The latest supercharged model in the Kawasaki hyperbike lineup, the Kawasaki Z H2 was unveiled to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019. As can be surmised fromthe name, the Z H2 uses the same design language as Kawasaki’s other naked sports machines but with the 998 cc, four-cylinder supercharged mill from the H2.


Power in the Z H2 is about the same as its other H2 siblings, the H2 and H2 SX sports tourer – 200 PS at 11,000 rpm but has more torque, 137 Nm at 8,500 rpm compared to the Ninja H2 with 133.5 at 10,500 rpm. Despite being a naked sports bike, the Z H2 is 1 kg heavier at 239 kg but does come with a 19-litre fuel tank, two litres more than the H2.


The Z H2 bears a strong resemblance to the Kawasaki Z1000, including the headlight and rear lights. Seating on the Z H2 is stepped while the fuel tank features a prominent hump.


Inside the cockpit, the instrument panel uses a TFT-LCD digital panel, similar to the unit used in the 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 650 and comes complete with a full suite of electronics including ride modes, inertial measurement unit, Kawasaki Traction Control, Kawasaki Cornering Management and power modes. Also on the menu is Kawasaki Intelligent Anti Lock Brake Systems, launch control, quickshifter, cruise control and smartphone connectivity.


Braking for the Z H2 is done by Brembo while Nissin does the job at the back. Suspension in front is by Showa with fully-adjustable forks while the rear end is held up with a fully-adjustable monoshock with Pirelli Diablo Rosso III rubber on the wheels.

While the Kawasaki Z H2 might be a powerful naked sports bike, that title might be taken by the 2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4, launched in Italy at the same time. But in terms of the power game, Kawasaki might have blown everyone away with the world’s most powerful quarter-litre bike, the Kawasaki ZX-25R, also revealed at the show.


Design language for the ZX-25R will be familiar to many with styling cues taken from other models in Kawasaki’s Ninja range. However, the ZX-25R looks a a touch more aggressive with various body panels that appear to be an aerodynamic aid such as the bottom of the fairing and adjacent to the fuel tank.

The big attraction of the ZX-25R is the inline four-cylinder, liquid-cooled DOHC power plant and will no doubt perform much like the bigger models in the range, the ZX-6R and ZX-10R. Unfortunately no power numbers or other specifications were released at the launch, making the ZX-25R a pre-production model at this stage with no word on when retail sales might begin. 


It can be seen the ZX-25R uses a Showa SPF-BP front fork with ABS-equipped single brake disc in front. According to Kawasaki, riding aids for the ZX-25R include traction control, quickshifter and selectable ride modes.