[OKH2]

I find it interesting that the European response to the H2 is so much greater than the US causing Kawi to extend the order deadline across the pond.


With all the speculative comparisons of other premium bikes being released, Pannigale 1299, R1, BMW, etc. and many of them are manufactured over there. What do you suppose is the appeal for the Europeans to the H2?


Just curious since over here the Jap bikes have always somewhat taken a back seat to the Italian and German brands. Maybe not in general but the Magazines sure seem to favor the Italian and German brands.


I've said it elsewhere and I'll say it again a large part of the appeal for me is that this bike comes from Kawasaki. I'm darned proud of them for stepping out there to build this bike!

 

[SilverbirdH2]

Cause they know great bike when they see one?

"Magazines sure seem to favor the Italian and German brands."...I think that's called..'bait and switch'????

 

[Cliff Secord]

They actually ride bikes in Europe, they go to races and it's a larger part of their culture. We mostly do it as a hobby on weekends when it's nice out. There its a part of life. I was first tipped off to the fact when I noticed manufacturers putting better tires like Pirelli on bikes sold in the UK and throwaway garbage like Dunslops on the US versions. Our speed limits are ridiculously low and most roads are flat and straight in comparison and as a consequence, the 'needs' of the US rider are far less.

I wish I had access to some of the roads they do over there. European riders will also be able to immerse themselves in the H2 without having to divert half their attention to looking for armed tax collectors with a hair trigger waiting in the weeds like we do here.

Point is - since they have more freedom in the UK than we do in the US, better roads, better drivers and their riders aren't a bunch of hen-pecked pu ** ies like most American men have become, their market is better suited to something that awesome.

I find it interesting that the European response to the H2 is so much greater than the US causing Kawi to extend the order deadline across the pond.

 

[Turtle1000]

The armed tax collectors are one of the main reasons my new 10r is plenty for me. I've already ended up in chains because of riding once. It sucks where I am. Mad pigs

 

[Cliff Secord]

The armed tax collectors are one of the main reasons my new 10r is plenty for me. I've already ended up in chains because of riding once. It sucks where I am. Mad pigs

I feel you. I wish they'd acknowledge what they're doing is just selective taxation and take the life or death out of it. I have enough problems dodging the uninsured, the iPhone user and the left lane cruisers without adding 'road pirate' to my list of things I'm scanning for. If they were really concerned with safety, everything would have a governor and be limited to 70mph max - but then they wouldn't be able to pay for the toys and steroids. Sad part is, the only reason the speed limits are as low as they are in most places is because they were lowered during the Arab oil embargo of the 70's in order to save gas. Like a turnpike that was only supposed to be temporary, they found out it was a cash cow making people drive at infuriatingly slow speeds. And now we have places like Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and shudder, Pennsylvania.

I had this 1950 Mercury I used to drive. That car was terrifying. 6V headlights, no seatbelts, no safety glass, drums in the front and back, decapitator steering wheel, leaf springs for a suspension and it weighed more than my house. They could drive those cars at 75+ legally back in the 50's - but somehow a car today - with carbon ceramic brakes, traction and yaw control, collision avoidance, safety glass, the world's greatest headlights, air bags everywhere, that can stop from 60mph in 90 feet and has a button to call an ambulance in the rearview - is somehow limited to 55MPH when driving through most eastern states? We live in a prison.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

Well..the legislature here is actually seriously considering raising our state speed limits back to where they were 30 years ago...which means...on State Highways....NO SPEED LIMIT.They've already raised ours in several places up to 80 mph.(which means...90 actually allowed before it becomes a moving violation for speeding).It could very well go to a 'no speed limit' on particular roads in the near future...as it once was.


I do believe in this state...the the major cause of wrecks is NOT driving too fast...they're realizing it's the drinking and driving that's REALLY the issue...and the texting while driving.

