Kawasaki Ninja H2SX SE + test: intimate compression
Kicking the ass and stimulating the private parts are already on the program for the H2SX SE, the only road bike with a compressed engine! Brain activity is no longer left out with its new SE + version, which notably incorporates controlled damping, driving modes and connected instrumentation. Test.
H2SX SE + test page 1: tourist missile
Pinot, hidden posted behind a tree in a long straight line, feels the excitement of the big catch rising in him while the tortured face and the Cyclops gaze of an H2SX SE + appear in his state-of-the-art binoculars… With its 4-cylinder engine. 998 cc supercharged, the Kawasaki enters its favorite genre of motorcycles: that of "license chippers" !
- MNC test : Ninja H2 SX, sporty road bike in Green and against everything !
- Comparo 600 hp : Ninja H2 Vs Panigale 1299 S Vs Hayabusa
- MNC file : All H2SX news
Our chief verbalizer sketches a brief carnivorous smile, savoring in advance the "prunative" potential of this phenomenal road sports car: when its maximum power of 200 hp is reached at 11,000 rpm (without Ram Air), its new compressor gave the intake at more than 100,000 rpm! The H2SX? Porn for speedometer !
Porn for speedometer
"My truncheon to cut that it will blow up the counter", he is excited while waiting for the firing of this "tourist missile", capable of reaching 139 km / h in first then 170 km / h Secondly. Direction the prison even before engaging the third, without having to disengage thanks to the bi-directional shifter of series (also moderately soft and inoperative under 2500 rpm).
The green and gray motorbike – unique color of this new "SE +" – effectively tumbles in a dull growl … but without igniting the afterburner as Pinot hoped. MNC – stroke of luck – savor at this moment his mastery of the split in sixth: a single powerful stride takes him in a flash from 50 km / h (2000 rpm) to 90 km / h (3500 rpm) . "Caramba, still failed", loose the repressive agent with vexation…
Unaware of the ax from which he has just escaped, the tester of the Journal moto du Net continues his discovery of this H2SX SE + presented. Among its specific features appear semi-active suspensions, four driving modes, a bluetooth connection and Stylema calipers as on the H2 "tout court" -! -, the RSV4 1100 Factory and other Panigale V4 (details in).
This arsenal completes an armory already particularly filled on the standard H2SX SE, which includes as a reminder three injection maps, an ABS and a traction control directed by an inertia unit, curved lighting by LED as well as a central stand. , heated grips, start assistant and cruise control.
Clearly, the H2SX SE + is the motorcycle of all superlatives … including prices: at 25,199 euros, the Green will make your banker blush with pleasure! Some 3,200 euros separate it from the H2SX SE (21,999 €), while the "good old" ZZR400 is 8,800 euros cheaper (16,399 €). The "little extra", what…
Its technological content and its unparalleled supercharging justify this elitist price … without however excusing certain shortcomings. For example, the absence of a storage compartment is annoying on a GT of this standing – especially since the necessary space is available under the right fairing return -, as is the limited capacity of the boot (a vest green yellow, and that’s it!).
The 28-liter Givi suitcases – sufficient for a full-face helmet – should for the same reasons be standard, and not optional at 851 €. Finally, the jumble of multi-colored sheaths and wires in the cockpit as well as the "plastoc" aspect of the black cover on the front of the tank are unworthy of this price bracket..
Apart from these happily minor failures, the bike has a good level of finish thanks to its quality components: nicely crafted trellis frame, unobstructed view of the pretty rear rim via the single-sided arm, valuable upholstery (but not adjustable in height, too bad ), inviting inverted fork or even aesthetic and practical passenger handles.
Controlled suspensions, pampered pilot !
The main singularity of this H2SX SE + is therefore based on its “Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension” (KECS) piloted suspensions, taken from the ZX-10R SE. Let’s not be afraid of the word (o) s: this system is amazingly efficient and provides a rare versatility to the Akashi Hypersport-GT !
Pressing – when stationary – on "Preload" on the left stalk adjusts the preload to the conditions (solo, duo, with or without suitcases). Then the KECS manages the compression and rebound in real time. Simple because correlated with the new modes: the hydraulics are relaxed to the maximum in "Rain", reinforced in "Road" and frankly hardened in "Sport". It’s the death of the screwdriver and the preloader, my little lady !
Want to refine all that? The "Rider" mode offers a customization of the damping laws on a scale going from – 5 to +5. Practical, but ultimately not very useful with regard to the excellent factory calibrations: the bike is pleasantly comfortable in its "Road" configuration and damn rigorous in "Sport" (change possible without stopping, but by cutting the throttle).
The fork, in particular, enjoys remarkable sensitivity and progressiveness, combining the rigidity required for performance with padded cushioning perfectly suited to the "Sport-GT" spirit. This delicate balance is never compromised, even in the context of "engaged" driving necessarily associated with powerful braking. !
And yet the new Stylema monobloc calipers bite the 320 mm discs very vigorously, under the finely controlled and constant action of the master cylinder through the avia hoses. The H2SX SE + brakes remarkably hard – under the unintrusive control of the ABS – without harming its successful trim management or locking its steering..
The rear brake on the other hand is insufficiently efficient to calmly correct a trajectory, in addition to presenting a soft response. As for the mono-shock absorber, its absorption work is as convincing as at the front while its responsiveness to settings opens up the same pleasing prospects..
Tolerant on bumps but not sufficiently braked in "Road" mode, the suspension thus offers an exciting rigor in "Sport" configuration. Movements previously perceived on re-acceleration are effectively repressed, to the benefit of motor skills and stability. The H2SX SE + then fully deserves its name "Ninja" ‘ !
