[FrenchFried]

From VD:

According to sources at Kawasaki, only 10 'R' models and 15 street-legal H2s will reach UK shores at a cost of £50,000 and £25,000 respectively. Both will be available in March next year.

 

[Bluesun]

There has been a lot of speculation about this and a few discussions (like here), but I can't seriously believe they would try to charge £25k (~$40,000) for this motorcycle. From their marketing, it sounds like they're trying to beat out the competition with a real product, not just release a proof of concept.

 

[Bazza]

There has been a lot of speculation about this and a few discussions (like here), but I can't seriously believe they would try to charge £25k (~$40,000) for this motorcycle. From their marketing, it sounds like they're trying to beat out the competition with a real product, not just release a proof of concept.

Agreed, but I don't see why real product and limited supply need to be mutually exclusive...

 

[Bluesun]

Agreed, but I don't see why real product and limited supply need to be mutually exclusive...

Well by "real product" I really mean a mass production bike, with availability similar to their other flagship models (e.g. zx-10 and zx-14). I'm a newcomer to the H2 hype train, so I'm still gathering info and trying to sift through all of the hearsay. I'm getting less optimistic about it, though.

 

[Bazza]

Well by "real product" I really mean a mass production bike, with availability similar to their other flagship models (e.g. zx-10 and zx-14). I'm a newcomer to the H2 hype train, so I'm still gathering info and trying to sift through all of the hearsay. I'm getting less optimistic about it, though.

I don't see that, they have the ZX's for volume. IMO H2 and H2R are going to serve the same function as the Panner R and Superleggy serve for Ducati...

why the diminishing outlook?

 

[Bazza]

Also to add, ostensibly a trellis frame indicates low production numbers. They are notoriously tricky to mass produce in say ZX type volume...

 

[Bluesun]

I don't see that, they have the ZX's for volume. IMO H2 and H2R are going to serve the same function as the Panner R and Superleggy serve for Ducati...

why the diminishing outlook?

I'm basically double posting what I said here, but the gist of it is that I've read in a few places that the street version will be at least 80hp less than the R, which puts it in the 210-220hp range -- fairly disappointing if true. If it's also priced north of (or near, really) $20k, it loses to the S1000rr as I see it and fails to be the huge leap forward I originally saw it as. Granted, I'm sure it's possible to up the boost with an ECU flash or something similar, but I would be very hesitant to void the warranty on a first gen anything.

If nothing else, I really hope this encourages other manufacturers to finally start delving into forced induction themselves. People have been doing it in the aftermarket scene for so long now, there's obviously at least somewhat of a market for it. If it wasn't such a pain, my K5 would already be turbo'd. Nothing beats OEM fit and finish, though.

 

[FBTO]

I heard the limited numbers is based on the orders they will get. They will only make them when ordered. And they don't expect to sell many, that's why they will call it limited. But there is no cap on how many they will produce.

 

[ZX-14R_stealthrider]

Also to add, ostensibly a trellis frame indicates low production numbers. They are notoriously tricky to mass produce in say ZX type volume...

Why?

Robots don't get tired, get days off or take breaks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6tL7d8X9CM#t=42

 

[ZX-14R_stealthrider]

I heard the limited numbers is based on the orders they will get. They will only make them when ordered. And they don't expect to sell many, that's why they will call it limited. But there is no cap on how many they will produce.

Hopefully, this is true!

What is the unquestioningly reliable source of your info?

 

[ninja boy]

H2R ....... $35,000 - 40,000 USD

H2 ....... $20,000 - 25,000 USD

my humble opinion, but still hoping the real numbers are lower.......

 

[OneArmBandit]

All I can say cant wait to get my H2.