No Grn, thanks for the Losail lap. If you watch the guy's left hand in the fairing reflection, or when he's on the straights and has to shiftdown... One smooth engine that.

"So you're saying the H2 is faster than a MotoGP bike down the Losail straight?"...I really don't know.

Me neither.....but a Moto GP bike is NOT boosted so it seems entirely possible...but I will be very surprized if it is faster than a Moto GP bike. I hope it is.

That would be so fuqing awesome if it was faster than a moto GP bike!

Given a long enough straight the H2R should have a higher top speed than a MotoGP bike, bearing in mind MotoGP bikes are geared for the particular circuit they're racing at although they could no doubt be geared higher. Acceleration is down to power to weight ratio, top speed is more down to maximum power and aerodynamics. The 2R should have better aerodynamics for the average Joe rider than the comparatively tiny MotoGP bikes and it has more max power. It will never be quicker round a circuit but what the hell!...the 2R wasn't built for that! JMO

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 3/6/2015 @ 3:51 PM *

I'm skeptical, on the other hand. 221 mph is very fast even for a boosted bike. I've never heard of a 200 hp bike doing more than 200 - 210 mph. The H2 doesn't look very aerodynamic to me. I could be wrong, I never saw any wind tunnel tests but rule #1 of aeros is smooth. The H2 has a lot of exposed engine.

This bike just arrived.You're asking WHY a Kawasaki hasn't won a GP race.IDK.I also didn't say it WAS faster or handled 'better' than a GP bike.I simply restated what the Test rider thought,and added some 'conjecture' as to maybe WHY he said what he did.To me,the test rides were not being done with totally full on Race Pros.What they think after riding to probably THEIR max...might be somewhat shy of what a PROFESSIONAL rider might experience with it.That's all I meant.We ALL know rider skill can make or break any riding test.To me...watching vids from various riders on this bike,it's clear to me they're NOT railing as hard as they can.For good reason.If you read the reviews,they all are somewhat intimidated with the performance.If you read them that is.They're certainly not saying..."I was pushing her for all she had"...because they DON'T know 'all she has'.And they certainly don't want to wreck these test bikes 'trying' to find the limits.

I'm only saying this to add some balance to this picture.We're NOT seeing the full on rideability of this bike in any videos.No doubt these Journalists are riding as best they can...but honestly...they're not the REAL GP guys.Those guys can't ride this bike...their sponsors won't let em.

I don't care whether it's faster than a $100K+ GP bike(more than that).They SHOULD go faster considering.They SHOULD handle somewhat sharper maybe...but the testing really isn't over,and the story isn't finished.The H2 is a road bike,NOT a GP machine.I'll say this though.From all the reviews on this H2 motorcycle,it has the potential to be VERY quick handling and such.Lose the cans....flash the ECU..get the suspension set up right(for track riding)...and then we'll see.

"That would be so fuqing awesome if it was faster than a moto GP bike!"...agree...and also...just how 'fast' IS a GP bike?What kind of 'fast' are we talking about?It's already been mentioned by at least one of the test riders that it'll SMOKE any current bike out there.Does that translate to GP bikes?IDK.Time will tell....the H2R is also in the running on this...how's THAT bike doing?Let's just say...stock for now.Both bikes.

"The H2 doesn't look very aerodynamic to me. I could be wrong, I never saw any wind tunnel tests but rule #1 of aeros is smooth. The H2 has a lot of exposed engine".

Is it possible with this new design that a classic bodystyle(aka 14,10R,)is just not necessary?I don't see any front end wind manipulating foils on those(except for the grooves in the cowl and sides of the upper midfairing). This particular styling deal is the optimum considering the whole machine and how it behaves at speed.They didn't just come up with this bodywork for looks.It's simply too soon to gauge how the other mfg's are gonna style their future machines.I wouldn't be a bit surprised we don't see all of em begin to incorporate this bike's design.Kawasaki has built these two bikes for optimum performance.I can see the intertwining of parts and shapes that go into em.And I think I understand WHY it is what it is.All the Kawasaki departments came together on this bike.Aerospace.Turbine.All of em.This isn't some cookie cutter R1 or Suzuki.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/6/2015 @ 7:19 PM *

.just how 'fast' IS a GP bike?What kind of 'fast' are we talking about?

Well, 220 at the most, I think and the acceleration is very important but not nearly as much as drag racing, of course.

I don't know about the H2 doing over 220. I hope it will but to get that kind of speed, we need not just a little more than 200 hp, we need ALOT more. Will a flash and a pipe do that? We'll see.....

