The H2 will Handel well for sure....most here think the 14 handles well and so do I for what it was intended to do. But it's not even close to the 10R BUT that's a track bike. I would never want to ride my 10 to the tail of the Dragon and back. The only that that would be dragon would be my nuts! Lol IMHO the 10 is not for that. The H2 will be the best for both worlds just like the 14 is for touring and ripping around. Is it the best at either one? No way but it is fun ? Hell yes! I loved doing track days on the 14 until I rode a 10R then I was sold....Everyone has a differant idea on how to ride and what's fun for them.....that's why we have so many differant bike out there. Shit look at Harley's lol I would give you five bucks for one. But that doesn't mean I don't like them. They are just not my style.....

@Somefun: You are right on the $$ but it's about the context. The h2 will corner well for a bike its size and its weight just like the 14 does for its given size and weight but it won't corner as well as a ZX-10. I do not think it will corner well for a liter but the power will make up for that as far as the fun experience goes. At my height I refuse to take a long trip on the H2. Anything smaller than a Busa or 14 is asking for trouble and when you factor the average ZX-14 rider height and weight it is going to be a problem for a lot of people. Most of us were waiting for a ZX-14 killer, or a ZX-10R killer but the H2 has its own niche. It's not a super bike per say, it's just a revamp of its predecessor. To me, it's the Hummer of bikes. The performance are there but it's hard to find it an application.
I'll be interested to see what you do to it and what place the bike will have in your roster and how easy the bike is to ride for long run but it's not for me. I have a fairly reliable machine in the 14. My plan with the next bike I get is to build it up to Super bike Spec and ride tracks with it. It's hard to build a bike that has both sport touring and track capabilities but will wait to hear from you.

@Green: that comment you made about corners and straight lines is just silly or only apply to roads in Montana. Cornering is where the most fun is at. Here in Texas, even on my outdated 14, I am always surprised by how soon I have got squeeze on the brake after I come out of a corner. In NE I came to close to max out several times and that was within 6 months of owning the bike (my first bike ever). Don't get me wrong, I could max out here but I would need to have some serious speed in the corner and run some serious lean angle. To each his own I am not knocking your bike buddy. There are just too many questions at the moment and we won't know for sure until next summer.

Nah...it's cool....I agree with ya.I love my 14...it's a great bike...and I think I'm gonna love the H2....hell...I can't rail either one all the time.And the corners indeed are the best fun.This is gonna be a really nice deal for me to have a top end literbike and something I believe will be reliable....I don't plan on modding the new one...maybe an exhaust to help it flow...and a possible flash...but we'll see.I certainly won't be getting another bike in my lifetime...this will be it.

I certainly won't be getting another bike in my lifetime...this will be it.

I don't believe you, BTW.

This is gonna be a really nice deal for me to have a top end literbike and something I believe will be reliable...

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/15/2014 @ 4:45 PM *

That Duc's cool....I never could get into that sound either....just used to the inline 4 whine I guess;)

"LOL just don't let it be the death of you. Grn."...I'll try not to....

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/15/2014 @ 5:09 PM *

In agreement with Drag on the H2, should be a straight line monster but a notch below the current generation ZX-10R in the handling department. I noticed in the vids released, they were riding it on a closed course with a professional rider but it wasn't handling the corners like a current literbike.
Change of subject now, the new R1, I'm guessing around 440 lbs wet and maybe 170-175 HP at the rear tire with very sophisticated electronics. I think it'll be good and move Yamaha up out of the cellar in the 2015 literbike wars but not a game changer IMHO, more like the Gen 4 ZX-10R, really good but not going to knock the S1000RR off it's present perch.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 11/15/2014 @ 7:04 PM *

I generally like the look except the headlights are a bit strange, remind me of a manta ray's eyes in stalks.

I've always loved kawasaki HP but one of my all time favorite past bikes was a 94 FZR1000. Seeing pics of the new yamaha make me miss that bad boy and also make me wish I'd held off bying the 2014 14r.

