Just joined the forum today because I’m considering buying the H2 and I would like your feedback and opinions on a couple questions I have. I realize that most of my questions would probably be answered if I digested the all the forum threads, but if you don’t mind answering directly it would be appreciated.
I have a ’13 zx10r built, dyno’d at 187rw, I race it and ride hard in the canyons/mountains out here in San Diego. I’m looking to buy an exotic street bike for my Sunday canyon runs and maybe trackdays.
1) In your opinion would the H2 be a good fit for my use?
2) Can the H2 be modded to meet H2r specs? Or how much can it be modded?
3) How well does it handle?
4) Any disappointments or drawbacks I should know about?
5) There’s one on the floor here in San Diego for $22k, is that a good market price right now?
Thank you in advance for any inputs
Terry
I'll weigh in on this discussion. Everyone here that has replied has given great answers to your questions. However, all have suggested what we legally can't have in California on a registered road bike. Any model manufactured 2013 and beyond is legally restricted from modifying anything emissions wise. That includes exhaust, reflashing, Power Commanders, and
anything C.A.R.B (the
California
Air
Resources
Board) deems is related to smog. Get caught by a sharp eyed officer with an aftermarket slip-on and you're looking at the potential of a very stiff fine. If you had a shop do the modification, they would get stung as well.
DynoJet does market a PC-3 & 5 specifically for the California market. EX they call it. Not sure why DynoJet provides this as the product is brain dead. To my knowledge, the DynoJet product is the only aftermarket CARB approved performance add available. Brain dead.
I had an email exchange with Brock not long after I took delivery in April of last year of my H2. I asked him if he had any plans toward producing anything for the California market. "Not a chance!" In a nutshell, development cost is skyhigh with a limited market base and an end product that most likely is not as good as the factory systems.
Rich Sims and I spoke briefly about producing a slip-on for the H2. Absolutely ludicrous amounts of money pave the road to CARB certification. Then, there's the time element of repeatedly beating your head against the nearest brick wall trying to work with CARB. All this for a specific market where development costs could never be recovered let alone profit from the exercise.
So where does this leave us California H2 guys? Gadson's work with the factory exhaust unmodified is very encouraging. Supercharger gears, metal stacks, and a Woolich flash had a customer's bike run a 216 mph recently. I know of several people who are working on intercoolers, two of which are here on the forum. Others in addition to Gadson are also producing supercharger gears. I'm thinking Guhl flash, PC-5, and gears. These modifications aren't visible. Obviously, California guys can read between the lines. >
I no longer have the reflexes to run the canyons as I did years ago so I can't add input relative to the suitability of the H2 in the twisties. However, a few guys on this forum have traded the stock 200 tire for a 190 and state a big improvement on track days. Your 10 will still out-handle the 2 in the hands of a skilled rider.
You asked if the 2 would fit your needs of an exotic bike good for Sunday canyon runs and some track days. Does a bear Sh*t in the woods!? I've owned a lot of machines over a span of 50 some years. They have all lit my fire in one way or another. I gave up riding the street a few years ago and concentrated on LSR. In fact the last street bike I owned was an '82 Hans Muth Katana 1000. The H2 is directly responsible for me getting back on the street. Takes some faith to believe enough in a machine to put a huge deposit down and then wait for months before even seeing it! Was I disappointed when I took delivery? Oh my G*d! This is a machine from h*ll dressed in a tuxedo and as polished as an 18 year old Glen Livet. My first crack of the throttle was a shock. Power is
right now! First and second are just silly. I found myself laughing my a** off! No, I was not disappointed. Yes, the H2 will certainly fill the needs you asked about!
Drawbacks? Yeah, you will need to exercise your face muscles to limber up the perpetual ear to ear grin. It does eat tires. It is a fuel guzzler as well. I average 22 mpg. I'm a little heavy handed though. Some on this forum have purposely ridden conservatively and received much better mileage.
I paid 25K for mine. The '16 model is retailing for 26K. I personally like my 2015 with its candy lime green accents over the '16. I have to admit the '16 mirror paint with the embedded glass flecks is awfully nice but for me, my '15 is far more bad a** in appearance.
You didn't say if the bike you're looking at is a '15 or '16. 22K is a great deal for either year.
Have fun making your decision!:laugh: