2022 Kawasaki Ninja H2 / H2 Carbon [Specs, Features, Photos]

The 2022 Kawasaki Ninja H2: Street-Legal Sport Touring Insanity

Model Overview
Specifications
Features
Photos
Videos
Links

We’re assuming that the “H” in “Kawasaki Ninja H2” stands for “horsepower”—and that the “2” stands for “way 2 much”. Some of our writers at wBW like to make the occasional lighthearted joke about sport bikers looking like Power Rangers, but I’ll never so much as smirk at anyone who rides one of these, because that person is guaranteed to be a certified badass. If there’s ever been a street-legal sport bike that puts the “power” in “power ranger”, this one is it.

Kawasaki makes some great entry level motorcycles—you’ll find bulletproof beginner-friendly offerings like the Ninja 400 and Vulcan 900 in the 2022 Kawasaki lineup—but this ain’t one of ‘em. No, the Ninja H2 and Ninja H2 Carbon each contain a 988cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC valve in-line four cylinder engine—which produces an eye-watering 228 horsepower @ 11500 RPM, and 104.9 lb-ft @ 11000 RPM of torque. That’s… insane, Kawasaki. That’s actually insane.

That shouldn’t be surprising, though—of all the big Japanese motorcycle brands, Kawasaki has a reputation for being perhaps the most over-the-top. You don’t get on this beast if you’re a new rider. In fact, unless you’re extremely confident in your riding ability, you probably shouldn’t get on at all. But for those with the skills (and the cash to pay the bills for this $30,500 USD bike), the Ninja H2 is quite simply one of the highest performing bikes you can legally ride on public roads.

The Ninja H2 is unchanged from last year, and the Carbon version doesn’t add any performance enhancements—just a carbon fiber upper cowl (which, we have to admit, looks pretty sweet). They’re the same as the 2021 versions, right down to the color options: the Ninja H2 comes in Mirror Coated Spark Black, and the Ninja H2 Carbon comes in Mirror Coated Matte Spark Black or Candy Flat Blazed Green.

The Ninja H2 starts at $30,500 USD / $33,000 CAD.

The Ninja H2 Carbon starts at $34,000 USD / $38,000 CAD.

On this page: we’ve curated specs, features, news, photos/videos, etc. so you can read up on the new 2022 Kawasaki H2 and H2 Carbon in one place.

Model Overview

General Info

Price:
- Ninja H2: $30,500 USD / $33,000 CAD
- Ninja H2 Carbon: $34,000 USD / $38,000 CAD
Key Features:
- Assist and slipper clutch
- Economical riding indicator
- Electronic throttle valves
- Kawasaki engine brake control
- KLCM (Kawasaki Launch Control Mode)
- KCMF (Kawasaki Corner Management Function)
- KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control)
- Smartphone connectivity
- Supercharged engine
- KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter)
- KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-lock Brake System)
- IMU-enhanced chassis orientation awareness

Main Specs

Engine: 988cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC valve in-line four cylinder
Power: 228 hp @ 11500 RPM
Torque: 104.9 lb-ft @ 11000 RPM
Wet Weight: 524.8 lbs (238.1 kg)
Seat Height: 32.5 inches (825.5 mm) at lowest point

