Furious and technologically advanced KAWASAKI Ninja H2R

RU-MOTO rating

• Reliability
• Chassis
• Appearance
• Comfort

5

Verdict

To sum it up, it's hard to say for sure what this bike is like. We are designed in such a way that it is difficult for us to accept new things. Time will pass, and we will definitely taste this “fruit” and learn all its strengths and weaknesses over time. But one thing is for sure: this is not a motorcycle that will go unnoticed. The company managed to create something that truly excited the tech community.

Motorcycle Kawasaki Ninja H2R

We have all been familiar with the model of a typical Japanese sportbike for a long time. Liter inline four, but there’s nothing to add here. It seemed like what could be better? And the sound...mmm? This is music to a motorcyclist's ears. What about reliability? After all, this is a technology that has been proven for years. Justified conservatism, you say? Maybe. But Kawasaki certainly doesn’t think so. Therefore, they presented us with their new monster - Kawasaki H2R.

Read other motorcycle reviews of the Yamaha YBR-125 - is it really the best small-capacity motorcycle?

Specifications

So why is it so innovative, you ask? Let's take it one step at a time: the first thing worth talking about is the presence of a turbine on the motorcycle. The company started talking about this in 2013, it was then that ideas appeared about refining its already iconic Kawasaki ZZR1400. But plans changed, and a completely new Kawasaki H2R was released, with a volume of 998 cc. cm, equipped with centrifugal turbocharging , allowing high performance throughout the entire range of engine operation, which, in turn, does not require the installation of an intercooler. Which is very convenient for the design of the motorcycle.

Previously, the site Ru-moto.com published a full review of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 motorcycle

The huge increase in power prompted engineers to create a reinforced gearbox. Therefore, this motorcycle is the first in the line to be equipped with a quick shift system , which not only saves time on acceleration, but makes shifts smoother.

As we know, any improvement in power characteristics requires an improvement in the braking system. Here the company offers the installation of an advanced, intelligent anti-lock braking system . In its standard form, the anti-lock braking system is installed on many motorcycles, and is no longer something new. The principle of its operation is to read information from sensors that record the speed of the front and rear wheels.

The peculiarity of the intelligent system that this motorcycle has is that it uses information not only from wheel speed sensors, but also brake fluid pressure in the calipers, throttle position, engine speed and gear engaged. This undoubtedly increases the efficiency of the braking system.

It is worth mentioning the frame, which is made of steel for the sake of strength and ability to withstand wild loads, despite the much-loved aluminum alloy. The fairing is made of carbon fiber - this reduces weight and adds new colors to the appearance.

All these undeniable advantages make it possible to make the motorcycle not just a cannonball flying in a straight path, but also give it maneuverability. The speed of this model can reach an unearthly 400 km/h. This is something other manufacturers cannot boast of yet.

Technical equipment of Kawasaki Ninja H2R

Engine

Transmission

Read other motorcycle reviews Review of the Ducati Diavel motorcycle

Dimensions and weight

Chassis and brakes

Motorcycle Kawasaki H2R Ninja 2022 review

Description of the Kawasaki H2R Ninja 2022 motorcycle is in the queue for publication of the article. Announcement: Today, for almost every new motorcycle that comes into being, marketers strive to carve out their own niche. This one is a road sport, this one is a recreational enduro. But what class should we include a motorcycle that has a little bit of everything? A good bike should have a reliable engine, comfortable ergonomics and simple controls...

Kawasaki H2R Ninja is a motorcycle not sold in Russia, equipped with an ultra-high-power 310 hp engine. Despite the fact that good models of motorcycles have a very respectable price, and the season for their use is relatively short, the motorcycle market is developing rapidly. And if you believe the words of dealers, then some models of recently released motorcycles are selling like hot cakes at the beginning of the season, and the models brought to Russia are clearly not enough to fully satisfy consumer demand.

A motorcycle has long ceased to be an alternative to a car, and the times when this equipment was bought only because there was not enough money for a full-fledged car are forgotten. Nowadays, two-wheelers can be called technological marvels in many cases, and their cost can be compared with that of prestigious cars.

Many people have started buying motorcycles for hobby purposes as riding or even collecting them has become a good pastime for many people. Many motorcycles, for example the Kawasaki H2R Ninja, whose technical characteristics make it possible to call the model a prestigious brand, are in demand among both beginners and experienced motorcyclists.

Motorcycles with an engine capacity of 998 cc / 60.9 cu in. see, appeared as a result of long work of inventors who sought to create a model that was not inferior in characteristics to other versions of the motorcycle. In some cases, these models are not only not inferior, but also ahead of other motorcycles, as they have minimal fuel consumption and other excellent parameters.

Motorcycles with an engine capacity of more than 400 kb. see, which includes the Kawasaki H2R Ninja - this category of motorcycles simply cannot claim the title of “motorcycle for a beginner.” On the contrary, this is already a serious technique that requires certain control of motorcycle equipment with a smaller engine capacity. Yes, she attracts more attention, she is the most beautiful, fast, interesting and there is a huge selection of models. But as power increases, the weight of the motorcycle inevitably increases. In this class you are unlikely to find motorcycles lighter than 180 kg, unless they are the latest motorcycle models.

Go to the entire range of Kawasaki motorcycles, on this page you can find Kawasaki H2R Ninja motorcycles from other years of production and information about them

Price

The price for this unit ranges around $55,000, which is significantly more than its Japanese brothers. The average price for used options is difficult to say unambiguously, since the motorcycle is relatively new. In any case, the editors of the Ru-moto.com website could not find anyone willing to sell their brand new Kawasaki. Don’t forget that this is a sports version of this model, which is not very common as a production motorcycle.

Price for Kawasaki Ninja H2R

Reviews

At the moment, the site editors have not been able to find happy owners of the Kawasaki Ninja H2R among the Russian-speaking audience, so here are screenshots of reviews from professional riders who participated in the first motorcycle tests in Qatar:

Adam Child, MCN on Ninja H2R

In third and fourth gear the bike shoots into space, in terms of acceleration the bike is simply incredible! But it also stops and handles - I assure you - much better than you might imagine. A traction control system is vital on a car that is capable of developing more than 300 hp. and cross the 350 km/h threshold, works very well... I piloted the bike with a fairly low level of electronic intervention, but this only meant that I had to ride not exactly on the intended trajectory - only deviate from it by a few inches, and when accelerating by In three gears I felt constant slipping of the rear wheel. Only in top gear did the slippage stop, or rather slow down. Adam Child

Ricardo Piergentile, InMoto on Kawasaki Ninja H2R

The journalist asked the question: “In Europe, prices for Kawasaki Ninja H2 and H2R differ exactly twice: 25,000 euros for the “road” version and 50,000 for the “racing” version. 25,000 euro difference - does this money make sense? Indeed, in fact, it is true that you can remove the electronic lock and allow the engine to spin at 2500 rpm. faster…"

Piergentile is confident that the difference is worth the money:

Green bombs vary in price, and that difference is an investment in the fact that you won't ram the bump stop at 350 km/h on the highway while driving a "liberated" H2: the H2R's handling and control are much better, that's a fact. Acceleration from 130 to 330 km/h gives an incredible sensation, pockets full of adrenaline. On a straight line. As soon as you reach the first corner, you feel every one of the 25 thousand euros invested by the developers in the Ohlins racing brakes and suspension. Ricardo Piergentile

And the last question from the journalist: “So the Kawasaki Ninja H2R is faster than a supercar?”

Answer:

Alas, the answer is no. Supercars still have unsurpassed braking and cornering performance where the bike is forced to lose a little more... However, direct comparison with powerful turbocharged 4-wheel “monsters” is yet to come! Ricardo Piergentile

Furious and technologically advanced KAWASAKI Ninja H2R

The KAWASAKI Ninja H2R, a true engineering marvel, was made possible through the collaboration of several divisions of KAWASAKI Heavy Industries (KHI). This fruitful collaboration has resulted in the introduction of carefully crafted premium components into a world-class superbike equipped with the latest electronics. This created an incredibly powerful motorcycle that is more than worthy of the legendary H2 name.

