The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja H2R is the fastest production motorcycle in the world | Taza Khabre

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• The Kawasaki Ninja H2R is the fastest production motorcycle in the world with a top speed of over 245 mph and a power-to-weight ratio that surpasses any other production motorcycle.
• The Ninja H2R is powered by a 998cc supercharged engine, making it the only supercharged production motorcycle offered by a mass manufacturer.
• Although not street-legal, the H2R shines on racetracks, offering thrilling performance and precision engineering that rivals MotoGP bikes.

Having deep knowledge in the engineering world, Kawasaki makes some of the most sophisticated machines in the world, and the Ninja H2 is among them. Kawasaki’s foray into no man’s land is set to showcase its mad engineering prowess. We couldn’t help but wonder, why would any sane automaker spend time and resources developing an absolutely ridiculous car?

UPDATED: 10/28/2023 4:07 PM EST TYHO TENSON

We’ve updated this article with the latest details on the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja H2R. We delve deeper into the interesting features of the world’s fastest production motorcycle, and compare it to its closest competition.

The Ninja H2R is Kawasaki’s fastest to date and is currently the Japanese marque’s flagship offering. When it hit the market, the H2 revolutionized motorcycle design, with several awards adorning this monster. The Ninja H2R is a tough version of the regular H2 with more power and less weight. To put that in context, the H2R has 50% more power than the fastest street-legal motorcycles. The Ninja H2R is actually the “fastest” production motorcycle in the world.

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The Kawasaki Ninja H2R has a top speed of 249 mph

At the heart of the H2R is a 998 cc four-cylinder engine. One of the main advantages of this engine is the use of a supercharger. Yes, a supercharged motorcycle! Actually, The H2R is currently the only supercharged production motorcycle offered by any major manufacturer.

The engine works in two tuning modes. The Ninja H2 is rated at 227 horsepower and 98.5 lb-ft of torque. In this configuration, the H2 runs a supercharger with 20.5 psi of boost. Step up to the H2R and the power figures increase significantly. The engine produces 306 horsepower and 122 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the beast past 250 mph. The numbers can be improved by installing an air intake. The resulting power increase is estimated at 231 horsepower for the H2 and 321 horses for the H2R.

With the Ninja H2R weighing in at 476 pounds (216 kg), you’re looking at insane power-to-weight ratios. The Ninja H2R has a power-to-weight ratio of about 0.7 hp. per pound and ranks first on the list of the best motorcycles with incredible power-to-weight figures. Even the Hennessey Venom F5’s power-to-weight ratio of 0.595 hp. per pound looks pretty measly in front of the H2R.

2024 Kawasaki Ninja H2R Engine Specifications

The Kawasaki Ninja H2R is not allowed on the street

Here’s an important detail: With great power comes responsibility, and public roads aren’t where Kawasaki wants people to ride the H2R. The design of the bike in terms of aerodynamics and engine is not allowed on the road, so to speak.

Instead of rear-view mirrors, this track superbike has MotoGP-inspired fenders that help improve aerodynamics. There are no catalysts. Instead, you have straight pipes that help reduce weight and increase the unobstructed flow of exhaust gases. The bike comes standard with slicks, which pretty much sums up the intent.

From an enthusiast perspective, we’d rather use it on the track than anywhere else. As a 300+ horsepower motorcycle, it makes no sense to use it on public roads. Still, Kawasaki unleashed it on some tracks and boy is it flying. In 2015, the H2R managed to reach 206 mph on the Salba straightwhich gave him the record for the highest top speed achieved on the Isle of Man.

For obscenely impractical sophistication, the Ninja H2R is far from ordinary. The engineering that went into the bike equals MotoGP-like precision and attention to detail. It’s a testament to how far we’ve come in the development of two-wheelers.

2024 Kawasaki Ninja H2R Interesting specs

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The Kawasaki Ninja H2R is in a league of its own

Riding the H2R is far from a civilized affair. While you’ll have to put up with aggressive ergonomics, it’s not as bad as some of its second-tier counterparts. The ride is far from supple, and the bike is largely set up for racetracks. You won’t be disappointed if you do manage to track down this monstrous quadrilateral. The engine is incredibly tractable thanks to its torque. The 998cc supercharged unit is one of, if not the most, refined and powerful four-cylinder on the market. Power is more than adequate and terrifying at full throttle. A free right hand can give you an idea of ​​what the H2R is capable of.

While the H2 is incredibly docile, the H2R is not, and it’s not something we’d recommend for beginners. Kawasaki has very kindly equipped the H2 with several power modes that cut the available power so the rider doesn’t feel close to all 227 horses.

With such impressive capabilities, there is no other motorcycle on the market that can compete with the H2R. For pure excitement and uniqueness, the Kawasaki H2R strikes a balance between performance and sheer absurdity.

Hardware characteristics of the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja H2R

The rival of the Kawasaki Ninja H2R is the winged Ducati

As we mentioned earlier, the Ninja H2R is one of a kind. There is no other bike that can beat the powerful supercharged Kawa. But there is an exotic Ducati that almost challenges the H2R. The insane Panigale V4 R, like the H2R, is Ducati’s version of a road racing bike.

Tuned for incredible performance, the Panigale V4 R is powered by a 998cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine. It produces 218 hp. in “standard” form. But everything is serious for the red monster in its Racing avatar. A few carbon fiber parts and an all-titanium racing exhaust on the V4 R take the power to a whopping 240.5 hp. It also drops the curb weight from 427 to 415 pounds. The result is a red-hot Ducati with an insane power-to-weight ratio of 0.58 hp/lb.

Kawasaki Ninja H2R vs Ducati Panigale V4R

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2024 Kawasaki Ninja H2R: Pricing and Availability

The The 2024 Ninja H2R starts at an MSRP of $58,100. Kawasaki has been selling the H2R for quite some time, but doesn’t expect any revisions anytime soon. A limited number of Ninja H2Rs have been produced and order books are now open for the ‘2024 model’. According to the Kawasaki USA website, it is available through November 30, 2023 for special order.