New Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX spied testing with host of new tech

Spyshots have emerged that show Kawasaki testing a new H2 SX SE+ that’s packed to the rafters with new tech.

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The H2 SX stole the sports touring show when it was first unveiled at the end of 2017 but the tech game has moved on considerably since. However Kawasaki don’t seem content with catching up with everyone else – it looks like they’re going on the attack.

Looking at the front of the bike, it’s clear there’s a lot going on. Tucked away inside the fairing is a block that appears to be for a radar unit. Kawasaki have already admitted they have teamed up with Bosch to outfit their bikes with cruise control radar and it appears the H2 SX is the first one to get the upgrade.

If you’re not familiar with the system, the sensor is able to detect vehicles up ahead when you’re cruising along the motorway and slow the bike down if needed. Once the vehicle has gone, the bike senses your path it clear and returns to your previous speed. What is arguably more interesting, is the little camera hidden behind the screen.  

Kawasaki have previously applied for a patent for a camera system that scans the road ahead to prepare the bike’s electronics for what’s to come. On the patent they used the H2 SX as the example and it appears we may now be getting the fruits of their work.

The patent describes the system as using a camera, along with onboard GPS, to look out for things the rider will need to react to. For instance, if the camera see’s there’s a corner in the distance, the GPS shows that it’s a hairpin and the bike knows it’s travelling quickly, the bike can predict that some heavy braking is about to take place.

In preparation for that the bike could stiffen up the suspension ready for braking and then accelerating. It could also ease off the throttle response, so the tyre doesn’t try to break traction on the way out of the second gear corner. It’s pretty Tomorrow’s World stuff but the technology clearly exists.

In the patent, the system relies on an in-built navigation system for the bike and lo and behold, the bike in the spyshots is sporting a giant full-colour TFT dash instead of the analogue/TFT mix of the old model.

Given that Kawasaki have already said the existing bike is not getting a Euro5 update, we don’t expect to see this until much later in 2021. All this tech won’t come cheap either; the current H2 SX SE+ is £21,999 so expect a fully loaded bike to be nearer £24,000.

Keep an eye on MCN for all the latest Kawasaki range news as we get it.