Kawasaki Z H2

What makes the Z H2 unique?

The Kawasaki Z H2 is the flagship of the Z family, and what sets it apart comes down to one word: supercharger. It is a small engine-driven compressor that squeezes the intake air before it reaches the cylinders. More air means more fuel burned on every cycle, so more power without a bigger engine.

Introduced for the 2020 model year, it was launched to the world’s press in February 2020 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Cycle World described it at the time as the world’s first production supercharged naked bike. The “River Mark” emblem on its headlight cowl is reserved by Kawasaki for its supercharged machines.

Which Z H2 in France and at what price?

Kawasaki France sells the 2025 Z H2 at €19,299 and the 2025 Z H2 SE at €21,949 (list prices). Until 31 October 2026, the “Back to Kawa” offer brings them down to €17,649 and €20,299 for 2024 and 2025 models. Kawasaki France does not offer a 2026 model year: its range and offers only list the 2024, 2025 and 2027 Z H2.

Kawasaki has confirmed that the Z H2 and Z H2 SE return for 2027. Their spec sheets are already online and repeat the 2025 figures exactly, but 2027 prices had not been published by mid-October 2026. The 2027 Z H2 comes in Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Carbon Gray.

There is no A2 version. At 147.1 kW, the Z H2 is far above the 70 kW limit beyond which a bike cannot be restricted for the European A2 licence.

How good is the supercharged engine?

The 998 cc inline-four (76.0 x 55.0 mm, 11.2:1 compression) is derived from the Ninja H2 SX unit. It makes 200 PS (147.1 kW) at 11,000 rpm and 137 Nm at 8,500 rpm according to Kawasaki Europe; in the United States, Kawasaki quotes 197 hp (imperial horsepower, roughly 200 PS) at 10,500 rpm. The 69 mm supercharger impeller is machined from a single block of forged aluminium (MCN, Motorcycle.com), and the engine does without an intercooler, the radiator that usually cools the compressed air. Cycle World reports maximum boost of just over 1 bar.

Reviewers agree on the engine’s character. MCN finds it smooth and easy at low revs, before the supercharger gets into its stride and pins you to the 12,000 rpm redline. Cycle World calls it almost unfathomably smooth thanks to its dual balancers, and truly alive from about 8,000 rpm. Motorcycle.com calls the acceleration “stupefying”, while noting the bike is happy to drone along in traffic. All of them mention the supercharger’s chirp on deceleration.

The six-speed gearbox is a dog-ring design that Kawasaki says draws on MotoGP technology. It gets a standard two-way quickshifter, allowing clutchless upshifts and downshifts above 2,500 rpm. Cycle World and Motorcycle.com did find it notchy at times.

How does it ride?

The high-tensile steel trellis frame uses the engine as a stressed member (MCN) and carries a double-sided aluminium swingarm, a first for the H2 family according to Motorcycle.com. The geometry favours stability: a 1,455 mm wheelbase, 24.9° of rake and 104 mm of trail. The bike weighs 239 kg wet.

That weight is less obvious than you might think: MCN finds it lither than it looks on paper, unflappable at high speed and reassuring, and Cycle World rates it nimble and stable. The 43 mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork is adjustable for preload, compression and rebound, the Showa shock only for preload and rebound. Yet this is the base bike’s weak point: MCN says the rear end becomes crashy and the handling a little vague on bumpy roads when the pace rises, and Cycle World found the ride firm on its road loop.

Braking combines twin 320 mm discs with radial Brembo M4.32 calipers and, according to the press, a Nissin master cylinder. MCN praises the feel at the lever and Motorcycle.com the power; Cycle World would have liked more initial bite and less lever effort.

What electronics does it have?

The Z H2 uses an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a sensor that constantly tracks the bike’s lean and movements. It feeds the three-mode KTRC traction control, which also limits front wheel lift, KCMF cornering management, KIBS ABS, KLCM launch control and engine brake control. Four riding modes (Sport, Road, Rain and a customisable Rider mode) combine power delivery and traction control settings.

Cruise control is standard, as are the colour TFT display, which even shows boost pressure and temperature, and Bluetooth connectivity with the Rideology app. MCN rates the traction control up there with the best road-going superbike systems and praises the smoothness of the wheelie control.

Z H2 or Z H2 SE?

Added in 2021, the Z H2 SE costs €2,650 more. It gets KECS (Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension) semi-active suspension with Showa Skyhook technology: the electronics adjust the damping of the 43 mm SFF-CA fork and BFRC-Lite shock in real time to suit the road and your riding. The front calipers are upgraded to Brembo Stylema, the master cylinder is a Brembo, and weight rises to 240 kg. MCN gave it 5/5 in 2021, saying Kawasaki had fixed the only real flaw of its supercharged naked.

Who is it for?

The Z H2 needs a full A licence and some experience: Cycle World warns against making it your first bike, and Motorcycle.com describes it as an expert’s machine that is nevertheless happy to crawl through traffic. MCN finds it roomy, comfortable and well equipped, but not as sharp as superbike-based nakeds such as the Aprilia Tuono V4 or the Ducati Streetfighter V4. Motorcycle.com named it Best Naked Motorcycle of 2020.

Fuel consumption, maintenance and recalls

Kawasaki quotes 6.0 L/100 km, which gives a calculated range of about 317 km from the 19-litre tank. In real-world use, MCN recorded 34 mpg (UK), about 8.3 L/100 km, on the Z H2 SE (same engine), for a range of 142 miles (about 229 km). Services fall every 12,000 km or every year, with a valve clearance check every 24,000 km, and Kawasaki France’s warranty runs for 4 years with unlimited mileage.

In the United States, NHTSA has recorded two recalls: in 2021 (21V-593, also issued in Canada as no. 2021-474) for an incorrectly assembled engine oil pressure relief valve on 2020-2021 Z H2s and 2021 Z H2 SEs, then in 2022 (22V-912) for a camshaft chain tensioner that could lock on 2020 to 2023 Z H2s and on Z H2 SEs. In both cases the engine could stall, and the part was replaced free of charge. The 2025 model year is not affected, and no recall was found on France’s RappelConso.