After watching your zh2 vs sdr video I was very impressed at the quality and open minded approach to the review and fair bench mark testing for the 2 bikes. This video is just as good. So glad u focused more on the zh2 as this is the one I own now after selling the 2020sdr for one. I love both bikes. Uv summed up the zh2 perfectly and reviewed it without the taste of dislike towards its looks that every other "reviewer" seems to so sheepishly follow. Well done for speaking the truth. Top bike top review 👍🏾
Thanks Mark, thats really nice feedback! We are unbiased and will commit to being so... We have owned various Kawasaki's over the years, so can confidently speak about the general quality and reliability from previous Kawasaki machines we've owned. Many thanks, Aaron KNOX
@markmcc21 - can you talk a bit more about your gen3 to zH2 swap, any regrets or surprises other than what we can guess from watching the vids? I'm coming off a 2021 SDR & a few MT10's, real ZH2 curious, mostly holding back b/c our roads can be pretty tight, so agility is a factor for me.
@@AkansasRIDER hands down the gen3 was the better handling bike. Probably a smidge better bike over my 2018 tuno factory and 2019 tuono factory electric ohlines handling wise. The only regrets I had with the zh2 over the gen3 was the looks. For me the gen3 is am absolute winner. Its exactly how I'd design a bike to look. Better than the streetfighter. However removing that nasty large can to a smaller scorpion, adding some carbon fibre here and there and the zh2 started to grow on me. Only other regret was the seat. Stock seat is pants. Get the oem comfort seat. All day comfort with that. You can't really grip the tank with your knees. Your knees are placed on the trellis frame. The suspension is inferior to the gen3. I had a few slips of the rear om places I know the gen3 would stick. I replaced with a £400 nitron shock. Good improvement. Had the whole bike set up. Changed the angle of the bars and the bike was more planted. Fit some S22 tyres. I loved them on my gen3 so put them on my zh2. Grip was far better and the bike handled more like the gen3 but just with split second delay in everything. Like say running an assault course with a 5kg vest on, againt your twin who's not. But it does help it feel more planted esp at Hugh speed. Only times ul significantly feel the extra top heavy weight is slow speed stuff esp pushing and pulling the bike around the garage or doing a U turn. I dropped my bike doing one as I'd not got used to the extra top weight. Surprisingly no damage at all. Brakes are more than adequate. Will stop you very quickly. Just lack the feel of the gen3. Better fluid or master cylinder will improve that. Main improvements over the gen3 is the bikes super smooth. Engines almost like an electric motor. I found myself forgetting to change down to 3rd or 4th when going through slow villages. The bikes range is fantastic. Larger tank and about 50mpg on cruise. Its also a very comfortable position. I bought SW motech saddle bags for this bike. Was planning a trip through Europe on it. Take one out for a test ride. I bet you'll buy it!
I've got a green frame US spec model with almost 1600 miles on it and love it! No issues with the side stand but I agree it could use a steering dampener. Incredible acceleration and that famous supercharger "chirp" put a smile on my face whenever I ride it! No regrets. Good honest review. Ride aware mates.
Hey Steve... A couple of questions.... in what gears is the cruise control working and what is the top speed with cruise control on? The Yamaha MT 10 only works in 4th 5th and 6th gears with a top speed of 100 mph. Thanks.
Everything you said ticked all the boxes, my friend. In the most demanding terrains and in an ever changing harsh weather conditions here in the Philippines, Kawasaki's reputation is absolute. Stay safe. Cheers!
I know this is an old video but I just bought a 2022 ZH2 and am absolutely in love with it. I can identify with all of the pros and cons presented here but I just can't get this smile off my face after spending a few days with the bike. One of the things I think is really worth mentioning is the wheelbase. They could have stretched it or made it more comparable to a ZX-14 or Busa but they kept it trimmed down so close to my K7 Gixxer its handling is nearly indistinguishable from a top-end track bike. That makes a world of difference to me. Pushing 500+lbs around corners with little effort is something everybody can agree is impressive.
