Discussion
These have caught my eye recently. I have (had) no intention of changing my bike this year but normally when something gets in my head things happen quite fast!
I'm currently on a 2019 Z1000SX which I love. It does the Sunday blasts, touring, pillion rides and I've even done a trackday on it. I can't help thinking the H2SX would offer the same level of practicality but with the spice of a supercharger...those chirps just hit right!
Has anyone any real world experience of one? I know it is heavier than my current bike and I presume servicing costs will be higher but it's a toy for me so this isn't a huge concern. Anything to look out for in terms of common faults? Any must have accessories? I know they are very well specced from factory so it would definitely feel like an upgrade. I've always toyed with the idea of a Hayabusa but much prefer the looks of the Kwak.
I'm currently on a 2019 Z1000SX which I love. It does the Sunday blasts, touring, pillion rides and I've even done a trackday on it. I can't help thinking the H2SX would offer the same level of practicality but with the spice of a supercharger...those chirps just hit right!
Has anyone any real world experience of one? I know it is heavier than my current bike and I presume servicing costs will be higher but it's a toy for me so this isn't a huge concern. Anything to look out for in terms of common faults? Any must have accessories? I know they are very well specced from factory so it would definitely feel like an upgrade. I've always toyed with the idea of a Hayabusa but much prefer the looks of the Kwak.
There are at least a couple of us on here with one.
I have a 2018 SX SE, mapped to around 220bhp.
There were a few recalls - chain tensioner, centre stand, rear wheel bearing.
I look after my bikes myself, so servicing costs are minimal, it's 'just' a 1 litre Jap 4 after all.. There is too much hype and mystery around the centrifugal supercharger.
The chirps are good fun though.
I tend to use mine mostly for Euro trips, they are OK for 6/8 hours riding a day.
Yeah, they are OK... certainly quick enough.
I have a 2018 SX SE, mapped to around 220bhp.
There were a few recalls - chain tensioner, centre stand, rear wheel bearing.
I look after my bikes myself, so servicing costs are minimal, it's 'just' a 1 litre Jap 4 after all.. There is too much hype and mystery around the centrifugal supercharger.
The chirps are good fun though.
I tend to use mine mostly for Euro trips, they are OK for 6/8 hours riding a day.
Yeah, they are OK... certainly quick enough.
I have a mapped full fat H2 and the engine is nut. But not really usable unless you're at the Isle of Man or autobahn.
Overtakes are easy but so is stupid speeds. I want a touring bike as well at some point but the SX does not do it for me personally. If they removed the lower fairing lights I would like it more.
Overtakes are easy but so is stupid speeds. I want a touring bike as well at some point but the SX does not do it for me personally. If they removed the lower fairing lights I would like it more.
I've had 2 of them, a 2018 model and a 2024. The 2018 was mapped to 218bhp and was sold at almost 35k miles. The 2024 currently has around 10k miles on it.
Both have been brilliant for what I want, which is a bit of Sunday afternoon riding, an occasional commute into London and some regular trips both in the UK and abroad. They are fun to ride and although a little "chunky" still chuckable enough to enjoy some mountain pass action.
They're pretty good for a pillion though Mrs K1 says about 2 hours before an hour plus break is as far as she'd want to go. I, however, have done many 8+ hour days.
The one failing of both of mine is that the seat is uncomfortable after an hour to 90 minutes. I tried a gel insert, then a Sargent seat but ended up with an AirHawk seat cushion as the best solution for day long riding.
The pre 2022 bikes could be mapped with up to almost 250bhp available if you change the full exhaust and air filter although an intercooler may be needed. The ECU on the 2022 on bikes has not yet been hacked so no remap option.
My first bike did 32k miles on the chain and sprockets and got through a pair of Road 6s in around 6500 - 7000 miles.
The engine is simply stunning. It'll pull top gear cleanly and quickly from below 30mph all the way to the limiter. I did a serious of roll-on tests with a K1300S in different gears from different speeds and the sum up from the K1300S ride was "Jesus! You just f**ked off!"
And the chirps from the supercharger, "squirrel power" as it is reported back to me in the intercom when riding with the Old Gits, are completely addictive.
