2018 Kawasaki H2 SX First Look
| November 7, 2017
The year 2018 means that a supercharged sport tourer is now acceptable.
It’s been two years since Kawasaki unveiled the supercharged Ninja H2, which shocked the industry with its fierce styling and ultra-high horsepower claims. When we managed to get our eyes off of its flashy bits and think big picture, we realized it was just an exotic model for the horsepower junkies—it was Kawasaki’s introduction to supercharged motorcycle engines that would become more available to the general public.
Behold, the 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX—a supercharged sport tourer that has more intent than just top speed runs.
The 998cc inline-four engine is said to be extensively reworked, in comparison to the Ninja H2, as is the supercharger, both working to get rid of the overly aggressive midrange hit and smooth out power delivery. A claimed 207 outright horsepower (in European spec, the U.S. spec will come later this year), 101 foot-pounds of torque, and improved emissions is the result of the changes. Not bad for a sport tourer, huh?
There’s nothing like supercharging your way across the countryside!
Helping keep the H2 SX under control is the Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF), which uses data from an IMU to modulate brake pressure and engine power for the rider throughout the corner. Other rider aids like traction control, launch control, engine brake control, cruise control, and a bi-directional quickshifter are also equipped to the H2 SX.
With sport touring needs in mind, the chassis has also been redesigned and is paired with fully-adjustable suspension front and rear.
Available alongside the standard H2 SX will be an upper-spec H2 SX SE. It will come with upgraded bits like cornering lights, a TFT color dashboard (the SX will have an LCD unit) alongside the analog tachometer and a Ninja-inspired paint scheme.
There is no confirmed prices or a date of when the Kawasaki H2 SX will be hitting the U.S. shores, but this is one we will be eagerly waiting for. I mean, how can a supercharged 207 horsepower engine not make the ultimate sport tourer? Michael Gilbert