Unlike the KAWASAKI Ninja H2, which is fully equipped for use on public roads, the KAWASAKI Ninja H2 R, with the prefix R (racing), denotes a motorcycle not intended for urban use. Everything unnecessary was removed from the bike in order to comply with racing regulations and reduce weight. Mirrors, lighting elements and turn signals have been removed. Carbon body parts are designed to achieve ideal aerodynamics; a small spoiler is installed under the head fairing to more evenly distribute air resistance. Small side parts of the body kit help to actively remove heat from the engine, and the double spoiler blades installed on them increase the downforce of the sportbike at high speeds. The bike's unprecedented acceleration and heavy growl from the boosted engine will not soon be forgotten by competitors on the track.

In the photo: the predatory KAWASAKI Ninja H2R (gray)

Engine

The KAWASAKI Ninja H2R powertrain has been designed to be as compact as possible and deliver high power for intense acceleration. At the same time, for successful operation, a highly efficient supercharger was assembled that does not require an intercooler to reduce the temperature of the air supplied to the engine. In addition, this motor is capable of withstanding loads that are twice the maximum permissible for an atmospheric power unit of the same volume. The moment of inertia of the crankshaft is made as low as possible; the crankshaft is combined with a lightweight flywheel to reduce the response time of the power unit to opening the throttles. Dual secondary balancers reduce vibration levels, and the very low rotational mass works in favor of the bike's quick response to rider input. The installed connecting rods also help to achieve the right balance of strength and weight, and the increased diameter of the bolt connection at the crankshaft attachment point is used to ensure a completely secure connection.

The cast pistons used in the design have greater strength at the very high temperatures generated by the engine compared to pistons manufactured using forging technology. The casting process creates hollow areas to achieve the ideal combination of required thickness and strength with reduced weight. A V-groove on the second piston ring prevents movement of the upper piston ring to reduce oil and air consumption. Two oil jets per cylinder contribute to cooling the pistons. One of them washes the entire lower part of the piston, the other washes the piston dome from the exhaust side.

The large, deep oil pan helps cool the lubricant, and the clever design ensures that the oil pump is always surrounded by liquid to prevent cavitation. The unique, carefully designed filter angle and internal design also help prevent oil starvation during heavy acceleration and braking. The high-performance oil pump ensures optimal lubrication of the engine and transmission. The flat top of the piston and the shape of the combustion chamber are borrowed from the field of gas turbine technology, also developed by KAWASAKI.

Pictured: KAWASAKI Ninja H2R engine

During the honing process of the solid upper crankcase and cylinder, a dummy cylinder head is used to ensure the tightest fit of the mating parts after machining. The result is higher-quality processing, with minimal free piston ring clearance and, accordingly, less loss of performance at each engine stroke. The carefully calibrated size of the combustion chamber and high-precision mechanized processing of its surface eliminate the occurrence of shocks and so-called knocking in the engine.

The cylinder head has a water jacket between each cylinder's exhaust ports, large cooling passages around the spark plug wells and valve seats, and overall excellent coolant flow for optimal temperature reduction. Camshafts with high cams and wide valve timing also have a positive effect on the motorcycle's performance.

Engine exhaust valves have poppets made from an extremely heat-resistant alloy called Inconel and heat-resistant tapered stems. Stainless steel is used for the intake valves. Perfectly shaped, polished intake ports are positioned directly opposite the exhaust ports, eliminating unnecessary swirl in the cylinder head.

Supercharger

The centrifugal supercharger designed by KAWASAKI engineers deserves special attention. Its throughput capacity is up to 200 liters of air per second at a speed of up to 99 meters per second, and the maximum pressure is 2.4 atmospheres. The planetary gear receives driving force from the crankshaft and rotates a 69mm impeller, specially developed using expertise from KAWASAKI's gas turbine and aerospace divisions, to reach a speed of nearly 130,000 rpm. With this highly efficient design, the air passing through the supercharger does not heat up, eliminating the need for an intercooler. The straight, bend-free air intake seamlessly feeds air directly into the supercharger without reducing the bike's power at this important stage.

An aluminum chamber located between the supercharger housing and the throttle valves assists in heat exchange, keeping the incoming air flow cool. Stainless steel meshes installed above the intake channels condense fuel from the secondary injectors on themselves and lower the temperature of new portions of the fuel-air mixture with this condensate. An electronically controlled dump valve regulates the increase in pressure in the intake chamber when the throttle valve is closed to prevent unwanted impeller flex and vibration. Stainless steel pipes of elliptical shape (in accordance with the valve outlets) with a diameter of 45 mm of the exhaust manifold pass into round pipes, and then into a small volume pre-chamber located under the engine to reduce exhaust noise.