Both have been brilliant for what I want, which is a bit of Sunday afternoon riding, an occasional commute into London and some regular trips both in the UK and abroad. They are fun to ride and although a little "chunky" still chuckable enough to enjoy some mountain pass action.
They're pretty good for a pillion though Mrs K1 says about 2 hours before an hour plus break is as far as she'd want to go. I, however, have done many 8+ hour days.
The one failing of both of mine is that the seat is uncomfortable after an hour to 90 minutes. I tried a gel insert, then a Sargent seat but ended up with an AirHawk seat cushion as the best solution for day long riding.
The pre 2022 bikes could be mapped with up to almost 250bhp available if you change the full exhaust and air filter although an intercooler may be needed. The ECU on the 2022 on bikes has not yet been hacked so no remap option.
My first bike did 32k miles on the chain and sprockets and got through a pair of Road 6s in around 6500 - 7000 miles.
The engine is simply stunning. It'll pull top gear cleanly and quickly from below 30mph all the way to the limiter. I did a serious of roll-on tests with a K1300S in different gears from different speeds and the sum up from the K1300S ride was "Jesus! You just f**ked off!"
And the chirps from the supercharger, "squirrel power" as it is reported back to me in the intercom when riding with the Old Gits, are completely addictive.
Edited by black-k1 on Tuesday 12th May 15:15
Brewsters said:
I have a 2025 one, registered in January this year, just had it's 600 mile running in service. And it's for sale. I've gone back to an adventure style bike now as I'm too old! Obviously as new. Stupid fast and has every extra - it's the SX SE model.
Too old? I've got an additional 10 years on you. Some bikes don't work for some people but it's not an age thing.A mate of mine has a ZH2 which is a fantastic machine and completely rampant. I rode an H2SX at the Elvington runway day last year and it felt a fraction less mental (still fantastic) and I hit 178mph on it with no dramas at all. An absolute rocketship with lovely dash and ride quality.
Who doesn’t love a supercharger!
Picked mine up at the end of last season, so just starting to get it out again now the weathers improving.
You’ll want the SE version if possible, so you get the quick shifter, heated grips, cornering lights etc.
I came from a BMW boxer and the Kawasaki does shows its weight more noticeably compared to that at low speeds, but once it’s properly moving ( and it does properly, properly move! ) then it’s pretty chuckable.
Mines a 2018 and I‘ve swapped the screen for a double bubble - I’m 5,11 and found the standard screen really noisy, this doesn’t look as good, but is much quieter.
Panniers are the same as on the Z1000SX, Versys etc, so you’ll be familiar with them - well sized and well built.
Otherwise, comforts good once at speed, but perhaps a bit wristy when not - I’ve found it’s more toward the sporty side of sports touring.
Can’t talk to reliability yet, mine had its first supercharger service done by the dealer when i bought it, so that wont need doing for another 15,000 miles or so.
At the risk of tempting fate, i can’t see it being overly troublesome as there’s examples with serious miles out in the forums.
I haven’t re-mapped mine and can’t see me doing so, as it’ll only be used on the road and at no point have i ever felt it lacking in power!
Picked mine up at the end of last season, so just starting to get it out again now the weathers improving.
You’ll want the SE version if possible, so you get the quick shifter, heated grips, cornering lights etc.
I came from a BMW boxer and the Kawasaki does shows its weight more noticeably compared to that at low speeds, but once it’s properly moving ( and it does properly, properly move! ) then it’s pretty chuckable.
Mines a 2018 and I‘ve swapped the screen for a double bubble - I’m 5,11 and found the standard screen really noisy, this doesn’t look as good, but is much quieter.
Panniers are the same as on the Z1000SX, Versys etc, so you’ll be familiar with them - well sized and well built.
Otherwise, comforts good once at speed, but perhaps a bit wristy when not - I’ve found it’s more toward the sporty side of sports touring.
Can’t talk to reliability yet, mine had its first supercharger service done by the dealer when i bought it, so that wont need doing for another 15,000 miles or so.
At the risk of tempting fate, i can’t see it being overly troublesome as there’s examples with serious miles out in the forums.
I haven’t re-mapped mine and can’t see me doing so, as it’ll only be used on the road and at no point have i ever felt it lacking in power!
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff