H2 Members,
I have been on this form for awhile just sitting back reading all of the discussions. I had my deposit put down on the H2 over 3 weeks ago and continue to have mixed emotions about this purchase. I am both a track and street rider. I own several bikes but my favorite is the Panigale 1199 R. I was planning on using the "R" solely for the track once the H2 arrives.
Moving forward, I see there are many different comments regarding the unknown number of bikes and/or number of years the H2 will be made. I also feel frustration on this subject since it is all speculation so far.. Here is my thoughts on the subject.... I believe Kawasaki will continue to offer this bike in 2016. They will use the feedback from the public on the 15' model to improve upon the bike for 2016. I have seen this recently done for the higher end bikes such as Ducati and BMW..
Below are some of the recent examples:
1.) The BMW HP4 was a limited model which owners assumed production run would approx 2500 for one year. BMW also helped play into sharing the original intend for production numbers. BMW understood marketing and fueled the hype by numbering each model on a plate for each bike which provided that exclusivity feel. When BMW saw the high demand in 2013 for the HP4, they extended the ordering into 2014. This changed the original limited/exclusive run from 1000-2000 numbered bike to 6000+.. Heck, there are are still some new 14's available at a few dealerships.. BMW took advantage of the demand and now the bike is not exclusive. ALSO to make the matter worse, BMW is now selling a standard 2015 1000RR with upgrades to match the HP4 but MORE HP (costs are just under the HP4 due to carbon fiber parts)... How you do think those owners feel?
2.) The Panigale 1199 came out in 2012. I was second person from my state to receive the "S" model.. I upgraded in July 2013 from the "S" to the "R".. I put a lot more money into the bike for track purposes (Akra exhaust, ECU Tuning, etc..).. Unfortunately, all the 1199s were upgraded for 2015 to the 1299 model which is 100 more cc in displacement producing a extra 10 hp at the crank. How does all the 1199 owners feel that the new models will devalue their current Panigales?
3.) Last example - The Panigale "SL" (Superleggra) was a limited model of 500 being sold in 2014 costing owners approx $65,0000. The "SL" is the lightest sport bike at approx 390 lbs wet with over 200 hp at the crank. The internal parts for this engine was ahead of all other manufactures last year- the following is a cut and paste of the engine components and electronics -(engine weight-saving components allow it to rev to 12,500 rpm (a 1000-rpm bump) and increase power across the board. All four valves (intake and exhaust) in each head are now titanium, as are the Pankl connecting rods. The tungsten-counterweighted crankshaft,, 8 level traction control, and left handle paddle control for up and down ward clutchless shifting)..
Now the best part.... Ducati announced that the new "2015 Panigale R" will have the exact same engine and electronic components which was introduced on the $65,000 SL last year. The cost for the 2015 is approx $33,000-$34,000 which is $30,000 less than the exclusive SL.
While I am disappointed that there will be more bikes made which will make our current purchase less exclusive, we will have at least have 1 summer to enjoy the bike and be the guinea pigs for the following year owners.. While $25,000 (most did not pay full sticker) may be a lot of money for most people, it is not much if your attempting to purchase a exclusive modern day bike. Also, why would Kawasaki put all that money and time into research/development just for a one year run?
Did we really believe that a major Corporation was going to sell just a small amount of bikes for 1 year and lose money on the small production runs while owners reaped the benefits as their values increased due to the small exclusive numbers?...... The only race bike that I recall that was a limited production model that continues to hold it's value is the Ducati Desmosedici RR (Racing Replica) released in 06. 1500 models were made and sold for approx $70,000 US dollars.. You could possibly buy one today for $58,000-$62,000..
LAST THING - Yes, I was one of the persons that bought into the hype... I just hope the performance on the H2 will be worth it!!!
I have been on this form for awhile just sitting back reading all of the discussions. I had my deposit put down on the H2 over 3 weeks ago and continue to have mixed emotions about this purchase. I am both a track and street rider. I own several bikes but my favorite is the Panigale 1199 R. I was planning on using the "R" solely for the track once the H2 arrives.
Moving forward, I see there are many different comments regarding the unknown number of bikes and/or number of years the H2 will be made. I also feel frustration on this subject since it is all speculation so far.. Here is my thoughts on the subject.... I believe Kawasaki will continue to offer this bike in 2016. They will use the feedback from the public on the 15' model to improve upon the bike for 2016. I have seen this recently done for the higher end bikes such as Ducati and BMW..
Below are some of the recent examples:
1.) The BMW HP4 was a limited model which owners assumed production run would approx 2500 for one year. BMW also helped play into sharing the original intend for production numbers. BMW understood marketing and fueled the hype by numbering each model on a plate for each bike which provided that exclusivity feel. When BMW saw the high demand in 2013 for the HP4, they extended the ordering into 2014. This changed the original limited/exclusive run from 1000-2000 numbered bike to 6000+.. Heck, there are are still some new 14's available at a few dealerships.. BMW took advantage of the demand and now the bike is not exclusive. ALSO to make the matter worse, BMW is now selling a standard 2015 1000RR with upgrades to match the HP4 but MORE HP (costs are just under the HP4 due to carbon fiber parts)... How you do think those owners feel?
2.) The Panigale 1199 came out in 2012. I was second person from my state to receive the "S" model.. I upgraded in July 2013 from the "S" to the "R".. I put a lot more money into the bike for track purposes (Akra exhaust, ECU Tuning, etc..).. Unfortunately, all the 1199s were upgraded for 2015 to the 1299 model which is 100 more cc in displacement producing a extra 10 hp at the crank. How does all the 1199 owners feel that the new models will devalue their current Panigales?
3.) Last example - The Panigale "SL" (Superleggra) was a limited model of 500 being sold in 2014 costing owners approx $65,0000. The "SL" is the lightest sport bike at approx 390 lbs wet with over 200 hp at the crank. The internal parts for this engine was ahead of all other manufactures last year- the following is a cut and paste of the engine components and electronics -(engine weight-saving components allow it to rev to 12,500 rpm (a 1000-rpm bump) and increase power across the board. All four valves (intake and exhaust) in each head are now titanium, as are the Pankl connecting rods. The tungsten-counterweighted crankshaft,, 8 level traction control, and left handle paddle control for up and down ward clutchless shifting)..
Now the best part.... Ducati announced that the new "2015 Panigale R" will have the exact same engine and electronic components which was introduced on the $65,000 SL last year. The cost for the 2015 is approx $33,000-$34,000 which is $30,000 less than the exclusive SL.
While I am disappointed that there will be more bikes made which will make our current purchase less exclusive, we will have at least have 1 summer to enjoy the bike and be the guinea pigs for the following year owners.. While $25,000 (most did not pay full sticker) may be a lot of money for most people, it is not much if your attempting to purchase a exclusive modern day bike. Also, why would Kawasaki put all that money and time into research/development just for a one year run?
Did we really believe that a major Corporation was going to sell just a small amount of bikes for 1 year and lose money on the small production runs while owners reaped the benefits as their values increased due to the small exclusive numbers?...... The only race bike that I recall that was a limited production model that continues to hold it's value is the Ducati Desmosedici RR (Racing Replica) released in 06. 1500 models were made and sold for approx $70,000 US dollars.. You could possibly buy one today for $58,000-$62,000..
LAST THING - Yes, I was one of the persons that bought into the hype... I just hope the performance on the H2 will be worth it!!!