A weight but no half measures !
Two fundamental aspects appear however: the first is the very heavy weight of the motorcycle (262 kg). Maneuvers at a standstill, inclinations at low speed and changes of course at high speed are all circumstances where this significant mass – + 5 kg Vs a Versys 1000! – invites modesty and weighting.
This overall logical caution – account of its dimensions – is also reinforced by the heaviness and understeer nature of the front axle under 40 km / h. This phenomenon already observed by MNC on the H2SX SE gradually fades but never disappears, heating the shoulders in town and in the winding.
Its fairly wide handlebars make you appreciate its effective lever arm! The opportunity to salute a well thought out ergonomics which avoids the traps of radicalism via large bridges to raise the handlebars and a well calculated recoil of the footrests. Only downsides: the pot-bellied tank which spreads the legs and the protection limited to the bust and chin guard of the helmet.
Its 1480 mm wheelbase and generous caster angle (24.8 °) also contribute to the physical side of the H2SX SE +, for the moment more Sumo than Ninja. The H2 "tout court" is considerably more playful with its 30 kg less. Lovers of road bikes with very strong response but fun in the cycle part, rather eye on the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT.
Another decisive feature on driving the H2SX SE +: its abysmal acceleration! To the point of having to recalibrate his appreciation of the outlook so as not to get carried away: the straight lines are erased, but not the radars or the kilos of the motorcycle! Anticipating the slowdown of its two and a half hundredweight well packed is a vital necessity !
This loss of bearings is – against all expectations – fueled by the constancy of the power distribution: it is only by looking at the meter that the awareness of the speed takes place… composed most of the time of a series of three digits frequently started with a "2"! Enough to quickly lose your license, without always filling up with sensations.
A rocket more than a fighter plane
The acceleration of the H2SX SE +, certainly incredibly sustained, is indeed devoid of this frightening bestiality developed by the H2 "tout-court". Its SX variation – logically moderated to respond to its road philosophy – pushes immensely hard, but the intensity of this colossal response is filtered by a form of linearity at 6000 rpm.
Up to mid-revs (breaking at 12,500 rpm), the interest of the compressor is hardly noticeable: the revivals from 3000 rpm, vigorous, are not extravagant. Not enough to bury the "atmospheric" 1441 cc of the ZZR1400, much more torquey with its 158.2 Nm at 7500 rpm (137.3 Nm at 9500 rpm for the H2SX) for a similar weight to tow: 268 kg for the ZZR against 262.
To be sure, MNC disengages the traction control – which also serves as anti-wheeling -, places the injection on "F" (Full) and decides to put full throttle in second at 5000 rpm! A quick sign of the cross before turning the accelerator … and the bike rushes forward – giving the impression of sliding on the asphalt – with Herculean force: it sends anyway !
To our great astonishment, however, neither rear slippage nor front load shedding sanctions our daring. No loose shoulders or unhooked jaw, including when the H2SX SE + goes into "light speed" after 6000 rpm. It is at this speed that the compressor comes into action, boosting acceleration before "hooting" at each gas cut..
The landscape then begins to scroll in fast motion, like a film in rapid advance: the H2SX SE + inevitably causes the great thrill of speed. As exhilarating as it is effective, failing to upset the senses, especially when it comes to legality! More savagery would reinforce the exceptional character of his extraordinary performances…
Last details to know about the supercharged engine: the H2SX SE + heats up the inner thighs and then the buttocks after only a few minutes in traffic jams! The phenomenon is less marked than on the H2, but still sufficient to sting a sweat in 25 ° C. Rotisserie insured during heatwave episodes !
Finally, the compressed unit remains greedy despite the modifications made to limit its consumption to “5.7l / 100 km” (hence perhaps its more “polished” character, all proportions kept). MNC consumed 6.19 l / 100 km while being "light" on the gas, but rose to 8.9 l / 100 km at a more sustained pace! The cap of 10 l / 100 km is to be expected in "full gas" mode…
The autonomy of its 19-liter tank then melts like snow in the sun – and like driver’s license points -, with a reserve indicator flashing from 235 km. A bit tight for a motorcycle with (auto) road vocation, even if the break is necessary anyway rather quickly because of its limited saddle comfort over time !
Verdict: distance compress
At 25,199 euros, the H2SX SE + gives a lot of bang for its buck in terms of sophistication and mechanical originality. Riding on your handlebars is the assurance of living an extraordinary experience, while proudly claiming a certain "distance" from the current road repression..
Its supercharged acceleration is a snub to binoculars, automatic radars, drones and other speed sensors, which have become a criminal notion in our society. Is it wrong to drive fast? Not for Kawasaki! The Greens’ approach is refreshing and daring, almost militant, and we like it !
Its piloted suspensions also give it a real "+", allowing access to a prodigious spectrum of damping: bucolic walk or hellish pace, anything is possible and with a brilliance rarely achieved! Its dynamic capacities literally leave in place previous generation "TGVs" like the ZZR1400 and other Suzuki Hayabusa.
MNC simply regrets the absence of certain equipment, as well as the tiring heaviness of its front axle. A bit of additional character would also underline the dazzling nature of these accelerations. Let’s get on well: the H2SX SE + pushes hard, very hard, very very hard, but in a less spectacular way than expected given its unique status as a supercharged motorcycle..
This is not an H2 simply decked out with a fairing and a few accessories: when the incredible 231 hp sports car evokes a fighter plane by the brutality of its breathtaking accelerations, its road variation rather refers to the monstrous more gradual thrust of a rocket.
- All the details of our H2SX SE + test with our photos captioned in
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