No Hydraulic Clutch?Hmmm...okay.

"a notch below the current generation ZX-10R in the handling department. I noticed in the vids released, they were riding it on a closed course with a professional rider but it wasn't handling the corners like a current literbike"...LOL!!!wasn't handling the corners...well...maybe the guy didn't want to risk crashing this 60K bike straight out the gate...until he got a real feel for it.Which is what he was doing...getting a feel for it.In front of the cameras...imagine what fodder THAT would produce for the critics;)

"make me wish I'd held off bying the 2014 14r"..it's not too late...you could get a nice trade in and get one.I'm sure they want to sell these Yammies as quickly as possible....before the feedback starts rolling in.....

Personally...I'd NEVER ride a bike I didn't feel good about...but that's just me?Can you describe your feelings when riding your 14?Must be a joy killer seeing other bikes out there knowing you made a wrong choice....????

I've been reading posts about people's 'impressions' of the H2(some here,some elsewhere).They all seem to point at cornering.Which is fine.But I think they just might be missing the elegance and brutal acceleration characteristics of this bike.For one...all these vids are being taken at controlled riding from a Kawasaki rider.He's certainly not going balls out.Also...no one has even mentioned(maybe not even thought of?)that getting to the corners requires riding in straight lines.On a track...on the street...

Kawasaki seemed to talk about 'high speed' stability as a talking point..kinda.They talk about this mind blowing acceleration(and the design of the 'wings'...keeping the frontend planted).Okay...so how does this apply to a track scenario?And not just...'going fast' on the straights...but flying through the straights and doing it MUCH quicker.These vids don't show that...they show a guy being careful....that's what they show.I'd like to see Rossi or someone of his caliber riding one of these.Course...that won't happen...they're riding for someone else....but it would be cool to see a real pro racer get this baby out there....IDK how many racers routinely get their bikes up to 250 on a straight...probably not too many...but I think what Kawasaki meant by their catchwords of power and speed and quickness was directly saying this thing is gonna beat every existing thing around...that's what I think they mean.Not necessarily...LSR.

No...Kawasaki doesn't want any 'rep' crashing this new bike.That's all that is....controlled riding.....

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/15/2014 @ 11:17 PM *

Nice try by Yamaha...(guess they thought they were saving the hassle of actually painting the tank on this one..maybe passing on the cost to paint it to the buyer?even took some ques from the Beemer here;)...that Panagale...uh....is that a toilet seat under that subframe?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/15/2014 @ 11:11 PM *

Grn,if I'm not mistaken, the tank on that R1 is made from aluminum alloy, probably best not to paint that, they polish up like a new penny.

"Toilet seat" on the Panigale is actually a CF heat shield, the first ones released didn't have that and the owners complained of roasted butts.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 11/16/2014 @ 5:27 AM *

Grn, styling is a very personal thing, I'm not a fan of the H2 styling yet, at least not in the colors here, looks way too much like transformer meets batmobile for my taste. It may be different when you see one up close in person, I'll have to wait until next spring to see one and decide. The bottom line is if it's the right bike for you. If it pushes all the right buttons then I'd get it.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 11/16/2014 @ 5:43 AM *

It looks to me like the H2 was flying down the straightaway on the track but as we all agree, the rider was cornering fast, just not "elbow dragging" fast. IDK if Kawi is overly concerned about crashing a test H2 at this point. I'd assume a number of them have been made by now. They've put money into producing these teasers so I imagine they would be showing off the bike's capabilities for all it's worth. Against the other liter bikes, the H2 will probably clear the floor coming out of a corner, headed for the straightaway. I don't think it is going to lap faster on most tracks if it doesn't corner as well as the other bikes. Most pros can do a faster lap time on a 600 than they can on a 1000 because the 1000 has to slow down so much more in cornering. As far as lap times go, it's pretty tough to make up for slower corners with a faster top speed on the straightaways. That's all road racing stuff. We already know it won't be permitted to race in Moto GP because of the boost. I think this bike is going to be sought after for drag racing and LSR and it will be appealing to street riders for all of the stock performance features. Not a lot of people are dragging knees or elbows on the street anyway.

