Anyone ridden Kawasaki H2 SX 1000 Sports Tourer ?

[Chipchap]

Sat on one yesterday. Terrible dealer attitude admonishing me because I left it in gear up against compression. It was on a slope and I didn't fancy it rolling away and flopping onto its side. I park every bike like this. Anyway I digress.

Has anyone on PH actually ridden one of these so called Sports Tourers ?

A

[TheCommuter]

If Lloyd Cooper Motorcycles in Watford is not too far from where you live then try getting a test ride there if possible. I bought my zzr from them and had no problems getting a test ride on the various Kawasaki motorbikes they had in stock.

[PIGINAWIG]

Without pissing on your chips, I just cancelled an order for one. Riding position a a bit iffy, I’m only 5’11” but felt cramped. They’re quick and have shed loads of goodies. Go for the SE model if budget allows.

I think there are better bikes out there at the moment, but can’t give you any real feedback. Reviews are good. ZZR1400 is still quicker! Bloody heavy as well at 260 Kg + for a litre bike.

[terry tibbs]

you need to check out service costs using Kawasaki online menu to give you an idea, 15000 miles is the super charger some are quoting around £700/800

wait while i can see silly pcp deals for this emerging

[PIGINAWIG]

I was offered zero deposit, £314.00 x 36 months and 10,0000 miles a year. Hand bike back in 36 months. Basically renting bike for over £11,0000.00 for 3 years. Ouch!

[RemaL]

I have found my experience of my local Kawasaki Dealer to be very impressive, better than any of the local dealers in my area. So the OP must have got the guy on his period.

A friend was the guy who did the 4700 miles review of the SX on a weekend (Phil) in Bike magazine a few months ago. Talking to him a few weeks ago he found it a good sports tourer with lots of power. Tank range was good at 200 miles at best. Much better than my H2 which manages about 110 to empty.

He was impressed with the SX but would not change from his Tiger 800 as it was more comfy. But you get that if you want a sit up and beg riding style compared to a sports bike style of riding. He did not like the turning lights on the side fairing for corners and said having them to on all the time would be better

But apart from that was impressed with it

I've not liked the SX looks myself until I seen it up close which it's now growing on me. But still prefer the ZZZ1400 to the SX on looks if I was to get a kawasaki sports tourer

[chris4652009]

Following with interest, chatted with a few owners at the TT, granted they hadn't had them long but all were loving the bike so far. super comfy and super effortless

[sjtscott]

I'd like to try one but I was really put off by the heavy weight being stated - knowing there is some variance in what manufacturers quote vs actual real world weights. I had a blackbird before so know about heavy and odd standard riding positions. Maybe the extra 50-60hp makes up for it?

[sjtscott]

PIGINAWIG said:

I think there are better bikes out there at the moment, but can’t give you any real feedback. Reviews are good. ZZR1400 is still quicker! Bloody heavy as well at 260 Kg + for a litre bike.

Isn't it the case that Kwak have artificially limited the H2 SX to ensure the ZZR14 still remains top dog? I think I'd suggest thats the case I'm sure people will be extracting some reasonable power gains from them like the H2 before (maybe not so extreme)

This post seems to suggest so?
https://www.zx-10r.net/forum/f94/preliminary-h2-sx...

[trickywoo]

sjtscott said:

Isn't it the case that Kwak have artificially limited the H2 SX to ensure the ZZR14 still remains top dog? I think I'd suggest thats the case I'm sure people will be extracting some reasonable power gains from them like the H2 before (maybe not so extreme)

This post seems to suggest so?
https://www.zx-10r.net/forum/f94/preliminary-h2-sx...

So Kawasaki have decided their old flagship sports tourer needs to be faster than their new one which costs more?

Makes no sense. Its more likely that they have got themselves in a mess with the H2 and H2 SX comparison. Boosting the power on the SX would mess up the halo on the H2 and I'd also imagine fuel consumption, range really, would then suffer ruining the touring intentions.

I think the 14 is just so good its hard to beat.

[TheCommuter]

sjtscott said:

Isn't it the case that Kwak have artificially limited the H2 SX to ensure the ZZR14 still remains top dog? I think I'd suggest thats the case I'm sure people will be extracting some reasonable power gains from them like the H2 before (maybe not so extreme)

This post seems to suggest so?
https://www.zx-10r.net/forum/f94/preliminary-h2-sx...

I doubt Kawasaki intentionally limited the H2SX and then decided to charge several thousand pounds more for it than the zzr... doesnt make sense.

Worth noting that the zzr is also limited... you only have to look the zzr forum to see that well over 20 bhp and much more torque is there to be extracted with just a pipe and ecu flash. Ditching the stock exhaust also saves 15 kilos!

[black-k1]

I’m looking at one of these as a possible replacement for my K1300S next spring. Any real world views would be very welcome.