Competitors

2022 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Specifications

From Kawasaki

ENGINE
Engine	998 cc Liquid -cooled, 4-stroke, In-Line Four, DOHC, 16-valve
Power	228 HP
Bore x Stroke	76.0 x 55.0mm
Compression Ratio	8.3:1
Fuel System	DFI® with 50mm throttle bodies (4) with dual injection ; Kawasaki Supercharger
Starter	Electric
Lubrication
DRIVETRAIN
Clutch
Transmission	6-speed, return, dog-ring
Final Drive	Sealed chain
CHASSIS
Suspension Front	43mm inverted fork with adjustable rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs/4.7 in
Suspension Rear	Uni-Trak®, Öhlins TTX36 gas charged shock with piggyback reservoir, 24-way compression and rebound damping and adjustability and hand-turn spring preload adjustability, and top-out spring/5.3 in
Brakes Front	Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-piston Brembo Stylema® calipers, dual semi-floating 330mm discs, KIBS ABS
Brakes Rear	Opposed 2-piston calipers, single 250mm disc, KIBS ABS
Tires Front	120/70 ZR17 (58W)
Tires Rear	200/55 ZR17 (78W)
Fuel Tank Capacity	4.5 gal
Color	Mirror Coated Matte Spark Black
ELECTRICAL
Ignition	Digital
Spark Plugs
Headlight	LED
Tail Light	LED
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length	82.1 in
Overall Width	30.3 in
Overall Height	44.3 in
Wheelbase	57.3 in
Ground Clearance	5.1 in
Seat Height	32.5 in
Curb Weight	524.8 lb*
WARRANTY
Warranty	12 Months
Kawasaki Protection Plus	12, 24, or 36 months

2022 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Features

Based on feedback from racing activities, the Assist & Slipper Clutch uses two types of cams (an assist cam and a slipper cam) to either drive the clutch hub and operating plate together or apart.
Under normal operation, the assist cam functions as a self-servo mechanism, pulling the clutch hub and operating plate together to compress the clutch plates. This allows the total clutch spring load to be reduced, resulting in a lighter clutch lever feel when operating the clutch.
When excessive engine braking occurs – as a result of quick downshifts (or an accidental downshift) – the slipper cam comes into play, forcing the clutch hub and operating plate apart. This relieves pressure on the clutch plates to reduce back-torque and helps prevent the rear tire from hopping and skidding. This race-style function is particularly useful when sport or track riding.

Using high-precision electronic control for engine management, Kawasaki models can achieve a high level of fuel efficiency. However, fuel consumption is greatly affected by throttle use, gear selection, and other elements under the rider’s control. The Economical Riding Indicator is a function that indicates when current riding conditions are consuming a low amount of fuel. The system continuously monitors fuel consumption, regardless of vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle position and other riding conditions. When fuel consumption is low for a given speed (i.e. fuel efficiency is high), an “ECO” mark appears on the instrument panel’s LCD screen. By riding so that the “ECO” mark remains on, fuel consumption can be reduced.

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While effective vehicle speed and engine speed may vary by model, paying attention to conditions that cause the “ECO” mark to appear can help riders improve their fuel efficiency – a handy way to increase cruising range. Further, keeping fuel consumption low also helps minimize negative impact on the environment.

Kawasaki’s fully electronic throttle actuation system enables the ECU to control the volume of both the fuel (via fuel injectors) and the air (via throttle valves) delivered to the engine. Ideal fuel injection and throttle valve position results in smooth, natural engine response and the ideal engine output. The system also makes a significant contribution to reduced emissions.
Electronic throttle valves also enable more precise control of electronic engine management systems like S-KTRC and KTRC, and allow the implementation of electronic systems like KLCM, Kawasaki Engine Brake Control, and Electronic Cruise Control.

The Kawasaki Engine Brake Control system allows riders to select the amount of engine braking they prefer. When the system is activated, the engine braking effect is reduced, providing less interference when riding on the track.

Designed to assist riders by optimizing acceleration from a stop, KLCM electronically manages engine output to minimize wheel spin when moving off. With the clutch lever pulled in and the system activated, engine speed is limited to a determined speed while the rider holds the throttle open. Once the rider releases the clutch lever to engage the clutch, engine speed is allowed to increase, but power is regulated to minimize wheel spin and help keep the front wheel on the ground. The system disengages automatically once a predetermined speed has been reached, or when the rider shifts into third gear. Depending on the model, riders can choose from multiple modes, each offering a progressively greater level of intrusion.

