So there's all this excitement over H2 and H2R. And it should be, production supercharged motorcycles are rare. Although there have been plenty of production bikes with forced induction already, most have been turbo charged.

Consider the rumor on estimated price for the H2, ~$25k give or take a few thousand.

Would someone be better off buying a ZX-10R (or other supersports) and adding a turbo or supercharger and having about 20k in the bike vs. 25k for a H2 or maybe even competition for the H2R on the track for about 50% of the price? ? Has this been an oversight on Kawasaki's part of developing a bike with such a supposed premium price tag?

Frankly I like the H2. I would like it better if it had a full fairing. It'll be interesting to see how it compares to the ZX-10R and other liter bikes on the track. But if I were going to do anything, I'd probably lean more this way than buying an H2.

ZX-10R: $14,000
Turbo Kit: $4500 (250 hp, http://www.tobefast.com/Velocity-Racing-Kawasaki-ZX10r-Turbo-Kit-04-07.html)
Insallation: $2000 (just guessing adding some padding in for tuning etc., DIY would reduce)
Total: $20,500, 25 more hp

Thoughts?

I guess you'd have to try to put a dollar value on the H2 warranty vs. completely pissing away the zx10 warranty. Plus resale on a bike you put a turbo on vs. resale value of a bike with an oem supercharger. I guess I'd go with the H2.

I'm interested in the H2 because it's new and different. But I'm not planning on standing in line at the Kawasaki dealer with $$ in hand to be the first to own one. For that matter I've love to have one of those 2015 Anniversary Edition ZX-14's as well, perhaps I can get a package deal?

Unlikely, I think I'll do what I usually do, wait around and see what folks are asking on the resale market a few years down the road. Maybe I'll have one...in 2020! :)

Plus, adding the turbo to the zx10r does NOT get you the better suspension, elec steering damper, better brakes, engine controls (adjustable engine braking), quick shifter, launch control, zillion way traction control, single side swingarm, fancy wheels, awesome black-silver paint and whatever else it has.

NOW, if you wait; the 10r and other bikes will likely get some of that stuff. How long can you wait?

* Last updated by: rod442 on 10/28/2014 @ 9:59 AM *

I posted the same thought as you on other threads, Vic. Got a few responses about how much a pain in the neck aftermarket turbos are with constant tuning and reliability issues. Factory boost is the way to go if you want more hp with less bike. If you want 300 hp or more, I guess aftermarket boost can do that more economically with a 14. ...but you'll surely be doing as much wrenching and tuning as you will be riding.

For how often I need more RWHP than my bike has to offer, I'll just go with nitrous. YOu might go as high as +80 hp jets on the 14 without doing engine beef up. 70 shot of nitrous should be very safe for stock engine.

Plus, adding the turbo to the zx10r does NOT get you the better suspension, elec steering damper, better brakes, engine controls (adjustable engine braking), quick shifter, launch control, zillion way traction control, single side swingarm, fancy wheels, awesome black-silver paint and whatever else it has.

Excellent point. That bike is beautiful enough to look at to make it worth the 30K pricetag IMHO. (don't forget trellis frame!)

I sure hope all the go fast goodies that come stock on the H2 are of equal or better quality as the aftermarket stuff. Otherwise, I'm back in practical land, modding and boosting a hyperbike.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/28/2014 @ 11:09 AM *

Thanks for the answers. This is more of a thought experiment than something I'm interested in doing. But I do think someone that's got 25-$30k for an H2 might have some options to do something else. I'm mostly interested in what kind of numbers (track times) the H2 will put down against other liter bikes. Unless it embarrasses them, it'll be a failure because it's being built up so much.

In my scenario warranty wouldn't be a factor, because both will have been raced thus voiding any warranty.

230 hp is big overkill for track. Most riders can't use more than 165 hp on a track anyway. I think this thing is going to loose ground in the corners. I heard from my dealership it is supposed to be very light but it doesn't look light to me. Very nice lookiing bike but it looks a little bulky compared to the other liter bikes

We can speculate all day long but until the hardware actually arrives, we won't really know. Bottom line, the H2 has to outrun the ZX-14R in the quarter mile and on top speed, otherwise what is the point? Handling at 524 lbs wet, will fall somewhere between the 10R and the 14R, you cannot argue with the laws of physics here. Ergonomics should fall between the ZX-10R and the ZX-14R, splits the difference on comfort. So the new H2 will outgun the 14R on the dragstrip and be a little better handling on a closed course with a little less comfort. The 10R will still rule on a roadracing course but loses ground on the street due to shy midrange and lack of long distance comfort. The low end grunt on the H2 will be monumental, it should feel like getting shot out of a cannon. I'm sticking to this narrative until proven wrong.