It really is a mega bike. Personally think it would benefit quite a lot from a proper steering damper set up and possibly a stronger shock, but the engine is like nothing else! Aaron KNOX
It’s having a similar effect as when the 903cc Z1 came out in 1972, it astounded everyone with immense power and the new Z H2 is doing the same. The big difference is, the Z H2 actually handles and brakes. I think the Z1 had 81 HP and the Z H2 close to 200, yet they weigh around the same!
Just hit 2k miles on my ZH2. Everyone asks what its like and usually my only response is.. "Its 11/10 giggle factor and I cant get enough of it." Zero issues so far.
@@soso3241 Shes quite the thirsty beast. If you ride conservatively you could probably get 35-40 miles a gallon. I average 30 a gallon with the way I ride but im not trying to conserve. So im filling up about every 100-110 miles. thats just the nature of having a supercharged engine.
Great video. It certainly isn't the the most competitive neither does it have the best brakes or suspension but man does it make you feel good and put a massive smile on your face. I'll be doing the full review on the Z H2 2021 in the coming weeks, then have some mods to add such as the Scorpion can and Sprint filter (doing videos for those too). Will be an excellent comparison to the nakeds I have already done videos for.
You really make the best reviews lol, love the way you make your videos, and the fact that every single one isnt boring but exciting :) Hello from France
Like the standard exhaust best it sounds realy good too, akrapovic to noisy for me and you hear the compressor sound much better with standard exhaust and the Little Kawasaki wind visor is super👍
Forced induction will become more common just like cars due to emissions. VVI, VVT, hybrid, turbo, and Superchargers are the usual mix until full electric which is the best for torque and horsepower. Great review!
Just like cars, will begin to shrink engine size with addition of forced induction with continued increased horsepower. Less emissions with smaller engines
I took a Z H2 on the Autobahn and starting in 4th gear at 60 mph I opened the throttle completely up to 6th gear and 170 mph racing a Mercedes AMG C Coupé. But it stayed pretty good on track and I think it was more the lack of a better wind protection that made more unstable at higher speeds. But the German Autobahn I was riding was way better than your runway… If I would buy one I would try to get another steering bar (more forward oriented), a better wind protection (higher wind screen) and a steering damper would also be a good idea, thats right…
I'm really surprised that this does not come with a steering damper from the factory. Does anyone know if there are any third-party steering dampers that would fit this thing yet?
Great, objective review. This amazing piece of work is a study in successful, modern-day compromises. We all like to go fast, but the definition of fast has been ever-changing. 200bhp in a bike, 700 in a car. Even some electric bicycles can hit 60mph and have bags of lbs-ft. To put all of this into a package that is actually usable - and not inherently dangerous - has become the real art. Looks like this ZH2 is a new high-water mark for this balancing act. I can't help but think, though, somewhere in the not-too-distant future that some kind of oversight will start to put the squeeze on things like this through taxation or outright bans. It's happened before, and, no, it doesn't feel right. We indeed have the right to make our own decisions (however optimistic). But it does take a special bit of preparation to get the most from something so capable as the ZH2.
would u recomend that bike for like going on a long trip,school,sunday night out with friends,unwinding, etc in my place we dont have a race track thats why.
No one makes a bad bike anymore. It's whatever flavour you like. People need to stop bashing other bike because they have a preference. It's petty. Just acknowledge and appreciate what all these brands offer in their own way.
A couple of questions.... in what gears is the cruise control available and what is the top speed with cruise control on? The Yamaha MT 10 only works in 4th 5th and 6th gears with a top speed of 100 mph. Thanks.
I wouldnt call it pretty but it looks bad ass! That Akra exhaust is too big changing only that for a small cone exhaust would save you 10kg! Another few kg on a short license plate holder and we're down to 220kg thats not bad for a naked. This is the king of naked bikes for sure!