 

[Greenguy]

They actually ride bikes in Europe, they go to races and it's a larger part of their culture. We mostly do it as a hobby on weekends when it's nice out. There its a part of life. I was first tipped off to the fact when I noticed manufacturers putting better tires like Pirelli on bikes sold in the UK and throwaway garbage like Dunslops on the US versions. Our speed limits are ridiculously low and most roads are flat and straight in comparison and as a consequence, the 'needs' of the US rider are far less.

I wish I had access to some of the roads they do over there. European riders will also be able to immerse themselves in the H2 without having to divert half their attention to looking for armed tax collectors with a hair trigger waiting in the weeds like we do here.

Point is - since they have more freedom in the UK than we do in the US, better roads, better drivers and their riders aren't a bunch of hen-pecked pu ** ies like most American men have become, their market is better suited to something that awesome.

H2R every thing your saying in here apply to Canadian too. In terms of motor sport it as become a really boring country where it is really hard to practice our passion.

 

[Cliff Secord]

Well..the legislature here is actually seriously considering raising our state speed limits back to where they were 30 years ago...which means...on State Highways....NO SPEED LIMIT.They've already raised ours in several places up to 80 mph.(which means...90 actually allowed before it becomes a moving violation for speeding).It could very well go to a 'no speed limit' on particular roads in the near future...as it once was.


I do believe in this state...the the major cause of wrecks is NOT driving too fast...they're realizing it's the drinking and driving that's REALLY the issue...and the texting while driving.

I think limits too low are also a contributing factor. At 55 I get bored. Like to death. Then I start looking for things to do; play with the radio, enjoy the scenery, find that bag of jerky I know is under the seat somewhere - you know anything but actually driving. At 80+ I'm only doing 1 thing; eyes forward, scanning the road and paying attention. I know in a couple studies they found raising the limit as little as 10mph reduced the number of fatalities significantly - which I think is what's spurring on some of the states raising limits. If they'd make blocking the left lane a 12 point offense and only give tickets when you caused a problem (crash, impede the flow of traffic, hit another driver etc) the car culture here would come back in a big way and everything would be safer for everybody.

 

[pebble35]

They actually ride bikes in Europe, they go to races and it's a larger part of their culture. We mostly do it as a hobby on weekends when it's nice out. There its a part of life. I was first tipped off to the fact when I noticed manufacturers putting better tires like Pirelli on bikes sold in the UK and throwaway garbage like Dunslops on the US versions. Our speed limits are ridiculously low and most roads are flat and straight in comparison and as a consequence, the 'needs' of the US rider are far less.

I wish I had access to some of the roads they do over there. European riders will also be able to immerse themselves in the H2 without having to divert half their attention to looking for armed tax collectors with a hair trigger waiting in the weeds like we do here.

Point is - since they have more freedom in the UK than we do in the US, better roads, better drivers and their riders aren't a bunch of hen-pecked pu ** ies like most American men have become, their market is better suited to something that awesome.

I'm over in Europe and yes, my H2 will be used ! Trips away will be a challenge until I sort out how to strap some soft luggage on the back but there will be a few 4 or 5 day trips over to France and Spain over the summer.

There are still plenty of speed checks in Europe - mainly fixed cameras but they are usually well signposted beforehand so, as long as you have your eyes open, you should be fine. There are random road side police speed checks but, typically, these are on the approach to towns or in villages - again it's simple - respect the speed limits in these areas and you will be fine.

I've never seen a speed check on any 'fun' stretch of road - you just need to remember to keep an eye in your mirrors to make sure there isn't a police car or bike behind you before you hit the throttle ..................

Just to tease you, this is one road I'm heading back to next summer !

 

[Turtle1000]

I feel you. I wish they'd acknowledge what they're doing is just selective taxation and take the life or death out of it. I have enough problems dodging the uninsured, the iPhone user and the left lane cruisers without adding 'road pirate' to my list of things I'm scanning for. If they were really concerned with safety, everything would have a governor and be limited to 70mph max - but then they wouldn't be able to pay for the toys and steroids. Sad part is, the only reason the speed limits are as low as they are in most places is because they were lowered during the Arab oil embargo of the 70's in order to save gas. Like a turnpike that was only supposed to be temporary, they found out it was a cash cow making people drive at infuriatingly slow speeds. And now we have places like Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and shudder, Pennsylvania.

I had this 1950 Mercury I used to drive. That car was terrifying. 6V headlights, no seatbelts, no safety glass, drums in the front and back, decapitator steering wheel, leaf springs for a suspension and it weighed more than my house. They could drive those cars at 75+ legally back in the 50's - but somehow a car today - with carbon ceramic brakes, traction and yaw control, collision avoidance, safety glass, the world's greatest headlights, air bags everywhere, that can stop from 60mph in 90 feet and has a button to call an ambulance in the rearview - is somehow limited to 55MPH when driving through most eastern states? We live in a prison.

The steroid thing f'ing pisses me off. They almost all take them. I have e taken them in the past I'm not going to lie. I will say that if I had a gun and permission to drive as fast as I want and the ability to make split second decisions that could involve shooting someone or pitting them into a telephone pole for running from them. Just running. They crash you into a pole or better yet I've seen them shoot at cars fleeing that in no way had a gun. Crazy. A car runs and they shoot at it. Even better is when a car is driving by a cop that's trying to get them to stop on foot and they shoot at them because they "felt their life was in danger" . If only the police were given protections and assets to help them stay safe, if only they too had a pistol and an ar15 and body armor like all the "bad" guys out there. Those big bad scary men that our poor scared defenseless cops have to save us from! Oh yeah they do have a rifle pistol and shot gun on hand. Not to mention tanks, sniper rifles, machine guns, armored personnel carriers, you know all the normal stuff that the average small town usa police force should have...it irrates the **** out of me.im glad to see someone else sees through the total bull **** we are fed abou t the police. And the best is that I needed a drug test to stack soda ona shelf but to have a badge their powerful union says no to piss test so drugs aplenty for pigs, steroids are their favorite, it helps to intimidate us into submission. Well that and the gun they're pointed at our head..

 

[OKH2]

Point is - since they have more freedom in the UK than we do in the US, better roads, better drivers and their riders aren't a bunch of hen-pecked pu ** ies like most American men have become, their market is better suited to something that awesome.

H2R, don't hold back tell us how your really feel.

 

[Turtle1000]

Hen pecked ***** describes pretty much every guy I know. (I am single, no hen ruining my good time)

 

[Clover]

Why do you think that all American men have become "pu**ies"? That is a bold statement.

 

[Greenguy]

Why do you think that all American men have become "pu**ies"? That is a bold statement.

It is not all but here in Canada the gouvernement have succeed to implant in the majority of the population head that if someone is going at the speed of oh my god 130 km/h or over on the highway then your are considered as a dangerous criminal. They use this to make a lot of money out of it. Here a lot of publicity that are there to scared you telling you to not do this or that or you could hurt yourself but the only real reason of these are financial reason because if you are hurt you cost money to the society but if you work you bring money to them. People are really naive and most adhere to what they are told to. If I go back 20 years ago I was doing thing that if caught would have cost me a $150.00 ticket but doing the same thing today would cost me over $1200.00 plus I would get my vehicule seize and loose my licence and probably some jail time. To me we are living in a fearful society. The gouvernment put a lot of law to stop the motor sport enthusiastic of doing what they love to do.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

Okay...agree...somewhat...but you have to remember..doctors,emergency crews,highway patrols...all that...they really DON'T like scraping us off the pavement and trying to put us back together again..or assisting innocent crash victims that get caught in the middle of some yahoo driving wrecklessly...

the fines are there IMO to discourage these kinds of things...rather than just ban every sportbike on the planet.(or cage).And yes...they DO make money from it all...except the wrecks and such...that's a no brainer

 

[Turtle1000]

Why do you think that all American men have become "pu**ies"? That is a bold statement.

You missed the every guy I know. Which is like 4 or 5. Don't read too far into it