Following up on last year’s Z H2 naked bike, Kawasaki just revealed the new Z H2 SE, with electronically-managed suspension.
The Z H2 caused a stir at its release in 2019, combining a 998 cc supercharged inline four, with claimed output of 200 hp and 101 lb-ft of torque. with styling and design from Kawi’s Z lineup, as opposed to the super-pricey standard H2 models. We’re talking steel tube trellis frame and double-sided swingarm, all very functional but not the same stuff as the flashy H2 line.Â
Not that this was a chintzy bike with a big engine, not at all. The Z H2 still got proper electronics (traction control, selectable riding modes, cornering ABS, Rideology, TFT dash, all-LED lightING, up/down quickshifter). However, at time of release, it seemed Kawi pinched a few pennies by going with Showa’s SFF-BP forks and similar shock. Now, that’s changed with the SE model. It’s getting Kawasaki Electronic Controlled Suspension (KECS) with Showa Skyhook technology. The press release doesn’t go in-depth here, but Skyhook and KECS are supposed to work to optimize comfort and handling precision. The suspension self-adjusts for changing road conditions in real time.
The SE also gets new Brembo Stylema brake calipers, proper upgraded stoppers over the original hypernaked bike. Pricing is still not out-of-reach for a buyer with good credit rating, especially when you consider you’re getting an H2 model with supercharger and electro-suspension. MSRP is $23,099; full specs below.
2021 Kawasaki Z H2 SE
MSRP: $23,099
Key Specs:
Engine: Supercharged 998 cc, DOHC, in-line four
Power: 200 ps @ 10,500 rpm
Torque: 137 Nm @ 8,500 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Drive: Chain
Chassis: Trellis, high-tensile steel, with Swingarm Mounting Plate
Suspension, front: 43 mm inverted fork (SFF-CA) with KECS-controlled compression and rebound damping, manual spring preload adjustability, top-out springs and 120 mm of travel
Suspension, rear: New Uni Trak, BFRC lite gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir, KECS-controlled compression and rebound damping, manual spring preload adjustability, top-out spring and 134 mm travel
Wheels: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) Front / 190/55ZR17M/C (75W) Rear
Brakes: Dual semi-floating ø320 mm Brembo discs with dual radial-mount Brembo Stylema monobloc four-piston caliper front, 220 mm disc with single-piston caliper rear and braided-steel brake lines
Curb weight: 240 kg
Wheelbase: 1,455 mm
Length: 2,085 mm
Width: 815 mm
Ground clearance: 140 mm
Seat height: 830 mm (33 in)