Very hard to say, the Brutale is much more track focused, whereas the ZH2 is a more all round capable and practical bike. In a straight line, its hard to see anything beating the ZH2. Thanks, Aaron KNOX
Just got the ZH2. Sudden realization that I got as to how exactly to explain how the ZH2 runs... it runs like an electric bike. Power's there all the time, no matter the gear or rev range. It's mind blowing. I guess I got the realization because of how it sounds stock, kind of like an electric (bad thing I guess, but you can always change the exhaust). But yes I do love it. It's exactly a do it all, and it does it ALL not in a "decent" range, but it's really up there in terms of each category. VERY COMFORTABLE, but at the same time, top speed of sport bikes + torque of an electric bike.
Thanks!! Having ridden the superduke r quite a bit and sat on the streetfighter a few times, they're all really comfortable! Having said that, the zh2 is the most relaxed and probably the most all year round all weather comfort. Thanks Aaron Knox
@@KnoxArmour Thanks for your prompt reply, I've been riding 2nd Gen Super Duke 1290, 2018 for the past 2 years, after test riding the Zh2 I thought legs were positioned outwards alot due the design off the front off the bike, Streetfighter was very comfortable in everyway, being 6'2" I still think my bike is more comfortable but Zh2 is still bonkers and I would consider changing to it!
@@Peter-du8cf cool! It is very different and when you switch back to back with the 2020 SuperDuke its very different in every way... however all of them are great, so hard to make a choice but once you do they are all awesome! 😀
That's why i got this ZH2. USB connect position is SUX. (Why they set in the SHEET?) No space to set Smart Phone holders. (I spend so much time to it) BUT IDK!!
This was a useful and entertaining eval! I enjoyed watching its beastly nature under hard acceleration. Having owned a 2017 Aprilia Tuono 1100 Factory I can vouch for the front end lift when gassing it up. A tall 100 kilo rider sat on top of a short wheelbase, sitting upright and unprotected creating aero drag, no wonder these babies want to really transfer weight rearward. Aprilia put winglets on the limited production Tuono V4 X, maybe Kawasaki can do the same?
@@KnoxArmour indeed. I love your version of video editing. Great music and no super annoying intros, plugs, sponsors and bs. Just bike, data and mood. Love it
Some of the H2 models, mine a 2022 being one of them. Push oil up though the crank case vent tube into the intake runner upstream of the supercharger. Given my aggressive riding style after 400 miles I have oil dripping out of the intake runner onto the floor. Kawasaki will not acknowledge the problem so they have no fix for the problem. My ZH2 is at the Kawasaki dealer were they are clueless as to the source of the problem. Tearing into my engine blindly. My advise, the bike is a rocket and despite being over 500 lbs. you can still run it though the corners fast enough you will wear your tires from edge to edge. Hold off on purchasing an H2 until Kawasaki has a fix for the problem.
How well dose the wheelie control work? By that I mean, if I want to wheelie a little (say 6”-12”) while under full power, will it do it? Or is the wheelie control an on or off feature?
Really well, in fact normally on all the bikes we ever test, at some point we'll turn the TC off to do some wheelies.. However, as the ZH2 is supercharged and super fast and we aren't that experienced with the power delivery of supercharged bikes, we left TC on the whole time. So any wheelies that you see in the video are in TC1 and Full power mode, partly why the wheelies in the video aren't very high as the anti-wheelie knocks it back... It allows the wheel to come up around 1ft and holds it there basically, and works really well. Hope that helps, Aaron KNOX
Knox Armour yes that helped a lot. Thank you. I’m getting a ZH2 next riding season, made a deal with the wife to let them be out for a year before I buy one, so I’m doing as much research as I can on them. Can’t wait to get mine. Going from a 2018 Z650 to a ZH2. Going to be nice.
