2015 Kawasaki H2 Street Version

We just got official word that the H2 makes 200 hp. Kawasaki PR would not release this information, but the official European Ninja H2 website has the bike listed as making 200PS, which equates to 197 hp (we're sure they're rounding up the PS figure). This is big news, as it's far from the highest hp street bike, yet it's big brother has set records with the highest horsepower production motorcycle from a major brand. Remember the H2R is not street legal, but the H2 is. Read the rest of the story below to see the differences between the two drivetrains has it sounds like it'll be very easy to make 300hp out of the h2 with simple tuning.
Here it is, the menacing street brother to the Kawasaki H2R - the H2. A watered down version of the track-only H2R, it’ll still be one of the baddest street bikes on the road. The question remains, how close is it to its big brother and how easily can it make the same power?

2015 Kawasaki H2 Street Version

First up, the important stuff: horsepower, but that won’t come easy; as with everything Kawasaki does, it's covered in secrecy and teasers. Today, we don’t see exact horsepower figures from the 26 page-long press release on the bike. The H2R makes 300hp, in case you already didn't know, thanks to supercharged 998cc's.
READ MORE: Clearing Up the Rumors: Kawasaki Ninja H2 | RideApart
This engine is practically identical to the H2R, but with different head gasket, exhaust and cam profiles, and we’re sure a more mild tune with less boost. The supercharger seems to be (but not confirmed) identical to the H2R, which begs the question: with simple tuning can you make 300hp out of the H2? That’s what we’ve been hoping for. We'd still guess the H2 makes north of 220hp.
The 45mm diameter stainless-steel exhaust is tuned separately for the H2, since it has a different torque range and mufflers. It sounds like the supercharger was tuned back and other items (notably cam profile and exhaust) were adjusted to make a for a smoother torque curve.

The only other notable difference between the two drivetrain packages is the clutch, as both bikes will have the same dog-ring transmission.
READ MORE: 300hp Kawasaki Ninja H2 and H2R Specs ... - RideApart
The H2 engine makes 8.5:1 compression and we can only assume that’s the same for the H2R. Some information not yet revealed on the H2R is shown at this unveiling, while some remains a mystery, like power. Come on Kawasaki, we need to know!
[UPDATE: We sent Kawasaki a list of questions about the H2, to which they only gave limited answers. The press release states 35 psi of boost, but according to a Kawasaki rep via email, the H2 makes 20.5 psi of boost. Was Kawasaki referring to the H2R when they wrote 35 psi?]
Since we don’t know the specs of the H2R’s supercharger configuration and boost levels for sure, we can’t make assessments as to the H2’s power. The H2’s propeller like the H2R is a 5-axis CNC milled gear that spins at 130,000 rpm when the bike reaches its 14,000 rpm redline. The supercharger will produce 35 psi pressure at redline [read above].

Price and Weight

It hits the scales with a curb weight of 524.7 pounds and will sell for $25,000; we were hoping the street version came in right under $30,000. The overall length is 82 inches with a 32.5 inch seat height. That's expensive for a sport bike, but with the level of exclusivity and performance you get with the H2, it's cheap.

The Ride

It’s a one seater with no room for a friend on or off the track. According to Kawasaki its “rider triangle is similar to that of the Ninja^® ZX™-10R motorcycle, but more relaxed.” Like the H2R, it has hip supporting pads that flank the rear of the seat and feature 15mm of adjustment.

Gauges

The tach will have an actual needle, with a black face that changes color as rpm increases. Beside the tach is the fully digital LCD screen that uses an analog-style tach as well. The screen uses white letters on a black background.
In addition to a digital speedometer and gear position indicator, display functions include: odometer, dual trip meters, current mileage, average mileage, fuel consumption, coolant temperature, boost indicator, boost (intake air chamber) temperature, stopwatch (lap timer), clock and the Economical Riding Indicator.

Electronics

The new Yamaha R1 was unveiled yesterday with a gigantic list of electronic configurations and aids. The H2 has a long list of it’s own now too with Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), Kawasaki Launch Control (KLCM), Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-Lock Brake System (KIBS) and Öhlins electronic steering damper.
The Kawasaki Engine Braking Control is exactly how it sounds; adjust the setting and the engine braking will be reduced when you let off the throttle.

While the bike doesn’t have electronically-aided Ohlins suspension like the R1, it does have an electronic steering dampener.
The intelligent anti-lock brakes work both brakes when needed and provide: rear lift suppression, minimal kickback during operation and accounts for back-torque, according to Kawasaki.
The Kawasaki Traction Control offers three modes of intrusion, with three adjustable points within those settings, allowing for nine possible combinations. The biggest limiter is Rain Mode, which cuts power down to 50 percent... for when you let the valet park it.

Suspension

THe H2 will feature the same suspension as the H2R, KYB^® AOS-II racing suspension. The 43mm forks are based on the Air-Oil Separate cartridge fork that was originally developed for motocross racing.
Out back are fully adjustable KYB components mounted into the Uni-Trak^® linkage that offers good grip; the upper mount mounts to the swing arm eliminating the need for a crossmember.

Paint

You've probably been looking at the bike to try and figure out the color. The H2 is so tech heavy even the paint is called "High-Tech." It's a Mirror Coated Black designed by Kawasaki just for the H2. It has a high level of accuracy around it and while it's all shot robotically it's finished by hand.
According to Kawasaki, “In the shade, the paint appears black, but once in the sunlight its highly reflective surface takes on the appearance of the surrounding scenery. The stark difference in the way the paint appears in the light and shade emphasizes the beautiful curvature of the bike’s sculpted bodywork.”

Conclusion

Again Kawasaki won’t give us all the specs we so desire, but they will give us enough to be happy for now. We’re anxious to see what kind of power this bike will make showroom stock and the final boost levels of the H2R, as they’re sure to be astronomical.
[UPDATE: The H2's 200hp rating has us a little disappointed as it's comparable to its brother, the Ninja ZX14R and wont beat out the BMW S1000RR, while still being heavier than the BMW. Showroom stock, it sounds like the H2 won't be setting any records, but it also sounds like you can easily make 300hp out of the H2 with simply more boost and possibly different cams.
The Ninja website states: "In order to accommodate the higher air pressure from the supercharger as well as ensure a high reliability with the over 300 PS output of the closed-course Ninja H2R, the whole engine was designed to be able to handle stresses 1.5x to 2x greater than on a naturally aspirated litre-class engine."]

First appeared in https://rideapart.com

SPORTBIKES SPEC TEMPLATE	Ninja H2
Engine	Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke in-line four
Displacement	998cc
Bore x Stroke	76 x 55mm
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Fuel System	Fuel injection: 50mm x 4 with dual injection
Intake System	Kawasaki supercharger
Cooling System	Water-cooled
Lubrication	Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler
Ignition	Digital
Transmission	6-speed, return, dog-ring
Final Drive	Chain
Frame Type	Trellis, high-tensile steel, with swingarm mounting plate
Rake/Trail	24.4˚ / 4"
Fuel Capacity	4.5 gallons
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel	43mm inverted fork with rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs / 4.7
Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel	New Uni-Trak® with gas-charged shock, piggyback reservoir, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, rebound damping and preload adjustability, and top-out spring / 5.3"
Front Tire Size	120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W)
Rear Tire Size	200/55 ZR17 M/C (78W)
Front Brakes	Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-piston calipers, dual semi-floating 330mm discs
Rear Brakes	Opposed 2-piston calipers, single 250mm disc
Overall Length	82"
Overall Width	30.3"
Overall Height	44.3
Overall Height Windscreen Lowered/Raised	N/A
Ground Clearance	5.1"
Seat Height	32.5"
Curb Weight**	524.7 lb
Wheelbase	57.3
Color Choices	Mirror Coated Black
MSRP	$25,000
Warranty	TBD
Kawasaki Protection Plus (optional)	TBD

W650 Dirt Racer

Kawasaki W650 Dirt Racer
by Jürgen Brand and Schlachtwerk - Offenbach am Main, Germany

Timo Le Mans Photography

First read on http://inazumacafe.blogspot.co.uk

Kawasaki's newest weapon

Like the rest of you, we've been chomping at the bit for any new information about Kawasaki's newest weapon, the Ninja H2 and H2R. We've seen the dramatic photos, we've heard the chirping dyno pulls, but today, we get to see it in motion.
Kawasaki has released volume 11 of their viral marketing campaign for the H2 , showing the track-only H2R being put through its paces, tested and tuned at Autopolis, their test track in Japan. The sound of the Ninja H2R at full song is impressive even over computer speakers, and while the test rider handles the bike somewhat gingerly, you have to wonder what sort of systems are keeping all 300 of the hyperbike's horses in check while accelerating out of the corners.

There are so many questions yet to answer about the Baddest Ninja Ever. What will it cost? What power figures will the street version make? How many minutes will it be until somebody tunes the street version up into a track version with lights? What will the bike be capable of, in the right hands? What the heck does Kawasaki plan to do with it?
But one thing's for sure. Big Green knows how to get our attention, and they're doing a good job keeping it.
Here we go again, it looks like Kawasaki will start again with its teasers of the H2. The first set of teasers led up to the unveiling of the 2015 Kawasaki H2R last week at Intermot. Now, we have the wait all over again, as we see the first teaser for the 2015 Kawasaki H2 street version.
Said to be detuned and far less expensive, the H2 will be built for the street where the H2R is a track-only bike. Now the pair of bikes have been seen together for what will likely be another long list of teaser videos leaving us wanting more.

The 2015 Kawasaki H2 Street

What do you think will be different with the H2 compared to the H2R? Comment below. Our best guess is it'll receive a detuned drivetrain that's (hopefully) identical to the H2R, but with around 225hp. From the images it looks like it might have a carbon-fiber body work as well, but the top wings were replaced with mirrors. The front fairing, might be different as the windscreen could possibly be at a less steep angle, but again, it's hard to tell. We can definitely spot two huge exhaust canisters with probably a 4-to-2-to-1-to-2 exhaust configuration. It looks as though the street-version will retain the single-sided swing arm, like so many of us were hoping for.

Through the power of Photoshop we can see this from the video.

The rumor is the street version will be unveiling sooner than you think (so stay tuned to RideApart, this month) meaning fewer teaser videos then before.

92′ Kawasaki KZ1000P ‘Kwakazilla’ by Hajarbroxx Motorcycles

Hajarbroxx Motorcycles out of Bandung, Indonesia are producing some of the most unique customs we’ve seen for a while.
The good cop, a Kawasaki, has turned outlaw....ready to roam the streets of Jakarta.
Complete crazy construction, with a distinctive design. 

The engine is police stock, with K&N filters for the look and to milk the horsepower.
It’s an Indonesian Kawasaki KZ1000P Police Edition named ‘Kwakazilla’ and thanks to it, criminal getaways in Indonesia were about as successful as a North Korean metal band.
 

A lot of nice details were made for this motorcycle.
The tail and fairing were handmade by Hajarbroxx using aluminium. They were going to use aluminium for the tank as well but ended up using galvanised steel sheets, so they could shape it exactly the way they wanted to.
 You check out some of the other Hajarbroxx projects on their Facebook page.

The concept was to build a cafe racer with a 4-cylinders Japanese built engine that still runs smooth and has legal papers. This bike is one of the big Kwaka’s that were imported and used in 1992 for escorting Presidents and Prime Ministers limousines when there was a large political conference that was held in Jakarta. After the event ended a lot of these bikes were sold and auctioned to civilians.

Gifny Richata – Hajarbroxx Motorcycles
It’s great to see builders in countries like Indonesia turning out bikes that are easily as good as the American, Australian and European custom builds that we usually see. Hajarbroxx’s first custom that saw the big time was the “Kill Hill” bike featured on Bike Exif, comparing that bike to this one shows a clear design language and I, for one, can’t wait to see more from them.

It was built by Hajarbroxx Motorcycles of Bandung in Indonesia, a small custom workshop started by illustrator Gifny Richata and his mechanic friend Nandang.

The seat was crafted by the infamous leathersmith Xian Leather in New York – who apparently doesn’t do motorcycle related work anymore.

Photography by Krishna Kastubi]

Here the original Motorcycles originally was produced and destination for Police in some Asian countries As Kawasaki was starting to gain competition in the form of larger capacity motorcycles, they had no option but to increase the capacity of the Z900, and thus the Z1000 was born.

The engine design remained basically the same as the Z900, however the bore of the cylinders was increased from 66mm to 70mm bringing the new capacity to 1015cc.

UK and European models were designated Z1000 whereas the American model was known as the KZ1000.

The same machine was was featured in the television show CHiPs, wherein it was ridden by the protagonist characters Ponch and Jon, two California Highway Patrol officers. The bike was also used in various other TV shows and feature films such as Great Teacher Onizuka (a Japanese anime series) and Chain Reaction (Keanu Reeves' character's bike). The Kz1000 was also featured heavily in the 1979 movie Mad Max, in which a 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 was ridden by the Main Force Patrol officer Jim Goose, played by Steve Bisley.^[3]

Parts of the story appeared on http://www.pipeburn.com

Drifter Bikes Phoenix

Paul “The Jerk” Stanner of Drifter Bikes is one of those proper Australians. He’s been a pearl diver, crocodile farmer, surfer, drifter and beach bum. His dad is from England and back in the day was a Rocker and a biker, so Paul was destined to catch our unified customisation disease. 15 years ago he moved to the big smoke on the other side of the country and got a grown up job in Sydney. What spare time remained was spent in the backyard shed, building bikes for mates and mates of mates. Currently his 21 month old daughter is not proving to be so productive at welding or lapping in valves, so builds are taking a little longer than Paul is used to.
This Kawasaki W650 is a break from the customer led projects (see the GB500 here) and is a personal ride for Paul, and named after his daughter Phoenix.

The donor is a 2001 model bought on eBay, from a tiny town in Australia’s heartland, far from the sea and rust inducing rain, so arrived in really good condition. A Cafe-Tracker was to be the self imposed brief, so the front wheel was the first job on the bench. The 19″ rim was cast aside and an 18 incher relaced to the standard hub, but a slightly wider 2.15″ to allow for fatter front tyre options. In this case a Pirelli MT90, with the fender chopped and lowered for a close fit.

The arse-end on the Kawasaki W is a tricky thing to get right without hacking our the subframe, in stock form its just too wide at the shock mounts and makes for an overly large seat. Paul saw to this with a hoop that maintained the kick-up but finishes up short, allowing the rear fender to take the mud catching and licence plate holding duties. Neatly tucked away is the stop light, hidden between the curve in the fender and the plate mount. The new gas shocks raise the now fine looking tail by 30mm and provide a simple indicator mounting spot.

A small box under the seat house the boring electrical stuff and the battery has been sent down below to live on the swing arm, leaving breathing space for the more traditional style pancake air filters and rejetted carbs. Paul credits the W650 forum and Guy Sciacca for decent advice on jetting and set up, “Never underestimate the help you can get from complete strangers on some of the great forums”. Stainless headers ensure the breathing out part is both efficient and good looking, leading to a MotoGP-esque silencer which sounds as good as it looks.

The tank concept has been rattling around Paul’s head for a while and Kyle from Smith Concepts managed to drag out the ideas and execute them far beyond expectation. The actual canvas for this artwork was a tank laying around the shed that was massaged into position in an attempt to maintain a parallel line with the bottom and the ground, i’d say that was pretty level.

Manufactures are adept at stuffing inordinate amounts of wiring into headlamps and around cockpits and the W650 offered few hiding places. The mini-fairing looks speak and draws the eye along towards the rest of the tank and provides a small spot to bury cable. Stock handlebar mounts have been shaved and clip-ons mounted straight to the forks. The thin seat has been covered in a rather cool Porsche trim by East Coast Trim Shop.
When you’re working on your own machine there’s definitely a huge amount of satisfaction to be drawn from the process, but Paul is already feeling an itch that needs scratching. Anyone out there want to commission a build and relieve his growing listlessness? Get in touch  with Paul here and keep an eye on his Facebook page

Firs appeared on http://thebikeshed.cc

76 Kawasaki KZ400 – Tattoo Custom Motorcycles

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Some of us dream of throwing in the towel on our day jobs to do what we truly love. Whether it’s building custom bikes, opening a café or just taking more time to focus on your family, it’s a fantasy that’s as common as slap bass in Seinfeld. But as with most things inline, there’s another option to consider. What if, instead of leaving one job for another, you just combined your passions and did both? Sounds impossible, right? Well don’t tell that to North Carolina’s Tattoo Projects, who are currently a successful advertising agency and a custom bike shop. It might seem crazy, but when you consider that they count Victory Motorcycles amongst their clients, you can kind of see the logic of it all. And what have they been up to when they weren’t standing around with whiskey and cigarettes Don Draper-ing? This is what.

We’ll let Rudy Banny – Tattoo’s Founder and Creative Director – kick things off. “Born from the Tattoo Projects Ad Agency, Tattoo Motorcycles applies the same principles of creativity to customs as we do to making ads for our clients.” On any given day at Tattoo, bikes are being made right alongside tv spots, print ads, and package designs. The Tattoo team suggests that this kind of creative influence produces bikes with an unusual and memorable style… and hopefully some decent bike ads, too.

“There’s a few things that characterise a Tattoo bike. A lower stance. A stretched swing arm. A better-proportioned profile. Fatter, gnarlier tires. Powder coating. An exhaust sound you can feel. Great seats. We do whatever it takes to bring out the soul of the bike,” says Rudy.

This build was a joint venture with their mates at 2topia Cycles. They agreed to do a steam punk-influenced design on the Kawasaki and things were kicked off with the removal of the bulky rear end and the modifying the sub frame to provide a cool, solid foundation to build on.

“We went the solo seat route and attached some clip-ons, rear sets and Ohlins shocks. She was really starting to take shape. We had a custom triple-tree machined, we powder coated the wheels and we strapped on some gnarly Pirelli Scorpions.” That’s right about when the boys recruited the help of Nate Hamlin and Bob Iwankow of 2topia to do their magic on that damn, pesky wiring.

Nate and Bob hooked the KZ up with a complete rewire and buried most of it in the frame while they were at it. Seeing the rather impressive results, it stood to reason that they fit the bike with some slick Motogadget components. And to wrap things up, they broke out their deft fabrication moves to build some bespoke custom fenders and an exhaust set-up. We’re not sure about you, but we’re really liking the twin trumpet look they’ve achieved.

But is it a Mac or a PC?

If you like what you see, then be sure to check their stunning 1970 BSA Lightning we featured back in 2013. Eighteen months later and it still manages to bring a smile to our faces and an itch to our throttle hands. Nice, huh?

First appeared in http://www.pipeburn.com/