[Rock Ape]

I haven't spent much time dwelling on it since I went to the launch in Sydney, so I post the question here, (and sorry if it has been answered before), but what category will the H2 sit in? (not H2R). ie; in mag comparos, who will she be hunting, and in those, how well will she do?

Rock.

 

[NinJAHfu]

As for who will she be hunting, this thread on it's competition is one which you might want to go through to see what many folks here have said:

http://www.ninjah2.org/forum/ninja-h2-versus-competition/866-kawasaki-ninja-h2-vs-what.html

 

[Clover]

I think its going to compete with other road legal superbikes. The Panigale 1199 seems to be the closest competitor to me. And Ducati did just reveal the 1299 Panigale today, so that should also be a rival.

 

[Rock Ape]

Looking forward to seeing the next lot of litre bike comparos in the mags. In the past, the claimed power of the Japanese bikes falls a bit flat on the dynos (at the wheel) whereas a bike like the S1000RR gets very close and leaves a gap to the competition.

Be interesting to see the new H2, R1 etc and how they perform against a mildly changed S1K.

Rock.

 

[Clover]

Well, it shouldn't be too long before a website does a little shoot out between all the new bikes that have popped up in this segment. People are definitely waiting for a good piece like that.

 

[Fretka]

I'd place the H2 in it's own category. Much more useful for the real world of street riding.

Less painful ergos, bountiful torque useful for all occasions, still goes around corners well,
etc.

Let's call it a Swiss Army Bike with a very sharp edge!

 

[Clover]

I'd place the H2 in it's own category. Much more useful for the real world of street riding.

Less painful ergos, bountiful torque useful for all occasions, still goes around corners well,
etc.

Let's call it a Swiss Army Bike with a very sharp edge!

Sure, but that doesn't exactly make for interesting comparisons. Even if its a segment to itself, what other bikes will be cross shopped in your opinion?

 

[Rock Ape]

I think I really only want to see how she'll fair against the litre SS bikes now that all the information about the bike is out. I just get a sense that the BMW may still pip this latest gen R1 and H2 on power and overall.

Rock.

 

[Fretka]

Sure, but that doesn't exactly make for interesting comparisons. Even if its a segment to itself, what other bikes will be cross shopped in your opinion?

My opinion is probably not valid due to my preference for a well rounded bike that handles really great firstly, secondly is overall drivabilty motor-wise,looks, then overall hp comes last.

This kind of thinking clearly is not in agreement with most pholks.

I ride Palomar Mtn. which puts a premium on quick, light handling and useable hp. No one on the mountain can use more than about 120 hp and that just for a moment or two.

I don't drag race, or ride much on the track so top speed and big hp numbers that can only be accessed by spinning the motor to 8K rpm before it starts to make hp is of very little use.

How often does anyone use 14k rpm in any of the top gears?

Moto gp knows that to win first the power must be useable and long straights only come once a lap whereas corner exits are everywhere.

So that's why I think this bike is important.... it's the first modern litre bike to give us big power/torque down low where us mere mortals can use it.

Sorry for being a prick but big hp is only good for bench racing with inexperienced riders and 15 year old boys to hang bedroom posters on the wall.

My very recent experience that allows me to make these statements is the ownership of a 2011 BMW 1000RR and my 2006 999R Ducati.

While I was marginally faster on the BMW it was HARD WORK to ride it like it was meant to be ridden ie: above 8K rpm in the twisties at 10/10ths.

My Duc makes about 150HP but it makes good power down low and plenty enough top end so this kind of power delivery makes it easier to ride fast without beating me to death.

It seems to me that most people on these forums only look for dyno numbers and never mention the rest of the motorcycle.

This is normal if you are young but as you mature into a true motorcyclist you will find that advertising and popular (mis) information is mostly a case of "the emperor has no clothes".

Sorry again if this seems like a lecture, we old guys tend to do this too much 0

 

[Fretka]

I think I really only want to see how she'll fair against the litre SS bikes now that all the information about the bike is out. I just get a sense that the BMW may still pip this latest gen R1 and H2 on power and overall.

Rock.

While the BMW is lighter by say 75 #s for them to get 200 hp they have to spin the motor fast. Like all these bikes you can't have it both ways, good bottom midrange power and 200 hp on top.
If you know engines all the answers are already available by looking at motor specs. If anyone wants to read what I mean, I am happy to offer my thoughts on this subject but mostly cam timing and lift/overlap, comp. ratios, boost amounts and curves etc. says this motor will slay a BMW or whatever else when it comes to the real world of power.