Yep, H2 is a niche bike, time will tell just what niche it will fill. Should be interesting to see in any case.

"Yep, H2 is a niche bike, time will tell just what niche it will fill. Should be interesting to see in any case"...agree.J/K BTW about those other bikes there....the H2 can't ride GP...like Rookster said...Which begs the question.."WHERE does this thing fit?"...Maybe it really was intended for LSR...or Dragging.IDK.It has a pretty narrow future...that seems to be the deal anyway....hell...I'm cool with that.I didn't get my 14 for LSR or Track either...it'll be fine for what I want here.I think...;)

The supercharger spins 10x as fast as the engine. Can you imagine how that puppy sings? I bet your going to feel that. Grn, I hope someone makes an exhaust that shoots sparks and glows like the race model. You need that.

"shoots sparks and glows like the race model. You need that"....LOL!!!.Well...I think the pipes are gonna glow...as for the sparks...not so sure about that;)We'll see...I'll do my best;)

I'm not so sure that the H2 street HAS any real limiters on it...except maybe RPM(redline).As for top end speed...methinks they may have decided to throw that out the window with this model...

One thing here...we know they're reading these forums...all over the world...mining em for what paying customers are wanting.What's in that ECU on those Bike Show models may very well be DIFFERENT by the time the shipments 'paid for' start arriving.They haven't shipped yet that I know of to any purchasers.You KNOW the first thing is gonna be...the DYNO....once that's out...it may or may not make or break future sales for this bike....even if it IS 'only' a certain amount produced.People can still 'back out' even if they've paid a deposit.

The last thing Kawasaki wants is for customers to be disappointed with this bike...it'll cast a BIG shadow on anything they have planned ahead regarding Supercharged bikes and performance.This thing HAS to live up to the rep....

What I meant by different...I believe that race version most likely had everything set to produce max HP and all.The street version....I think that has the possibility from Kawasaki to be changed before they start leaving the factory.I haven't read about ANY firm numbers yet...except on that H2R....the H2 is still....not settled from all I read.Some said...210...others...220....some...197.(HP)...there's none to test(Jay Leno said:"we have to get one of these")(meaning to me...Kawasaki was right there to load the bike back up and take it away after his photoshoot)...or if there is...they've signed an agreement to NOT reveal the numbers....unless they're VERY GOOD.And that guy that was talking with Leno...when Jay talked about a HP number...he just kinda glossed over it...and said "It'll be very good"...something like that.I do think it'll be somewhere between 220...and 250.That's my thought.

It's already been challenged by the literbikes from Ducati,Yamaha,Honda...and Suzuki.So I really think that the final numbers for the H2 street are gonna be well over those other brands...I just think so.Remember...people can still cancel their orders...then Kawasaki's stuck with bikes they can't sell...of this caliber.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/16/2014 @ 6:58 PM *

I'm guessing maybe 240 - 250 HP at the back tire on the H2R, somewhere in that ballpark range and maybe 190 rear wheel hp on the H2. If the H2 will not put down more BHP on a dyno than a naturally aspirated BMW S1000RR then it's going to be an epic fail for KHI, they know what BMW has and they know what they need to beat it, I can't believe they would release it withou gapping the BMW by a comfortable margin. If they can't outrun the BMW in a straight line they will be laughing stock and will have a lot of unsold bikes on dealer floors. Remember launch of the Gen 4 ZX-10R in 2011, 200 BHP with ram air, I have the Cycle World magazine, actual bike is 159 rear wheel HP, still a great machine but down 40 HP from what we expected. That's why I am taking a wait and see attitude this time. I hope you're right Grn and the H2 can blow the wheels off the BMW.

