[Frio]

First Ride Kawasaki Ninja H2, Mesin Ganas Tapi Mudah Dikontrol

I guess this is one of the first, if not the first journalist to have ridden the H2 on track.
I used Google translate to have a look, and it is not a review, he doesn't really say anything about how it feels to ride, and says to wait for the full review in an upcoming article...

Frio

 

[Brig10r]

These are some bits I managed to pick out of it ........

" Rider had to control myself when open throttle , to reduce the risk of things desired not

"Tubular chassis combined with the quasi-front adjustable model upside down , adjustable monoshock swing arm plus a single , makes handling H2 not troublesome when asked cornering . " So we do not need no counter handlebar steering while trying to maneuver around the corner

Mr. Testo want to twist the grip is in the gas . Felt goosebumps , listening to the sound of the engine directly H2

Sitting in the seat H2 , feels really like the rider who wants to race


That'll do for a first taster of what it might be like. Looking forward to full test results

 

[NinJAHfu]

@Brig10r thanks for pulling those bits out. Also can't wait to see the full review, I wonder why he's holding out on it for now? I just hope it's going to be worth the wait.

 

[GoFaster]

Most likely all "real" riding impressions are embargoed until a certain date.

 

[Kawcollector]

Who is the tester ?

The comment does not say who it is or where it was tested / ridden. Why the secret hush hush
Almost no comment from the tester. For all of us who ride kawasaki bikes the rides are pretty similar. The lack of comments, the lack of bikes delivered, the fact kawasaki has not done
Any rider open test / reviews makes me believe the is a major problem. I have thirteen kawasaki bikes and they all are great ! Did Kawasaki rush to get this bike out, prematurely ?
And then realize it is not ready. The company needs to put a few of the finished bike on the street now. I and the rest of the preorder group, who bought this bike. Sight unseen, untested
We deserve that.

 

[shotgun15]

The comment does not say who it is or where it was tested / ridden. Why the secret hush hush
Almost no comment from the tester. For all of us who ride kawasaki bikes the rides are pretty similar. The lack of comments, the lack of bikes delivered, the fact kawasaki has not done
Any rider open test / reviews makes me believe the is a major problem. I have thirteen kawasaki bikes and they all are great ! Did Kawasaki rush to get this bike out, prematurely ?
And then realize it is not ready. The company needs to put a few of the finished bike on the street now. I and the rest of the preorder group, who bought this bike. Sight unseen, untested
We deserve that.

Wow, I thought I was the only crazy one, I have 11 Kawi's.

Not disagreeing with you, but this isn’t that unusual. 12R's were delayed, C14's were shown in Sept 06 but did not arrive till June 07...

I think it's a good thing if they confirm everything is right before they release them, especially with this model.

What’s different this time is they required a multi-thousand dollar leap of faith, and for that we should be kept in the loop.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

"What’s different this time is they required a multi-thousand dollar leap of faith, and for that we should be kept in the loop."....I feel your frustrations....but perhaps it's just possible...there's nothing 'wrong' to announce.They sent me a letter...a personal one telling me it had been delayed.

If you try to look too deep into this whole thing...you could come up with all types of things to explain how it's going.We're all anxiously waiting.But it'll be soon...and I think when we get our bikes...we'll be VERY stoked at having em.It's a great bike...like nothing out there...keep the faith guys...whatever it might be...our bikes will be fine when they arrive.We'll be able to give our own ride reports...videos...all that.Gonna be a very cool experience for us who have this bike.

 

[GoFaster]

It's pretty normal for any test driver/rider to have to sign a contract that they will not release certain (usually all) information until beyond a certain date. This is what I meant by "embargo" above. It happens ALL the time - it would not be far from the truth to say that it is like this with every single vehicle introduction.

 

[Frio]

They sent me a letter...a personal one telling me it had been delayed.

I have not received any letters nor any information, the same goes for my dealership.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

"telling me it had been delayed."...I should have said...'they've'...all shipments.

 

[pebble35]

It's pretty normal for any test driver/rider to have to sign a contract that they will not release certain (usually all) information until beyond a certain date. This is what I meant by "embargo" above. It happens ALL the time - it would not be far from the truth to say that it is like this with every single vehicle introduction.

Interesting - I've spoken to a few people who have ridden the H2 and they have all been very cautious about what they could say ! Don't think there was anything suspicious behind it, just got the impression that they had been told not to say anything !

 

[ZX-14R_stealthrider]

I have not received any letters nor any information, the same goes for my dealership.

Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc. is a totally separate business entity from Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

What the U.S. company does definitely does not dictate/influence what the Canadian company will do... unfortunately in this situation.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

"I've spoken to a few people who have ridden the H2 and they have all been very cautious about what they could say"...they couldn't have been mere mortals then...I'd be shootin my mouth off to anyone who asked

 

[GoFaster]

^ In the auto/bike journalism business, do that once, and you'll never get an invitation to another press launch ever again, so you don't.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

"..I'd be shootin my mouth off to anyone who asked"...well..I mean...NOT as a journalist.

 

[Frio]

Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc. is a totally separate business entity from Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

What the U.S. company does definitely does not dictate/influence what the Canadian company will do... unfortunately in this situation.

Yes I know, it's too bad the Canadian company is not being a little more communicative...

 

[Greenguy]

Yes I know, it's too bad the Canadian company is not being a little more communicative...

I have talk with a Canadian Kawi Sale rep 2 weeks ago and she told me that they where expecting to start the delivery in April

 

[pebble35]

"I've spoken to a few people who have ridden the H2 and they have all been very cautious about what they could say"...they couldn't have been mere mortals then...I'd be shootin my mouth off to anyone who asked

They were Kawasaki staff - I suspect they value their pay cheques !

 

[Bazza]

I wonder (although mostly doubt) that Kawasaki will even host a large scale press junket for the H2... Its not like they have to worry about depending on reviews to move bikes... but then again they may have a roving bike or two so the mags can at least offer first rides and the usual song and dance...

 

[Kawcollector]

My thought is this. This is the first supercharged, production motorcycle ever built and mass produced. It is not just ground braking, it could be a complete
Game changer for all bikes made. Huge power numbers out of the H2R- 326
Horsepower is the max number on the dyno, that I have seen, and out of a 1000
CC engine. That is incredible ! The highest numbers really ever out of a small motor. If this works, think of the implications for smaller bikes, a small 500 cc
Bike putting out say 175 horse. Small frame, small wheelbase, small footprint.
Dirt bikes, scooters every possible application. How about say jet packs, kawasaki has a chance with this bike to take over all of it or at least lead the change of motor technology across the board. Although the Dodge hellcat seems to be leading the car sector. Kawasaki has a chance to revolutionize small engine technology. The jet ski market seems to be doing pretty well with superchargers.
But it is a small market. They could if it's right do a lot with this. How about a production ZX14R supercharged. Stock 500 horses ! That is what I want next.