Using the latest evolution of Kawasaki’s advanced modeling software and feedback from a compact IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that gives an even clearer real-time picture of chassis orientation, KCMF monitors engine and chassis parameters throughout the corner – from entry, through the apex, to corner exit – modulating brake force and engine power to facilitate smooth transition from acceleration to braking and back again, and to assist riders in tracing their intended line through the corner. The systems that KCMF oversees vary by model, but may include:

KTRC, Kawasaki’s advanced traction control system provides both enhanced sport riding performance and the peace of mind to negotiate slippery surfaces with confidence. Multiple rider-selectable modes (the number of modes varies by model) offer progressively greater levels of intrusion to suit the riding situation and rider preference.
Less intrusive modes maintain optimum traction during cornering. Designed with sport riding in mind, they facilitate acceleration out of corners by maximizing forward drive from the rear wheel. And because Kawasaki’s sophisticated software bases its dynamic analysis on the chassis’ orientation relative to the track surface (rather than relative to a horizontal plane), it is able to take into account corner camber, gradient, etc., and adapt accordingly.

In the more intrusive modes (and for some models, in any mode), when excessive wheel spin is detected, engine output is reduced to allow grip to be regained, effectively enabling riders to negotiate both short, slippery patches (train tracks or manhole covers) and extended stretches of bad roads (wet pavement, cobblestone, gravel) with confidence.

Clever technology enables riders to connect to their motorcycle wirelessly. Using the smartphone application “RIDEOLOGY THE APP,” a number of instrument functions can be accessed, contributing to an enhanced motorcycling experience. Vehicle information (such as the odometer, fuel gauge, maintenance schedule, etc) can be viewed on the smartphone. Riding logs (varies by model, but may include GPS route, gear position, rpm, and other information) can be viewed on the smartphone. When connected, telephone (call, mail) notices are displayed on the instrument panel. Riders can also make changes to their motorcycle’s instrument display settings (preferred units, clock and date setting, etc) via the smartphone. And on certain models, it is even possible to check and adjust vehicle settings (such as Rider Mode, electronic rider support features, and payload settings) using the smartphone.

Drawing on the know-how and technology possessed by the Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI), Kawasaki’s supercharged engine delivers high engine output while maintaining a compact design. The key to achieving this incredible performance lies in the engine’s supercharger – a motorcycle-specific unit designed completely in-house with technology from the Kawasaki Gas Turbine & Machinery Company, Aerospace Company and Corporate Technology Division.
One of the greatest benefits of designing the supercharger in-house and tailoring its design to match the engine’s characteristics was that engineers were able to achieve high-efficiency operation over a wide range of conditions – something that would not have been possible by simply dropping in or trying to adapt an aftermarket automotive supercharger.
The importance of high efficiency in a supercharger is that, as the air is compressed, power-robbing heat gain is minimal. And while many superchargers are able to offer high-efficiency operation in a very limited range of conditions, the Kawasaki supercharger offers high efficiency over a wide range of pressure ratios and flow rates – meaning over a wide range of engine speeds and vehicle speeds. This wide range of efficient operation (similar to having a wide power band) easily translates to strong acceleration. The supercharger’s high efficiency and minimal heat gain also meant that an intercooler was unnecessary, greatly saving weight and space, and enabling the engine’s compact design.

Designed to help riders maximize their acceleration on the track by enabling clutchless upshifts with the throttle fully open, KQS detects that the shift lever has been actuated and sends a signal to the ECU to cut ignition so that the next gear can be engaged without having to use the clutch. On models that offer clutchless downshifts, during deceleration the system automatically controls engine speed so that the next lower gear can be selected without operating the clutch.

Kawasaki ABS systems use front and rear wheel sensors to constantly monitor wheel speed. Should information from either of the sensors indicate that wheel lock has occurred, the ABS ECU directs the pump in the ABS unit to modulate brake fluid pressure (releasing and reapplying pressure so that traction can be regained) until normal operation resumes. ABS offers rider reassurance that contributes to greater riding enjoyment.