I would put the following machines on my wish list:

2015 BMW S1000RR
2015 YZF R1M
2015 F3 800
2015 Panigale 1299

Not necessarily in that order.

The ZX-10R is still relevant but essentially the same machine as my '11.

The 2015 CBR is the same bike as my '12, definitely Honda needs to step up their game.

The GSXR1000 is long overdue for an overhaul and while a great bike it is lacking in a lot of areas, outright power and TC being just two of them.

The Aprilia RSV4 is a contender but reliability issues keep me at bay.

The MV F4 is a timeless classic with attention to detail second to none but I wish that attention would bleed over into areas like fueling and power delivery. Sort those and this bike would make my top four list.

Latest I heard is the H2R pipe has been put on an H2 by someone. Grn, you can have your spark blowing cherry red noise maker for a few extra $$. I don't know how you go about doing it but it looks like it can be done. Of course, who ever did it was not a normal guy because only the impOtent people have the H2 right now.

Imagine if you can get the 250-300 hp out of an H2 with a flash and a pipe? Grn, you'll fly! Now that is starting to make it real hard choice between the new R1 and the H2. With race performance from the H2, I think I'd have to go with that.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/20/2014 @ 7:25 AM *

"Grn, you'll fly!"...lol.Well...I have been sayin...it was purposely built to accept higher HP numbers....;)Good to see they're already on this...called cox yesterday for a rad guard....they don't have one yet for this bike(natch)...but he assured me...they will.Cam change....,clutch,head gasket....kinda minor for 300HP.....

Stock?250HP with flash...hell even something lower would STILL be fine;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/20/2014 @ 8:17 AM *

Grn, why not go for the real deal and get the H2R, 300HP and 250 mph top speed? No need to modify it for more speed or power, 250 mph is plenty for any of the roads I ride around here. You should be able to add lights and a license plate pretty easily and get it registered.

I already tried to steer him that way. I imagine there has to be something more than just carbon fiber that makes the H2R special(er). A lot of people who bought the H2R will be pissed if H2 owners get the same hp for a couple thousand dollars in mods.

Do you really think it will do 250? That just seems unreal. Boosted hyperbikes don't do 250. It takes so much power to do 1 mph faster once you get close to 200. I'm skeptical on the claims that the H2R did 230+ in tests.

"I already tried to steer him that way"...25k is TOTALLY final for me...64K...no way baby.

Well..I meant..in HP.Not top speed.If that's what ya meant?It won't be hitting anywhere NEAR 300HP in it's street motor config.You are right...guys getting that H2R for 64K...they would be pissed...I don't think honestly that Kawasaki wants any of that...BUT...the info on the motor...in the H2R...it states...engine designed for 1.5 to 2X the power out put capable...with the 300 HP setup motor.If I take that as it sounds...that H2R is gonna be capable of well over 300HP(with some modding per ECU and such).Now THAT would be really something...and those guys getting one would be naturally VERY pleased with that. IF that's what is meant with the 1.5-2X number figure.I don't think it was confined to the street version...although it's a clear admission that the street one WILL be able to handle those HP numbers.Course..if you DO the H2R's engine factory 'mods'...in the H2...then update the ECU...who knows?400 HP 524 lb bike?...sheesh..you could certainly keep the factory headers and mufflers on there...and STILL be very happy...and somewhat quiet as well.My neighbors would appreciate that I'm sure;)That race pipe on there...I'm sorry...but for me...it's just TOO loud.I know...it serves it's purpose...but I certainly wouldn't want anything like that on my street riding bike...no way.It may not be excessive at idle...but crack that throttle...it's LOUD.

And I certainly have NO intention of trying to ride 250 MPH on the street... with this acceleration however,it could cover the needed distance here in a very short time....say...two miles of nice straight road;)

Sorry Rookster...misinterpreted your post above...my bad..I see what you were talking about now;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/20/2014 @ 7:35 PM *