I’ll be looking to get a test ride during September (to be compared with the KTM Super Duke GT and the ZZR1400).

[sjtscott]

trickywoo said:

sjtscott said:

Isn't it the case that Kwak have artificially limited the H2 SX to ensure the ZZR14 still remains top dog? I think I'd suggest thats the case I'm sure people will be extracting some reasonable power gains from them like the H2 before (maybe not so extreme)

This post seems to suggest so?
https://www.zx-10r.net/forum/f94/preliminary-h2-sx...

So Kawasaki have decided their old flagship sports tourer needs to be faster than their new one which costs more?

Makes no sense. Its more likely that they have got themselves in a mess with the H2 and H2 SX comparison. Boosting the power on the SX would mess up the halo on the H2 and I'd also imagine fuel consumption, range really, would then suffer ruining the touring intentions.

I think the 14 is just so good its hard to beat.

I love the ZZR14 and was VERY close to buying one, I'd still love to own one because you can. So its either ZZR or H2 the H2 SX would be stepping on toes.. there seems to be zero doubt the H2 SX is limited on purpose for whatever reason Kawasaki chose - no doubt longevity and running temps must play a part here too.

So early ZZRs pre 2008 were very restricted and were seriously flat low down, removing the second set of butterflies was a fix for that - I know the bike I've done my research. Most bikes come out the factory with an element of restriction but it seems certain Kawasakis are potentially far more restricted than other makes?

[PIGINAWIG]

black-k1 said:

I’m looking at one of these as a possible replacement for my K1300S next spring. Any real world views would be very welcome.

I’ll be looking to get a test ride during September (to be compared with the KTM Super Duke GT and the ZZR1400).

You live near me - you’re welcome to ride my GT any time mate.

[RemaL]

sjtscott said:

PIGINAWIG said:

I think there are better bikes out there at the moment, but can’t give you any real feedback. Reviews are good. ZZR1400 is still quicker! Bloody heavy as well at 260 Kg + for a litre bike.

Isn't it the case that Kwak have artificially limited the H2 SX to ensure the ZZR14 still remains top dog? I think I'd suggest thats the case I'm sure people will be extracting some reasonable power gains from them like the H2 before (maybe not so extreme)

This post seems to suggest so?
https://www.zx-10r.net/forum/f94/preliminary-h2-sx...

They did this with the H2 and why mines easily got almost 50 BHP from a dyno run, ECU and remap.

I know of a few 285 BHP slightly modded H2's ( Stage 2 supercharger gears, straight throw exhaust, ECU remap) and some hitting 300 BHP

the 2019 H2 is expected to have 228BHP out of the box instead of the 195/205bhp they said for the 15-18

So to answer yes kawasaki have held back the SX performance wise a little

[black-k1]

PIGINAWIG said:

black-k1 said:

I’m looking at one of these as a possible replacement for my K1300S next spring. Any real world views would be very welcome.

I’ll be looking to get a test ride during September (to be compared with the KTM Super Duke GT and the ZZR1400).

You live near me - you’re welcome to ride my GT any time mate.

Thank you. A very generous offer that I may just take you up on next month.

[Chipchap]

I currently use a trusty BMW R1200RS for distance and its quoted at 236kg wet weight. So its not exactly a lightweight. So the 260kg for a kerb weight on the H2 SX is no big deal. Remember I hail from the dark ages of such behemoths as Honda CBX6 and Kawasaki Z1300 husting a big heavy bike is no real issue even at my advanced age.

So weight is not an issue. Having read a few forums [dangerous, I know] it seems that the actual delivered BHP and Torque is a bit pony in real life. Anywhere around 158 to 169 has been recorded at the tyre which is frankly disappointing.

Why would I consider one of these. Simply to have a fast bike capable of long distances in comfort with factory designed and fitted luggage/heated grips/cruise control/main stand/etc.

Do I need it and more importantly could I cover the ground on an H2 SX any quicker than I already do on my R1200RS with all of its mighty 125 BHP fully deployed ? Quite possibly not. But...……………..

I just like the idea of owning a supercharged Kawasaki that I can modify a wee bit and end up with around 220 BHP and 100 lb ft at the rear tyre because I can. I now need to ride one and then if it does make me feel all quivery I need to then overcome the small issue of ponying up almost £19k for a bike.


I need to go ride one and stop spouting about it. Update will follow in a week or two when I have ridden one in anger.

[crusty]

I currently ride a 2010 ZZR1400

I had a fairly long ride on an H2 a couple of weeks ago

Both bikes are great and both fast, just preference as to what is better

I prefer the ZZR but would be happy with an H2

[crusty]

Forgot to mention, brakes were way better on H2

[Shadow R1]

https://h2sxriders.net/derestricted-h2sx/

That's worth looking at.
I had a sit on one, more sporty riding position than a sprint.
Weight similar.
Didn't get a test ride, be interested how some of you other guys get on.