Peg said.."In the MCN test they're talking about braking from 190".Okay...what does a GP bike brake at?220?Since when?

Snippet of 'why' from FastBikes "4 – The impeller at the heart of the supercharger breaks the speed of sound at high revs. That’s why it makes a little chirping sound as you gas it hard between corners. It’s mental!

5 – Function followed form throughout the both bikes’ design. That’s why it looks the way it does. It may not be pretty but that’s because everything is so effective on it.

I'd say it looks absolutely gorgeous.Beauty's in the eye of the beholder.When one understands the reason for why it looks as it does...it becomes MORE beautiful.(to me)

And while we've mentioned..."handling"...there's this..."There’s lots of adjustability too, and you’ll need this to get accustomed to the bike".

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/6/2015 @ 7:36 PM *

It mayb faster than a gp bike, those journos, would probably kick our ass on a track
It probably has been tested by ex gp riders to its limits and back
It's has limits be sure of that, and kawasaki know them
It's an amazing piece of engineering
But it still won't out handle a gp bike, it wasn't designed to.

Green, you don't see any wind manipulating foils??? The goddam thing has got downforce wings for mirrors!

The MCN video is all about the H2R, no mention of The h2, h2r launch/test

"That would be so fuqing awesome if it was faster than a moto GP bike!"...agree...and also...just how 'fast' IS a GP bike?What kind of 'fast' are we talking about?It's already been mentioned by at least one of the test riders that it'll SMOKE any current bike out there.Does that translate to GP bikes?IDK.Time will tell....the H2R is also in the running on this...how's THAT bike doing?Let's just say...stock for now.Both bikes."

How fast is a GP bike? A MotoGP bike is not a 'normal' motorcycle. They are the most tweakable/tuneable bikes on the planet and I'm not just talking about engine performance. As I posted above, a MotoGP bike will be setup for the track and conditions on the day so in answer to your question, it will be as fast as is possible to go on a particular circuit on a particular day.
Who said the H2 will "smoke any current bike out there"? The MCN tester states road bikes. A MotoGP bike is about as far from a road bike as it's possible to get with current technology. They are at a different level even than the current WSB spec machines.

Grn14, I don't know how you're sleeping nights mate with the prospect of taking delivery soon! Hang in there, it's comin' and if it isn't as fast as a GP bike, so what? it's no big deal and certainly NO reason at all to be in any way disappointed.

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 3/7/2015 @ 5:45 AM *

^Thanks guys for your comments...really.It is a road bike.I know it won't smoke a GP machine.No way.I'd be a total idiot to try to ride it like one.Especially on the street.That aint gonna happen.My real only hope is it will have a ride quality much like the 14.Smoothness I mean.It seems like it will.Whether it hits 220 mph...I don't care so much about that.I may never get it flashed...I just don't know.It's really hard to keep the complete smooth feel of these bikes when you start changing engine parameters and all.

Possibly an aftermarket exhaust...lose that stock can.I've got a Shorai battery all ready to pop in her.Streamline her a bit...but really that's probably as far as I'll go with it.It was mentioned before..recently,that this bike is gonna be the 'future'(at least from Kawasaki).SC I mean.I'd imagine with the popularity of this bike other mfg's are gonna step up as well.Finally getting some real facts out now about it.Kawasaki has already hinted(or said straight out)that another ordering window is gonna open up around April.Probably won't be THIS particular bike,but a more 'production friendly' machine based on this one.Which equates to a lower price as well.

I hope so.I'd be great to hear some of you guys are ordering one...I'm pretty sure no one who rides this platform is gonna be disappointed.

I'm thinking mid to end of March she'll be here.

Again guys...thanks for the comments.I always need to learn something new....

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/7/2015 @ 7:05 AM *

"Green, you don't see any wind manipulating foils??? The goddam thing has got downforce wings for mirrors!"...I meant,on the 14.And the difference between the two styling features.Up above,where Rook was speaking about the 'lack' of fairing stuff.

The H2/H2R is most definitely an exercise in Form following Function...More than any Kawasaki to date.

It is a road bike.I know it won't smoke a GP machine.

It just might at some speed. I mean, if moto GP bikes were faster on the drag strip, wouldn't we see them on the drag strip?

..but who cares. It's not a moto GP bike. If it does 220 and the average guy stands a very good chance of living if he hits a small bump, I don't need the moto GP bike. Also, the H2 is a little cheaper to buy and maintain, I'd expect. LOL you just tell em that when people say "you spent $24000 on a motorcycle!!!" It's cheaper than a GP bike.

