2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Updated, Now Claims 228HP
2019 Ninja H2R also receives updates
Kawasaki announced a number of updates to the 2019 Ninja H2 and Ninja H2 Carbon, making the supercharged engine more powerful, while maintaining the same fuel efficiency as the previous iteration. While Kawasaki USA hasn’t released any power figures for the H2, its European counterpart claims a substantial increase from 197.3 hp to 227.8 hp. We’ll have to wait to see if the North American-spec version gets the same boost. The 2019 Ninja H2R also receives some updates, though its engine remains unchanged.
The increase in power for the H2 and H2 Carbon comes from a new air filter, intake chamber, spark plugs and ECU developed from the H2 SX. Notably, the H2 and H2R did not receive the SX’s balanced supercharger which was designed more for low to mid-range performance.
The 2019 H2 and H2R models also receive Brembo’s new Stylema monoblock calipers. The radial-mount four-piston Stylemas are smaller and lighter than Brembo’s previous calipers, while claiming improved heat management. On the H2 and H2R models, they are paired with 330mm rotors, with Kawasaki’s KIBS ABS.
The H2 and H2 Carbon also receive new Bridgestone Battlax RS11 sport tires (the H2R is staying with the Battlax V01 rubbers).
All three models receive the color TFT screen first introduced on the H2 SX, offering four display modes, self-adjusting brightness and a choice of black or white background.
The H2 and H2 Carbon also receive smartphone connectivity. The H2’s screen will display incoming calls and messages while a proprietary phone app shares vehicle information with smartphones such as fuel level, odometer, trip meter, maintenance schedule and battery condition, as well as riding telemetry including GPS tracking, speed, engine speed, gear position and fuel mileage.
The app can also be used to display and adjust the bike’s electronic settings. A rider can preset the engine modes and quick shifter settings using the app, and as soon as the phone is within range and the engine is turned on, the changes will automatically be implemented.
The H2 and H2R models all receive a new paint treatment on all non-carbon bodywork parts. The new paint includes a special top coat that Kawasaki claims is self healing, repairing some minor wear and tear. The top coat contains microscopic hard and soft segments Kawasaki says acts like a chemical spring, absorbing any small impacts. The self-healing does have limits however. Some repairs can take more than a week to recover, and it will not work on some scratches such as those caused by keys or zippers.
The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 will be offered in Mirror Coated Spark Black while the H2 Carbon will come in Mirror Coated Matte Spark Black/Golden Blazed Green. The H2R will come in Mirror Coated Matte Spark Black. US pricing remains to be announced.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Good thing it has more power, the old one was too slow to ride on public roads.
Sure, but how does it do on the Kessel Run?