Kawasaki Z H2 [2020] | First Impressions

We've gotten our hands on the 2020 Kawasaki Z H2 to find out if the supercharged supernaked can also live with lockdown...

Kawasaki Z H2

Now it’s not every day you take delivery of a high performance sportsbike during a global pandemic but receiving a Kawasaki Z H2 is certainly more exciting than your average Amazon delivery…

Following on from Ducati Streetfighter V4, we have managed to get our hands on what will be one of its big rivals in the supercharged Z H2, which together with its Italian counterpart has given the naked segment a proper high-performance shove.

Of course, due to the lockdown restrictions on movement that affect us as much as it does yourselves, we won’t be able to spends days riding long miles to bring our definitive verdict just yet.

However, due to personal circumstances our man Toad is still fairly busy out on the road completing essential journeys (as you’ll see below) so we’ve been able to notch up some useful miles and get a feel for what is one of 2020’s biggest motorcycle launches.

Think of it as an ‘unboxing’ only instead of getting some toilet roll, you’ve got a 200HP beast inside…

In the meantime, we’ll be putting the Z H2 to a proper real-world test of nipping to the shops and completing essential deliveries to find out what it is REALLY like to live with under the red line.

Stay tuned for the video in the coming days but in the meantime enjoy getting a closer look at Kawasaki supercharged supernaked.

Kawasaki Z H2 First Impressions Review Video

Kawasaki Z H2 Specifications

Engine

Type

Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four, 16-valve DOHC

Power

197bhp (claimed) @ 11,000rpm

Torque

137Nm (claimed) @ 8,500rpm

Displacement

998cc

Bore and Stroke

76.0 × 55.0 mm

Compression ratio

11.2:1

Intake system

Kawasaki Supercharger

Ignition

Digital

Starting

Electric

Lubrication

Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler

Drivetrain

Transmission

6-speed, return, dog-ring

Final drive

Chain

Primary reduction ratio

1.480 (74/50)

Gear ratios

1st

3.077

2nd

2.471

3rd

2.045

4th

1.727

5th

1.524

6th

1.348

Final drive ratio

46/18

Chassis

Type

High-tensile steel trellis

Front travel

120mm

Rear travel

134mm

Tyre front

120/70ZR17 M/C 58W

Tyre rear

190/55ZR17 M/C 75W

Rake

24.9°

Trail

104mm

Suspension - F

Showa SPF BP forks

Suspension - R

Showa shock - Uni Trak

Brakes - F

Brembo M4 290mm discs

Brakes - R

Twin piston caliper 226mm disc

Dimensions

Length

2,085mm

Width

810mm

Height

1,130mm

Wheelbase

1,455mm

Ground clearance

140mm

Seat height

830mm

Weight (ready to ride)

239kg

Fuel capacity

19l