LOL...I HATE saying how much;)It makes it appear like 'oh yeah,some rich guy bought a new toy"....which isn't the case at all.I'm by no means rich...that's for sure.Getting this bike was a real 'should I?' type thing.Financially anyway.I have to admit..I pondered a couple of times whether I really made the right decision,financially.

I can always fall back on selling it...if it comes to that.I don't even know IF I'll fit the damn(blessed) ;) thing.I hope so.If not...she'll be up for sale sometime.Funny my dealer at the beginning told me.."You won't like this bike"...(before I put the down payment in).Course at that time NOBODY knew what it would feel like.Watching that video from Hub really got me stoked all over again.I'm just so darn used to the great feel of my 14R...gonna be a hard act to follow I think...maybe?We'll see here soon.I certainly wouldn't want it sitting here not being ridden...by someone at least.

I REALLY hope his words don't happen...I love the looks of this bike...it's so....Ninja;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/7/2015 @ 8:07 AM *

"It just might at some speed. I mean, if moto GP bikes were faster on the drag strip, wouldn't we see them on the drag strip?

1. Cost mainly. Obviously the latest factory bikes are not for sale at any price, even the bikes from 2-3 years ago are leased out to privateer teams and unless you've got a 6 figure wallet, forget it. Even if you pick up an older bike many of the parts are bespoke one-offs. Unless you have your own design/machine shop, modifying one would add even further to the cost and if you blow an engine!!!

2. They're race bikes so they'll not be geared or setup for 1/4 mile work as indeed any true circuit racing bike won't be. On paper they have the power/weight stats to pull good strip times but the power delivery and handling will dictate otherwise. It's a case of the right tool for the job. You wouldn't go hunting grizzlies with a .22 rimfire.....would you?

"You wouldn't go hunting grizzlies with a .22 rimfire.....would you?"

Knowing me..I might..just to see if I could;)It'd have to be fully auto though,with a couple of nice banana clips,I'm not THAT stupid.(??????)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/7/2015 @ 9:34 AM *

Rook quote

Well, 220 at the most, I think and the acceleration is very important but not nearly as much as drag racing, of course.

I don't know about the H2 doing over 220. I hope it will but to get that kind of speed, we need not just a little more than 200 hp, we need ALOT more. Will a flash and a pipe do that? We'll see.....

Don't forget that 200+ horsepower quote was at 11000 rpm not the true power peak of the engine which would have to be redline limited probably at almost 14k because with the supercharger it keeps building power. It will also be speed limited if in fact they are testing a stock bike so it won't be going 221 mph.

Just read in Japan,their test riders got the H2 up to 221.All stock.May have been in that MCN review.

If this is the fact, the H2 is a true ground breaker.

I think we should abandon "built beyond belief" and go with "It's a whole new bird."

It will also be speed limited if in fact they are testing a stock bike so it won't be going 221 mph.

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/8/2015 @ 1:52 AM *

"Just read in Japan,their test riders got the H2 up to 221.All stock.May have been in that MCN review."

I think they're talking about the H2R.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/first-rides-tests/2015/march/video-kawasaki-h2-and-h2r-first-ride/

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 3/8/2015 @ 5:24 AM *

Yeah that's the R..... They said the H2 was in the 180 range but that's good knowing the throttle is only at 23% open at that speed with all the restrictions.

;)..If their Stock H2R is topping at 221...a 50-60K sc motorcycle...they're in a LOT of trouble.Buyer wise.

"By the second lap I was already seeing an indicated 290kph (180mph) at the end of the 1km main straight, before shutting off"....this is NOT an H2R.The article is talking about performance of the H2.

"repeatedly stopping 238kg from 190mph"...so he got better at opening her up as the laps rolled on.

"1km main straight"...that's .6 miles.With turns at both ends=having to brake in LESS than .6 miles.

Anyone know the length or track in Japan where they 'supposedly' hit 221?I don't.

I think...if it WAS an H2R,that .6 mile run would have been...well...somewhat north of 221.Don't you?

The issue has been...getting from 1st to 6th without flipping the thing.As was mentioned several times,in several reviews,you can't just pin this thing in the lower gears...you have to get into it a wee bit more mildly to keep the rear grabbing.And you can't use full or even partial TC expecting monster High speed topping...it won't let it accelerate as it needs to to get a half mile straight full on top speed.In Japan,they have a monster test track...fully banked just for this type of test.

I say..the H2 hit 221.In Japan.

At the Losail track,there's just not enough room to pin her and keep her pinned to reach a max speed for the bike.She's just too strong for those straights...they're not long enough.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/8/2015 @ 9:05 AM *