2021 Z H2

The Z H2's Balanced Supercharged Engine is the product of Kawasaki Group technology, designed in-house not only by the Motorcycle & Engine Company, but also with collaboration from the Aerospace Systems Company, Energy System & Plant Engineering Company, and Corporate Technology Division. Kawasaki wanted the power of its supercharged engine to be manageable. As a result of this pursuit, the optimised engine-supercharger pairing offers smooth power delivery in all conditions, its wide power band delivering exhilarating acceleration at all rpm.

Like on the Ninja H2, high supercharger efficiency means that an intercooler is not required. Although automotive engines with superchargers typically have separate lubrication systems, but Kawasaki's supercharged engines use a single lubrication system to provide cooling oil for the engine components, supercharger and transmission. This allows the elimination of duplicate parts like oil pumps, contributing to weight reduction.

One of the keys to achieving the Z H2's impressive power is its 69 mm impeller. Formed from a forged aluminium block using a 5-axis CNC machining centre to ensure high precision and high durability, its complex shape features 6 blades at the tip, expanding to 12 blades at the base. To withstand high pressures and high temperatures not found in a naturally aspirated engine, cast pistons were selected. Cast pistons offer better strength than forged pistons for the very high temperatures generated by the supercharged engine.

The frontal area of the Ram Air intake is about 3x the area of the supercharger entrance. The Ram Air duct was designed to take the fresh air to the supercharger in as straight a line as possible, contributing to high performance. Positioning the air cleaner just inside the Ram Air intake helps to achieve the ideal power characteristics for the Z H2, while allowing the supercharger housing to be prominently displayed.

Using the latest evolution of Kawasaki's advanced modelling software and feedback from a compact Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that gives an even clearer real-time picture of chassis orientation, KCMF monitors engine and chassis parameters throughout the corner - from entry, through the apex, to corner exit -modulating brake force and engine power to facilitate smooth transition from acceleration to braking and back again, and to assist riders in tracing their intended line through the corner.

Electronic Throttle Valves enable the ECU to control the volume of both the fuel and the air delivered to the engine. Ideal fuel-air mixture results in smooth, natural engine response and the ideal engine output. The system also contributes to reduced missions. Further, being able to control intake air also enables more precise control of KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control).

With upcoming EURO 5 emission regulations in mind, a newly designed exhaust system features a layout without an exhaust pre-chamber. This makes room for a large catalyser and a long collector section where exhaust gases from each cylinder can mix well. The long collector greatly contributes to low-mid range torque - a key feature of this model, while the silencer was kept as small as possible despite the lack of pre-chamber, greatly contributing to weight reduction of the exhaust system.

Kawasaki's latest cruise control system allows a desired speed to be maintained with the simple press of a button. Once activated, the rider does not have to constantly control the throttle. This reduces stress on the right hand when traveling long distances, enabling relaxed cruising and contributing to a high level of riding comfort. Operation of the Electronic Cruise Control is conveniently from the left handle. The system can be engaged with the touch of a button.

Fitted with a full-colour TFT LCD screen. Loaded with functions that can help you manage daily vehicle operating status and schedule for long distance riding. Display functions include a digital speedometer, gear position indicator, shift indicator, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, remaining range, current/average fuel consumption, outside temperature, coolant temperature, clock, Economical Riding Indicator, IMU indicator, KIBS indicator, boost pressure and boost temperature.

This model is equipped with a smartphone connectivity function, which enables connection via Bluetooth using "RIDEOLOGY THE APP". Since the system can be accessed via Bluetooth technology, which means that convenience is dramatically improved. In addition to checking machine information and recording and downloading logs, settings such as Riding Mode can be prepared remotely and then downloaded to the vehicle. A number of functions are available: - Vehicle information such as fuel gauge, odometer, maintenance schedule, etc can be viewed via the smartphone.

Three standard settings, Sport, Road, Rain, or Rider (manual) are all-inclusive modes that link KTRC, Power Mode and KECS allow riders to efficiently set traction control, power delivery and suspension character to suit a given riding situation. In the manual Rider mode, each of the systems can be set independently. - Sport: enables riders to enjoy sporty riding on winding roads. - Road: offers comfortable riding over a wide range of situations, from city riding to highway cruising and rural roads. - Rain: offers rider reassurance when riding on a wet road surface. The riding mode can be changed while riding, using the button at the left handle.

A high-quality hydraulic clutch offers less maintenance, ensuring the initial touch condition can be maintained. A lighter lever operation thanks to the clutch's assist function contributes to reduced rider fatigue when street riding. Assist & Slipper Clutch uses two types of cams: an assist cam and a slipper cam, offering two functions not available on a standard clutch. When the engine is driving the rear wheel the assist cam functions as a self-servo mechanism, pulling the clutch hub and operating plate together to compress the clutch plates. This allows the total clutch spring load to be reduced, resulting in a lighter clutch lever pull when operating the clutch.

To be easy to ride at low and medium speeds, as well as high speeds, the Z H2 needed brake system that matches its performance. KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System) and front brakes gripped by Brembo M4.32 monobloc callipers. Machined from cast aluminium blocks, their highly rigid one-piece structures boast strong braking force. The callipers are radially mounted, further contributing to their high performance. The Nissin master cylinder, fine-tuned with Kawasaki original settings, offers functionality perfectly matched to the Z H2's character, enabling riders to not only control deceleration from various speed ranges, but also to use the brakes to initiate weight transfer to change the bike's posture on corner entry.

Like the Ninja H2, the Z H2 features a dog-ring type transmission. Developed based on feedback from the Kawasaki Racing Team, the dog-ring transmission has a special structure where the gears all stay in place. Only the dog rings move, sliding into position to engage the desired gear. Since the dog rings are much lighter in weight than the gears, the shifting effort is lighter and the shift touch is also good, enabling a shorter shift time, for quicker acceleration.

Dual-direction quick shifter allows both clutchless upshifts and downshifts. Complementing the powerful engine and dog-ring transmission, the quick shifter is a convenient feature that was designed for effective sport and street riding. Optimised settings enable operation at rpm above 2,500 rpm.

Uni Trak rear suspension and swingarm feature a SHOWA shock absorber unit. It offers excellent suspension action at all speeds, as well as firm bottoming resistance even under heavy loads.

For this model, SHOWA's SFF-BP front fork is used. The fork's large-diameter piston provides firm bottoming resistance and sporty damping characteristics. Adjustable pre-load and damping allow riders to easily set up the bike according to their size and the riding conditions.

Absolute manoeuvring stability is essential to achieve stability at all speeds as well as light, nimble handling. This requires a swingarm with sufficient rigidity, so technology from the Ninja ZX-10RR, which can be seen at race tracks around the world, was sourced. The double-sided swingarm, like those used on our supersport models, offers both high rigidity and light weight.

KIBS is a multi-sensing system, using the input from numerous sources. In addition to front and rear wheel speed sensors (standard for any ABS system), KIBS also monitors front calliper hydraulic pressure and various information from the engine ECU (throttle position, engine speed, clutch actuation and gear position).

Mounted on the strong, supple fat-type handlebar, left and right handle switches let riders make setting and display changes without releasing the grips. The left handle switch is used to operate the Electronic Cruise Control, make meter display changes, and update settings, while the right handle switch is used to access to the machine setting menus.