Why you will never see a Kawasaki Ninja H2R.

[JulesMaximus]

Not only is it prohibitively expensive at $50,000 but it isn't street legal.

Personally, I'd probably have more fun at the track on a well sorted Suzuki SV650 than I would on this thing. :ninja:

2015 KAWASAKI NINJA H2R VEHICLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Vehicle: The Ninja H2R is a closed-course, riding-use-only model and is not manufactured for use on public roads, streets or highways. All usage of this vehicle should be limited to riding on a closed course.

Parts: 
Parts designed specifically for the H2R are for closed course riding use only and cannot be purchased without proof of H2R ownership (product registration, VIN confirmation, etc.).

Exhaust Sound: 
The exhaust sound level of the H2R at the time of factory shipment is 120 dB/A using Auto Cycle Union (ACU) guidelines. It is the owner’s responsibility to confirm that noise regulations of closed courses permit vehicles reaching this level of exhaust sound. Changes to the exhaust system may alter performance and sound level.

Usage, Maintenance, and Warranty:
 As a closed-course, riding-use-only model, specific procedures must be followed when riding and maintaining the H2R:

Vehicle Tires:
 Do not replace the tires on the H2R with any other brand and model than those offered as standard equipment:

• Front: Bridgestone, Racing Battlax V01F Soft
• Rear: Bridgestone, Racing Battlax V01R Medium
• Kawasaki does not approve Bridgestone Racing Battlax V02F & V02R tires for H2R usage.

Tire Warmers:
 To prevent loss of tire grip, always use tire warmers to heat tires prior to riding the H2R. Cold tires do not provide sufficient grip and may cause loss of vehicle control and/or a crash, which could result in injury or death.

Vehicle Storage:
 When storing the H2R, always use front and rear motorcycle stands that keep both tires off the ground. This will prevent tire deformation and adverse impacts on performance.

Vehicle Maintenance:
 In addition to regular periodic maintenance, service inspections are required every 15 hours of engine operation above 8,000r/min (rpm). These service intervals are monitored through the vehicle’s ECU with service messages displayed on the multifunction meter. (See Owner’s Manual for additional information)

Vehicle Warranty: 
The H2R is sold “As is” with no warranties, express or implied. The purchaser accepts all responsibilities concerning cost of service, maintenance and repairs.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/11/1...-supercharged-track-only-bike/?src=SOC&dom=fb

 

[Greenman]

It's a race bike, it can't be registered. Harley did much the same thing when they released the Destroyer.

 

[Ferzerp]

Vehicle Warranty: 
The H2R is sold “As is” with no warranties, express or implied. The purchaser accepts all responsibilities concerning cost of service, maintenance and repairs.

Too bad for Kawasaki that you can't just hand wave way implied merchantability with a disclaimer. Sure, that doesn't get you much, but if it breaks the first time you start it, this disclaimer isn't going to help them.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's a race bike, it can't be registered. Harley did much the same thing when they released the Destroyer.

First I've heard of it... I had to google it. I'm definitely not the intended buyer of a bike like that though. :biggrin:

BTW-Any literbike is capable of 10 second 1/4 mile times with a decent rider. Not sure why wikipedia lists this bike with an 8-10 second 1/4 mile time "with a decent rider." Is this an 8 second bike? Or is it a 10 second bike? There's a pretty fuckin' big difference between the two.

 

[Greenman]

First I've heard of it... I had to google it. I'm definitely not the intended buyer of a bike like that though. :biggrin:

BTW-Any literbike is capable of 10 second 1/4 mile times with a decent rider. Not sure why wikipedia lists this bike with an 8-10 second 1/4 mile time "with a decent rider." Is this an 8 second bike? Or is it a 10 second bike? There's a pretty fuckin' big difference between the two.

I have no idea how fast it is, and I think Harley stopped producing them. They're just a race ready V-Rod, and as quarter mile machines go, V-Rods aren't very fast (11 seconds or so stock). They do extremely well in the eighth mile, a form of racing that I didn't even know existed until a couple years back.

Lots of guy's have streetable V-Rods that will beat a Destroyer, they just run 15 pounds of boost and hang on tight. I know of one fellow who's putting down 250 horsepower. Very respectable power out of a V twin. He's blown it up at least twice, the first time the cases actually shattered. To much moving mass in a thin aluminum box just doesn't work well.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i think it was pretty well known (or expected) that the R version would be track-only. though i'm sure it won't take long for people to mod the H2 out the wazoo. the fact that the R model has an engine inspection period means they're probably running some pretty small margins on the design. i hope people don't wind up blowing up their H2 non-R engine because they cranked the boost too much.

 

[DaTT]

Isn't it just the Tires on the H2R that make it not legal for public roads?

 

[olds]

H2R = Race
H2 = Street

 

[MixMasterTang]

Isn't it just the Tires on the H2R that make it not legal for public roads?

There are a lot of things, no lights, turn signals, the 120 decibels and most likely it does not meet emissions (probably has no cat), etc.

 

[Ferzerp]

That's only 6-7 times too loud for Laguna Seca!