Pictured: KAWASAKI Ninja H2R intake tract

Frame

The chassis design had to be robust enough to cope with the powerful engine and effectively absorb external disturbances at speed. The trellis frame of the motorcycle is made of high-strength steel, while the thickness and bending of each element are carefully selected to provide the necessary rigidity to the entire device. Balanced rigidity and springiness of the supporting structure help the rider control the bike when riding at high speeds. The bike's slim waist and horizontally mounted cast aluminum swingarm allow riders to sit comfortably in the saddle and lift their feet off the pegs during stops. The open design of the trellis frame allows air to flow through it, dissipating engine heat. The swingarm is attached directly to the rear of the engine, thereby introducing the power unit into the supporting structure of the motorcycle. This solution eliminated the installation of additional crossbars and yokes, saving weight and allowing for optimal placement of the chain drive on the rear wheel.

Transmission

The six-speed gearbox with improved lubrication system used in MotoGP also uses another useful technology borrowed from the world of racing. Gears fixed to the input shaft are moved by rings to engage gears on the secondary shaft. The result is crisp, quick shifting that is more intuitive for the rider. The multi-disc oil-bath clutch is equipped with a friction clutch for easier shifting and the possibility of slipping when the rider suddenly shifts gears.

Suspension

The new Uni-Trak monoshock absorber manufactured by the famous company Öhlins, model TTX36, has a gas shock absorber, a compensation reservoir, and spring preload adjustment. The patented shock absorber features a unique coaxial twin-tube design and a carbide main piston that only moves oil in the cylinder. The damping components are located at the top between the cylinder head and the reservoir. The simple mechanism allows the elements to have less weight, providing very consistent damping. Because the shock absorber's design makes it virtually immune to cavitation, the gas pressure is only half that of a standard shock absorber, so less stress is placed on the sealing elements. Separate channels connect the compression and rebound valves, allowing the use of separate regulators. This helps in tuning the suspension due to the fact that changing one parameter does not affect the condition of another. Compression and rebound adjustments can be made manually, without the use of special tools, and the shock absorber spring is preloaded in the same way.

Pictured: Uni-Trak Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber

The Kayaba AOS-II (Air-Oil Separate) 43mm front fork features dual chambers to separate air-oil damping for a more consistent performance. The fork provides smooth initial action and strong resistance at the end of the stroke. DLC (Diamond Like Carbon Coating) coating on the inner tubes reduces surface bonding for improved fork response and helps prevent wear.

Brakes

The front brakes are equipped with Brembo radial cast monobloc calipers with four 30mm pistons, which, together with huge 330mm Brembo discs, guarantee excellent stopping power. The outer edges of the discs are grooved to help dissipate heat. The master cylinder and pump reservoir are calibrated so that even slight movement of the handle transmits powerful force to the front brake. The Brembo rear brake caliper is equipped with two pistons, each 32 mm, and the diameter of the brake disc is 250 mm. The high-precision ABS system provides smooth feedback and minimal lever movement to reduce speed.

The ECU interacts with the compact ABS electronic unit (which controls wheel speeds and front caliper pressure) to provide highly precise brake pressure control. This means that the feeling of the brakes is not weakened, only sharp shocks and impulses on the handle, inherent in simpler ABS systems, are eliminated.

In the photo: driving a Ninja H2R sportsbike

The rider's position in the saddle is optimized for high-speed riding on the track. The forward tilt of the body has been reduced, the handlebars have been slightly widened, and the footpegs have been moved 10 mm forward. The single seat tapers at the front to ease the feet on the ground and widens at the rear to support the rider. The compact rear fairing has adjustable side supports to help maintain the rider's position during intense acceleration.

The compact digital instrument panel with analog tachometer does not clutter up the pilot's cockpit. An interesting feature was the backlit indicator of the number of revolutions when the tachometer needle passes through it. All instrument panel functions are accessible via compact switches located on the steering wheel.

Advantages and disadvantages

The feeling of flight with Kawasaki Ninja H2R

pros

• Power.
• Aggressive design.
• Progressive solutions.
• Recognition.

Minuses

• Price.
• Complexity of design.
• Narrow specialization of motorcycle (race track).