The development of the Ninja H2R motorcycle goes beyond the boundaries of any other Kawasaki motorcycle. Born of unprecedented inter-company collaboration within the Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) Group, the world’s only limited production supercharged hypersport model represents the pinnacle of Kawasaki engineering, delivering astonishing acceleration and mind-bending top speed suitable only for closed courses.
The unprecedented power output of the supercharged Ninja H2R closed-course motorcycle is made possible only through a system of finely-tuned and carefully crafted high-quality components.
Chosen for its high-rpm performance, the centrifugal-type supercharger is incredibly efficient at compressing air (at up to 2.4x atmospheric pressure) while minimising heat. As a result of the supercharger’s efficiency, no large, heavy intercooler is required to cool the compressed air. The supercharger was designed to match the engine, allowing high-efficiency operation over a wider range of conditions than could be provided by a typical supercharger.
The complex shape of the impeller is 3D machined from forged aluminium for high precision and durability. The impeller spins at 9.2x the speed of the crankshaft, reaching speeds of nearly 130,000 rpm, pumping over 200 litres of air per second into the engine.
Designed using technology from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) Aerospace Company, the planetary gear transfers power from the crankshaft to drive the impeller to incredibly high rpm.
Loaded with technology developed specifically for a supercharged engine, the whole engine was designed to accommodate the higher air pressure from the supercharger as well as ensure a high reliability with the over 300 PS output. Designed for high-performance racing engines, the premium dog-ring transmission enables smooth, precise, quick shifting. Rather than shifting gears into place, the gears in this configuration stay in place, with the lightweight dog rings moving to engage the gears. A high-quality hydraulic clutch is complemented by an adjustable back-torque limiter that helps to minimise wheel hop that may occur with rapid downshifting.
Surrounding the Ninja H2R motorcycle’s high-output engine is a multitude of premium, high-performance components, selected specifically for unmatchable performance at closed-course speeds.
The Ohlins TTX36 rear shock with remote preload adjuster is fully adjustable and offers precise damping for enhanced traction, comfort and feedback to the rider. The KYB AOS-II (Air-Oil-Separate) low friction cartridge fork offers superb action; initial stroke is smooth and compliant followed by progressive damping through the end of the stroke. The front fork is fully adjustable for compression and rebound damping, as well as preload.
The Ninja H2R motorcycle comes equipped with dual radial-mount opposed four-piston Brembo Stylema front calipers and semi-floating o330 mm discs for aggressive braking. The Brembo clutch and front brake levers were designed to prevent wind force from engaging the levers while at higher speed. This impressive hardware is governed by the supersport-grade Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS).
The lightweight cast aluminium wheels were designed specifically for the Ninja H2R motorcycle and were created using analysis from Kawasaki’s World Superbike team. The Ninja H2R comes equipped with slick tyres. The Bridgestone RACING BATTLAX V01 commercially available superbike racing tyres are rated for ultra-high speed operation for which the Ninja H2R was designed.
The trellis frame provides the strength to harness the incredible power of the supercharged engine and the balanced flex to achieve optimal rigidity and pliability for aggressive sport riding.
Key enhancements bring Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) WorldSBK championship-proven electronics management technology to the Ninja H2R motorcycle. This results in precise chassis orientation awareness that assists the rider’s ability to adapt to a wide range of closed-course riding conditions.
Whereas many competitive traction control systems react to wheel-slip, KTRC, enhanced with feedback from the IMU, predicts conditions and acts before slippage exceeds the range for optimal traction. Nine modes allow riders to choose the degree in which KTRC intervenes during riding. KTRC can also be switched off completely.
Three-mode KLCM provides unmatchable acceleration from a stop by electronically controlling engine output to minimise rear wheel-slip and front-end lift. Kawasaki Launch Control Mode allows the rider to launch from a stop with the throttle held wide open.
Also enhanced by feedback from the IMU, Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS) is a supersport-grade, high-precision, multi-sensing ABS brake assistance system that uses high-precision control to modulate brake pressure during sport riding.
This system allows riders to set engine braking according to preference. When the system is activated, the engine braking effect is reduced, providing less interference when riding on the circuit.
Complementing the engine’s strong power and the dog-ring transmission, a contactless-type quick shifter enables quick upshifts and downshifts for seamless acceleration and quick and smooth deceleration.
The Ninja H2R’s design projects intense force, becoming a product of functional beauty. Each and every angle, from the carbon-fibre wings to the front fender, is designed to contribute unprecedented performance and style.
The Ninja H2R’s aerodynamic design helps reduce drag, create downforce and ensure optimal airflow to the supercharger. Carbon-fibre vortex down-control wings, designed by KHI’s Aerospace Company, feature angled winglets to help smooth airflow around the wingtips, so that the wings can more effectively create downforce. Highly rigid carbon-fibre upper cowl and aerodynamically shaped rear cowl help efficiently direct airflow to reduce resistance, while a chin spoiler further contributes to downforce generation and higher stability.
Kawasaki’s original silver-mirror paint was developed specifically for motorcycles. Its highly reflective, sparkling glasslike metal appearance adds to the bike’s stunning design. In the shade the paint appears black, but once in the sunlight its highly reflective surface takes on the appearance of the surrounding scenery. A special top coat on all non-carbon bodywork parts allows certain types of scratches to repair themselves, enabling the paint to maintain its high-quality finish through normal wear and tear*. Self-healing is achieved through microscopic soft and hard segments within the top coat that work like a chemical spring, creating a trampoline effect that absorbs impacts.*Paint recovery is not immediate and may take more than one week. The paint will not recover from all scratches, including those caused by a coin, key or zip fastener.
228.0 kW {310 PS} / 14,000 rpm
240.0 kW {326 PS} / 14,000 rpm
165.0 Nm {16.8 kgfm} / 12,500 rpm
4-stroke In-Line Four
998 cc
76.0 × 55.0 mm
8.3:1
DOHC, 16 valves
Fuel injection: o50 mm x 4 with dual injection
Kawasaki Supercharger
Digital
Electric
Liquid-cooled
Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler
6-speed, return, dog-ring
1.551 (76/49)
3.188 (51/16)
2.526 (48/19)
2.045 (45/22)
1.727 (38/22)
1.524 (32/21)
1.348 (31/23)
2.333 (42/18)
Wet multi-disc, manual
Chain
Trellis, high-tensile steel, with Swingarm Mounting Plate
o43 mm inverted fork with rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs
New Uni Trak, Ohlins TTX36 gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir, compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability, and top-out spring
120 mm
135 mm
25.1?
108 mm
27? / 27?
120/600 R17
190/650 R17
Dual semi-floating o330 mm Brembo discs
Dual radial-mount, Brembo Stylema monobloc, opposed 4-piston
o250 mm disc
Brembo, opposed 2-piston
2,070 × 850 × 1,160 mm
1,450 mm
130 mm
830 mm
216 kg
17 litres
ZX1000YNFNN