Knox Armour I hope so, this 650 is killing me. LOL I’ve had a lot of bikes over the years and this little of a bike is soooo slow. Ive had a busa, zx10, GSXR750, R1... but this is my first naked bike so I made a deal with the wife to allow me to get the 650 for this year and then next year I’d get the ZH2. I just want it to be out for a year so that it can get all the recalls (if any) done before I buy one. Let Kawasaki work out all the kinks before I buy.
I never understood why people mod new motorcycles. I can see if one buys a great deal on a use unit and then decides it needs a more pleasant snap but if one has the cheddar just grab the unit that has the performance one insists on. As for Kawasakis latest efforts in the world of exceptional street riding motorcycles it boiled down to the street savy, jump on and go ZH2SE or the massive Rocket. The ZH2SE is 5 grand more affordable. It's gonna be a great summer boys!
I own this bike, brakes need braided lines, rear shock needs to find its way to the garbage can. Replace with ohlins. Aside from that, shes good. When woolich releases the tuning software and lets this bike breathe, we will have a much different review.
@@stevesmith6236 from what i know, woolich is the only entity that actually breaks into the computer. Everyone else buys the tools from woolich and then tunes the bikes. That said, maybe its better we wait a bit for the tune. The zh2 is already a VERY fast bike stock. I say this having ridden a 200hp turbo bike in the past.
@@jp1234554321 I only know that Brock Davidson relies on Don Guhl for his company's ECU reflash programs. Both I and a close friend have had our bike's computers reflashed by GUHL'S with positive results and his company is known throughout the country (and beyond?) as one of the very best. I too have experience with a 200 hp turbo bike from my past. I had a full custom 1984 Kawasaki GPz 750 turbo back in the mid '90s ("Purple Passion"). Dynoed at 184 hp and 117 ft. lbs. of torque. It was quite a ride!
@@stevesmith6236 brother!!! I had a gpz turbo as well.. although mine was stock, it was my first big bike., and the inspiration for my turbo bandit and my love for forced induction. Ride safe.
I think both bikes are probably excellent. I doubt that the MT-10 would "easily" outhandle it... the ZH2 handles great and so does the MT-10. I think that a good rider would be super fast on track with the ZH2 once the suspension has been stiffened up. Thanks, Aaron KNOX
Hi Adam, thanks for your support. We do currently have a back order situation with some products due to massive demand. However, you can order and it will be delivered asap. Many thanks, Aaron KNOX
Knox Armour thanks for the heads up Aaron will be sticking with Knox. (Got my urban utility pro today from urban rider in the UK. 30 degree day in Sydney today worked great and the armour not restrictive at all. Thanks Knox)
@@KnoxArmour You know, your Handroids look very sexy and will definitely buy a pair of them when I'll get a good superbike!! I've saved it on my wish list!!
I don't think it would be any faster than your ZX14r, in fact, Id' wager the ZH2 would be slower than a ZX14r... But the supercharger and the naked package is really good and its a great bike! Thanks, Aaron KNOX
@@KnoxArmour Thanks for the reply back. Ive been watching a bunch of other reviews and sounds like it needs a better rear shock, steering stabilizer and the brakes could be better. Think I'll stick with the 14r and keep the money
This bike puts you into a time warp and leaves your brain behind. It's like riding a jet fighter. It rolls on like a electric motor... near instant torque....and somehow, it's over 500lbs but still feels like a dirt bike. The handlebars and front fairings make you feel like your riding a race-spec Jetski or Wave Runner. It rips. You have to be careful with the throttle and lean forward or it will lift the front wheel in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. I think the most fun is quietly rolling aside drivers at about 40mph and then instantly DISAPPEARING away from them. The Stock exhaust is SUPER quiet and smooth.... Mwah!
no steering damper on a 200 hp bike with a short ass wheel base? thats stupid. what was kawi thinking? i hope they offer one from the factory with newer models.
@@KnoxArmour haha, cute! Just curious: where do yo live? We were always taught it's 'aitch' (as confirmed by the wiki sources I consulted) and 'haitch' is a regional variation of some kind... (I personally also speak dialect very often, so not judging... merely curious)
