KAWASAKI NINJA H2 SX SE (2019 - on) Review

This is one of the most comfortable bikes I have owned, especially in view of the ballistic speed it is capable of. The bike is best at high speed cruising on long sweepers and motorways. The cruise control is superb and a first one for me. I fitted a Powerbronze race screen which gives better wind protection at high speeds. The seating position is great and comfortable. The clip-ons are positioned high enough to take the majority of weight off your arms and wrists for sustained riding. As referred to above I covered easily 350-400 miles in one day without incidence only stopping for lunch and coffee break occasionally. It is a cracking all-round bike.

Absolutely amazing performance. You have to exercise caution on the throttle and it is worth riding in road mode for the first 600 miles (75% power). In full power mode the bike is ballistic and has enough torque to cruise in top gear in the lower speed limits. Roll-on is fantastic with instantaneous acceleration if required. Can’t fault it!

Build quality is excellent. I had to remove side and top fairings to fit a decat pipe and was amazed to see the attention to detail on the bike with respect to wiring routing and fastening. The connection between looms are very waterproof and well engineered. There was no evidence of corrosion. The bike is built to last. It was easy to replace the OEM oil filter with a K&N equivalent. Removal of the down pipes from the cylinder heads presented no problem. Again over 5 kg of weigh reduction was gained by ditching the catalyser box and cleaning out the upstream internals of the exhaust which are made of fine rhodium mesh, thus causing more restriction to the flow of exhaust gases for the cylinder head. It is worth noting that when the bike was first re-started a enormous puff of black smoke was blasted out of the exhaust system. This illustrates how restrictive the OEM exhaust is and how burnt gases are trapped in the system when the engine is shutdown. The bike has now shed 11 kgs of weight, sounds better even with baffles still in the end can, and allows the engine to breath naturally. There has now been a recent recall to exchange the rear hub needle bearing due to a suspected lube problem. Kawasaki expect the work to take 1 hour to complete FOC. The bike has never broken down, even after sustained high speed cruising.

Apart from the 1st 600 mile service which was approx. £160.00 I have not reached the £7000 mile interval. I have changed the lube oil and filter which I normally do every 3000 miles on any of the bikes I have owned. The cost is minuscule compared to the beneficial impact this gives to the engine and gearbox. My golden rule is “ keep your lube oil clean and the bike will look after itself”.

Comfort for a high performance bike. Accessories have to be to ditch the OEM exhaust and cat box. They strangle the bike. I have seen no difference in mileage on a tank full by doing this, so economy is not affected. Also recommend a Powerbronze screen if you are in the region of 6 feet tall to take the weight off your wrists and prevent wind buffeting. OEM tyres are Bridgestone and ok. But I prefer Michelin road series and will change to Road 5 when ready. There are many favourite features like the quick shifter gearbox but the outstanding one is the cornering lights at night. When all the nearside road is illuminated it gives more confidence. They really work! The paintwork and finish on the overall bike are fabulous.

Despite not having semi-active suspension the ride and handling excellent.

Awesome. Pussycat at and low speeds and revs and incredible once let off the leash.

This is a thirsty bike at autobahn (or even motorway) speeds.

No TPM system is major omission on my 20202 registered model. Should have illuminated switchgear and proper TFT programmable screen, hopefully fixed on the latest version.

Great all rounder and reasonably comfortable for a pillion.

Very powerful, torque available everywhere in the range. Very smooth

Good quality throughout.

Additional equipment - Radiator guard, Daneli horn, rear hugger

Cruise control, excellent pannier system, side and centre stand. Metzler Roadtec SE 01’s work very well with the bike

Brakes and handling are brilliant, solo, with a pillion and fully luggaged up.

The engine is incredible, real adrenaline inducing and addictive motor

It’s Japanese and it’s a Kawasaki, say no more!

Parts prices are fine but the labour is what costs!

It’s got everything you need on a 200bhp motorcycle and more besides

Very comfortable and good brakes. No issues.

Performance is excellent and very smooth power delivery. Only issue is juddering at lower revs.

Owned two, no issues in 2.5 yrs.

Bought at a bargain price £3700 less than RRP. Very good offers to be had.

Quick shifter up and down, cornering lights, colour tft display, heated grips, everything works fantastic.

This version comes with adaptive electronic suspension that you can feel adjusting to different road conditions and can be tailored to individual preference. From motorways to Dartmoor twisties, it is always composed even when pushing on a bit. The ride position and the decent sized tank allows long periods in the same, a ride up to the NEC from Devon being done with 2 stops for petrol and chips. The brakes on this are top of the range Brembo, which they need to be for a heavy bike that always wants to go faster than you realise.

The beating heart of this machine, it is simply phenomenal. Smooth linear power with almost perfect fuelling, except at low revs and speed less than 20mph when slightly snatchy, this engine redefines what can be achieved in a bike and makes everything else feel disappointing. It accelerates so quickly at any speed that very few other bikes will be able to keep up. It’s even reasonably economical, but again you don’t buy this bike for high mpg figures! I tested the same engine in the Z H2 and is also brilliant in that machine, but that’sa different review.

This is a top of the range Kawasaki and is put together with appropriate high quality parts and attention to detail, from the self healing paint to the Brembo Stylemas; nothing has failed and I don’t expect it will.

I bought a service plan that averages out over 3 years to about this, but that doesn’t include all the tyres you will need! Then again, you don’t buy a bike like this and expect cheap servicing, but the costs are favourable when compared to other litre bikes... and they don’t have a supercharger!

Think of a toy, this bike has it. However, does it need them all? You could probably do without some, like perhaps the launch control, the ride log or the ability to change all the settings on your phone, but they just add to the overall experience of this ultimate hyper tourer. I’ve used the launch control twice on a quiet public road just to see what it’s like; ridiculously quick and brilliant electronics to keep everything pointing in the right direction. Also, you need to roll off after only a couple of seconds to stay legal, so not that useful on a daily basis! The Bridgestone S21s fitted as standard went off by 3K miles but did work well after they warmed up. Pirelli Angel GTs seem to be the choice of the forums so they are getting fitted next. One thing to change if you can is the standard, unattractive exhaust. However, if you get the Performance upgrade, a beautiful Akrapovic will be fitted for you.

Superb all round and the brakes are superb too

The engine is a masterpiece, incredibly quick when you want it to be and will tootle along in towns and cities if needed. Gearbox is sublime and the quick shifter blipper has just got better the more miles you do.

Service times/mileage are now 7600 or yearly.

All the electronics are brilliant, but I’ve got to say, the Launch Control, although totally mad on a road going bike, it’s an absolute blast!

seems well made and has had no problems

I can manage about 1.5 - 2 hours before I need to stop. Very comfortable riding position for someone 5' 8"

Smoooooooth and scary Accelerates in a way that you imagine a very powerful electric bike would (but sounds way better) Rain mode takes the edge off when conditions are slippery

No issues, other than Bluetooth Great quality

Not had a full service yet MPG is about 38-40

Everything you need, with a few extras that you don't. Heated grips, cruise control are welcome for me. OE tyres are bad. Swapping to Michelin Road 5s next week. Other owners I've met have done the same. I've just fitted a top-box and you can still fit the panniers (even though Kawasaki don't support this)