Kawasaki Z H2 SE with supercharger on test: power compression on a motorcycle
The Kawasaki Z H2 SE offers the only standard supercharged engine in a motorcycle. It catapults the rider with the pull of an endless rubber band.
(Image: Ingo Gach)
- Ingo Gach
Kawasaki's in-line four-cylinder engines have always been considered powerful, but with the Z H2, the brand has gone one better – with a supercharger. This is unique in the motorcycle market. The artificial ventilation pushes the power to 200 hp at 11,000 rpm. Although the current superbikes have 17 or 18 hp more maximum power, they do not have a supercharger, which is why their maximum power is only available at significantly higher engine speeds. The 137 Nm torque of the Z H2 is nowhere near as high. Above 4000 rpm, more than 100 Nm can be called up at any time. Comparable motorcycles, such as the Honda Fireblade, only deliver this much power at twice the engine speed. Kawasaki's power bike in the better-equipped SE version, which is characterized by a semi-active chassis and more powerful brakes, among other things, performed excellently in the test.
- More than 100 Nm already above 4000 rpm
- 147 kW at 11,000 rpm and 137 Nm torque at 8500 rpm
- Damping and spring preload can be preselected independently (for SE)
- Price: 21,945 euros (SE) Entry-level model from 19,295 euros
It feels as if the Z H2 SE is being pulled by an invisible rubber band. In contrast to a turbocharger, the supercharger delivers powerful pressure just above idling speed and does not stop until the red zone at 12,000 rpm. Even in sixth gear of the easy-to-change gearbox, the engine catapulted me vehemently forward at full throttle from a speed of  50. Kawasaki gives the top speed as 267 km/h, which is no pleasure without adequate wind protection.
Kawasaki Z H2 SE I (6 Bilder)
Kawasaki
)Superior compressor principle
Of course, there are motorcycles that can reach 300Â km/h or more, but none of them shake the power out of their sleeves over 150Â km/h as easily as the supercharged engine from Kawasaki. It owes this characteristic to the direct drive of the supercharger from the engine. This means that the power does not vary depending on the speed and load depending on the exhaust gas flow, as is the case with a turbocharger. In the saddle, you can therefore rely on the pressure at all times, which is essential when cornering. Apart from the price, this is the point at which practically all turbocharged motorcycles have failed in the past. Nobody likes to starve to death at the apex when they want to straighten the bike out on the throttle. Thanks to the supercharger, this is guaranteed not to happen.
Kawasaki developed the compressor together with its gas turbine and aerospace department (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) instead of buying it in. This meant that it could be optimally matched to the in-line four-cylinder with a wide power band, and the efficiency could be kept high enough even without an intercooler.
Not particularly handy
Power alone is not everything on a motorcycle; after all, it also has to be transferred to the road in a controlled manner. The ZÂ H2Â SE manages this very well. Although it is not a paragon of maneuverability, the effort required to get it into a leaning position is still limited. Firmly gripping the wide handlebars, it willingly turns into the bend. However, its weight of 240Â kg is noticeable in very tight bends. The line should be aimed at precisely; it doesn't particularly like to be corrected at an angle. On the other hand, it rushes steadfastly through the bends, nervousness is alien to it. A wheelbase of 1455Â mm, a steering head angle of 65.1Â degrees and a 104Â mm trail prove to be a good compromise between agility and stability.
Semi-active chassis
The Z H2 SE has a semi-active chassis from the supplier Showa, whereby the preload of the fork and shock absorber still has to be adjusted mechanically. Proven Stylema four-piston brake calipers from Brembo with two 320 mm brake discs allow powerful deceleration — it could hardly be better, especially as the cornering ABS also offers safety when leaning. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires, 120/70-17 at the front and 190/55-17 at the rear, do an excellent job and provide good grip. The tires digest the enormous power of the supercharged engine as easily as the high performance of the brakes.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
Decent comfort
The comfort on the ZÂ H2Â SE is remarkable. I sat relaxed on the comfortable saddle, my upper body leaning only slightly over the wide 19-liter tank. The distance to the footrests is large enough for the knee angle to remain relaxed. I used the step to the pillion seat to support myself when accelerating hard. In Road mode, the suspension with Skyhook technology works very sensitively, and with 120 and 134Â mm of suspension travel, it irons out even bumpy roads surprisingly well. Even in Sport mode, the ZÂ H2 is not as hard as a stick, but the throttle response is noticeably more direct, which is not always an advantage when accelerating out of corners. The aforementioned short windshield offers almost no protection against the oncoming storm. The background noise on the Kawasaki sounds like the typical in-line four-cylinder and is not even particularly loud, with a stationary noise level of 93 dB(A).
Lots to see in the menu
The five -inch TFT display not only provides a wealth of information – including boost pressure and charge temperature – but also four riding modes can be selected. Three of these (Rain, Road, Sport) are fixed, while the Rider mode is freely configurable. Among other things, the slip control, engine braking torque, wheelie, slide, and launch control can be set in this mode. The rider can experiment a lot here, but ultimately the fixed riding modes are already very well tuned to the respective conditions. The Z H2 SE also comes with cruise control and quickshifter as standard. The latter works smoothly without jerking, and I was able to shift up and down the gears quickly without using the clutch. Operating the menu via the buttons on the left end of the handlebars is actually logical, but takes some time to get used to.
Kawasaki Z H2 SE II (9 Bilder)
Ingo Gach
)Sugomi with horns
As a non-Japanese, you will probably never understand Kawasaki's design philosophy “Sugomi” – which refers to the aura or energy of a person or an object –. Europeans find the angular and jagged design rather confusing and unsettling, the eye cannot find a fixed point. The front mask tapers to a point and has two small horns below the two rather large headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. Kawasaki has placed a small windshield above this, although its effect on the rider tends towards zero. The designers have placed the rider's seat visually low behind the humped tank, although at 830 mm seat height it is not actually that low, but the rear rises steeply upwards. There are a lot of streetfighter in the Z H2 SE.
The air duct runs to the left instead of, as usual, in the middle or on both sides. The tubular steel trellis frame, which holds the 998 cm3 in-line four-cylinder as a supporting element, provides a striking contrast to the black parts in typical Kawasaki green. The rear silencer, on the other hand, appears bombastic. To leave no doubt about the power of the engine, Kawasaki engraves the supercharger housing with the words “Supercharged” in red letters.
Videos by heise
Not an economy miracle
Kawasaki states a fuel consumption of six liters per 100 km. This is the same as ours on the test rides. A lot, but considering the tremendous performance, nobody expects a fuel-saving miracle. After all, it would theoretically go 316 km. The Z H2 SE costs 21,945 euros and Kawasaki offers a four year warranty. In return, the buyer gets an exceptional riding experience, plus a sensitive chassis that can handle almost anything from sport to comfort.
(mfz)