 

[darkswordsman17]

I thought this was well known, and it was another reason I was baffled by all the hype about the new Ninja.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I thought this was well known, and it was another reason I was baffled by all the hype about the new Ninja.

I wasn't aware of it. Just reading all the fanboi hype nobody is talking about the fact that this bike isn't even street legal.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I wasn't aware of it. Just reading all the fanboi hype nobody is talking about the fact that this bike isn't even street legal.

All the stuff I'd seen about it from the start was that the H2R was a non-street legal bike. Maybe that is why there was a bunch of hype, people couldn't read and didn't realize it wasn't street legal. But seriously like every article I saw about the H2R was about it not being street legal and waiting to see the H2 street legal version to the point I was expecting it to be almost the same thing but with the bits to make it street legal so it'd be heavier, but I was expecting it to still have like 250hp or so.

I was expecting it to be a lot more like a more powerful version of that Ducati, a just barely street legal version of the H2R.

 

[olds]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAo0LWQFxdE

 

[JulesMaximus]

All the stuff I'd seen about it from the start was that the H2R was a non-street legal bike. Maybe that is why there was a bunch of hype, people couldn't read and didn't realize it wasn't street legal. But seriously like every article I saw about the H2R was about it not being street legal and waiting to see the H2 street legal version to the point I was expecting it to be almost the same thing but with the bits to make it street legal so it'd be heavier, but I was expecting it to still have like 250hp or so.

I was expecting it to be a lot more like a more powerful version of that Ducati, a just barely street legal version of the H2R.

I didn't really read much of the information because I don't give a crap about Kawasaki motorcycles. Most of what I read was posted on the San Diego Sportbike Meetup group and a lot of those guys and gals are trackday junkies so they probably wouldn't have mentioned it either. :biggrin:

 

[marincounty]

I already saw a Kawasaki H2R- at the motorcycle show. It was beautiful, with lots of carbon (or fake carbon) parts. The engine and supercharger look very trick, you can tell they have done tons of r and d on this thing.
The only thing that will have to go are the front wings- they could be a problem in turns.
If I had the OPs money I would buy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I already saw a Kawasaki H2R- at the motorcycle show. It was beautiful, with lots of carbon (or fake carbon) parts. The engine and supercharger look very trick, you can tell they have done tons of r and d on this thing.
The only thing that will have to go are the front wings- they could be a problem in turns.
If I had the OPs money I would buy.

I went to the Long Beach International Motorcycle show on Sunday. Didn't bother with the Kawasaki exhibit. I really only wanted to see the new Multistrada, the Yamaha FJ-09 and the Suzuki V-Strom 1000.

 

[Triumph]

How are the wings going to be a problem in turns?

 

[MixMasterTang]

How are the wings going to be a problem in turns?

in situations where the engineering department never thought of, like when you go upside down and stuff

 

[BabaBooey]

I'd be dead the same day I got it.:\


randy the great trolling the fuck outta that thread.

 

[Greenman]

I'd be dead the same day I got it.:\


randy the great trolling the fuck outta that thread.

Then I recommend not buying one.

Motorcycles are fun, until you get into the dick swinging side of the sport, then they suck.

 

[CombatChuk]

hmm... I'd be able to ride home a Ducati 1199 Superleggera from the Dealer without a problem...

 

[twinrider1]

Dyno Run. No number, but glorious to see and hear.
http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/11/04/kawasaki-ninja-h2r-supercharger-track-bike-dyno-run-exclusive-video/

Saying it's not street legal is not the same as saying it's a race bike, at least in this case. I don't follow it closely any more, but I don't think any of the roadracing orgs have a supercharger class. Heh, imagine this thing on the banks of Daytona.
Maybe they'll make a land speed run with it. I guess it's primarily a halo vehicle, just to demonstrate the reach of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

 

[olds]

Dyno Run. No number, but glorious to see and hear.
http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/11/04/kawasaki-ninja-h2r-supercharger-track-bike-dyno-run-exclusive-video/

Saying it's not street legal is not the same as saying it's a race bike, at least in this case. I don't follow it closely any more, but I don't think any of the roadracing orgs have a supercharger class. Heh, imagine this thing on the banks of Daytona.
Maybe they'll make a land speed run with it. I guess it's primarily a halo vehicle, just to demonstrate the reach of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

Sounds just like my Concours. :ninja: or not

 

[jdoggg12]

I work in the Industry and there's been a lot of talk that this is the beginning of the big bike companies moving towards what the auto companies are doing with their exotics... bragging rights.

On one hand, this is NOT a good bike for 99.9% of riders and maybe even 90% of non-pro racers. It's just too powerful. At over 250HP, it can get out of control very, very quickly. In a car, I'd say it's a fairly linear relationship between power and required skill to drive it. On a bike, the skill requirement climbs at a higher rate.

On the other hand, for those with the skill and self control to make use of this thing will love it (i think). It's an off the shelf answer to getting tons of power without having access to highly qualified mechanics for custom work.


That's all just my $0.02. If I were still racing, I'd be in heaven if I got to do 1 lap on one of these. The most power I ever rode was arund 190 at the wheel of a tuned R1. The company I work for is exhaust related. I can't wait to see what their CF/Ti system looks like and/or what it adds to the (already insane) HP