Kawasaki H2R Bike: Experience the Ultimate Speed of the World’s Fastest Motorcycle

Imagine crouching behind a carbon-fiber fairing, the wind screaming past as you unleash the full fury of a supercharged engine. Shifting into fourth gear at wide-open throttle, the front wheel lifts off the ground, not in a playful pop-up, but a determined surge towards the sky, all while the speedometer blazes past 170 mph. This isn’t just riding a motorcycle; it’s piloting a land-based missile – the Kawasaki H2R. This machine isn’t merely fast; it’s the undisputed king of speed in the production motorcycle realm. My quest to breach the 200 mph barrier on this beast at the Oregon Airstrip Attack was an unforgettable dance with velocity, a testament to Kawasaki’s relentless pursuit of motorcycle perfection.

Rider on Kawasaki H2R accelerating on airstrip, showcasing aerodynamic profile and speed.

Unleashing the Supercharged Beast: Power and Performance of the Kawasaki H2R

The heart of the Kawasaki H2r Bike is its supercharged 998cc inline-four engine, a marvel of engineering that churns out a mind-blowing 310 horsepower at the crankshaft. This isn’t naturally aspirated power; it’s forced induction fury, delivered by a gear-driven supercharger that spins at speeds up to 130,000 rpm. The acceleration is simply brutal. In the first two gears, full throttle with traction control off is an invitation to an instant wheelie, a testament to the bike’s ferocious power delivery. Even in third gear, a twist of the throttle sends the H2R’s aerodynamic winglets into action as the front wheel fights for air, hinting at the sheer force trying to propel you into orbit.

Dyno runs, however, tell a slightly different story than Kawasaki’s official figures. While the H2R consistently delivers power figures well into the triple digits, the numbers typically hover around 230-260 horsepower at the rear wheel, a notch below the claimed 310 crank horsepower. Our test unit at MotoGP Werks dyno registered 231 hp. Even accounting for drivetrain losses, this suggests Kawasaki might be running a richer fuel mixture than necessary for peak power. The strong smell of unburnt fuel during dyno runs supports this theory. A richer mixture, while sacrificing a bit of top-end power, helps in cooling the intake charge (the H2R lacks an intercooler) and prevents engine-damaging detonation. Brock Davidson from Brock’s Performance noted the mixture as “incredibly rich,” around a 10:1 air/fuel ratio, prioritizing engine safety over absolute maximum output.

The street-legal sibling, the Kawasaki Ninja H2, also shares this trait of running rich, limiting its peak output to around 200 horsepower on the same dyno. The transformation from H2 to the track-only H2R involves ECU mapping changes to optimize for the R’s higher-performance camshafts and unmuffled titanium exhaust system. The H2R also features a thinner head gasket to slightly reduce the compression ratio, and two extra clutch plates to handle the immense power. Visually, the H2R distinguishes itself with carbon fiber bodywork and aerodynamic wings, replacing the street-going H2’s mirrors.

Kawasaki H2R engine and supercharger detail, emphasizing the technological marvel.

Chasing the Double Ton: The 200 MPH Quest at Oregon Airstrip Attack

To truly experience the Kawasaki H2R’s capabilities, we took it to the Oregon Airstrip Attack, an event organized by Shift-S3ctor and Revvolution.com. This half-mile speed event attracts high-performance machines, from tuned sports cars to exotic supercars, all vying for top speed on a runway. The half-mile format is a sweet spot, offering more than the quarter-mile drag strip but less demanding than mile-long top speed runs.

The H2R, despite its incredible power, faces stiff competition from heavily modified cars at these events. Supercars like the McLaren 650S, with its 641 hp turbocharged V8, might seem like natural rivals. However, even a McLaren only managed 160 mph at the end of the half-mile course at the Airstrip Attack. The Kawasaki H2R, with its superior power-to-weight ratio, is in a different league. While cars boast horsepower figures reaching into the thousands (some participants had “Alpha 20” cars with over 2000 wheel horsepower!), the H2R only has to propel a fraction of the weight.

The challenge for the H2R isn’t outright power, but putting it down effectively. Its relatively short 57.1-inch wheelbase makes controlling wheelies at launch a significant hurdle. All-wheel-drive cars have an advantage off the line, but the H2R shines once it gains momentum. Interestingly, some car owners even preferred rolling starts to avoid stressing their drivetrains, while the H2R endured relentless standing starts during our 200 mph attempts without complaint.

Kawasaki H2R alongside a McLaren 650S and a helicopter, highlighting the speed comparison.

