 101.0 lb-ft of Torque.
Afraid? Mindwell this is a naked powerhouse. However, during the fierce acceleration, the clutch function allows locking giving a breather.
Going further when you choose the first gear from its six-gear transmission. It’s pure ecstasy when it goes above the 11,000-rpm redline.
The throttle works on the simple fundamental of giving pure pleasure to the rider.
The steel trellis is like the H2 SX with a difference of double-sided swingarm compared to the single-sided swingarm, which is seen on most H2 models.
So what has changed since then?
The answer we are looking. And to dig deep, we compare the 2020 ZH2 with 2021 ZH2.
While the rest of the components remain the same, plus when it comes to aesthetics, there is no major change.
Fundamentally there are three things where we see the changes.
- The fuel system on the 2020 ZH2 is DFI with 36mm Keihin throttle bodies. While on the 2021 ZH2 is DFI, 40mm Throttle bodies.
Let us get back to basics and understand how the 4mm more Throttle body will make a difference on the 2021 ZH2.
Components of Throttle body – Pic Source Wikipedia
Throttle bodies are the mechanism present to manage the fluid flow either via stopping or squeezing. The Throttle body also helps to increase or decrease the engine power.
Ideally, it is decreased. However larger the Throttle body larger is the space provided to permit more air into the engine. Which again improves the engine performance. And Kawasaki has exactly done the same here.
The second change, of course, we see is the paint schemes.
- The 2020 ZH2 has Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Graphite Gray/Mirror Coated Spark, Black.
- The 2021 ZH2 has Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark Black.
2020 Kawasaki ZH2
2021 Kawasaki ZH2
The third 2021 ZH2 carries.
- The Digital ignition compared to electronic ignition which comes on the 2020 ZH2. One of the main advantages of Digital ignition is it helps to save fuel by automatically limiting the engine revs.
Competitors
Brutale 1000 Serie Oro, at its first appearance, has instantly become the most desirable motorcycle for riders worldwide.
MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro
With this model MV Agusta has revolutionized a market segment, re-interpreting technical and stylistic concepts synonymous with MV Agusta and at the same time defining new aesthetic and performance parameters.
With 205 hp of peak power and a top speed of over 300 km/h, MV Agusta has brought the concept of hyper-naked to its extreme limit, making it the absolute benchmark within the category. The price tag is around $46,000.
The second rival to ZH2 is the Ducati Streetfighter V4S.
Fairing and handles of V4 are substituted with naked body and wide handlebar to ease composure for the rider. As the layout is V4 it has a V4 engine which comes from Pangile V4 and is utilized for normal use.
Ducati Streetfighter V4S Euro5
The new Euro5 compliant Streetfighter V4 comes with 208 hp (153 kW) of power @ 13,000 rpm which is 250 rpm more as compared to outgoing Euro 4 V4. On the other side, we get to see lower torque by 2000 rpm which is 123Nm @ 9,500 rpm.
The price starts from Euro 23,000 which is close to $27,283.
Price
Well, the three changes made the price go up by $500. The 2020 model retails at $17,000, and the 2021 model comes at $17,500.
However, we don’t see the ZH2 in the current Kawasaki lineup in India. Even if we do the Kawasaki’s ZH2 price in India may go beyond Rs 13 lakh.
Current Kawaski India lineup
We believe from the price point of view the Kawasaki ZH2 is way ahead when compared to the new Ducati Streetfighter V4S and MV Agusta Brutale Serie Oro.
Video
Specs
