Kicking sand in the face of all other naked machines, the Kawasaki Z H2 and its equally sinewy sibling, the Z H2 SE.Are products of a manufacturer at the forefront of the trend for stripped-back, naked machines.
But Kawasaki has a trump card in the litre-class segment of this popular machine style.A 100% in-house designed and manufactured integrated supercharger.
Sugomi
Calling on the skills of its aerospace and gas turbine divisions.Kawasaki has created a unique range of forced induction machines with Supersport, Sport Touring and, in the case of the Z models, Supernaked focus.
Key to the essential lure of the Z H2 concept is the use of a balanced supercharger application. Prioritising low and especially mid-range pulling power (without completely sacrificing that critical Kawasaki “top end rush”).
The two 998cc Supernaked models in the 2022 range are impressively specified.
Sugomi styling dominates, making an unapologetic statement. Where engineering qualities are matched like-for-like by styling features.
Allied to the rider environment is equally impressive.Featuring fat type tubular handlebars, a large colour TFT meter panel with a variety of settings.
Plus the ability to pair with the rider’s smartphone and interact with the latest, updated version of Kawasaki’s Rideology App.
Finetuned
The trellis type chassis will be familiar to Ninja H2 fans, but subtleties such as the twin-spar swinging arm illustrate. How to finetuned the creation of these dominant Supernakeds to suit the style of riding. And performance envelope would operate within.
Rider aids abound with up/down quick shifters, integrated braking, switchable launch control, three-mode traction control, power modes. And even electronic cruise control showing that the seductive raw looks belie a refined rider-friendly personality.
LED headlamps and ancillary lighting throughout illuminate what lays ahead while Brembo M4.32 monobloc callipers ensure controlled and predictable stopping. While the assist and slipper clutch facilitates slick down-changes.
For those seeking the ultimate in naked satisfaction, the SE model offers a degree of temptation that, for many.Will be hard to resist.
Specs
Kawasaki’sKawasaki’s KECS electronically damped suspension is the stand-out feature of the SE model offering Showa Skyhook Technology.
Whereby the machine’s attitude remains stable as the road undulates and the suspension reacts, updating itself thousands of times per second.
The Z H2 SE’sSE’s higher-spec Brembo front brake package includes Stylema monobloc callipers. And a Brembo radial-pump front master cylinder.Offering more robust braking performance and enhanced control.
The final touch is a special graphics package that sets the SE model apart from the standard Z H2 and all other Supernaked machines in the category.
There is the choice in the upper echelons of naked class and an array of devices on offer.So it’s reassuring that the Kawasaki Z H2 and Z H2 SE stand alone as dominant. Desirable once the bare facts are considered and truly unique.
Colours for 2022 are:
Z H2
- Metallic Graphite Gray/Metallic Diablo Black (Standard 15,999, Performance £17,099)
- Metallic Diablo Black/Golden Blazed Green (Standard £15,999, Performance £17,099)
Z H2 SE
- Metallic Diablo Black/Golden Blazed Green (Standard £18,449, Performance £19,549)
THE Z H2 AND Z H2 SE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN KAWASAKI DEALERSHIPS FROM MARCH 2022.