Riding the Razor’s Edge: Launch Control, Wheelies, and Handling at Extreme Speed

Starting the H2R is an event in itself. The unmuffled exhaust erupts with a raw, aggressive growl, settling into a menacing idle that hints at the power within. Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM) is your friend here. Selecting KLCM 1, which limits revs to 8000 rpm at launch, allows you to focus on clutch engagement and release. The clutch lever itself requires a firm pull, a characteristic befitting a machine of this caliber. Finding neutral can be tricky, further emphasizing that this isn’t a beginner-friendly motorcycle. And forget about using the mirrors; they offer a view of your elbows at best, entirely secondary to the H2R’s primary mission: speed.

Launch control manages power delivery through the first two gears, making launches manageable. Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) offers another layer of safety, using sophisticated analysis to predict and minimize wheel slip. For those new to the H2R’s insanity, KTRC serves as a valuable safety net. Once you shift into third gear, launch control disengages, and the full force of the supercharged engine is unleashed. Upshifts are seamless thanks to Kawasaki’s quickshifter, allowing you to keep the throttle pinned. An electronic Öhlins steering damper contributes to stability at high speeds.

As you climb through the gears, the experience becomes progressively more intense. Reaching the top of third gear sends the tachometer’s red shift indicator lights flashing as you approach 14,000 rpm. Shifting into fourth around 145 mph unleashes another surge of acceleration. From 150 to 170 mph happens in what feels like a blink. Fifth gear propels you from 170 to 190 mph in a couple of heartbeats. By sixth gear, it’s all about holding on and seeing how far past 200 mph the digital speedometer will climb before you hit the speed trap. At these velocities, slowing down is also an experience. Releasing the throttle at 200 mph results in a rapid deceleration of around 40 mph per second simply due to wind resistance. Fortunately, Brembo M50 brakes with ABS provide immense stopping power when needed.

Rider's hand on Kawasaki H2R throttle, showcasing controls and carbon fiber details.

Pushing the Limits: Tuning, Modifications, and the Unreachable 200 MPH

Despite speedometer readings exceeding 200 mph, the laser speed trap recorded a best of 195.82 mph at the half-mile mark. While close, the elusive 200 mph target remained just out of reach. Factors like rider tuck and tighter leathers might offer marginal gains near terminal velocity, but the speedometer clearly indicated the bike was still accelerating above 200 mph, suggesting more speed was possible with a longer run-up. A stock H2R, in the hands of Kawasaki’s R&D team, had previously achieved 216.4 mph at the Mojave Mile, demonstrating the bike’s inherent potential.

Hopes were high for day two of the Airstrip Attack, but the atmosphere was thick with smoke from nearby forest fires. Smoke reduces air density and oxygen content, directly impacting engine power. However, a secret weapon arrived: Rickey Gadson, drag racing legend, brought a modified ECU from his H2/R hybrid race bike. This ECU, flashed by Don Guhl, reportedly boosted power to 301 hp on Gadson’s bike. Serendipitously, an H2R owner at the event, Jimmy, generously offered his bike for ECU testing.

While Gadson installed the modified ECU on Jimmy’s H2R, I took the stock bike out again to refine my technique. I experimented with disabling traction control and relying solely on throttle control for launches. We even adjusted the suspension, adding rebound damping to the forks and compression damping to the shock, a drag racing trick to control wheelies and enable earlier full throttle application.

Despite these efforts, neither the stock nor the modified H2R could break the 200 mph barrier on Sunday. The best run on the modified bike, even with Gadson himself piloting, was 198 mph. My best on the modified bike was 196.7 mph. The smoky air undoubtedly played a role, robbing the engines of power.

Rickey Gadson and author working on the Kawasaki H2R, showcasing the tuning effort.

Kawasaki H2R: Highs and Lows of Hyper-Performance

2015 Kawasaki H2R

+ Highs

• Unrivaled Velocity: The fastest production motorcycle on the planet.
• Unmatched Power: 310 horsepower supercharged engine delivers breathtaking acceleration.
• Unquestionable Cool Factor: A technological marvel that commands attention.

– Sighs

• Premium Price: At $53,000, it’s an exclusive machine for the few.
• Jagged Throttle Response: Demands a skilled and experienced rider.
• Limited Practicality: Wings and aggressive riding position hinder everyday usability.

The Kawasaki H2R isn’t about practicality or everyday riding. It’s a statement, a rolling showcase of Kawasaki’s engineering prowess, and a relentless pursuit of speed. It’s a hyperbike designed for the ultimate thrill, for those who crave the adrenaline rush of pushing boundaries. While the 200 mph mark remained elusive on this occasion, the experience of riding the H2R was a profound reminder of the sheer exhilaration and technological brilliance this machine embodies. The quest for 200 mph continues, and the Kawasaki H2R remains the ultimate tool for chasing that dream.

Kawasaki H2R at the Oregon Airstrip Attack finish line, representing speed and performance.

2016 Kawasaki Ninja H2R Specifications