Tokyo Motor Show: Kawasaki Z H2 and new W800 unveiled
The Kawasaki Z H2 supercharged hyper naked breaks cover at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show alongside the all-new 2020 Kawasaki W800
The all-new Kawasaki Z H2 supercharged hyper naked and Kawasaki W800 have received their world premiere at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.
The eagerly anticipated Kawasaki Z H2 represents a new flagship to Kawasaki’s naked model line-up and is set to become the only mass-produced, supercharged naked motorcycle on sale today.
Though it bears all the hallmarks of the H2 from the outset with its flared bodywork and unmistakable detailing, albeit minus the fairing, the Kawasaki Z H2 is nonetheless largely new from the ground up with tweaks to the running gear and geometry to provide lighter handling and a more mid-range usability than its sibling.
At its heart remains the supercharged, four-cylinder engine kicking out 200PS (197bhp) and 137Nm of torque at 8,500rpm, which will likely elevate the Kawasaki Z H2 towards the upper echelons of the ‘fastest motorcycle in the world’ rankings.
At the other end of the scale, the Kawasaki W800 is the latest in the long lineage of classic W Series retro models.
Joining the W800 Street and W800 CAFÉ in the range, the new Kawasaki W800 is regarded as a more modern-day reimagination of the original W1 launched in 1966.
Designed to capture the essence of the first-generation W Series model, the 2020 Kawasaki W800 evokes the past in its vintage detailing and versatile customising options, wrapped around a 773cc vertical twin engine and modern usability.
What are the Kawasaki Z H2 ‘s rivals?
Having levelled up to the Ducati Panigale V4 with the Kawasaki ZX-10RR, the manufacturer is now looking to steal the thunder of the imminent Ducati Streetfighter V4 with its Z H2… and it’s perhaps no coincidence they’ve ended up being revealed on the same day.
Indeed, we won’t have long to wait until the Streetfighter V4 is unveiled (in fact, you may have seen it in final production form before you’ve read this article) but while the naked Panigale V4 has enjoyed a long gestation period with various clandestine spy shots, a Pikes Peak prototype and teasers, Ducati may be irked to see Kawasaki swoop in last minute and grab its headlines.
The Z H2 helps position Kawasaki firmly as a direct competitor to Ducati in the year it has comfortably defeated it on track as well in the WorldSBK Championship.
Also in the Kawasaki Z H2’s sights will be the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro and perhaps even the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R, which is set to get a refresh for EICMA in two weeks’ time.
The Kawasaki Z H2 and Kawasaki W800 – two very different models that showcase the versatility in the manufacturer’s model range - arrive towards the end of a busy year for the Japanese firm that has already seen several models in its line-up receive a mid-generation refresh.
