New Kawasaki H2 Based Sport Tourer

MajorTom

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I would be great to have another option in the sport touring category. I'm a bit skeptical about the fuel range promised in the article, given a large part of that is dependent on the tank size, which is likely not much different from the H2 (4.5 gal/17 l).
 
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The article also states that Kawasaki has stopped production of the Concours, but the Kawasaki website shows the 1400 Concours available as a 2018 model.
 
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st11ray

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The article also states that Kawasaki has stopped production of the Concours, but the Kawasaki website shows the 1400 Concours available as a 2018 model.
Maybe it's because we will be stuck with the Connie and Europe gets the H2?
 

ST Gui

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Ninja H2? Possibly more like lighting a fuse than turning the throttle?

Not bad looking. A liiiiittle too Transformerish and angular for my taste though I could live with the looks if it weren't for the God-awful mufflers and typical polygon bags.


Don B said:
the Kawasaki website shows the 1400 Concours available as a 2018 model.
Maybe Kawasaki still has some warehouses with crated Connies?
 

STripper

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I'm a bit skeptical about the fuel range promised in the article, given a large part of that is dependent on the tank size, which is likely not much different from the H2 (4.5 gal/17 l).
You may have misspelled "speculated." I am quite certain that MCN does not make promises for Kawasaki.
 
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Maybe it's because we will be stuck with the Connie and Europe gets the H2?
I wouldn"t have any problem being "stuck with the Connie". I really don't have any desire to have a 200HP chain-drive supercharged Super Tourer, thank you.
 
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st11ray

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I wouldn"t have any problem being "stuck with the Connie". I really don't have any desire to have a 200HP chain-drive supercharged Super Tourer, thank you.
Is it really a chain drive? I missed that. Chain drive would be a deal breaker for me. Although I'd sure like to have 200 hp and all the electronic goodies.
 
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If you click on the pic below the article and read MCN's test of the H2, 'busa, and YZF-R1 you will stumble on the fuel consumption - less than 23mpg. Sport touring indeed with this engine - maybe from fuel pump to fuel pump without leaving the gas station. To be fair, I rather doubt too many owners would make a regular habit of 4th gear roll-ons from 100 up to speed limiter.
[h=1][/h]
 

omniron

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I have a 2015 Ninja 1000. It weighs 250 lbs less than the ST1300. It's configured for sport-touring, with the "polygon" bags. While it has space for a pillion, it's really best as a solo ride. I have just under 40,000 miles on it, so you can see that I like the bike a lot. The 2017 N1K has further upped the competition with inclusion of the Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) technology, including cornering ABS. It's very good. It's obvious Kawasaki is invested in the sport-touring market, unlike Honda who has apparently abandoned the genre. And now the rumor of a H2-based sport-touring bike, with bags and probable multiple electronic amenities.
 

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Turbocharged 1000 cc engine making 200 hp usually means shorter engine life...
That's very likely true, but the H2 is not turbocharged, and if you read the article you'll notice that the supercharger has variable-pitch vanes that are controlled by throttle application, so it basically has no boost when riding at steady speed, and I would assume that probably also is true when "moderately" accelerating.
 
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Sorry, you are correct that it is supercharged, that really does not matter. A 1000 cc motor which is already pushed to 118 hp is now pushed to 200 hp. A lot more heat and pressure is being generated which creates greater wear for valves, rings, piston, and bearings. Everyone knows that race engines only last the length of a race because they are pushed to its limits. They are calling this bike a Super Tourer. I think it is more of a sport bike. It will be a hoot to ride, but for how long. Too soon to know. But most riders only put a few hundred or a thousand miles a year on a bike so it may not matter to them. Just waving the yellow flag of caution. ST's and wings will get between 200k and 300k miles. Boosted engines need serious work between 50k and 100k miles.... YMMV.
 

paulcb

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Appears to be chain drive... not a modern sport touring bike in my book. Horses for courses...
 
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