2020 Kawasaki Z H2

Kawasaki had hinted that more supercharged machines would be on the way and most pundits had predicted that forced induction would soon be appearing on lower capacity machines, and perhaps not remain the domain of the more premium H2 and H2R machines.

Today Kawasaki released the new Z H2, not a lower capacity model, but perhaps the Z H2 will lower the entry price for those yearning for some supercharged goodness.

Pricing is yet to be announced and the lower entry point is only our speculation but it seems likely. The Z H2 is set to arrive in Australia sometime early in 2020.

The new bike boasts just under 200 horsepower from its supercharged 998cc in-line four-cylinder engine but of course boost is all about torque and here the numbers are more impressive, 137 Nm at 8500 rpm to be precise.

Kawasaki could obviously pushed those numbers lower down in the rev range but seemingly tuned the bike for ease of use.

As you would expect it comes with a full suite of electronic safety and assist systems with IMU driven multi-level traction control and ABS along with riding modes, quick shifter, launch and cruise control. 

Smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth is also integrated into a colour TFT display and all lighting is LED.

The new high-tensile steel trellis frame uses Showa components front and rear to suspend the 239 kg (wet) Z H2. Preload and damping adjustable SFF-BP forks look after the front. 

Brembo supplies monobloc radial M4.32 calipers while the master-cylinder is sourced from Nissin.

The riding position has been designed to off a more upright and relaxed rider triangle in comparison to its H2 siblings, keeping with the thinking behind the entire Z line up of Kawasaki machines.

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Forced induction requires lower tension piston rings thus the casting processes are more exact than generally used and the bores are honed with a dummy head in place, normally only seen in blueprinted engines.

As per all of Kawasaki’s supercharged machines, no intercooler is fitted and the supercharger does not have its own oil circuit, instead it combines with the overall lubrication system of the engine. No doubt due to packaging concerns, it’s not a car after all…. A liquid-cooled oil cooler is present though to help keep temperatures under control along with radiator shrouds carefully designed to manage air-flow. The trellis frame also plays its part in helping the engine shed heat.

With Euro 5 emissions restrictions in mind a new exhaust system has been designed with a large catalytic converter but by doing away with the normal pre-muffler Kawasaki look to have done a great job of packaging that under the machine.

The trade off is quite a large muffler, but I favour that over some of the monstrosities now seen hanging under many modern machines where their undercarriages look crap in the showroom even before they get dirty, after some kilometres on any dirty or damp road they really start to look like shit. That Kawasaki manage to package a supercharger in the Z H2, AND manage to route the exhaust system smartly is some feat, kudos to them on that score. They could have done a better job on the muffler though…

The trademark modern Z bike proboscis around the headlight area aside, its also a pretty good looking machine. 

What will be the next supercharged package to come from Kawasaki…? I hope something in a lower capacity but with more boost! Meanwhile enjoy the introductory video showcasing the Z H2.